A conservation easement created in partnership between Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and The Nature Conservancy now protects 928 acres of forested land forever. The center offers camps and activities to help people learn about forest ecology, sustainability, and land stewardship.
Easement benefits landscape, supports learning
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (Wolf Ridge), a nonprofit located in northeastern Minnesota, has been getting youth, families, and teachers outdoors since 1971. Recently, Wolf Ridge and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) collaborated to include 928 acres of the nearly 2,000 acres of existing property in a conservation easement.
The newly added easement will protect transitional zones such as bogs, marshes, and shorelines. The easement also guides forest stewardship while imposing limits on development. Part of Wolf Ridge’s mission is to restore habitats. They accomplish this by developing a more resilient landscape that adapts to climate fluctuations.
Jim Manolis, Director of Forest Strategy and Stewardship for the TNC, said in a release, “Projects like this show what’s possible when Minnesota invests in conservation.” As a kid, Manolis attended camp at Wolf Ridge and began his conservation work as an intern there in 1987. He added, “This is exactly what the Legacy Amendment was designed to do—deliver lasting benefits for both people and nature.”
Pete Smerud, Executive Director at Wolf Ridge, added that, “As steward of nearly 2,000 acres of some of the most beautiful land in Minnesota, this commitment ensures the ecological protection of the land where our students are immersed in environmental learning—forever.”
Smerud noted that from the moment people arrive, “they will be introduced to the importance of conservation and stewardship.” Wolf Ridge and TNC believe that this work will have a meaningful impact on future generations.
Biodiverse landscape
The center sits near the town of Finland along Minnesota’s scenic North Shore. Perched on the ridges of the Sawtooth Mountains, it overlooks dramatic rock outcrops and dense boreal forest. The forest includes a variety of plant species, some of which are rare. Also, wildlife is abundant in the area, including black bears, moose, lynx, gray wolves, and a variety of bird species.
Part of the conservation easement includes significant natural features such as the Baptism River, the Marshall and Mystical Mountains, segments of the Superior Hiking Trail, and Wolf and Raven Lakes. Together, these landscapes help protect healthy watersheds that flow into Lake Superior.
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Connecting people to the outdoors
Most classes and activities take place outside, within the nearby forest and wetlands. Think of it as a summer camp focused on environmental stewardship and learning. Activities range from learning about the area’s ecology and wildlife to canoeing or rock climbing. They also offer specialty camps on birding and outdoor survival, as well as multi-week expeditions in places like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Funding for the easement was provided by Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, established through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Some of the funding will also support an endowment for continuing education at Wolf Ridge. The Nature Conservancy, a global nonprofit, works to preserve and protect the landscape by partnering with others, including local communities and state governments.
More info:
- Wolf Ridge and The Nature Conservancy Protect 928 Acres on Minnesota’s North Shore – The Nature Conservancy
- Wolf Ridge Protects 928 Acres Forever Through Conservation Easement – Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center