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From the quiet, watchful gaze of gray wolves to the exhilarating rush of a dogsled team racing through snow-covered woods, my recent Minnesota winter adventure was nothing short of unforgettable. 

Minnesota Zoo blends adventure and wildlife

The Minnesota Zoo’s Wild Wolf EdVenture is part of the zoo’s broader 

, which invites adults, families and teens to explore wildlife and landscapes with guidance from zoo staff. The series offers immersive learning experiences that connect participants with animals, ecosystems and conservation efforts across the country and around the world.

Our program visited the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota. This unique educational nonprofit is dedicated to teaching people about wolves, their ecology, behaviors, and role in ecosystems, through exhibits, live ambassador wolves, and engaging programs.

At the International Wolf Center, the experience was more than just educational. Seeing the wolves up close and learning about their lives in the wild gave me a deeper appreciation for their place in Minnesota’s forests and wilderness, as well as the challenges they continue to face.

If the wolf encounter was a quiet moment of reflection, dog sledding at Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge was pure adrenaline and joy.

Located in the snowy forests of northern Minnesota, Wintergreen offers authentic dogsled tours powered by a team of eager Canadian Inuit dogs. From the moment I met the team, tails wagging and voices rising in excited howls, it was clear this would be a highlight of the trip.

The Minnesota Zoo’s Wild Wolf program through its EdVenture program deepened my understanding of wolves and the importance of respecting them in the wild. At the same time, Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge offered a hands-on winter adventure. Learning about wolves from a safe distance and then working closely with sled dogs made the experience unforgettable and strengthened my appreciation for Minnesota’s wild places.

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Mandy Thalhuber

Author

From the quiet, watchful gaze of gray wolves to the exhilarating rush of a dogsled team racing through snow-covered woods, my recent Minnesota winter adventure was nothing short of unforgettable. 


Woman stands in front of the International Wolf Center

Into the Wild: Experiencing the Minnesota Zoo's EdVenture program

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