Wilderness Inquiry Partner Organizations
Wilderness Inquiry partners with organizations all over the country and the world. Here is an alphabetical list of current partner organizations. If you are interested in partnering with Wilderness Inquiry, please contact us.
AchieveMpls
As the nonprofit partner of the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), AchieveMPLS serves as a bridge between MPS and the broader community. AchieveMPLS manages career and college readiness programs, raises financial resources for strategic MPS initiatives, manages scholarship and school funds, and engages the community in supporting and advocating for public education. Wilderness Inquiry partners with AchieveMPLS' STEP-UP program to introduce Minneapolis youth to outdoor careers through internships and outdoor experiences.
Anacostia Watershed Society
The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) works to protect and restore the Anacostia River and its watershed communities by cleaning the water, recovering the shores, and honoring the heritage. AWS engages the community through environmental education, stewardship, recreation, public policy, and advocacy. AWS supports Wilderness Inquiry's Canoemobile program in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, helping to connect youth with the Anacostia River watershed.
Ann Bancroft Foundation
The Ann Bancroft Foundation is creating a world where every girl has a chance to live her wild dream and reach her full potential. Wilderness Inquiry is proud to help support the Ann Bancroft Foundations mission of empowering girls and women.
Anoka County Parks and Recreation
Anoka County Parks and Recreation is a government agency that manages public recreational and green space for Anoka County, MN. The agency provides a variety of recreational activities, from camping and hiking to golfing and horseback riding. Many Wilderness Inquiry events take place in Anoka County parks.
Augsburg University
Augusburg College is a private liberal arts college in Minneapolis, MN. Wilderness Inquiry partners with Augusburg to offer students the "River Semester," a 4-month journey along the Mississippi River that gives students a hands-on, interdisciplinary experience that is unique to Augsburg.
BackYard Nature Center
The BackYard Nature Center (BYNC) works to promote, facilitate, and strengthen the bond between the nature environments in Chicago's New Trier Township and the children and adults who wish to enrich their lives with direct experiences in nature. BYNC partners with WI when Canoemobile visits Chicago, engaging youth from the Shedd Stewards program in ecology-focused service projects.
Bayfield Chamber of Commerce
WI is a proud member of the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce, which serves the home area of our Little Sand Bay Base Camp in the Apostle Islands.
Blue Vista Farm
Blue Vista Farm is an organic farm located in Bayfield, WI. Their goal is to provide sustainably grown, high quality fruits and a wholesome, beautiful setting for people to enjoy. You can enjoy their delicious produce on one of WI's Taste of the Apostle Islands trips.
Bodin Fisheries
Bodin Fisheries, located on the south shore of Lake Superior in Bayfield, WI, works year-round to provide fresh, locally-caught and processed Great Lakes fish. Bodin is one of the purveyors that WI partners with for our Taste of the Apostles trips.
Bronx Council for Environmental Quality
The Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ) is a nonprofit membership organization working to improve air, land, and water quality in New York City's only mainland borough, the Bronx. BCEQ is one of WI's partners in connecting New Yorkers with their local waterways through Canoemobile.
Bronx River Alliance
The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river and works in harmonious partnership to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor so that it can be a healthy ecological, recreational, educational, and economic resource for the communities through which the river flows. WI works with the Alliance on the mutual goal of connecting Bronxites with their river.
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a government agency within the US Department of the Interior (DOI) that is tasked with sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Many WI trips take place on BLM land.
Calumet Stewardship Initiative
The Calumet Stewardship Initiative (CSI) is a coalition that promotes a sustainable relationship between people and nature in the Calumet region of Northwest Indiana and Northeast Illinois. CSI partners with Wilderness Inquiry to get people out on their local waterways when Canoemobile visits Northwest Indiana each year.
Camden Children’s Garden
The Camden Children's Garden is a four-acre "horticultural playground" designed for children and families, providing horticultural experiences for creative and imaginative play. Camden Children's Garden provides enriching land-based activities during Canoemobile events in Camden.
Camping and Education Foundation
Based in Cincinnati, OH, the Camping and Education Foundation (CEF) works to develop young men and women in body and spirit through wilderness experiences that celebrate a love of the outdoors. CEF is home to Camp Kooch-i-ching and Ogichi Daa Kwe, two of the premier summer wilderness camps in North America. CEF connects youth and the community to the Ohio River watershed through Canoemobile field trips and the Great River Race on the Ohio.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
The Chattahoochee Nature Center provides unique learning experiences focused on the Chattahoochee River that connect people to the natural world and empower them to positively impact their local environments. CNC supports WI's Canoemobile to get Atlanta-area students out in canoes on the Chattahoochee River to discover their nearby wilderness.
Chicago Wilderness
Chicago Wilderness is a regional alliance that connects people and nature. More than 300 organizations comprise the alliance, working together to restore local nature and improve the quality of life for all who live in the Chicago area by protecting the lands and waters on which they depend. Wilderness Inquiry is proud to be a member of Chicago Wilderness.
Children & Nature Network
The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) strives to connect all children, their families and communities to nature through innovative ideas, evidence-based resources and tools, broad-based collaboration and support of grassroots leadership. Wilderness Inquiry works with C&NN in cities across the country to ensure that children and the community have the opportunity to play, learn, and grow in outdoor green spaces.
Christodora
Christodora is a youth-serving organization in New York City that strives to build leadership skills and academic success through an awareness and understanding of the natural environment. WI's Canoemobile works with Christodora in the Bronx to help connect NYC youth to the nature in their own backyards.
City of Duluth
The City of Duluth, MN is located on the westernmost tip of Lake Superior. WI's Canoemobile program visits Duluth to paddle with youth and the community, giving them a new perspective on the watershed in their own backyards.
City of Gary
The Gary Department of Public Parks is dedicated to assuring that people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to find the most satisfying use of their leisure time and enjoy an improved quality of life through recreation. WI's Canoemobile does programming at Gary's Marquette Park on Lake Michigan.
City of Louisville
Louisville Metro Parks (LMP) works to create an urban wilderness network in Louisville, KY where people can play, learn, grow, and be healthy. LMP accomplishes this by taking care of all parks properties and creating new ones, by providing safe and diverse recreational programs, and by protecting the city's public lands and resources for future generations. LMP works with WI and the Canoemobile program to bring outdoor engagement and paddling opportunities to the community.
City of Michigan City
The Michigan City Sanitary District is responsible for all sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and catch basins within the District and for the treatment and processing of all waters within the collection system. They support Canoemobile's efforts to engage youth in watershed education.
City of Petersburg
The City of Petersburg, VA is located on the Appattomax River. WI's Canoemobile program visits Petersburg to paddle with youth on the Appattomax, connecting them with the nature in their own backyards.
City of San Francisco
We love working with San Francisco Recreation & Parks to connect Bay Area youth and people with disabilities to the outdoor wonders of San Francisco. Look for Voyageur Canoes on Lake Merced, India Basin, and at Golden Gates National Parks.
City Parks Alliance
The City Parks Alliance is the only independent, nationwide membership organization solely dedicated to urban parks. It unites and serves a growing network of hundreds of civic and community leaders, government agencies, parks and recreation authorities, and funders with the goal of engaging, educating, and nurturing a broad-based constituency to support the creation, revitalization, and sustainability of parks and green spaces that contribute to dynamic cities.
CommonBond Communities
As the largest nonprofit provider of affordable homes in the Upper Midwest, CommonBond has been building and sustaining homes with services to families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities since 1971.
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
The Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute provides a continuum of rehabilitation services for people with short- and long-term conditions, injuries, and disabilities in communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. WI partners with Courage Kenny to make the outdoors accessible to people with disabilities.
Duluth Public Schools ISD 709
Wilderness Inquiry partners with Duluth Public Schools to connect students with the outdoors through place-based education initiatives.
Dunes Learning Center
The Dunes Learning Center (DLC), located in the spectacular Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, provides exceptional outdoor experiences that inspire community, environmental stewardship, and a lifelong love of learning. The DLC supports WI's Canoemobile, connecting us with schools and youth groups, hosting Canoemobile crews, and providing land-based activity stations during Canoemobile events.
Earth Conservation Corps
DC's Earth Conservation Corps links the effort to restore the Anacostia River with the engagement of DC youth in education, job training, and volunteer-recruitment activities.
Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association
The Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association (EPWPCOA) is a nonprofit association whose members are actively involved in protecting the water environment through their profession. They share that passion and knowledge with youth during Canoemobile events.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a government agency tasked with protecting human health and the environment throughout the country. The EPA has been a strong supporter of Canoemobile's efforts to engage urban youth on their local waterways.
Flying Snakes Farm
Flying Snakes Farm aims to ensure a healthy and viable planet in the future by providing sustainably-produced, high-quality foods and educating people in how to do the same. They grow organic heirloom fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs, livestock, poultry, waterfowl and flowers. Flying Snakes is one of the purveyors that WI partners with for our Taste of the Apostles trips.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
The St. Louis River River Watch project, coordinated by the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC), is a youth-based water quality monitoring program for the St. Louis River and its tributaries. This project targets secondary school students and promotes and inspires stewardship of the largest U.S. tributary to Lake Superior. The FDLTCC River Watch team teaches youth about water quality testing and methods during events in the Duluth area.
Friends of Ngong Road
The mission of Friends of Ngong Road (FNR) is to provide education and support for Nairobi children living in poverty whose families are affected by HIV/AIDS so they can transform their lives. WI partners with FNR to host volunteers and run a summer camp for kids in Kenya.
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness is dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the wilderness character of the BWCAW and the Quetico-Superior Ecosystem. Wilderness Inquiry has long supported the Friends of the Boundary Waters. The struggle to preserve the BWCA is how WI got started.
Friends of the Chicago River
Friends of the Chicago River works to improve the health of the Chicago River for the benefit of people and wildlife by partnering with municipalities, businesses, community groups, schools, peer organizations, government agencies and individuals on projects that benefit the river.
Friends of the Lower Appomattox River
Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR) is an organization made up of representatives of local stakeholder constituencies within the Lower Appamattox River region that work to protect and conserve the Appomattox River. FOLAR joins WI's Canoemobile program during its visit to the Petersburg, VA area to help connect youth with the waterway.
Friends of the Mississippi River
The Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) engages citizens to protect, restore and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region. FMR supports youth and community engagement on the mighty Mississippi through Mississippi River Day Trips (MRDT) and Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures (UWCA) programs.
Friends of Van Cortlandt Park
The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park (FVCP) is an independent, community-based organization that actively promotes the conservation and improvement of Van Cortlandt Park, the third largest park in New York City. FVCP supports Wilderness Inquiry 's Canoemobile during programming in NYC.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is a state agency charged with protecting Georgia's air, land, and water resources through the authority of state and federal environmental statutes. The agency works with partners to pursue a sustainable environment that provides a foundation for a vibrant economy and healthy communities.
Get Outdoors Kentucky
Get Outdoors Kentucky provides high quality, safe outdoor adventures for groups on and around Louisville waterways. Wilderness Inquiry partners with Get Outdoors Kentucky when our Canoemobile visits Louisville to paddle the Ohio River.
Girl Scouts of America
Wilderness Inquiry is pleased to partner with Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and Girl Scout Councils throughout the United States. WI has formed an official cooperative alliance with GSUSA that includes trip opportunities, training, and resource sharing for participants. To learn more about WI and our inclusive wilderness adventures, please visit http://www.wildernessinquiry.org/about_us/whatiswi.php
Great Lakes Aquarium
Great Lakes Aquarium (GLA), located in Duluth, MN, is a freshwater aquarium featuring animals and habitats found within the Great Lakes Basin.GLA inspires people to explore their connection with Lake Superior and the waters of the world. GLA disperses their knowledge and resources to youth during WI's youth engagement events in Duluth.
Hamline University
Hamline University is a private liberal arts college in St. Paul, MN. WI is part of Hamline's Metro WaterShed Partners, a dynamic coalition of public, private and non-profit organizations in the Twin Cities Metro Area that promotes a public understanding that inspires people to act to protect water quality in their watershed.
Hammond Port Authority
The Hammond Port Authority provides maximum public recreational access to Lake Michigan and other lakes in the Hammond, IN area. When Canoemobile visits Northwest Indiana, the Hammond Port Authority supports WI in connecting youth with their local waterways.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN-DNR) Lake Michigan Coastal Program works to enhance the state's role in planning for and managing natural and cultural resources in the Lake Michigan coastal region. With Canoemobile's expansion in Northwest Indiana, the IN-DNR Lake Michigan Coastal Program supports collaborative partnership efforts and youth outdoor engagement.
Institute On Community Integration
Through collaborative research, training, and information sharing, ICI improves policies and practices to ensure that all children, youth, and adults with disabilities are valued by, and contribute to, their communities of choice. Wilderness Inquiry partners with ICI on many projects including evaluating the effectiveness of our programs.
Izaak Walton League of America
The Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) strives to conserve, restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. The Miller Chapter of IWLA supports WI's Canoemobile programming in Northwest Indiana.
John Bartram Association
The John Bartram Association protects and enhances the 45-acre historical landmark, Bartram’s Garden and House. They advance the Bartram legacy of discovery, gardening, and art and inspire audiences of all ages to care for the natural world. At Bartram's Garden's annual Fall Harvest Festival, WI's Canoemobile introduces festivalgoers to paddling on the Schuylkill River.
John G. Shedd Aquarium
The John G. Shedd Aquarium, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to public education and conservation, is known as “The World’s Aquarium.” Situated in Grant Park in downtown Chicago, Shedd is home to 32,000 aquatic animals from waters around the world. The Aquarium's Shedd Stewards program to introduces Chicago area youth to the Skokie Lagoons ecosystem at an annual Canoemobile event.
Ka Joog
Ka Joog works to build a strong support network for Somali youth in Minnesota by providing arts-based educational and cultural opportunities. Ka Joog encourages youth to pursue higher education, civic involvement, and volunteer commitments to the community. Youth involved with Ka Joog have ventured to Yellowstone National Park with WI over the last few years.
La Porte County Soil and Water
The LaPorte County Soil & Water Conservation District provides leadership, education, and technical assistance to empower LaPorte County residents to conserve and improve the county's soil and water. The Soil & Water Conservation District helps connect schools with Canoemobile opportunities and facilitates land-based education activities during Canoemobile events in northwest Indiana.
Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) is one of 28 areas across the country designated for long-term research on coastal resources and the human populations those resources support. The Reserve is located along a river-to-lake gradient at the confluence of the St. Louis River and Lake Superior. At WI's youth engagement events in Duluth, Lake Superior NERR shares their research, as well as the cultural heritage and significance of the watershed.
Lake Superior Zoo
The Lake Superior Zoo is dedicated to inspiring connections to wildlife and action toward conservation in the Lake Superior region and around the world. The Zoo offers numerous animal exhibits, animal enrichment demonstrations, educational programs and camps, events, and more. The Zoo supports youth engagement at WI events in Duluth.
Lasallian Community at Bedford Park
The Lasallian Community at Bedford Park is a community of volunteers serving low-income residents of the Bronx, NY. The Community hosts WI's Canoemobile crew when they visit New York City.
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
The Leave No Trace (LNT) Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people of all ages how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, and is the most widely accepted outdoor ethics program used on public lands. Wilderness Inquiry is a proud partner of LNT. We follow LNT principles to help ensure the long-term health of the wild spaces where our programs take place.
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
The Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund helps Wilderness Inquiry connect Minnesota students to their local waterways focusing on citizen science, water quality monitoring, and species inventory studies.
Michigan City Port Authority
The Michigan City Port Authority, located in Michigan City, IN, is home to both the Washington Park and Trail Creek Marinas and serves the area's boating and fishing communities on Lake Michigan. They support Canoemobile's efforts to connect youth to the lake and watershed.
Minneapolis Federation of Teachers
MFT 59 represents teachers throughout the greater Minneapolis area, helping to organize our educators to do their jobs the best they can by protecting their rights to collectively bargain. WI partners with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers to provide opportunities for educators and their students in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
The #1 City Park System in the United States! The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) exists to provide places for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment. WI works with MPRB on a host of projects and programs, from youth employment to paddling the Chain of Lakes.
Minneapolis Public Schools
Wilderness Inquiry partners with Minneapolis Public Schools to engage students in place-based environmental learning opportunities throughout the Twin Cities and beyond through the Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures program.
Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership
Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership is a state chartered nonprofit that facilitates and supports coordinated revitalization of the Mississippi Riverfront in the City of Minneapolis. The Partnership works to ensure that people and nature benefit from a healthy ecosystem, exceptional riverfront parks, world-class history and culture, and a vital, livable community.
Minneapolis Rowing Club
The Minneapolis Rowing Club is a community organization dedicated to inspiring a lifelong passion for the sport of rowing in the Twin Cities through educational, recreational, and competitive rowing programs and opportunities that serve all ages and abilities.
Minnesota Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Amendment
Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Amendment provides opportunities for youth to connect with Minnesota’s rich outdoor heritage through experiential learning with Wilderness Inquiry.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN-DNR) is a government agency tasked with managing all fish, wildlife, and public lands in the State of Minnesota. Wilderness Inquiry has enjoyed a long partnership with the MN-DNR on many projects and programs, from youth engagement to protecting wild places.
Minnesota Environmental Fund
The Minnesota Environmental Fund (MEF) works to protect, conserve and restore Minnesota's environment by providing education and a vital payroll giving choice to employees through a balanced group of member organizations. Wilderness Inquiry is proud to be a member of the Minnesota Environmental Fund.
Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
The Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) is a professional membership association whose members dedicate their time and energy to enhancing the parks and recreation profession in their communities and the state of Minnesota.
Mississippi Park Connection
The Mississippi Park Connection strives to strengthen the enduring connection between people and the Mississippi River and build community support for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. MPC is a founding partner of Wilderness Inquiry's Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventure program.
National Council on Disability
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency tasked with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities. WI has partnered with the NCD since the early 1990s, when we completed a study on the use of wilderness by and for persons with disabilities.
National League of Cities
The National League of Cities (NLC) serves as a resource to and advocate for more than 19,000 cities across the country and is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Wilderness Inquiry works with NLC in cities across the country to ensure that children and the community have the opportunity to play, learn, and grow in outdoor green spaces.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure for MS and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. Wilderness Inquiry has enjoyed a long partnership with the National MS Society. Mary Waring, sister of WI founder Greg Lais, has MS.
National Park Service
The National Park Service (NPS) is a government agency within the US Department of the Interior (DOI) that is tasked with caring for our nation's 400+ national park areas. NPS works with tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens to help revitalize their communities, preserve local history, celebrate local heritage, and create close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun. WI partners with NPS in the Twin Cities and across the country.
National Park Trust
The National Park Trust (NPT) is dedicated to preserving parks today and creating park stewards for tomorrow. NPT works towards the completion, and the full appreciation, of the American system of local, state and national parks through the identification of key land acquisition and preservation needs and the engagement of young people with our treasured natural areas. NPT is a valuable partner in helping urban youth connect with and learn about their local parks and wild places in DC, NYC and beyond.
National Parks Conservation Association
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is an independent, nonpartisan voice working to address major threats facing the National Park System. NPCA's members and supporters are committed to preserving our nation’s natural, cultural, and historical heritage. NPCA works with WI to develop meaningful connections between people and their parks, from Baltimore to DC and beyond.
Natural Lands Trust
The National Lands Trust (NLT) is a nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to protecting the forests, fields, streams, and wetlands that are essential to the sustainability of life in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. In Reading, NLT supports Canoemobile's efforts to connect youth to their nearby natural areas.
Nature Valley
Nature Valley is a proud sponsor of WI's Canoemobile programs, helping to introduce thousands of kids and families to the outdoors, right in their own backyards.
Neighborhood House
Neighborhood House works to help immigrant, refugee, and low-income families break the cycle of poverty by providing the tools necessary to move from "survive to thrive." They help families meet basic needs like food and shelter and offer lifelong learning opportunities through education and youth programming.
New Jersey Adventure Aquarium
The Center for Aquatic Sciences at Adventure Aquarium promotes the understanding, appreciation, and protection of aquatic life and habitats. Through outreach projects to schools and community-based organizations, and onsite at Adventure Aquarium, the Center engages youth in the wonder of the aquatic world. The Center leads land-based educational activities during Canoemobile events in Camden.
New Jersey Audubon Society
The New Jersey Audubon Society is a nonprofit, statewide membership organization that fosters environmental awareness and a conservation ethic among New Jersey's citizens; protects New Jersey's birds, mammals, other animals, and plants, especially endangered and threatened species; and promotes preservation of New Jersey's valuable natural habitats. They work with WI to educate youth about wildlife in environments close to home.
New Jersey Conservation Foundation
The New Jersey Conservation Foundation works to preserve land and natural resources throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all.The Foundation protects strategic lands, promotes strong land use policies, and forges partnerships through education and assistance programs, to achieve conservation goals.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ-DEP) is a government agency tasked with managing natural resources and addressing pollution issues throughout the state. NJ-DEP coordinates the Watershed Ambassadors Program, a community-oriented AmeriCorps environmental program designed to raise awareness about watersheds in local NJ communities.
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
NYC Parks is the steward of approximately 29,000 acres of land - 14 percent of New York City - and the principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs in NYC. When WI's Canoemobile visits NYC, much of the programming takes place in parks managed by NYC Parks.
North Wind Organic Farm
North Wind Organic Farm is a sustainable, beyond-organic farm near Bayfield, WI that produces market vegetables, berries, and other fruits. North Wind is one of the purveyors that WI partners with for our Taste of the Apostles trips.
Northland College
Northland College’s distinctive environmental liberal arts curriculum, passionate faculty, and beautiful natural location can help students achieve goals that are also shared by Wilderness Inquiry. Many of our best trail staff come from Northland College.
Northwest Canoe Company
Our friends at the Northwest Canoe Company hand-build our beautiful 24-foot Voyageur canoes. They are also committed to supporting WI's Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures program.
Northwest Indiana Paddling Association
The Northwest Indiana Paddling Association (NWIPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the region's paddling resources and opportunities, providing environmental stewardship of the region's waterways, and being a link between the region's paddlers. NWIPA helps coordinate WI's Canoemobile programming throughout northwest Indiana.
Old Brandywine Village, Inc.
Old Brandywine Village develops strategies that leverage existing community assets and implements these through collaboration with community stakeholders in the Old Brandywine Village neighborhood in Wilmington, DE. WI's Canoemobile brings Voyageur canoes to the annual Brandywine Village Fair to give residents a new perspective on their neighborhood by paddling on Brandywine Creek.
Outdoors Alliance for Kids
The Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) is a national strategic partnership of organizations from diverse sectors with a common interest in connecting children, youth and families with the outdoors. Wilderness Inquiry is a proud member of OAK.
Peace of Adventure
The Ability Experience, founded as the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, works to create a community, one relationship at a time, where the abilities of all people are recognized and valued. WI partners with The Ability Experience to provide outdoor adventures for enabled athletes and Pi Kappa Phi members.
Penn State University
Pennsylvania Sea Grant (PASG) is a partnership between Penn State University, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). PASG is dedicated to promoting the ecological and economic sustainability of Pennsylvania’s coastal resources through the development of science-based research, education, and extension programs.
Prince George’s County
The Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation (PGCDPR) provides quality recreation programs, facilities, and services for residents and visitors in Prince George's County, MD. They help connect youth with WI's Canoemobile program, which runs programming at PGCDPR's Bladensburg Waterfront Park.
Project for Pride in Living
Project for Pride in Living works with lower-income individuals and families to achieve greater self-sufficiency through housing, employment training, support services, and education.
Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH works to secure competitive employment for young adults with disabilities through a unique work immersion model that is designed to help students with significant disabilities transition from school to work. Through the Gateway to Adventure program, WI works with Project SEARCH cohorts to develop communication and leadership skills while doing activities like cooking, camping, and canoeing.
RBC Wealth Management
The Royal Bank of Canada is a supporter of WI's UWCA and Canoemobile programs through its Blue Water Project. The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year global charitable commitment of $50 million to help provide access to drinkable, swimmable, fishable water, now and for future generations.
REI
REI is the nation's largest consumer cooperative, selling outdoor recreation gear, sporting goods and clothing throughout the US. REI's Stewardship initiatives connect people to the outdoors and help protect the natural places they love through giving, responsible business practices, and more. REI works with WI to get kids outside, including hosting an annual Winter Trails Day in the Twin Cities.
Remackel Trailers
Remackel Trailers has manufactured thousands of trailers over the years for sportsmen, businesses, municipalities, individuals and Boundary Water Canoe Area (BWCA) outfitters. One of the unsung heroes of WI programming, Remackel trailers stand up to the rigors of hauling six, 300-pound Voyageur canoes for thousands of miles nationwide.
Riley Hayes Advertising, Inc.
Riley Hayes Advertising helps clients’ brands matter more through expertise in strategy, creative, media, UX and development. WI partnered with Riley Hayes to create the iconic art for the Canoemobile van.
Saint Louis River Alliance
The St. Louis River Alliance (SLRA) is a Duluth-based nonprofit organization that works to oversee activities and practices that are helping to restore, protect and enhance the St. Louis River. SLRA provides support and expertise for WI's youth engagement events held on the St. Louis River.
Saint Paul Public Schools ISD 625
Wilderness Inquiry partners with Saint Paul Public Schools to engage students in place-based environmental learning opportunities throughout the Twin Cities and beyond through the Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures program.
Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation
The Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation (SPRC) is a nonprofit organization that works to stimulate economic and community development through urban design. With the belief that urban design significantly contributes to Saint Paul’s quality of life and business climate, SPRC serve as an urban design resource for community redevelopment efforts. Wilderness Inquiry is proud to be one of SPRC's River Partners.
Sierra Club
As the nation’s largest grassroots environmental organization, the Sierra Club protects millions of acres of wilderness and works to preserve the environment for future generations. The Sierra Club and Wilderness Inquiry have cooperated for years--we used to share office space with the North Star Chapter. More recently, WI has partnered with the Sierra Club's Military Families Outdoors porogram to serve veterans on outdoor adventure trips.
Special Olympics Minnesota
Special Olympics Minnesota offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round sports training and competition.
Sustainable Camden County
Sustainable Camden County promotes sustainability initiatives and best practices at every level and engages Camden, NJ residents, municipalities, businesses, schools, work force and guests in sustainability.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. Wilderness Inquiry has been a long-time partner with The Nature Conservancy, conducting trips and other activities for various chapters.
The Wilderness Society
The Wilderness Society works to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Their work contribute sto better protection, stewardship and restoration of our public lands, preserving our rich natural legacy for current and future generations.
Three Rivers Park District
The Three Rivers Park District is a park system in the west suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area that promotes environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system. Many Wilderness Inquiry events take place in Three Rivers parks in partnership with the Three Rivers staff.
Triskeles
Triskeles strives to develop with youth the capacity to co-create a conscious and sustainable world. Triskeles offers experiential programs for youth that give them tools, knowledge and encouragement to live their lives in ways that reflect sustainability at many levels.
UCare Foundation
Wilderness Inquiry is pleased to partner with UCare to provide active outdoor recreation opportunities for people with disabilities and people with economic disadvantages.
Urban Boatbuilders, Inc.
Urban Boatbuilders, a St. Paul-based nonprofit, engages in positive youth development through the building and use of boats. They partner with local middle schools, high schools, and youth-serving agencies to deliver academically enhanced boatbuilding instruction.
Urban Waters Federal Partnership
The Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) is a multi-agency initiative coordinated by the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Domestic Policy Council. The UWFP strives to revitalize urban waters and the communities that surround them, transforming overlooked assets into treasured centerpieces and drivers of urban revival. Many Canoemobile cities align with Urban Waters designated locations.
US Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) delivers engineering services in more than 130 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability as a guiding principle, the Corps works to strengthen our Nation’s security by building and maintaining America’s infrastructure and providing military facilities where our servicemembers train, work and live. In many Canoemobile cities, USACE facilitates land-basedactivities focused on water safety and sustainability.
US Department of Interior
The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is a government agency tasked with protecting America’s natural resources and heritage, honoring our cultures and tribal communities, and supplying the energy to power our future. Wilderness Inquiry works with many of the DOI agencies, including the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to connect people with and promote the protection of America's wild places.
US Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) is a bureau within the US Department of the Interior (DOI) that is tasked with conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
US Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a bureau of the US Department of the Interior (DOI) that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable information.
USDA Forest Service
The US Forest Service is a government agency within the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) tasked with sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands for both present and future generations. The Forest Service has worked with Wilderness Inquiry for many years on issues of accessibility for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Voyageurs National Park Association
The mission of Voyageurs National Park Association (VNPA) is to protect and promote the natural, recreational, and historic resources of Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. Wilderness Inquiry has been partnered with VNPA since the early 1980's when we shared office space together on Hennepin Avenue.
Washington Parks & People
Washington Parks & People (WPP) is the capital area's network of community park partnerships. WPP seeks to build a broad, permanent base of organizations, volunteers, resources, funding, and public support for parks in the Washington, DC area.
Wilderness Classroom
The Wilderness Classroom seeks to instill a lifelong appreciation of the natural world while improving basic skills like reading, critical thinking and communication by highlighting the joy of discovery. WI and Wilderness Classroom share the passion and efforts to engage youth in outdoor experiences.
Wilmington Youth Rowing Association
The Wilmington Youth Rowing Association (WYRA) of Wilmington, DE promotes physical, mental, and social wellness in young people of all backgrounds, using the sport of rowing and related educational programs to instill essential lifelong values including responsibility, self-discipline, teamwork, leadership, commitment, and the pursuit of excellence.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen makes the best winter and outdoor clothing, including Wilderness Inquiry fleece jackets. They are owned and operated by Sue and Paul Schurke, in Ely, MN. Wilderness Inquiry has been partners with them since the beginning!
YMCA
The YMCA of the Twin Cities is an inclusive organization of people committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting health and wellness and encouraging social responsibility.