Explore Environmental Sciences
Through Our Natural History
Curriculum

  • Provide experiences and learning in northern forest, river, lake, and wetland habitats
  • Learn introductory natural history and environmental issues in active outdoor classes
  • Study with our naturalists, exploring their areas of expertise
  • Observe teaching skills of naturalists in the outdoors

"Students at Gustavus compete to get into this class. We use the Wolf Ridge week
as a capstone to our "Intepreting the Winter Landscape" January term course.
The instructors are great!"

Whether part of an intensive one-month course (for example, January term) or incorporated into a full semester course, bringing your students to Wolf Ridge for a few days or a week will provide them with opportunities to learn about the unique natural and cultural history of the Northwoods, and to study such ubiquitous environmental topics as "Living Lightly" or Acid Rain.

The Basic Wolf Ridge Experience
Use our curriculum "as is" (see below)
or select advanced and extended learning options.

A Typical Schedule:
(can be modified to meet your needs)

Arrival Day
5:00 arrive and move into dorm rooms
6:00 dinner in the dining hall
6:45 activity 1

Day 2 (- 4)
7:30 breakfast
8:15 activity 2
12:00 lunch
1:15 activity 3
4:15 free time
5:00 dinner
6:15 activity 4
8:00 optional naturalist program
9:15 campfire

Last Day
7:30 breakfast
8:15 activity 10
12:00 lunch
1:00 depart

Accommodations and Meals
Your students will be housed in dormitory-style lodging (6-8/room) and eat meals in our cafeteria-style dining hall. Equipment for all Wolf Ridge activities is provided.

See our rate sheet for specific costs.

See a list of currently available dates.

Wolf Ridge Activity Suggestions:
(can be tailored to meet your group's needs)
Natural Sciences
Animal Signs
Beaver Ecology
Birds
Fisheries Management
Frozen Lake Study
Geology
Lake/Stream Study
Plant Study
Small Mammals
Trees And Keys
Weather Forecasting
Wetlands Ecology
White-tailed Deer
Wildlife Management
Human Impacts and
Lifestyles
Acid Rain
Living Lightly
Ojibwe Heritage
Seeds of Change
Voyageur Life
Outdoor Recreation
Canoeing
Cross Country Skiing
Superior View Hike
Snowshoeing
Orienteering
Animal Signs
Rec.-oriented page

Advanced and Extended Learning Options
Customize your experience by requesting time with our specialists,
exposure to a variety of ecosystems, or off-site field trips.

Special College Group Opportunities at Wolf Ridge: (with advance notice)

Specify diverse ecosystems you would like us to incorporate:
Forests: spruce/fir, aspen/birch, maple hardwood
Lakes: oligotrophic (Wolf) and eutrophic (Raven)
Streams: Sawmill Creek, Baptism River
Wetlands: mixed variety
Rock outcrops

Request time with one of our specialists:
Outdoor teaching skills
Live raptor program
Alternative energy systems
Air Quality Monitoring
Aquatic insects
Bird banding
Dragonflies
Lichens
Plant Identification
Wildlife rehabilitation
On-site land management
Non-native worms
Phenology
Wilderness first aid

Use our Environmental Studies and Natural History Library:
Our 2800-title library is extensive, and available for use by your students (with permission)

North Shore Area Field Trips:
(with or with-out Wolf Ridge assistance)

Lake Superior Ecosystem
US EPA Research Lab
LL Smith Research Boat
Great Lakes Aquarium
Hawk Ridge
Lake Superior Cruises (variety)

Industry & Human Interactions
Round River Organic Farm
North Shore Mining Corp.
Hedstrom's Lumber Mill
Horse Logging
Sawbill Canoe Outfitters
Cold Spring Granite Quarry
Maxwell's Woodland Nursery

Human History
Commercial Fishing Museum
Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site
Grand Portage National Monument
Old Fort William
Finland Historic Site
Great Lakes Maritime Museum

Wildlife Management
International Wolf Center
Bear Research Center

Land Managment
Superior National Forest
(fire ecology, wilderness, forest planning)
Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
MN Scientific and Natural Areas

Geology
Driving tours through North Shore Volcanics, etc.
Tower Soudan Mine
Sugarloaf and Iona's Beach SNAs
Cold Spring Granite Quarry

Recreation
Superior Hiking Trail day or overnight trips
Canoeing or Kayaking day or overnight trips
Rock Climbing (a variety of sites)
Minnesota State Parks
Sugarloaf Cove
North House Folk School
Return to Programs and Events main page.Return to Wolf Ridge home page.Summer camp for kids, including on-site and adventure programs off-site.Weekend and week long programs for a variety of ages.Credit-bearing summer courses in Environmental Studies for undergraduates.Environmental education internships at Wolf Ridge.Bring a school group to Wolf Ridge.Return to Wolf Ridge home page.