Nancy jo Tubbs
Chair, Board of Directors
Our newest pup, Rieka, was born in May, and when she came to the Center her first public viewings were set outside with small groups rather than in the auditorium to protect the public from COVID-19. Under COVID restrictions, the Center’s guest capacity was increased from 25% to 50% in that first quarter of the year.
While visitation numbers had to be limited, the Center welcomed more than 40,000 in 2021. PPP loans and a St Louis County grant helped offset the cost of COVID-19 related expenses. A successful “Pupalooza” virtual 30-minute gala in June, a spring wolf care auction, and Give to the Wolves Day in November boosted our supporters’ giving and helped keep the Center’s finances healthy in 2021.
Looking back, the Center mourned the loss of Denali, a 14-year-old member of the Retired Pack, known for his bounding play bows when inviting a chase. Looking forward, the Center planned to add two pups to its pack in 2022.
There were several additional highlights to report, including:
- Educational efforts proceeded with the opening of a new moose exhibit in the building lobby.
- With $20,000 the Center partnered with the new Voyageur Wolf Project to report findings from its summer study of wolves in northern Minnesota.
- With $20,000 it established two L. David Mech Fellowships to support students entering the field of wildlife biology.
- The board of directors approved a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) statement to guide the Center’s future planning.
- In July the Center received two awards education and communications: the Pinnacle Award for the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) and a 2021 Traveler’s Choice Award from Trip Advisor.
We are grateful that in 2021 nearby wildfires did not severely impact Ely or the Center.
We are also grateful to note that our volunteers donated more than 250 hours in staffing our Minnesota State Fair booth for 11,242 visitors in August and September.
Our supporters, staff, volunteers and board of directors guided the Center through one of its toughest years with generosity, persistence and resilience. It is a story we can be proud of, now and in the future! Congratulations to a pack that has staying power.
To return to the 2021 Annual Report, click here.
