The Voyageurs Conservancy is excited to welcome Breanna Trygg as the organization’s Education and Outreach Director
National Parks are our most treasured classrooms. However, the Voyageurs Conservancy noticed a concerning trend unfolding within the park’s education programs. Federal budget cuts and hiring challenges significantly decreased the National Park Service's ability to provide education and community programming. Soon, these vital programs would cease to exist at Voyageurs National Park. In response, the Conservancy launched the Voyageurs Classroom Initiative in 2020 to address this critical need. This joint initiative with the National Park Service includes a suite of joint education programs, field trips, and opportunities for youth and families to learn in their national park. To help accomplish this project, the Voyageurs Conservancy welcomes its new Education and Outreach Director: Breanna Trygg.
Breanna Trygg grew up in Minnesota, spending time in the woods and waters as much as possible, especially at her family’s cabin in Voyageurs National Park. Breanna’s personal connection to the region stretches across decades of her family’s history.
“My great uncle Noble Trygg lived and worked in the Voyageurs National Park before it was a park! I grew up going to two cabins he built on Namakan, one at Tar Point and tiny Pikku Paikka on an island nearby. I spent my summers rowing, fishing, hiking and exploring. When those cabins came down, we were lucky to find a family cabin on Kabetogama,” Breanna reflects.
Breanna Trygg at Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park.
At 18 she moved to Washington state to see the tall trees, mountains, and cold Pacific Ocean – and ended up staying for quite awhile. She and her family moved back to Minnesota this fall and are excited and nervous about a return to four seasons, particularly the snow!
“I've been to the Tibetan Plateau, the coastal rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, the forests and fjords of New Zealand - but it's the lakes of Voyageurs National Park that continue to be my favorite spot on the globe,” says Breanna.
Breanna attended University of Puget Sound for her undergraduate degree, and has a Masters in Organizational Leadership from the Organization Systems Renewal Program at Pinchot University. She began her career at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, then served as Program Director at Pacific Education Institute, an environmental education organization that focused on school-community partnerships. In 2015 Breanna started Trygg Consulting, LLC, and worked for the last 6 years with nonprofits, government, education organizations, and multi-stakeholder initiatives to build their capacity to do great work.
Additionally, Breanna has volunteered with grieving children for over 18 years, and considers grief support her “heart work”. After many years volunteering at Sound Care Kids and Camp Erin, Breanna became a founding board member of Wild Grief, and is the current board president, where she can combine her passions of supporting grieving kids and connecting to nature.
Breanna enjoying a boat ride at Voyageurs National park
Breanna joined the Voyageurs Conservancy team in November 2021 as the organization’s Education and Outreach Director. Her role will help build and expand the Voyageurs Classroom Initiative through education and community programs in the park, classroom, the state and beyond. As she steps into her new position, Breanna is excited to connect individuals of all backgrounds to the wild beauty of Voyageurs National Park:
“The possibilities for this program are immense, because we have such an amazing place to begin from! I am excited to learn from the people of Voyageurs National Park, the gateway communities, the Bois Forte tribal community, and the visitors who return to the park year after year,” she states.
Breanna’s forward-thinking goals for the Voyageurs Classroom initiative is as expansive as the park itself. From engaging elementary students to offering leadership opportunities for teens and college students - Breanna is looking forward to introducing Minnesota’s national park as an inspiring educational tool:
“I hope that students who come through our programs will connect to Voyageurs National Park with a sense of wonder as they learn about the history, culture, and science of this unique place. The leadership development in the Teen Ambassador program and career exploration within the Field Fellows program build on classroom experiences, developing students' sense of stewardship both for the park and for our world. My big dream is that every student in Minnesota learns about Voyageurs National Park before they graduate from high school (this may take some time, but we can get there!)” - Breanna Trygg, Voyageurs Conservancy; Education and Outreach Director.
Breanna (Education and Outreach Director) and family
About the Voyageurs Classroom Initiative:
The Voyageurs Classroom is a joint initiative with the National Park Service that includes a suite of educational programs for youth, individuals, and families. As a result, K-12 students will embark on park field trips; college students will receive hands-on, paid internships; virtual classroom visits will reach youth throughout the country; and families will experience enriching community programs.
This state funding will help jumpstart and operate this program over the next three years and connect over 5,000 Minnesota youth to Voyageurs National Park. In strong partnership, the Conservancy and NPS will continue the Voyageurs Classroom Initiative for future decades. Becoming a member of the Voyageurs Conservancy ensures the sustainable future for these education programs.
Project Support for the Voyageurs Classroom Initiative:
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. Currently 40% of net Minnesota State Lottery proceeds are dedicated to growing the Trust Fund and ensuring future benefits for Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.
