UWCA: Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures Discover the Wilderness in your Backyard! The Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures program connects thousands of Minnesota youth to the natural world through hands-on learning adventures in environments that are close to home. The UWCA is a collaborative effort of Wilderness Inquiry, the National Park Service, and many other partner organizations—representing the… [Read more] UWCA: Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures
The Legislative Citizen’s Commission on Minnesota Resources voted to recommend funding Wilderness Inquiry’s Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures (UWCA) $1.1 million for a statewide initiative to bring place-based education to Minneapolis, St. Paul, and public school districts throughout Minnesota beginning in 2015.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Governor Mark Dayton were hosted by the National Park Service, the Mississippi River Fund, and Wilderness Inquiry on a tour of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The Secretary and Governor learned about the advancement of invasive species such as Asian Carp, and environmental and economic issues related… [Read more] U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recognizes UWCA as nationally significant program
We had a great “Partner Paddle” with our many UWCA friends and partners on May 21st. Nine Voyageur canoes filled with partners paddled from Hidden Falls to Steamboat Landing, where we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Legislative and Citizens Committee on Minnesota’s Resources. It was a… [Read more] 7th Annual UWCA Partner Paddle celebrates ENRTF 25th Anniversary
Our fleet of UWCA Voyageur canoes rolled into Mankato on Monday, May 12, to provide hands on learning activities to deaf and hearing loss students, grades K through 12. Spirits were high, despite the rain and nasty weather, as these intrepid Mankato students faced the elements to engage in land and lake-based learning activities. They spent the… [Read more] Mankato Students paddle Madison Lake with the UWCA
WI, the National Park Service, and the Mississippi River Fund hosted the 4th Annual UWCA Partner Paddle today on the Mississippi. About 100 people from 36 different partner organizations got in the 24′ Voyageur Canoes at Hidden Falls Regional Park and paddled down to Steamboat Landing at Ft. Snelling. It was an enjoyable paddle and… [Read more] 4th annual UWCA Partner Paddle and 2012 summer of paddling
Friends and supporters of the Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures (UWCA) program gathered on June 21 at the home of Garrison Keillor and Jenny Nilsson. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak both spoke about their passion for the program and the importance of getting kids outside–for their health and the health of… [Read more] Garrison Keillor and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman host fundraiser for the UWCA
Nature Valley: A Proud Supporter of Wilderness Inquiry Today, we release an incredible video sponsored by Nature Valley that highlights our Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures (UWCA) and Canoemobile programs. First, Wilderness Inquiry would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Nature Valley! They have been a tremendous supporter enabling Wilderness Inquiry to grow UWCA programs within the state… [Read more] Video: Nature Valley provides continued support of UWCA and Canoemobile
Chad Dayton wears many hats at Wilderness Inquiry, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! WI is proud to welcome Chad into a new role – that of Canoemobile Program Director. In addition to taking the helm as the Canoemobile Program Director, Chad leads many trips as a WI Trail Staff, and is an… [Read more] Chad Dayton Takes the helm as Canoemobile and UWCA Program Director!
Currently a senior at Central High School, Shalesa began her involvement with the UWCA in 9th grade on a canoe trip with AVID. Through a competitive process, she joined peers and AVID staff for several overnight trips and, in 2014, traveled to Glacier National Park through a partnership between AVID and Wilderness Inquiry. This fall, she… [Read more] Shalesa Johnson’s story
