Erika Rivers
Executive Director
As the Executive Director of Wilderness Inquiry, Erika provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the organization and the broader Wilderness Inquiry community. She oversees a $6.8 million annual budget and a staff of 30 full-time and 90+ seasonal employees – a team that connects more than 30,000 people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to the natural world through day programs, near-nature experiences, and extended adventures on local, state, and national waterways and wildlands.
Prior to working at Wilderness Inquiry, Erika worked for nearly two decades in the field of conservation and outdoor recreation, and most recently served as Director of Minnesota State Parks and Trails at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. She believes that quality of life is improved immeasurably when people spend time in nature. Wilderness Inquiry programs and adventures provide important connections to the natural world, and those connections are an essential element in fostering healthy communities and the next generation of conservation stewardship.
A lifelong learner, Erika holds a Ph.D. in conservation biology, a bachelor's degree in journalism and Russian studies, and a certificate in equity and diversity, each from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Additionally, she has completed Lean Six Sigma green belt certification, the National Conservation Leadership Institute fellowship program, and serves on the Minnesota Tourism Council, America’s State Parks Foundation Board, and the State Park Leadership School Board of Regents.