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Empowering Future Generations Through Outdoor Learning

Since 1971, Wolf Ridge has been a trailblazer in environmental education. As the largest accredited residential environmental education center in the United States and the first Environmental Learning Center to be accredited as a K-12 school, we have inspired and educated thousands of students through hands-on, immersive learning experiences.

Each year, we offer over 50 classes and experiences, helping students connect with the natural world, deepen their understanding of environmental issues, and cultivate the skills necessary to become informed, responsible citizens.

By supporting Wolf Ridge today, you’ll be providing life-changing opportunities for students to engage with nature, develop critical thinking skills, and take meaningful steps toward creating a sustainable future. Your generous contribution will help shape the next generation of environmental stewards and ensure that future students continue to benefit from the transformative education we offer.

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1,000+

Graduate naturalists trained and mentored by Wolf Ridge staff

700,000+

Students who have attended Wolf Ridge since we opened in 1971

14,000+

Adventure ropes classes made possible by donor support each year

Small child in winter with bird on head

Make a Lasting Impact with Your Gift to Wolf Ridge

Your generous contribution to Wolf Ridge will create meaningful change for students and the environment. Here’s how your support can make a direct impact:

  • Provide School Scholarships: Help bring K-12 students to Wolf Ridge by funding scholarships, making it possible for more young people to experience transformative outdoor education.
  • Support Environmental Education: Ensure that youth from across the region can attend the largest summer camp in Minnesota dedicated to environmental education, where they can build lasting connections with nature.
  • Sustain the Future: Support our endowment fund to ensure a lasting legacy of environmental education for generations to come.
  • Build a Sustainable Campus: Help fund the continued development of our campus, which serves as a living, breathing teaching tool for sustainable living practices.
  • Feed Future Generations: Provide organic food from our on-site farm for thousands of student meals, nourishing both body and mind with fresh, locally grown ingredients.

With your support, you’re investing in the future—empowering students to become environmental stewards and building a sustainable world for tomorrow. Join us in making a difference today.

 

 

Wolf Ridge Annual Reports

Give Today

Your one-time gift or ongoing support is the best way to ensure future generations can experience of Wolf Ridge. Your contribution amounts and frequency can change at any time.

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Planned Giving

Make a lasting gift by including Wolf Ridge in your will or estate plan. By joining The Leaders of the Pack you can impact our programming for generations to come.

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Endowed Funds

By creating an endowment with our organization—or adding to our existing endowment—you can create a lasting legacy that honors your values for many years to come.

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Margaret A Cargill Lodge
MAC Lodge at Wolf Ridge. Photo Credit: HGA & Chad Holder

Donors Made History with Wolf Ridge’s First Living Building Renovations

Thanks to the incredible support of our donors, Wolf Ridge has become a leader in sustainable building practices.

In 2017, we completed our first Living Building project with the Lakeview Student Lodge. This ambitious initiative set the stage for even greater achievements. In 2021, we unveiled the Margaret A. Cargill Lodge, a full renovation of the former West Dorm, which received Living Building Certification—a prestigious standard that only a handful of buildings in the world have achieved.

The 22,000-square-foot MAC Lodge is a model of sustainability, proving its commitment to Net Positive Energy and Net Positive Water by generating more energy than it consumes and offsetting its water usage.

This remarkable milestone was made possible by generous donors who believe in our mission and our dedication to environmental education. With your continued support, we can keep building a future where sustainability and education go hand in hand.

Learn More about how you can be part of this ongoing legacy.

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Boy And Child Planing Crops at Wolf Ridge

Join the Leaders of the Pack: Leave a Lasting Legacy

Want to support Wolf Ridge’s mission without impacting your finances today? By becoming a member of our Leaders of the Pack and including a charitable bequest to Wolf Ridge in your will, retirement plans, or revocable trust, you’ll help ensure that future generations of students can experience the transformative power of environmental education.

Your legacy gift will play a vital role in sustaining our mission and expanding the impact of Wolf Ridge for years to come. Help us continue to inspire and educate the environmental leaders of tomorrow.

Join the Leaders of the Pack and leave a gift that lasts a lifetime.

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Group Wearing Construction Outfits Holding Shovels

Making Waves Campaign: A Milestone Achieved

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Making Waves Campaign is now complete, and we are thrilled to share the lasting impact of these transformative projects:

  • The Margaret A. Cargill (MAC) Lodge: This groundbreaking renovation project became the first in the world to achieve full certification as a Living Building by the International Living Future Institute. The MAC Lodge not only serves as a place for students to stay but also as a powerful, hands-on teaching tool for sustainable living and construction, bringing classroom lessons to life.
  • The Lake Superior Field Station: We now offer expansive trails on our 68-acre campus along the stunning Lake Superior shoreline. The field station includes an observation deck with breathtaking views, a classroom yurt, and restrooms, enhancing our educational offerings with critical opportunities in freshwater literacy.
  • Lakeview Staff House: This modern housing facility, built to Living Building Challenge standards, provides sustainable accommodations for our graduate naturalist students. The Lakeview Staff House is a Net Zero energy and Net Zero water facility, allowing students to fully embrace the principles of sustainability while living and learning within our mission.
  • New Maintenance Building: With a newly constructed, efficient maintenance facility, our staff now has dedicated space for tools, equipment, and operations. This critical upgrade ensures we can continue to maintain our world-class campus to the highest standards.

Thank you to everyone who made these incredible improvements possible. Together, we’ve created a lasting legacy of sustainability, education, and environmental stewardship that will benefit future generations.

Volunteer Spotlight

Make a Difference at Wolf Ridge: Volunteer with Us!

For over 50 years, our volunteer program has been the backbone of Wolf Ridge, enriching the experience of over 12,000 visitors each year. With the support of more than 500 dedicated volunteers, we continue to thrive as one of the largest rural employers in Lake County. However, it’s the generous volunteers like you that help keep our programs running smoothly, safely, and efficiently throughout the year.

Whether you have a few hours to spare or are looking for a more immersive experience, we offer flexible volunteer opportunities tailored to your interests, skills, and availability. Volunteering at Wolf Ridge allows you to make a tangible difference in environmental education while connecting with nature, the community, and a passionate team.

Join us in our mission to inspire, educate, and protect the natural world. Together, we can create a lasting impact.

Volunteer Voice

Delora Fiers

John & Julie Priem

Create a Lasting Legacy with a Wolf Ridge Endowment

By contributing to an existing endowment or creating one with Wolf Ridge, you help ensure the sustainability of our environmental education programs for generations to come. Whether you choose to give cash, securities, or other assets today, or make a bequest in your will or estate plans, your gift will have a lasting impact.

You can designate your endowment to support a specific program or service, or, for greater flexibility, allow our board of trustees to direct the funds to the areas of greatest need. We believe in the power of unrestricted gifts to address evolving challenges and opportunities.

A portion of the fund is used annually to support our mission, while the remaining balance is reinvested to grow the endowment, ensuring its perpetuity. Your generosity will continue to make a difference for years to come, fostering environmental education and stewardship for future generations.

Contact Us

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Fill out the form below or contact Wolf Ridge development director Meredith St. Pierre.

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