PROGRAMS

Jess Edberg

Jessica Edberg currently serves as the Information and Program Specialist. As the Information Specialist, she responds to public inquiries, participates in additions and revisions to the Web site, and obtains newly published or produced materials to add to the library. As the Program Specialist, Jess facilitates educational programming as well as adventure learning vacations at the International Wolf Center's facility in Ely, MN. With experience in outdoor adventures of her own, Jess brings an enthusiasm for outdoor and environmental education to all who participate in her programs.

Adriane Morabito

Adriane found herself in Ely, MN after spending several years exploring the west and then eventually here in the unique and diverse ecosystems of northern Minnesota. Local places she enjoys spending time are wetlands, with a special passion for the bogs. These places offer a wealth of knowledge and teaching tools to understand the ecological connections between the soil, plants, insects and wildlife of the boreal forest here in Northern MN.

Adriane is a seasoned environmental educator, with experience as a naturalist at environmental residential learning centers, nature centers, University of Minnesota environmental education graduate and outdoor recreation programs and community schools throughout the country. As the International Wolf Center's Program Specialist, she coordinates educational programming through distance learning lessons via videoconference; works with teachers and group leaders on group visit opportunities, and upon request assists educators on building lessons and/or specialized programs. She practices experiential education that encourages interactive, relevant and hands-on lessons through all of these programs at the International Wolf Center.

Brian Rajdl

Brian Rajdl has been leading courses for teachers, adults and youth on Isle Royale for several years, hiking and paddling through the park to share some of the island's hidden treasures. A premier naturalist, tracker, and wilderness guide, Brian is also a high school science teacher and a graduate student in Michigan Tech's wildlife program. In 2005 Brian began working with John Vucetich on a study of symmetry in Isle Royale moose skulls, and has worked with Rolf Peterson to collect bones from wolf-killed moose in the park. When he's not exploring Isle Royale, Brian lives with his family in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.

Lori Schmidt

Lori Schmidt has been associated with the International Wolf Center since 1989, serving in animal care. She currently serves as the International Wolf Center's Wolf Curator. In this position, she coordinates the daily care of the Center's eight ambassador wolves, maintains the wolf care facility, conducts training programs for wolf care staff and teaches specialized programs related to wolf behavior and management.

Lori has lived in Northern Minnesota her entire adult life and has many years of experience on the back roads of the Superior National Forest. She has been involved in forest and wildlife research projects studying the flora and fauna native to Northern Minnesota. In addition to her duties at the Center, she teaches in the Natural Resource program at Vermilion Community College in Ely. Lori has led many field based telemetry projects as a former Earthwatch team leader and continues to actively involve her students in mapping and analyzing wolf pack movements. As the curator, Lori has a unique opportunity to observe and record wolf behavior first hand. She has developed these behavioral observations into several educational programs and enjoys sharing the details of the ambassador wolves with the visitors to the Ely Center or those who follow the wolf logs on the website.

Lori is an instructor for our Northern Minnesota Learning Adventure Programs. Her programs include: "Workin' for Wolves" and "Pups at One Year" as well as Wolf Seminars in Predation, Wolf Ethology, Captive Wolf Management and Dog Behavior.