Will Steger

Will Steger (born 1943 at Richfield, Minnesota) is a prominent spokesperson for the understanding and preservation of the Arctic and has led some of the most significant feats in the field of dogsled expeditions; such as the first confirmed dogsled journey to the North Pole (without re-supply) in 1986, the 1,600-mile south-north traverse of Greenland - the longest unsupported dogsled expedition in history during 1988, the historic 3,471-mile International Trans-Antarctic Expedition - the first dogsled traverse of Antarctica (1989-90), and the International Arctic Project - the first and only dogsled traverse of the Arctic Ocean from Russia to Ellesmere Island in Canada during 1995.

Having been invited to testify before Congress on polar and environmental issues, Steger co-founded the Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE) [ [http://cgee.hamline.edu CGEE] ] at Hamline University in 1991. During 1993 he founded the World School [ [http://www.stthomas.edu/magazine/showarticle.cfm?ArticleID=-1166946642 World School] ] at the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota).

Will Steger joins Amelia Earhart, Robert Peary, Roald Amundsen and Jacques-Yves Cousteau in receiving the National Geographic Society's "John Oliver La Gorce Medal" for "accomplishments in geographic exploration, in the sciences, and for public service to advance international understanding" in 1995.

Steger received recognition and numerous honors for record setting explorations and interactive educational initiatives: Explorers Club Finne Ronne Memorial Award 1997, and the National Geographic Society's First Explorer-in-Residence 1996. [ [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/community/bookmarks/steger/index.html#bio Explorer-in-Residence] ]

He authored four books and his publications, photographs and interviews are distributed globally::"Over the Top of the World":"Crossing Antarctica":"North to the Pole":"Saving the Earth"

Past Explorer-in-Residence

Will Steger holds many job titles—educator, writer, photographer, and lecturer. But polar adventurer is perhaps his best known and hardest-won. Steger first reached the North Pole in 1986, leading a team of six (Paul Schurke, Brent Boddy, Richard Weber, Geoff Carroll and Ann Bancroft by dogsled. He returned again in 1995, while crossing the Arctic Ocean from Russia to Ellesmere Island, Canada, with a team of five by dogsled and specially adapted canoes.

Steger has also kayaked thousands of miles of northern rivers, including the Peace, MacKenzie, and Yukon. He often blazes new trails on the digital frontier, posting dispatches from his expeditions to millions over the internet.

National Scout Jamboree

Will Steger provided mentorship for southern units at the National Scout jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America. In Minnesota's Twin Cities, he works with the School of Environmental Studies project-based learning programs. Wilderness Inquiry was inspired and enabled by Will Steger's outdoor recreation community stewardship working in collaboration with Hamline's interdisciplinary CGEE programs.

References

External links

* [http://www.willsteger.com/content/view/2/15/ Will Steger's Website Expedition Journals]
** [http://www.willsteger.com/downloads/public/bio/StegerBio.pdf Expanded biography] (PDF - 3pp)
* [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/council/eir/ Past Polar Explorer-in-Residence:] "National Geographic Society"
** [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/community/bookmarks/steger/index.html#bio Biography and digital library]
** [http://www.lindberghfoundation.org Lindbergh Foundation] 2006 Honorary Lindbergh Award
* [http://cgee.hamline.edu/staff/tfredin/INDEX.HTML Hamline University] Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE) program
* [http://www.ely.org/discover_ely/adventurers.php Discover Adventurers] Ely, Minnesota photos and profiles
* [http://www.globalwarming101.com Global Warming 101] An initiative of the Will Steger Foundation
* [http://articles.citypages.com/2007-12-12/feature/winter-guide-ice-man/ A feature article in Minneapolis's City Pages]
* [http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/?storyId=19738&index=21 Public School Insights' Interview with Will Steger] Posted April 15, 2008