
Jess Edberg’s life is a testament to the power of openness to change, adaptation, and an abiding connection to the wilderness. From studying equine science to capturing wolves in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), from teaching others about wildlife to leading the Dorothy Molter Museum, Jess’s path has been as winding as the waterways she cherishes. Now, as the Executive Director of the museum, she works tirelessly to honor Dorothy Molter’s legacy and inspire others to care for the natural world.
From Horses to Hiking: A Life of Unexpected Turns
“My origin story in Ely started with an internship for the USGS Wolf Deer Research Project in 2002,” Jess recalls. But her path to this small Minnesota town began much earlier.
Jess spent her childhood in western suburban Minneapolis (before urban sprawl), where her love for the outdoors took root. After graduating from high school, she studied agriculture, focusing on horses and French. Her career began at a veterinary clinic specializing in equine reproductive physiology, but an unexpected adventure changed everything.
“The person I was dating at the time had spent a semester in Maine and was super pumped about hiking the Appalachian Trail,” Jess says. “They convinced me to do it, so after college, we worked for a year, saved up, and then hiked the trail in 2001.”
When she returned home, Jess faced a career setback: her position at the veterinary clinic had been filled. “I was kind of banking on that job,” she admits. “But I thought, ‘Maybe now is a good time to go to grad school.’”
Jess began applying to graduate programs in both equine physiology and wildlife biology. That’s when she reached out to Dr. Dave Mech at the University of Minnesota. “At the time, I had no idea who he was or his relevance to wildlife research,” Jess says with a laugh. Dr. Mech suggested she gain field experience, offering her an internship in Ely.

Falling in Love with Ely
Jess arrived in Ely in February 2002 and quickly fell in love with the town and its surrounding wilderness. “Everything about that internship hooked me to Ely,” she says. “Living in the woods and wilderness—it just felt right.”
The internship involved capturing deer and wolves as part of a larger research project. “Part of the job required canoeing into remote areas of the Boundary Waters,” Jess explains. “I had a crash course in canoe camping. It was empowering to learn those skills and realize this was so close and accessible.”
She embraced the unique challenges of the wilderness. “I’ve always had a strong appreciation for living in a place where I’m not the top-level predator,” Jess says. “Knowing there are animals out there that could eat me if they wanted to—it makes me feel like I’m living more in balance, a part of nature.”
A Passion for Education
After her internship, Jess took a temporary position at the International Wolf Center. Initially hired as an educator, she discovered a talent for teaching. “I realized I really liked teaching when it’s a subject matter I feel passionate about,” she says.
Wolves, she learned, were a polarizing topic. “I made it a point to approach the subject objectively,” Jess explains. “I encouraged people to share their feelings, thoughts, and motivations. I wanted to understand how they felt about these animals and the controversies surrounding them.”
Her role at the Wolf Center evolved over time, eventually becoming a full-time position. For the next decade, Jess helped bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding.
Stewarding Dorothy Molter’s Legacy
In 2014, Jess joined the Dorothy Molter Museum, initially as a manager. By 2018, she became the Executive Director. The museum honors the life of Dorothy Molter, the last non-Indigenous person to live year-round in the BWCAW, famously known as the “Root Beer Lady.”
“When you work at a museum dedicated to someone who isn’t far enough back in history, there are a lot of strong feelings,” Jess says. “I work hard to be respectful of everyone’s perception of who Dorothy was to them.”
Dorothy’s kindness left a lasting impression on those who met her. “There are countless stories of people saying, ‘I knew Dorothy Molter,’” Jess says. “She made them feel valued, even if they only spent 10 or 15 minutes with her.”
For Jess, the museum is not just about preserving Dorothy’s memory but also about inspiring others. “Through Dorothy’s legacy, we focus on inspiring the next generation of Northwoods stewards,” she explains.

Community and Connection
Jess’s work extends beyond the museum. She has spearheaded programs like History Happy Hour, a casual and engaging way to share Ely’s history. “It’s relaxed and fun,” Jess says. “We meet at the Boathouse Brewery and learn something new. It’s a great way to make history accessible.”
“You can find details on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553004811505 I also work with the Heritage Preservation Commission of Ely and one of their members prints posters and posts them around town as a way of supporting the program. It’s free and available to everyone.”
She’s also a long-time member of Chix with Stix, a women’s hockey league that she joined in 2005. “It’s about more than hockey,” Jess says. “It’s about community, connection, and encouraging women to try something new. Some core people have been playing since its inception in 2005. It will soon be 20 years we've been playing together but we’re also open to everyone.”
“When it's dark early it's important to keep in community. It's a great way to socialize with other women. But it's also encouraging people to pick up hockey, learn hockey, and build skills and competencies.”

A Vision for the Future
Jess sees her work as part of a larger mission to protect the Boundary Waters and inspire others to do the same. “The Boundary Waters is everybody’s wilderness,” she says. “It takes all of us to keep it going.”
Through her leadership at the Dorothy Molter Museum, her educational programs, and her community involvement, Jess is ensuring that the legacy of Ely—and the wilderness surrounding it—continues to thrive.
Her message is simple but powerful: “What you take into the Boundary Waters, you take home with you. It’s all of our space, and it’s up to all of us to care for it.”
Jess Edberg’s story is an inspiring reminder that the wild places we love are worth every effort to protect.
CHECK OUT:
The Dorothy Molter Museum is having its annual Ely Winter Festival fundraising events and programs in early February. They have both an online auction fundraiser (Feb 6-13) and an in-person dinner, their "Plaid Tie Event" at the Grand Ely Lodge. An Open House is on Feb 8 and features outdoor activities for families hosted by MN North College- Vermilion students.
There will also be a special History Happy Hour on Feb 12! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553004811505
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