This summer, the Wilderness Inquiry Outdoor Fellowship program marks its second year as we welcome a new cohort of fellows. The Fellowship program is designed as an introductory career learning opportunity for people whose identities are underrepresented in the outdoor industry – people who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or as an individual with a disability.
During their time with Wilderness Inquiry, fellows gain real-world experience, professional skills, and career development tools, while co-leading Wilderness Inquiry expeditions including extended trips to the Boundary Waters, the Apostle Islands, and Yellowstone, Glacier, and Voyageurs national parks. Get to know this year’s fellows!
Tehya Daniels (She/Her/They/Their)
Hometown: White Bear Lake, MN
Favorite hobby, interest, or outdoor activity: Reading and crocheting! I recently learned to crochet and really enjoy it. My favorite outdoor activities are slacklining and hammocking!
What got you interested in the outdoors?: I have some experience in outdoor recreated from my childhood, and have always enjoyed doing things outside. A few years ago, I decided to take a road trip and learned so much! I wanted to learn more but wasn’t sure how to start. Recently, I read a book, Braiding Sweetgrass, and became inspired to connect more with the land and take initiative for my own learning as it relates to being outdoors. Then, the opportunity to apply to Wilderness Inquiry appeared and here we are!
What are you hoping to gain from this fellowship?: A better understanding of the kind of leader I am, my strengths and weaknesses, outdoor skills, meeting a variety of different kinds of people, and insight into how non-profit organizations run.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?: The North or South Pole – The climate and landscape is unlike anything I’ve ever seen (and can imagine) and would love to experience it!
Mari Nishitani (She/Her/They/Their)
Hometown: I am originally from Japan and attend college in California.
Favorite hobby, interest, or outdoor activity: Creating something with yarns, biking, cooking, and studying languages
What got you interested in the outdoors?: I grew up going camping with my family, but during middle to high school I hardly had opportunities to be in outdoor. I regained connection to outdoor activities when I did a month bike trip during my semester off. The experience draw me again to adventure in wilderness.
What are you hoping to gain from this fellowship?: I want to gain skills to improve accessibility to outdoor activities. I would like to bring back that experience I gain here to my college’s outdoor club for its better inclusivity.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?: Hokkaido, Japan
Noah Reedy (He/Him)
Hometown: Eagan, MN
Favorite hobby, interest, or outdoor activity: Photography
What got you interested in the outdoors?: Camping, enjoying memories of the outdoors
What are you hoping to gain from this fellowship?: Being a fantastic leader.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?: Yellowstone and Hawaii
Devin Singh (He/Him)
Hometown: Olean, NY
Favorite hobby, interest, or outdoor activity: Canoeing
What got you interested in the outdoors?: What got me interested was seeing new places and having a chance to experience it with new people.
What are you hoping to gain from this fellowship?: I am hoping to gain some social skills and develop a strong sense of community.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?: New Zealand
Ian Thompson (He/Him)
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN and Hainan, China
Favorite hobby, interest, or outdoor activity: Soccer, medicine
What got you interested in the outdoors?: Being stuck inside during the pandemic and in an urban environment for school, I thought, you know what, I’d like to see a tree again.
What are you hoping to gain from this fellowship?: An opportunity to practice and work with medicine in a different environment that counts towards medical hours.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?: Old Trafford in Manchester, England
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