BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN THE WILDERNESS SINCE 1978 20 19 Annual Report
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN THE WILDERNESS
SINCE 1978
20 19
Annual Report
Bill Schmoker CHAIR
Kate Hartfiel SECRETARY
John Butler TREASURER
Cecile Bedor
Morgan Burns
Chris Coleman
Jack Driscoll
Beth Finch
Paul Fischer
Hunt Greene
Mary Hanley
John Hinck
Louis Lambert
Doug Moore
Hon. Dan Moreno
Ed Spencer, Jr.
Steve Wells
Dear Friends,
In 2019, Wilderness Inquiry connected 41,003
people to inclusive outdoor adventures through
451 trips and events worldwide. We served people
of all backgrounds and abilities and those ranging
in age from 1 to 87. As we paddle, hike, and
explore with people from all walks of life, we
find that Mother Nature continues to be a perfect
platform for discovering our common humanity.
When we are in nature together, we break down
real and perceived barriers and discover what it
truly means to Share the Adventure.
Thank you for paddling together with us to make
2019 our most impactful year yet!
Bill Schmoker BOARD CHAIR
Greg Lais FOUNDER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our MissionCONNECTING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, BACKGROUNDS,
AND ABILITIES TO EACH OTHER AND THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH SHARED OUTDOOR ADVENTURES.
We Believe That
Everyone Belongs
Our Core Values Are
41,003 TOTAL PEOPLE SERVED
IN 2019
19,164 PEOPLE OF COLOR
4,885INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
451ADVENTURES WORLDWIDE
1 – 87AGE RANGE
Paddling TOGETHER
Seeking THE EXCEPTIONAL
Finding A WAY
32 Cover Photo: Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Photo by Peter MacMillan • Susquehanna River, Photo by Christine Tomlinson 3
“Although the river is in our backyard, many students have never had the experience of exploring the river or
paddling in a canoe. These experiences inspire this next generation to be good stewards of our environment
and to appreciate our natural resources. Thank you for all you do for our community!” “I never knew how much I loved nature until I felt the breeze and heard the trees dance in the wind on the canoe.”
32,493 YOUTH SERVED
50 CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
CANOEMOBILE
-ELSA, 4TH GRADE -JENNIFER, MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Canoemobile brought together 32,493 youth through
place-based, educational outdoor programming in 2019.
Our “floating classroom” engages youth on waterways
close to home to improve school performance, cultivate
a stewardship ethic, and create pathways to pursue
educational and career opportunities in the outdoors.
Canoemobile reaches underserved youth in more than
50 cities in Minnesota and across the country, helping
the natural world come to life through STEM, history,
social studies, and math exploration.
Con • nec • tion
Bringing together or into contact
so that a real link is established.
/k ’nekSH( )n/e e
54 Cosumnes River Preserve, Photo by Peter MacMillan 5
Share
To partake of, use, experience,
or enjoy with others; to have
in common.
/SHer/
SHARE THE ADVENTURE
4,111 INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCED MULTIDAY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
“I did it! I was able to test my limits, and I made it! This trip boosted my positive beliefs about myself
and helped me reclaim a part of myself that has been absent for a long time—I got to live from my
strengths rather than my disabilities.”
-SUSAN, PARTICIPANT — FLORIDA EVERGLADES
Share the Adventure brings diverse groups of
participants with and without disabilities together
to discover their common humanity. In 2019, 4,111
individuals experienced multiday outdoor adventures
together, from the Apostle Islands to Yellowstone
National Park to Patagonia and beyond.
76 Patagonia, Photo by Greg Lais 7
Gate • way In • te • gra • tion
A means of access or entry to
a place; a means of achieving
a state or condition.
The incorporation as equals into
society or an organization of
individuals of different groups.
/’gāt, wā/
GATEWAY TO ADVENTURE FAMILIES INTEGRATING TOGETHER
335 INDIVIDUALS ACCESSED THE OUTDOORS
3,994 YOUTH AND ADULTS TRAVELED TOGETHER
“I was worried about taking my kids (ages 9 and 11) on such a big trip with other people. But I saw them grow
in their abilities to push themselves, gain confidence, journal about nature, and interact with many types of patient people. It was a great experience.”
“As a social worker who has been in the health and human services field for 29 years, I was very impressed with the team that supported our safe and exciting adventure. The two gentlemen I accompanied had an excellent
time and have not stopped talking about the Apostle Islands trip since.”
/,in(t) ’grāSH( )n/
e e
-HEATHER, PARTICIPANT — YELLOWSTONE FAMILY ADVENTURE -TERESA, GATEWAY TRIP ASSISTANT — APOSTLE ISLANDS
Gateway to Adventure provides supported experiences
in the outdoors for individuals with cognitive
and developmental disabilities, promoting social
integration and showing that everyone belongs in
the outdoors. In 2019, 335 individuals accessed the
outdoors with us through Gateway.
Through Families Integrating Together, 3,994 youth
and adults shared enriching, connected outdoor
experiences in 2019. With adaptive equipment and
added staff support, families from all walks of life
and those with a family member with a disability can
travel together. Our accessible family trips promote
inclusion and social integration, bringing families
together in mutual support so they can experience the
wonders of the natural world.
98 Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Photo by Angie Banks 9Glacier National Park, Photo by Claire Hassler
“Wilderness Inquiry makes learning fun. It’s not just sitting at a desk all day. You go outside, you get to explore, and you earn credits at the same time.”
- ALEXIS, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
A • chieve
Successfully bring about or
reach an objective by effort,
skill, or courage.
70 STUDENTS EARNED SCHOOL CREDIT
1,000+ YOUTH COMPLETED AN OUTDOOR CAREER TRAINING MODULE
CREDIT RECOVERY AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
/ ’CHēv/e
Credit Recovery brings the joy of learning to youth
who need it the most — students who have fallen
behind academically and who need additional
credits to graduate from high school. In partnership
with Minneapolis Public Schools, Credit Recovery
utilizes place-based, hands-on learning experiences
to engage students in academic coursework in a
classroom without walls.
In 2019, 70 students earned school credit through
immersive, experiential learning while exploring
the culture, history, science, and natural resources
of their surroundings. In addition, more than
1,000 youth completed an outdoor career training
module through Canoemobile.
10 Minnehaha Regional Park, Photo by Carly Rundle-Borchert 11
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Wilderness Inquiry strives to create trips that
build meaningful connections between travelers
and the natural world. As a nonprofit, we provide
opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and
abilities to experience the great outdoors and connect
with each other. When you travel with us, you make
it possible for others who experience barriers to
accessing the outdoors to have a similar, connected
outdoor adventure. That’s just one way
you help us to Share the Adventure!
Patagonia, Photo by Greg Lais
Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Photo by Angie Banks
Olympic National Park, Photo by Mark Hennager
Iceland, Photo by Greg Lais
Tikal, Guatemala, Photo by Greg Lais
Uganda, Photo by Greg Lais
12 Olympic National Park, Photo by Kelly Thayer 13
WILDERNESS INQUIRY FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Generous support from donors directly connected tens of thousands of individuals to inclusive outdoor experiences through Wilderness Inquiry programs in 2019. Thanks to the generosity of the 1,218 individuals, foundations, corporations, and government partners listed and pictured below, 2019 was a year of remarkable impact, imagination, and adventure.
We make every effort to ensure accurate listings. If we did not attribute your donation correctly, please contact Development Director Willy Tully at (612) 676-9430 or [email protected].
Thanks to support from generous funders, Wilderness
Inquiry community events bring people of all ages,
backgrounds, and abilities together to experience the
great outdoors close to home. In cities across Minnesota
and around the country, families, and neighbors join
us to explore the wonders of the public lands and
waterways in their backyards.
John Butler BOARD TREASURER
DONORS MAKE OUR PADDLING POSSIBLE – THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING
$100,000+ Anonymous (1)Manitou Fund
$25,000-$99,999Fred C. and Katherine B.
Andersen FoundationHugh J. Andersen FoundationF.R. Bigelow FoundationThe Charles E. and Edna
T. Brundage Family Foundation
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation
Driscoll FoundationEugene U. and Mary F.
Frey Family Fund of The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
James B. Linsmayer Foundation
The Minneapolis FoundationNature Valley - General MillsOtto Bremer TrustBill and Cindy Schmoker
- The Schmoker Family Foundation
Jim and Yvonne Sexton Family Foundation
Justin White - North Star Foundation
$10,000-$24,999Anonymous (2)Morgan BurnsCarolyn FoundationJack Haggerty - Haggerty
Family FoundationCynthia HerseyHolmes/CSM Family
FoundationJosephine Lawrence Hopkins
FoundationThomas M. Lewin and
Rhoda G. Lewin Charitable Remainder Unitrust
Lux Foundation, Inc.Marbrook FoundationThe McKnight FoundationMcNeely FoundationCharles Stewart Mott
FoundationThe Murphy Family
Foundation, Inc.RBC Wealth ManagementThe REI FoundationPaul and Mary ReyeltsEd and Valerie Spencer -
Broadwaters FoundationThomson ReutersTravelersBen and Mary WhitneyWinnebago Industries
$5,000-$9,999Anonymous (3)Peter H. Bachman and
Janet Rice Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation
Edward R. Bazinet Charitable Foundation
BenevityCornerstone ResearchPeggy Driscoll and Rob
Keeley - Driscoll FoundationJohn and Susan DykeFacebookJim and Mary FreyFriends of the Lock & DamHunt Greene and Jane PiccardDiana Grove and Joe KruppThe Helgeson FoundationJohn Lavander and
Nancy OwenEdwin and Susan McCarthyMinnesota Environmental
FundMortenson Family FoundationTom Nelson and
Martha DaytonSue and Tom O’ConnorCasey Albert T. O’Neil
FoundationPolaris IndustriesMargaret Rivers Fund
Ryan Companies US, Inc.Smikis FoundationF. T. Weyerhaeuser
Family Fund
$1,000-$4,999Anonymous (5)The Acheson Peterson
Louise Fund of Vanguard Charitable
Erik AllenAmy Alpine and John GrumpLeslie AndersonMark AndersonApostle Islands Historic
Preservation ConservancyThe Barnes FamilyThomas BarryBill BaxleyMary Beer and David Herbert
- Greystone FoundationSue BennettThe Barbara Carlson FamilyCarVal Investors FoundationElaine CasaprimaJulie Corty Family Fund of
The Minneapolis FoundationDavid and Kitty CrosbyRobert and Teri Crosby
Restricted Family Fund of The Longview Foundation
Lori and Paul DelahuntDellwood FoundationThe Dorsey & Whitney
FoundationJack and
Kirsten Driscoll Emerson
Martha and Ron EricksonFaegre Baker DanielsBeth and David FinchCatherine Finch and
Finch FamilyMark FinchPaul and Brenda FischerFRWD - Bain Digital
MarketingSusanne FryDan and Jodi GeffreNancy Gibson and
Ron SternalPeter and Mary GoveJohn and Sue GradyLiebe GrayChristine Hansen and
John HallaKate and Rick HartfielLiz and Van HawnKen and Laura HigginsLibby and Ed HlavkaBrian and Karen HolcombPaul and Laura HolmesArt and Martha Kaemmer
Fund of HRK FoundationIndeed Brewing CompanyLaura and Steve InglisChandra JesseeJohnson & Johnson
Matching Gifts ProgramKahn Brothers LLCGabe Keller and Emily SohnKellogg Commission
Company Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation
Greg and Gail KentonMr. and Mrs. William B.
It was another year of sustained growth and strong performance for Wilderness Inquiry in 2019. 41,003 individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities experienced the mission firsthand. Wilderness Inquiry was awarded the highest rating from the Charities Review Council for a remarkable ninth
year, demonstrating the organization’s exceptional trustworthiness, transparency, and efficiency. I am confident in the organization’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and good stewardship of resources, while the cost of programs at just over $100 per person ensures that programming is accessible for all. Audited financial statements are summarized below and were prepared by Carpenter, Evert & Associates, Certified Public Accountants.
“In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wilderness Inquiry, Inc. as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.”
-Carpenter, Evert & Associates, Certified Public Accountants, April 2020
BALANCE SHEET STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
2019 2018
SUPPORT & REVENUE
Grants, Contributions, Gifts $ 1,428,360 $ 1,563,858
Government Grants $ 892,704 $ 759,025
Program Fees $ 1,593,221 $ 1,733,286
Investment Income $ 59,853 $ 56,224
Miscellaneous Income $ 132,314 $ 250,803
TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE $ 4,106,452 $ 4,363,196
EXPENSES
Program Services $ 3,554,015 $ 3,492,208
Share the Adventure $ 2,004,348 $ 1,627,428
Youth Engagement $ 831,674 $ 1,396,403
Indiv. & Family with Disabilities $ 717,993 $ 468,377
Management & General $ 535,829 $ 424,139
Fundraising $ 199,106 $ 251,055
TOTAL EXPENSES $ 4,288,950 $ 4,167,402
2019 2018
ASSETS
Cash & Cash Equivalents $ 745,487 $ 920,800
Short Term Investments $ 614,050 $ 759,476
Other Current Assets $ 403,758 $ 353,209
Property & Equipment $ 1,937,136 $ 1,744,008
Endowments & Investments $ 1,970,737 $ 1,717,116
TOTAL ASSETS $ 5,671,168 $ 5,494,609
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accrued Expenses $ 233,544 $ 156,499
Deferred Revenue $ 290,511 $ 296,754
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES $ 524,055 $ 453,253
LONG TERM LIABILITIES $ 420,751 $ 311,194
NET ASSETS $ 4,726,362 $ 4,730,162
TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $ 5,671,168 $ 5,494,609
PROGRAM GROWTH, 2013-20192019 EXPENSES
PEOPLE SERVED
2017 2018 20192013 2014 2015 2016
18,858
23,617
31,733
36,233 37,12740,222 41,003
PROGRAM SERVICES
MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL
FUNDRAISING
83%
5%
12%
Wirth Lake, Photo by Julie Graham
14 15
King - King Family Advised Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Knox FoundationKrueger’s Christmas
Tree FarmPeggy Ladner and
Clif BrittainGreg Lais and Patti ThurberLakewinds Co-opCharlie and Hannah LakinJoseph and Sylvia LuetmerMary and Mark MaherChris and Erica MarsdenDick and Joyce H. McFarland
Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation
Michael and Charlene McHugh
MDA Leadership ConsultingJennifer Micek - Ernest
and Sally Micek Family Foundation
Mississippi Park ConnectionLucy C. Mitchell - The
Longview FoundationDorothy MontgomeryDoug and Therese MooreLeslie and Chris NeugentJames T. Nystrom FoundationLinnea OlesenRhoda and Greg OlsenAmy OwenMark and Kelley Parish
Paul PetersonFred PrincePublic Welfare FoundationElizabeth C. Quinlan
FoundationRitzman Family Fund of the
DuPage FoundationVicki RuppThomas A. and
Georgina T. RussoSusie RutkowskiJane Sage CowlesSam and Vera Fund of The
Minneapolis FoundationRosemary and Terry SextonShakopee Mdewakanton
Sioux Community FundSierra ClubBill SimpsonGrace Strangis
- Pathways to ChildrenPete Tanghe and
Michele HarrisLori Tauring and
Renee TierneyTCF National BankTim and Diane ThorpeLaurie and Ralph TullierUniversity of Minnesota
- College of Science & Engineering
VAA EngineeringMary Wahlstrand and
Mark BohnhorstChad and Lisa Walker
Andy and Heidi WalzSteve Wells and Jane ScallenJon Wertz WestwoodJim and Carla WildingEleanor and Fred Winston -
The Longview FoundationJulie Wissinger and
Tom HigginsJames H. Woods FoundationMargaret Wurtele
$500-$999Anonymous (2)Kent and Amanda AdamsAdvantageHealth
CorporationAllina Health - Courage
Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
America’s Best Local CharitiesSally Ankeny Anson and
Peter AnsonFrances and Joseph BachmanLouis BartholomeJim and Mary BensonMary BlickenderferElna and Jerry
Campbell-Wade
WILDERNESS INQUIRY FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
DONORS MAKE OUR PADDLING POSSIBLE – THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING
Endowed funds celebrate the lives of longtime Wilderness
Inquiry participants, providing ongoing funding and added
support for individuals with disabilities and underserved
youth to participate in outdoor adventures. Thank you to
our endowment families and The Saint Paul & Minnesota
Foundation for your sustaining support.
Dawn Cardelli and John Kuster
Tyler CarlsonReid Carron and Becky RomChip and Mary CaterIrv CohenChris and Connie ColemanKevin Dalager and
Erin CeynarSheldon DambergLinda DonaldsonAnne Doyle and Jim StockRose DrakeJohn and Bonnie DriggsDick and Harriet DuerreCharlie and Anne FerrellJim FinchMatthew and
Miriam FlanniganMartha GabbertSarah GoullaudEllie HandsMary HanleyBill and Helen HartfielAnn and Terry Huntrods
Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation
Trish IshizukaMary and Jay JackleyPaul Jevnick and
Jen RondestvedtCharlotte and Ward JohnsonMary and Charles JungmannSam and Sylvia KaplanChuck and Lisa KellerEsther Kellogg
Kevin and Amy KluesnerTracy and James KochendorferJohn and Sarah LindahlSteven Lorentzen DDSMary M. and
Eileen A. MaherPamela ManiceCharlene McEvoyDavid McKee and
Lynn NaeckelMcKenna Family Fund
of The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Matching Grant Program Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation
Carol MizunoDan Moreno and
Jean BurdorfNetwork for GoodRichard and
Nancy NicholsonJanet and Mike NillesMark and Jackie Nolan Family
Fund of The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Molly O’Shaughnessy and Mike Monahan
Tom and Meredith OlsonTom and Betsy OttesonGalen and Karen PateCraig and Ellie Peterson Plantra, Inc.Sarah PohlPricco Family Charitable
Fund of The Minneapolis
FoundationIrene QualtersSandra RoeBecky RoethlisbergerIan and Tallulah RosenthalBill SchildtGary SimpsonKarl SmithKaren and
Steven SonnenbergDwight and Nancy SteegeTom Stocks and
Roma Calatayud-StocksBarbara TelanderSamuel and Melissa TosoCindy and Joe WalzDavid WhitneyJoshua WilliamsWillow Foundation Fund
of The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Steve Wilson and Mary Shedd
$250-$499Anonymous (4)Marty AllenScott AndersonKris ArenaMichele AringtonJosh Baltzell and
Suzanne RichardsAnn BancroftChristopher Barns and
Kathleen StachowskiJim BarottCecile BedorMichelle Beeman and
Barbara TrethewayTish Bolger and
Debra BroderickAmy BorgesonRebecca BrackettChris and Ann BreenKate Bryant and
Jon LindforsMichael and Barbara Byrne Robert and Joan Campbell
Jon CarpenterBob and Deb ChauvinMaria CooleyJay and Page CowlesEllie CrosbyScott and Jean CrowKyle and Suzanne CroweAllan and Marnie DavissonEdward and
Sherry Ann DaytonDellNaomi DetenbeckBeth and Kevin DooleyKathleen and
Gerald EricksonSue FishmanTrudy Fredin and Al TrippelPaul FreedmanMitch and Kathy GinsburgWilma GitchelTed Glass and Debra JeffreysSusie and Hal GoldsteinJerry and Cindy GrayAngie and Brian GustafsonJeffrey and Margaret HallKathy HallMona and Dave HarmannDonald Helgeson and
Sue ShepardEric and Melissa HemkerBonnie and
Duane HendricksonDawn HillJohn and Betsy HinckCraig Holden and
Dorothea HrossowycHans and Sara HolmbergMartha Holton Dimick and
Jim DimickMaxine and Kieran HughesThe Ekdahl Hutchinson
Family Fund of The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Karen JanischAnita and Joseph KaliszewskiMarilyn KapterTerry Kelly
Forest KenworthyKing Solutions, Inc.Brian KleinGerd and Maria KnopsJoan KreiderKresge FoundationSusan and Steve KuteSusan LiangDavid LippsTrisha and Steven LondonPeter Manzo and
Dahni TsuboiJohn and Betsy MassieLeo and Katie McAvoy Marsha McDonaldPaul and Rachel MeadowsSteven and Catherine MeansGriffin MelnickPaula MeyerMike and Jessica MillerLinda Spencer Murchison
and Reid MurchisonSteve NulsenPatrick O’Connor and
Kerin McTeigue O’ConnorLaura OftedahlEllie OgdenKristin OjalaHarry Orr and
Bonnie HattenJudy Ostendorff and
Ron JensenCatherine and Louis PagliaNina PanRachel PedersenJohn and Anne PflueckePiper Jaffray Employee
Giving ProgramPatricia PriceLynn Pfohl QuigleyQuiring Family Fund of The
Minneapolis FoundationCurt and Sigrid ReynoldsPeter and Gemma RobbinsMichael Rowe and
Sydney KokjohnJames and Kristin SankovitzJack Scharrett
Kathy and Jeff SchoenbauerSEBA Fund of The
Minneapolis FoundationGreg ShayPaul and Amy ShirillaPaul SitzGerry and Nan SnyderJohn Sorteberg and
Christina KennedyZach and Jen StabenowJerry and Allison SteinerBarb and Art StockPaula and John StorckCraig and Larey SwansonSusan TalbotLaura Tiffany and
Ned FosterTopaz Fund of the
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Marcia TownleyTom UmhoeferDag and Mary Von RudenPhilip Von RudenLouis and Linda WagnerWatershed PartnersSarah WestErica WhittlingerLinda and John WilliamsLisa WilliamsDoug WoodsMichael and Barbara WoolseyRon Zickert and
Teresa AntonneauLouise Ziegler
$100-$249Anonymous (21)Mary AamothIsaac AccolaVin AlliaMary Ruth ArmbrusterChris ArthurElizabeth AtkinsonJanet BaduraKatharine BakerShirley and Nick BaldwinDebbie Bancroft
Margaret and Alexander Bancroft
Geoffrey Barnard and Diane Vosick
Stacey and Dale BartelsonPolly and Gary BayrdRalph Becker and
Kate KopischkeMartha Beery Milbery and
Kevin MilberyDoug BekkeKevin and Seliana BergPaul and Julie BergJan BergersonJudy BerglundSheila BerubeRobert BetzAnn Bevan HollosThomas BezekBob BieraugelHeidi BingKaren BlachowiakMike and Rae Ann BlazerClara BleakEmily and Jeff BlodgettKaren Bohn and Gary SurdelPeggy and Glen BoothBoston Scientific Matching
Gift ProgramErik and Hanna BrandtMary BrooksJohn and Rose Marie
BurkholderJohn ButlerMartha ButlerArmando CamachoHoward and Chrissy
CammackCharles CarlsonJohn Carron and
Traci TelanderPhilip CarruthersJane CarterBetty ChristiansenTony Christianson
Adam Smith Co.Lisa ClarkJanis Clay and Elam Baer
“Paddling Together” is a core value at Wilderness
Inquiry. From Galt, Calif., to Washington, D.C., thank
you to our federal partners for paddling with us in 2019
and partnering to make our country’s public lands and
waterways a place for everyone.
Since 1993, the Minnesota Environmental Fund has been
a generous supporter and partner as we engage people
of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities in Minnesota’s
great outdoors.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Photo by Mat Cohen
Mississippi River, Photo by Claire Hassler Mississippi River, Photo by Claire Hassler
16 17
WILDERNESS INQUIRY FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
Barb Coffin and Dan Engstrom
Coons-Cossi Charitable Fund of Fidelity Charitable
Mark and Karri CopmanJean CoxMary Ellen CunninghamHeather CusickEdward and Julie DallasDamberg’s OutdoorsBrenda and Swep DavisTim DekkerHeidi DoeringJohn and Faye DoyleJohn and Ann DryerRobert and Kristine DudacekJames DuddlestonJoyce DunkinDunnewind Family Fund of
Schwab CharitableJulie and David EdmistonKaren EkdahlKatherine and Vincent EllaLars and Molly ErdahlVictoria ErhartJosephine EstradaBetsy EvansLonnie Roth FairchildRobert and Karen FinkCatherine FitchFitch RatingsMary FlemingKate FoleyJennifer Ford Reedy and
Chris ReedyPatti FosbenderJonathan FosterRonald FraboniMark FrauneLee, Amy, Ethan and
Adam FriedmanMarsha FullerSandy FullerAmy and Harry FunkJennifer FunkhouserKathryn Gallardo
Heidi and Mark GemloMargo GeorgeDan and Patti GerhanBarbara Gerolimatos and
Alan BrownJoyclyn Weiss GoldadeMarge GoldbergGood TodayBruce GorterEllen Dayton GraceMarcella GrandPreBarb GreerJohn GriersonCarol and Lee GrimElizabeth Grimes Tom Grue and
Mary Beth NollBetsy GuthmannRochelle Habeck and
Allan HuntDavid HackenbergJim HagstromGordon and Laurie HainTom Haluska and
Ginny ArthurCraig and Louise HalversonAndrea HandevidtBeth Haney and Scott MooreDon and Jean HansonGail HansonChris and Kevin HarringtonMike and
Kathleen HarringtonKatharine HartleySinthang HasMyrna Hasenfeld and
Martin, Ilene and RobinMaurice HearneJohn and Jean HedbergRoger Heegaard and
Cheryl ThomasClifford HeimSteve and Shannon HeimPaula and Doug HemerPeter and Carolyn HendrixsonMichael Hennig
Jeff and Patty HenryAdam HertzbergConnie Hilliard and
Fran CoyneMichael and Valerie HoffmanNell HoldenGreg and Linka HoleyTom and Libby HornerBill and Kathleen HowardJuan HoyosKatherine HunterDonald and Karlene HutsonEd HyshiverHelena Jackson and
Doug DunhamEric and Julie JacobsenDeborah Jahn and
John TamminenJamfTommy Johns and
Julie Gillette JohnsDarrell Johnson and
Janet WiigNancy and Jim JohnsonRenee JohnsonSally Johnson and Kay KramerWade KallhoffMarlan and Gloria KarboKellcie FundDennis KellyMichael KellyMary and Shaun KennedyKim Keprios and John EverettMadeleine Kerr and
David ShanteauT.J. Kerr and Erica WyncollJulie and George KinneyAndrea KircherJana KleinMary Knoblauch and
Martin CarlsonErik and Sarah KnutzenLori and Jeff Korte
Linda KrachLinda and Mark KruegerMeg Krueger and
Micaela BagleyAnne KrugerPaul and Sue LabovitzElizabeth LampertPeter LancasterPaul LandahlLucy and Kenneth LangaJim and Kate LangdonBret LanningMichelle LarkinWendy LarsonSusan LasoffPatty LawrenceAmy Lear and Daniel WhiteLaurel and Eric LeinJerry and Jackie LeMireRobert LenobelCarson Lentz and
Sandra HaeuserDeborah Liang and
Matthew TillotsonCindy Lien and John WollumMarvin LiewerWilliam Lindberg and
Connie StephensLions Club International
FoundationDave and Ann LoceyEmily LockhartDendy LoftonCraig Luedemann and
Mary RobischonJudy LutterMike and Nancy LynerEllen and David MacdonaldCraig and Pamela MackeySuzanne MadesGary MainorCheryl and Peter MairsJim and Paula Mallory
Dan and Judy MarshallJustine MartinSarah MartinTom and Cathy MartinStuart and Martha MasonJason and Stephanie MatzKaren and Ron MatzMichael MaurerMichael McCarthyCheryl McChesneyDoug McCulloughBetsy McDougall-GibbsJustin McHughCharles and
LeDonna McIntoshAnne McKeigAndy and Corie McKibbenH.G. McNeely, Jr.Medtronic Matching
Gift ProgramGretchen Mehmel and
Jeff BirchemBill and Jane MellerScott and Liz MendelChet and Miriam MeyersDavid and Kathy MillerLaura and Charles MillerDeborah Mindry and
Stephen KingRan and Beth MinerJanet MitchellJoanne and Bill MohrmanLauren MollsChuck and Melinda MoosKate Morton-Peters and
Stan OlesonBruce and Elaine MoultonJohn and Cheryl MulhausenMary MullenJohn and Diane MungerMarina Munoz Lyon and
Michael LyonChristine Murphy
Paula NaniaJohn and Barb NeitgeCharles and Barbara NelsonRobin B. NelsonScott NelsonAudre and Roger NewmanJim and Debbie NicholsonDian NorcuttJenni and Eric O’LinkAnne and Kirby OgdenStacey OliverLawrence OlsonPaul OlsonJane OnsrudRita and Luis OrtizJulie OsbornKelly OttmanMark and Marjorie PallerGrace PalmerJane PalmerJohn and Charlotte ParishHugh and Mary ParkerCathy Parsa Michele and Paul PaskoLarkin and Deniz PereseDavid and Mary PerkinsBob and Anne PerschelGreg PetersonTom and Betsy PfeiferPfizer FoundationDavid PiperScott PotterLucy and Bob PowersDan and Molly ProkottRip and Gail RapsonTerra RebickJamie Lyn ReinschmidtNick and Jennifer RhoadsBenjamin RiskDonald RobertsonNicole RobinsonBarbara RoseMichael Rose
Phil and Tammie Rosenbloom
Bill and Judy RummlerDennis and Kelly RyanMark and Susan RyshavyTodd and Jeanette SampleDean and Kathy SanbergJulia SandSue SattlerDan SchallyColleen and Tom ScheckGay SchefcikBarbara SchererEsther SchippersEileen SchlentzBeverly SchleperKathy SchmidlkoferRodger SchmittTim SchmittStuart SchmitzPaul and Sue SchurkeJ. Seely, MDDave and Julie SeykoraJennifer and Dale ShallerLinda ShalleyRita ShapiroKath SharpCraig and Maureen ShaverStanley and Lucy ShepardTamara and Nathan ShepherdKatherine ShermanAndy and Cheryl ShernJanet ShockleyGregory and Gale ShusterKeri SilvernagelNancy SimmetSue SingerNathaniel SkinnerShirley SmartMeredith SmithWilliam SohnDoug Spencer and
Kathleen Parrish
Russ Stark and Betsy MurraySusan StehlingKathy Steinberger and
Jim YoungJudy SteltznerSabina and John StenNeil SternthalEric and Caroline StevensTom StoddardWilliam StoeriKathy Stoltz-Buhta and Ron
BuhtaNancy StoneCaroline StorckEric and Katie StorckDelores StrasserElizabeth StricklinDeborah Stumbras and
Jon LoonPeter SurdoJim SweeneySusan and Robert SwingenCraig TaylorRobin Taylor and Joe LoblAmanda and Mark TempelMary Anne ThurberTisBestVirginia Tisdale Miller and
Duffy MillerJeff Tornquist and Claudia
Waterloo TornquistMichael and Doreen TrucanoEric TrygstadJohn and Ellie Tucker Carrie TurnerJohn and Christine Twichell US Bank Matching Gift
ProgramLaura VanLandschootAnn Viveros and Robert ReedDan and Sue VogelerMary K. VrabelDon and Biddy Waletzko
David WarnerThomas WarthLucia WatsonAnna WaughLinny Mae Siems and
Bill WebbFrank WeiLaura WeintraubEdith WestfallKelly and John WheatonJanice Whitney and
Douglas KelleyKathy and Tim WhittenSusan WilsonRick Wittwer - Wittwer
Placement ServicesJeanne and Thom WoodwardTW WoodwardJames and Kathlyn WymanScott and Kathy YanoffAndrew YoungBob Young Walser and
Julie YoungMichael Zwank and
Nienke Wijnia
UP TO $99Anonymous (33)Sandra AccolaMartin Albert and
Peggy WrightAngela and Rick AmadoAmazonSmile FoundationAlice and Dan AndersonChel AndersonGeorgiana AndersonMary AndersonSteve and Annette AndersonJulie AndrusDorothy ArataDarby Archbold-WarrenEdith AriasIan ArmitageAnthony AufdenkampeDavid and Mary Jo BakerGail BakerTom and Barb BalcomNancy and Ken BallardJessica Balter and James Sharrer
Don Barry and Teiko SaitoGreg BartzRonald and Christy BatemanBennett and Carol BeachAmanda BeaudoinJane and Bruce BeeryChad BeneshSharon Benmaman and
John AllenBuzz and Vicki BensonBlackbaud CaresPeter and Eleanor BlitzerMary BlitzerAmy Blumenshine and
Mike TroutmanMargaret and Robert BoatzPatti BohatyDerek Boiko-WeyrauchJerald BoitnottJoyce Borgerding and
Thomas RauchDenise BornhausenPenny BoulayHeather BourneBeth and Judd BrackettSierra and Mike BrandiSusan Brewster McCarthyAmanda and Nate BrineChris Brown and
Mary RollefsonCynthia BrownRobin Brown and
Denise PasmanterSusan and Paul BullardBonnie Carlson-GreenDavid CarrollJulie CarsonPhil CassJoe and Jane CavanaughMary CavertElana CentorMary ChamberlainThomas and Nancy ChisholmThomas ChomiczJo Ellen ChristiansenKathy ChristophersonHolly Church and
Mike GrossmanSusan and Jim Clough
Water is one of our most treasured natural resources.
At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that discovering the
wonders of Minnesota’s waterways through educational,
hands-on experiences is the best way to develop a
stewardship ethic. From 2017 through 2019, with funding
provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural
Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-
Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR),
Wilderness Inquiry engaged more than 24,000 Minnesota
youth in STEM learning and exploration in the outdoors.
Outdoor Leader Justin, participant Rafael, and Trip
Assistant Peter explore the woods of Northern Wisconsin
near Wilderness Inquiry’s Little Sand Bay Basecamp.
Wilderness Inquiry’s mission is made possible thanks
to the time and talents of our incredible volunteers.
In 2019, over 374 volunteers joined us across the
world as trip assistants, personal care attendants,
sign language interpreters, boat wranglers, interns,
and more — carrying forward our mission to make the
outdoors accessible for everyone. Thank you to all of
our amazing volunteers!
DONORS MAKE OUR PADDLING POSSIBLE – THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING
18 19
Twin Cities, Photo by Claire Hassler Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Photo by Christy Illig
WILDERNESS INQUIRY FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
Tim ConnorBob ConwayMary Kay ConwayJeanmarie CookJamie CorkMeghan Cosgrove and
Colleen McGarryGlenda CoyerSteve CramerSonia CrisantosMarcia and Steven Crist Kathleen and Dick CullenRozanne CzeckDavid DahlRosemary DaleJennifer DaleyBarbara and Tom DeansRichard DeCourseyDarla and Rick DeJongAnthony and Nina DiAngelisManzie DiAngelisDavid DilksPaul and Sheila DingelsAmy DiorioEllen and Jane DonnellyDeborah DoraSheri DoughmanDan DresslerCasey and Sarah DuBoisJulie DuBoisRick Duncan and
Beth GoodpasterLouise and Nathan ElbaumGregg and Robin EllingsonJohn and Ann ElwardLaura Evashenko
Howard EvergreenAlyssa FabiaJulia FarnhamAnne and John IngwalsonHannah FiegeJane and Kevin FieldsAnnika FjelstadJamie and Craig FolkersAnita FossMonica FossKaren FoxSheridan Fox and
Madeline GalloMichael and Molly FrankMary Fransen and
James JohnsonDave and Mary Jo FranskeJaime and Dan FrazerBarb and Zola FriedmanBernie and Damaris FrielLynn GagnerNancy GalloJoyce GannonShannon GardnerLisa GasserBruce GefvertJoseph and Virginia GerbasiSara and Garry GilbergMartha GohmertDavid and Mary GoldsteinAminu GomosRobert GorkinGary GrabkoBob and Kay GrafPaula GraffJim GrandPre
Stephan GrandPreCharlie GreenmanBarry GreenwaldJim GribbleVictoria Groves-CardilloJohn Gulla and
Andrea GodboutWendy and Dean GustafsonMichael HalderNick HalesDavid HallPam HallAshlea HalpernAnnie Handford and
David RosenbloomTorstein and Anne HansenWendy HansenEmily HansonJoyce HarlowHerb and Karen HarrissRobin Hasenfeld and
Lester BlumbergTara HassCaron HassenChristina HausmanJohn and Jennifer HayesMike HemstadDavid and Glenda HenningDan HerremaRebecca HeymannJoan HicksCarrie and Rich HigginsTom and Mary HoffmanJonathan and Kaitlin HoulihanMatthew and Rachel HowellChris and Karen Hoy
Kathryn HumphreyNora and Bill HuntErika and Matt HussLisa and Buddy IdeNate JacobsonFrank and Barbara JanischDestry and Barbara JarvisJill JensenBarbara JesticeSue JohnsonCatherine Jordan and
Steve LickCathy Jordan and Fred DullesAlan JosephsonSandy KachurekKatherine KaneColleen KeatingTim and Ann KeenanKent and Kathy KehrbergSteven and Mary KennedyAllan KleinRon and Lisa KlineValerie and Dale KlitzkeDavid and Anita KordonowyThomas KottkeDouglas and Susan KowalskiKathleen KuehnastCarmen LaChappelleRobb and Jan LagesonTammy and Thomas LambasLouis and Carrie LambertColleen and Michael LarsonDon and Marlyce LeePam LibertiniHannah LiftinJoan and Erik LinckGreg Lissick and
Judy Sonsalla-LissickBrian LordSteve LubinJulian LuetmerBrad LutovskyJim Lynch and Melissa Draper
Diana MacLennanKory and John MacyKevin MadsonDanielle Maher-BaronDaniel MalinowVirginia ManciniMarion MarshMartha MartinEmily Martin YangPeggy MartinezJohn and Connie MartyRichard MatthesMonique MaxwellCindy and Jack MayeronSylvia McAlpineCynthia McArthurHolli McClainRichard McCullochPeter and
Charlotte McDermottDavid McDonaldMary McMahonKate McRobertsJulie MegowJanet MeredithAngie MeyerAngela MichaelsKaryn MickelsonRobert and Marveen MinishMike MisukanisNoreen MoenSharon MoenkhausSheila MonkKarla MorganDonald MorrowMark MorsePenelope MoskusLonnie MuellerJudy MurphyWanda and Joe MurphyCara NanceCatherine NeitgePolly Nesset
Tracey and Richard NewberryGerald NewtonAnn and Bob NiedringhausCathleen O’LearyThomas and Celine O’NeillRon and Mary OlsonEllen and Keith OpprechtAlbert OsterholmFrank OswaldJulie PadillaJoseph PalenPhyllis PariseDaniel PaskewitzGari PattonLynn Pearce TateJoey PedersonJack PendergastJ. Earl Perry and Anne BekoffAnders PesaventoFerdinand PetersDon and Jeannette PetersonJ. Wayne and Bridget PhillipsNora PlesofskyAlyssa PolackAmos PompLaurel PorterSandra PotterDanielle PriceKendra and Naoki KanaboshiLaurie RadovskyDoris and Neil RatnerRich ReardonLarry and Jeanne ReddelAndy ReiersonJorn RemmemJean ReplingerAnn Richards and Roger
HagedornRichard and Krispen RidgwayJohn and Teresa RingleAnn Risch and George BoodyJeff RissmanMaureen and David Rochester
Nancy and Gary RodgersDiane RosenwaldSharon and Dave RouseShanna RuckerMaureen RueberJanine RueterJill RuffridgeGreg RuhlandJoey RyanPaul SannerSappi North AmericaAnouk SavineauPatrick and Charlotte ScanlanLauren SchaffranDerek SchleaLizann SchloffJude and William SchmidJulie SchmiegChuck SchonderMartin SchubBrian Schubloom and
Shelly AllmarasSeek More WildernessPranesh SelvendiranJon and Sue SibleyLissa SilverTheodore SlaweckiAmy and Mike SluisArmstead SmithLeonard SolomonMichelle SpitzmuellerMichael and Pamela StalpesFrank StarHoward StaufferHeidi SteltznerCarolyn StewartPerry and Sherri StrassmanAnne and Dave StrootmanJennifer SutchDan SuttonIngrid and Keith SwansonBarb SymallaMary and Jan Tanghe
Target Corporate Giving Program
Paul WM TaylorGabrielle TelfordPaul and Karen ThissenMonique ThomasDaniel and Lynn ThompsonMollie Thompson and
Alex VollmerJoseph TombersSue and Gordon TomlinsonTimothy ToweyMichael TraberJulia TwaddleBarbara and Peter von HaarenRichard WadeBrian WahlNancy and Thaddeus WalczakJohn and Ellen WalthourRobert and Jeanne WalzEverett WardBonnie Warhol and
Tom HetzelRob and Nadia WarnerLinda WebsterRobbie Weisel and
Britt RobsonMattie WeissJen WernerEdwin and Beverly WetherillJim and Ann WheelerCraig and Melissa WiklundLinda and David WorkmanRolaine WrightMartha YoungGrace and Stephen ZalesJohn ZanussiKevin Zickert
PLANNED GIVINGDon BarryMark BentleyMary Blickenderfer
Rebecca BrackettDebra ChaulkKathleen ClancySheldon DambergJohn DriggsMary EllisonJim FournierBrian and Angie GustafsonKathy IngersonJim KelleyMadeleine KerrGreg Lais and Patti ThurberLaura OftedahlEllen and Keith OpprechtMark ParishGalen and Karen PateCraig and Ellie PetersonJanice QuickKathy RauchNancy SimmetBill SimpsonAndy and Heidi WalzBette Widney
TRIBUTESHonoree(s) listed withdonor(s) listed below.
Debbie Bancroft Ann Bancroft
Tom Barry David and Mary Perkins
Andrew Behrens Jason and Stephanie Matz
David Berry Elana Centor
Big Bend Conservancy Pam Hall Joan Hicks
Susan Boren MDA Leadership Consulting
Karen Dallas Edward and Julie Dallas
Carla Daufenbach Robert Gorkin
Aidan Denison Shirley and Nick Baldwin
Anthony and Nina DiAngelis
Manzie DiAngelisJack Driscoll
Peggy Driscoll and Rob KeeleyJim and Mary Frey
Kim Keprios and John Everett
Luke Galland and John Galland Cynthia Hersey
Thomas Goebel Lauren Molls
John, Sue, Shannon and Karina Grady Polly and Gary Bayrd
Liebe Gray Susan Talbot
Hunt Greene Brian and Karen Holcomb
Kate Hartfiel Susie and Hal Goldstein
Suzanne Huggett Dorothy Montgomery
Vasilia Kavadas Amos Pomp
Greg Lais Joe and Jane Cavanaugh Trish Ishizuka
Rosie Lais and Kyle Frenette Lee, Amy, Ethan and Adam Friedman
Louis Lambert Valerie and Dale Klitzke
Deborah Liang and Matt Tillotson Susan Liang
Noah Linck Joan and Erik Linck
The Staff of Living Spirit United Methodist Church Suzanne Mades
Michael Miller Lonnie Mueller
Don Mitchell Janet Mitchell
Doug Moore Susie and Hal Goldstein
Patti Moore Susie Rutkowski
The Murphy Family
Beginning at the headwaters of the Mississippi River,
students and faculty from Augsburg University and other
researchers from across the globe embarked on a River
Journey to the Gulf of Mexico in Voyageur canoes. The
group was part of an intercultural research project
tracing humanity’s influence on the river.
Canoemobile crossed international borders for the first time with a visit to Toronto, Canada. 369 Torontonians
of all ages joined us on the Humber River to show that
the natural world is a unifier regardless of where you are from. Thank you to Thomson Reuters for the support and
partnership that made this journey possible.
DONORS MAKE OUR PADDLING POSSIBLE – THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING
Minnesota’s vibrant cultural and outdoor heritage is
part of every Minnesotan’s story regardless of income,
ability, or background. Since 2017, with support from
the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, Wilderness Inquiry
has connected more than 12,500 students from across
the state to place-based, educational experiences that
emphasize Minnesota’s rich culture and history.
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Humber River, Photo by Greg Lais
Mississippi River, Photo by Joe Underhill
Twin Cities, Photo by Tamat Patterson
WILDERNESS INQUIRY FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
2019 SPECIAL EVENTS
DONORS MAKE OUR PADDLING POSSIBLE – THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING
J. Wayne and Bridget Phillips
Julia Ohlson Hannah Fiege
David Schally Dan Schally
Bill Simpson Jennifer and Dale Shaller
Ed and Valerie Spencer Doug Spencer and Kathleen Parrish Linda Spencer Murchison and Reid Murchison
Kathy Steinberger Andrew Young
John Sten Sabina and John Sten
MEMORIALSHonoree(s) listed withdonor(s) listed below.
Todd Bergerson Jan Bergerson
Jay Berne Bruce Gefvert
Jane Birks Ellen and Jane Donnelly
Alexandra Bjorklund Susan Brewster McCarthy
Jenni Bradley Evans Gordon and Laurie Hain
Donald Clifton Nancy and Ken Ballard
Neil DuBois The Barbara Carlson Family Jean Cox Janet and Mike Nilles Lisa Williams
Ken Farnham Christine Hansen and John Halla
Martha Finch Anne Doyle and Jim Stock Kathryn Humphrey
Kimberly Friel Bernie and Damaris Friel
Stephen Graf Bob and Kay Graf
John Greenman Darla and Rick DeJong Charlie Greenman Laurel and Eric Lein Peter and
Charlotte McDermott Michael Rose Lizann Schloff
Jack Harris Dorothy Arata Katherine Sherman
Andrew Hasenfeld Myrna Hasenfeld and Martin, Ilene and Robin Robin Hasenfeld and Lester Blumberg
Barry Hawkins Betsy Evans
Martha Hulings Kaemmer Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of HRK Foundation
Christian Kaufman, Jr. Eric and Melissa Hemker
Sean Maher Jerald Boitnott Marilyn Kapter Mary and Mark Maher Mary M. and Eileen A. Maher Linny Mae Siems and Bill Webb
Thomas McCary Martha Beery Milbery and Kevin Milbery
Dennis McChesney Martha Gohmert Dennis Kelly Cheryl McChesney Jean Replinger
Bernie Lou Meyer Lori, Jeff and Raymond Korte
Devin Atlee Nance Cara Nance
David and Ardis Nelson Ingrid and Keith Swanson
Gaylord Nelson Thomas and Nancy Chisholm
Bruce Palmer Sue Johnson Judy Lutter
Mary Ann Potretzke Jeff Tornquist and Claudia Waterloo Tornquist
Brenda Fostervold Reynolds Anne and Dave Strootman
Laura Sedgwick Kathy and Tim Whitten
David Stone Patricia Price
Stout Glenda Coyer
Kevin Titusdahl Mary Fransen and James Johnson
Adam Trautmann Anonymous
Fred and Eleanor Wertz Jon Wertz
Julie Yip-Williams Joshua Williams
MATCHING GIFTSThank you to the followingcompanies that matched theiremployees’ or retirees’ gifts.
AmeripriseAppleBlackbaud CaresBoston ScientificCanadian PacificCargillThe Community Partnership
CampaignCornerstone ResearchDellThe Dorsey & Whitney
FoundationFitch RatingsFrey FoundationJamfJohnson & JohnsonKresge FoundationLiberty MutualMedtronicThe Minneapolis FoundationMorgan StanleyPfizer FoundationPiper JaffrayPiper Sandler CompaniesRyan Companies, Inc.Thomson ReutersTravelersUnited Health GroupUS Bank Charitable
Services GroupWatershed PartnersWorkdayYourCause
IN-KIND GIFTSThank you to those whocontributed goods or services.
Tim BurkhardtJohn ButlerMillie CaspersenJohn ClevelandCynthia ConeSue DillehayCarole DrakeGreg FetterKatie and Rick FournierJim Fournier and
Karen ZeleznakTodd GrantDavid GrimesSigurd HoppeDeborah Jahn and
John TamminenKowalski’sPeter LenzJoseph and Sylvia LuetmerMinnesota Public RadioNature ValleyPolaris IndustriesBecky RoethlisbergerSara RottundaTami SwensonRobbie Weisel and
Britt RobsonMarynia Wronski
ENDOWMENTSOur endowments help us fulfillour mission in perpetuity. We are especialy grateful tothe families of the followingindividuals for their support.
Carol Beim NulsenNeil DuBoisHarold B. and
Martha A. FinchSean MaherAndrew MurphyHarriet Spencer
GREAT RIVER RACEThanks to sponsors who racedto close the achievement gap.
City of MinneapolisCity of Saint PaulDorsey & WhitneyFaegre Baker DanielsFinch FamilyFriends of the Lock & DamFRWD - Bain Digital
MarketingHarding High SchoolHiggins FamilyLakewinds Co-opLimnoTechThe McKnight Foundation*Mississippi Park ConnectionNature ValleyNeil DuBois Memorial FundPathways to ChildrenPelican Leadership AcademyPolarisRace JudicataRyan CompaniesSawmillShakopee Mdewakanton
Sioux CommunityTCF National BankThomson ReutersTravelersUniversity of Minnesota
- College of Science & Engineering
VAA EngineeringThe Water Main - Minnesota
Public RadioWestwoodWinnebago Industries*
*Denotes Presenting Sponsor
BIG WINE & CHEESE AFFAIRThank you to our board members, champions, and friends who joined us on the Magnolia Blossom for an elegant evening close to nature. With culinary delights from James Beard Award-winning author Beth Dooley, good company, and the cheer of the Mississippi River to share, Big Wine & Cheese was a naturally elegant affair.
GREAT RIVER RACEOn September 14th, more than 400 paddlers, volunteers, and friends (plus 3 mayors!) joined the Race to Close the Achievement Gap. With thanks to our presenting sponsors The McKnight Foundation and Winnebago Industries, as well as our guest emcees Mayor Melvin Carter, Mayor Jacob Frey, and former Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, the race raised more than $100,000 to support Canoemobile in Minnesota. Join us in 2020 for the 10th anniversary of the Great River Race!
PARTNER PADDLEIn June, 130 partners, community leaders, organizers, and legislators paddled down the Mississippi River from River Park to Boom Island for Wilderness Inquiry’s 12th annual Partner Paddle. Representing over 35 state and nonprofit organizations with connections to Minnesota’s outdoors, the Partner Paddle was a celebration of the river and the people who work to ensure our natural places remain vibrant and accessible. Thank you to Friends of the Lock & Dam for your generous sponsorship and support!
Wilderness Inquiry Outdoor Leaders put our mission
into action. Whether by helping a child face their fear
of getting into a canoe for the first time or assisting a participant with a disability as they reach the end of a
portage in triumph, Wilderness Inquiry trail staff bring
our mission to life through creativity, perseverance,
teamwork, and heart. Thank you, Outdoor Leaders!
22 23
Ohio River, Photo by Madeline Boler Mississippi River, Photo by Melissa Murphy
Mississippi River, Photo by Melissa Murphy
Mississippi River, Photo by Tom Bierlein
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
P A I DFargo, N.D. 58102
Permit No. 684808 14th Avenue SEMinneapolis, MN 55414-1516
www.wildernessinquiry.org(612) 676-9400
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN THE WILDERNESS SINCE 1978
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Photo by Greg Lais