ELY - Ely-area residents are invited to the International Wolf Center on Thursday, May 23, to see the Interpretive Center’s new “Discover Wolves” exhibit during a special Community Day. All residents with a zip code starting with 557 will receive half-price admission during the one-day event. Proof of residence will be required.

The reduced fee for admission on Thursday, May 23, is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children 12-and-under.

“We can’t wait to show our neighbors what we’ve been up to here,” said Interpretive Center Manager Krista Harrington. “We appreciate all the support that the Ely community has given us over the years. Events like this Community Day are a way to show that appreciation.”

Included in the special events for the day is a slideshow that chronicles the center’s 30-year history of having live wolves in Ely. The slideshow will be presented by Wolf Curator Lori Schmidt.

The Center is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 23.

The new exhibit was installed this spring and opened in May. “Behind the scenes, we’ve been working on this for 16 months,” Harrington said. “To see all that work as it got installed, piece by piece, was thrilling for all of us.”

As the science regarding wolves has changed, and new technologies have emerged, the Wolf Center built a state-of-the-art experience for visitors that takes into account those advances, according to Wolf Center Executive Director Rob Schultz. “This new exhibit does both,” he said. “All of the latest information about wolves is included in the new exhibit, and we think visitors will feel like they’re really part of the action by using the scientific advancements that we’ve been able to incorporate.”

The new exhibit takes a very hands-on approach to studying wolves. There are microscopes to examine wolf-related slides, a chance to simulate the flight of an airplane as it tracks wolves, and even a howling room that encourages people to let loose with their vocal chords. “We know the new exhibit will be another way for us to continue educating the world about wolves.

A grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting for the new exhibit at the center is planned for Friday, June 28, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

For more information on the center, visit www.wolf.org.

Director resigns

Schultz resigned this week as the executive director of the International Wolf Center. He is assuming a new position with the National Audubon Society where he will serve as vice president and executive director of Upper Mississippi Flyway and Audubon Minnesota. 

“We are all excited for Rob’s opportunity to advance his career within the conservation field but will miss his passion and enthusiasm for our work,” said Nancy Jo Tubbs, chair of the Wolf Center’s board of directors.

During his time at the Wolf Center, Schultz led the staff and volunteers in making significant advances in its work to educate the world about wolves. With board-member help, Schultz secured $1 million in LCCMR funding to develop the new “Discover Wolves!” exhibit. The Twin Cities administrative offices were moved to a new location, and six new educational exhibits were introduced at the Ely-based center. Schultz helped the Wolf Center strengthen relationships with major donors and led the staff team in developing the Wolves At Our Door program that has reached nearly 55,000 students. Most recently, he worked with board members and National Park Service staff to provide financial support for the translocation of new wolves to Isle Royale National Park.

“We have seen a strong team effort under Rob’s leadership, and we could not have done this progressive work in wolf education without the support of our donors, members, legislators, the Department of Natural Resources, Ely City Council, and many partners,” Tubbs said.

Schultz’s last day with the center was May 15. A national search to find the center’s next executive director will begin soon.