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A weekend with wolves through the Minnesota Zoo

Travel EdVenture program brings hands-on experiences to wolf country

People posing with sledding dog
Dog sledding in Ely at Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge, Inc
Courtesy of Tyler Ahnemann

The Minnesota Zoo’s Travel EdVenture program is giving people the chance to step beyond zoo grounds and into the landscapes where wildlife actually lives. This weekend’s Wild Wolf experience takes learning north into Minnesota’s wolf country.

A quest to better understand wolves

This weekend I’m heading out on an exciting wilderness journey with the Minnesota Zoo’s Wild Wolf EdVenture. It’s a travel experience focused on one of Minnesota’s most fascinating and misunderstood animals, the wolf.

The trip brings together wildlife education, outdoor adventure, and opportunities to learn directly from experts.

The Wild Wolf EdVenture is part of the Minnesota Zoo’s Travel EdVentures program, which offers hands-on learning experiences beyond zoo grounds. While this trip explores the forests of northern Minnesota, the program also takes participants around the world to destinations like Patagonia.

Minnesota Zoo Travel EdVenture Program
Minnesota Zoo Travel EdVenture Program
Minnesota Zoo

The EdVenture includes a visit to the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minn., a world-renowned education and research facility focused on wolves and their ecology.

Our group will take part in programs that deepen our understanding of wolf biology and their ecosystems, then we head outdoors for hands-on activities like snowshoeing or hiking through snowy woods, listening for wolf howls, and even dog sledding at Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge.

People posing with sledding dog
Dog sledding in Ely at Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge
Courtesy of Tyler Ahnemann

Wolves are iconic yet often misunderstood animals. Experiences like the Wild Wolf EdVenture go beyond entertainment, giving participants a firsthand look at the important role wolves play in their ecosystems and the conservation efforts that help protect them.

Seeing wolves and their habitats up close makes the experience meaningful.

Exterior of building
International Wolf Center in Ely
International Wolf Center

I’m really excited for this weekend, not just for the chance to be in the North Woods and enjoy the snow and wildlife, but for the chance to learn more about wolves from experts and see how conservation works beyond the zoo walls.

I’ll be sure to share stories and photos when I get back!