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 willy@wildernessinquiry.org.

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