Minnesota Made 2026 Auction
Bid on and win these exclusive experiences at Minnesota Made 2026!
Dinner with Beth Dooley
Tofte Getaway Weekend
St. Louis River Estuary Tour
Bike the North Shore with Esker Cycles
Birding at the Bluffs with Birdchick
Unable to attend but want a chance to win?
Arrange your proxy bid by May 8, 2026.
Contact Beth Westerback, Associate Director of Development: 651-917-6297 or bwesterback@mnland.org.
Live Auction Item 1
Dinner with Beth Dooley
A rare, curated evening of local flavors and food storytelling—served up in your own home, for up to ten guests.
Generously donated by Beth Dooley.
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An Evening Worth Talking About
There are dinner parties, and then there are the ones people will talk about for years. This is the latter. James Beard Award-winning food writer Beth Dooley comes to your home, cooks for up to ten guests using sustainable, local ingredients, and fills the evening with the kind of flavor and storytelling that makes a meal feel like so much more.
From Their Farms to Your Table
Beth arrives with ingredients sourced straight from Minnesota’s regenerative and organic farms—the kind of growers who are quietly doing some of the most important work in the world: rebuilding topsoil, capturing carbon, and coaxing extraordinary flavor from well-stewarded land. Throughout the evening, Beth will share their stories and by the time the last dish is cleared, your guests won’t just be satisfied; they’ll be inspired.
Eating Well is Land Stewardship
As Beth writes in The Perennial Kitchen, “Cooking is an act of showing up in the world, of caring for ourselves and for others.” When you win this evening, you’re not just hosting a dinner—you’re participating in exactly the kind of local, regenerative food community that Minnesota Land Trust is proud to champion.
Package Details
- Private dinner prepared by Beth Dooley for up to 10 guests at the winner’s metro area home.
- Menu features ingredients sourced from local regenerative and organic farms.
- Beth Dooley is a James Beard Award-winning food writer and author; regular contributor to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
- Date to be mutually agreed upon. Use by May 1, 2027.
- Winner provides beverages.
Live Auction Item 2
Tofte Getaway Weekend
Three relaxing nights in a stunning private cabin—plus a guided nature walk with celebrated naturalist Chel Anderson.
Generously donated by Chel Anderson, Laura and Luke Hintermeister, John and Kathleen Oberholtzer.
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Your Modern North Shore Retreat Awaits
Tucked into the forest above Lake Superior, your home base for the weekend is a stunning modern three-bedroom cabin in Tofte. Wake to birdsong, brew your morning coffee in a beautifully appointed chef’s kitchen, and step outside onto the stone patio as the Sawtooth Mountains come into focus through the trees.
Guided Journey on the North Shore
Then, on one of the days of your choosing, lace up your boots. This is more than a walk in nature. It’s an exclusive opportunity to explore the North Shore’s natural wonders through the eyes of one of Minnesota’s most celebrated naturalists, Chel Anderson.
Co-author of North Shore: A Natural History of Minnesota’s Superior Coast, Chel will personally lead your group of up to 10 people on a walking adventure through either the Lutsen Scientific and Natural Area or along the Superior Hiking Trail (you choose).
With decades of expertise in this region’s forest and plant ecology, she’ll reveal the quiet, living stories hidden in the soil, plants, and trees along your path.
When the Day is Done
Back at the cabin, the evening is yours. Fire up the sauna. Challenge someone to ping pong or shuffleboard in the game room. Or simply settle into a chair by the fire pit as the string lights come on and the Milky Way slowly fills the sky above the tree line.
This is the North Shore at its most essential, wild, beautiful, and deeply restorative.
Two Prime Weekends to Choose From—Start Planning Now!
Start making your plans now. The winner will choose from two peak-season weekends: August 14–17 or September 11–14, 2026, confirming their choice no later than May 20, 2026.
Package Details
- Chel Anderson is a Minnesota Land Trust landowner, expert botanist, and forest & plant ecologist.
- All-ages trip for up to 10 people on Minnesota’s North Shore.
- A nature hike at either Lutsen SNA or the Superior Hiking Trail, tailored to your group’s ability level and preferred length, an hour or up to a full day long.
- Three-night stay at a 3-bedroom private cabin in Tofte with Lake Superior views.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Two available weekends: Aug. 14–17 or Sept. 11–14, 2026. Check-in: Friday at 4 pm. Check-out: Monday at 10 am. The winner must confirm their trip date selection by May 20, 2026. Mid-week options may be available but are not guaranteed.
Live Auction Item 3
St. Louis River Estuary Tour
A private boat tour through America’s largest freshwater estuary—guided by two experts who have helped protect and restore it.
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A Living, Thriving Landscape
The sun is warm on your face and the water stretches in every direction. Somewhere overhead, a bald eagle tilts on a thermal above wild rice beds rippling in the shallows.
You’re on the St. Louis River Estuary—and what you’re seeing today exists because of decades of restoration work that donors like you made possible.
See Restoration in Action
This half-day boat tour for up to six guests offers a close-up look at the Estuary’s dramatic ecological comeback. You will depart from Spirit Lake Marina, visit regenerating manoomin (wild rice) beds, and see various restoration successes along the route.
Private Tour & Behind-the-Scenes Insights
You’ll be guided by Minnesota Land Trust CEO Kris Larson and former Land Protection Program Manager Pat Collins.
Pat has protected and stewarded the land and water in this region for decades. His depth of knowledge about its ecology, history, and ongoing transformation is simply unmatched. An expert birder and a natural hand on the water, Pat is the ideal captain and guide for everything you’ll see along the way.
Kris brings the big picture into focus—the partnerships, milestones, and vision for the future. Together, they are a rare and remarkable combination!
Lunch, Learning, and a Little Wonder
Midway through your tour, lunch from Northern Waters Smokehaus is served! This Duluth institution is known for its smoked Lake Superior fish, handcrafted meats, and legendary sandwiches. Eating well on the water is a great way to spend an afternoon. You will come away from the day inspired, informed, and well-fed.
Package Details
- Private, half-day boat tour for up to 6 guests.
- Guided by Pat Collins, former Land Protection Program Manager, and Kris Larson, Minnesota Land Trust CEO.
- Pat Collins is an expert birder with extensive experience on and around the St. Louis River Estuary.
- Scheduled on a mutually agreed weekday.
- Includes lunch from Northern Waters Smokehaus.
- Use by September 30, 2026.
Live Auction Item 4
Bike the North Shore with Esker Cycles
A fully guided, two-day mountain bike adventure for any skill level—plus two custom bikes to keep.
Generously donated by Tim and Odia Krueger, Esker Cycles.
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The North Shore Beneath Your Tires
The trail is alive beneath your bike—roots, rock, the percussion of tires on ancient North Shore bedrock. Then the trees break open, the ridge drops away, and Lake Superior fills the horizon.
This is more than a getaway—it’s a fully customized North Shore adventure combining world-class riding, expert guidance, and unforgettable scenery.
Your Guides, Your Pace
Tim and Odia of Esker Cycles have spent years guiding riders through some of the most celebrated trail systems in the state. They’ll take you and a companion on a fully guided, two-day mountain bike adventure.
Whether you’re a first-time trail rider or a seasoned singletrack veteran, they’ll meet you where you are. Maybe it’s an easy cruise through Duluth’s DCT or tackling the epic 16-mile Jackpot/High Climber corridor—or anything between—Tim and Odia have you covered.
When the riding is done for the day, the adventure isn’t. Your hosts will join you for dinner at their favorite local spots and wind down the evening around a campfire at Red Raven North, your base camp for the weekend.
Your New Custom Bikes
Two brand-new, custom-sized Esker full-suspension mountain bikes—valued at up to $3,000 each—are part of this experience and yours to take home. Because great trails deserve great equipment, and this adventure is just the beginning.
Package Details
- Two-day guided mountain bike adventure for two along Minnesota’s North Shore.
- Itinerary tailored to skill level from beginning to advanced. Trail options include Duluth Traverse (DCT), Split Rock Wilds (Beaver Bay), and Jackpot/High Climber (Tofte–Lutsen).
- Two new custom-fitted, full suspension Esker mountain bikes, valued at up to $6,000 or in-store credit.
- Two nights lodging at Red Raven North.
- Guided and supported riding including shuttles provided as needed.
- Evenings around the campfire and local eateries with Tim and Odia.
- Dates to be mutually agreed upon. Use by May 1, 2027.
Live Auction Item 5
Birding at the Bluffs with Birdchick
An intimate, guided half-day on a Land Trust-protected property with nationally recognized birder Sharon Stiteler.
Generously donated by Sharon Stiteler (Birdchick) and Minnesota Land Trust.
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From Row Crop to Native Prairie
The prairie is vibrant with life. Waves of yellow black-eyed Susans, bergamot, and purple blazing star roll across a 135-acre restored landscape tucked beside the base of a bluff near Frontenac State Park. Bobolinks tumble through the air. Dickcissels call from the tall grass. Somewhere above the tree line a scarlet tanager flashes red against a blue summer sky.
You’re standing on land that, not long ago, was a cultivated agricultural field. Today, thanks to Minnesota Land Trust’s protection and restoration work and generous donors, it provides vital habitat for wildlife in the Mississippi River corridor.
Your Guide: Birdchick
Sharon Stiteler—known to the birding world as Birdchick—is a former National Park Ranger, nationally recognized birding expert, author, storyteller, and regular guest on TPT’s Almanac. She has been making birding funny, accessible, and a little rebellious since 1997. Sharon doesn’t just help you find birds; she helps you see the world differently.
The Conservation Story, Up Close
Joining you is Haley Golz, Minnesota Land Trust Restoration Program Manager and prairie expert, who personally oversaw the restoration of this very property. As you walk the paved, accessible trail around the field, Haley brings the conservation story to life—the seeds planted, the species that returned, the years of patient stewardship behind what you’re witnessing.
This isn’t just a birding outing. It’s a front-row seat to what conservation looks like when it works—and a chance to meet a person who helped make it happen.
A Classic Bluff Country Send-Off
After your time in the field, head over to the historic St. James Hotel in Red Wing, where stories, questions, and a memorable meal round out the day in style—the perfect cap to an unforgettable experience!
Package Details
- A private, guided half-day birding adventure for up to 4 people at Rattlesnake Bluff, Red Wing (Wacouta Township)—on a 135-acre Land Trust-protected and restored property.
- Guided by Sharon Stiteler (Birdchick)—author, former National Park Ranger, and nationally recognized birder and storyteller. Learn more about Sharon.
- Accompanied by Haley Golz, Minnesota Land Trust Restoration Program Manager, and prairie restoration expert.
- Paved, accessible perimeter trail.
- Birds you may see: bobolink, dickcissel, scarlet tanager, Eastern meadowlark and indigo bunting.
- Experience concludes with a meal at the historic St. James Hotel, Red Wing.
- Use by a mutually agreed upon date before May 1, 2027.
