Will Steger is a world-renowned leader, explorer, educator, author, entrepreneur, and climate advocate.
Will has led teams on some of the most significant polar expeditions in history.
Steger completed 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) in 1988, and led the first dogsled traverse of Antarctica (the historic seven month, 3,741-mile International Trans-Antarctica Expedition) in 1989–90.
His expeditions have been covered by National Geographic and featured globally for their scale, ambition, and powerful message about the fragility of the polar regions.
Will Steger’s Legacy
Drawing on his experiences, Will Steger envisioned the need to empower leaders to unlock new solution through innovation and bold discovery.
In 2021, Will made the decision to donate his life’s work and all associated assets to the non-profit Steger Center for Innovation and Leadership.
Recognition & Awards
1995: Steger joined Amelia Earhart, Robert Peary and Roald Amundsen in receiving the National Geographic Society’s prestigious John Oliver La Gorce Medal for “Accomplishments in Geographic Exploration, in the Sciences, and Public Service to Advance International Understanding.” This was the first time the Society presented these three categories together.
1996: Became the National Geographic Society’s first Explorer-in-Residence
1998: Received the Explorers Club’s Finn Ronne Memorial Award
2006: Joined Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Dr. Thor Heyerdahl and Neil Armstrong in receiving the Lindbergh Award. Steger was given this award for “numerous polar expeditions, deep understanding of the environment and efforts to raise awareness of current environmental threats, especially climate change.”
2007: Received National Geographic Adventure Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on climate change
2009: Received Conservation Leadership Award from the Conservation Minnesota Voter Center
2014: Was acknowledged by Minnesota Senate Resolution honoring his incredible leadership and accomplishments for raising awareness of the urgency of climate change and the opportunity for solutions.
2015: Received the Canadian Governor General medallion in recognition of his expeditions in the Canadian Arctic (2004, 2007, 2008) and educational efforts to raise awareness of the Canada-Minnesota relationship.
Steger holds a Bachelor of Science in geology and Master of Arts in education from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, in addition to five Honorary Doctorates.
Filmography
After Antarctica is an award winning feature-length documentary directed by Tasha Van Zandt that follows renowned polar explorer Will Steger’s life journey as an eyewitness to the greatest changes in the polar regions of our planet.
Bibliography
The Steger Homestead Kitchen is an inspiring and down-to-earth collection of meals and memories gathered at the Homestead, the home of the Arctic explorer and environmental activist Will Steger, located in the north woods near Ely, Minnesota.
Crossing Antarctica
In March 1990, Will Steger completed what no man had ever before attempted: the crossing of Antarctica, a total of 3,700 miles, on foot. Lured by the challenge and the beauty of Earth's last great wilderness, and determined to focus the world's attention on the frozen continent now that its ecological future hangs in the balance, Steger and his International Trans-Antarctica Expedition team performed an extraordinary feat of endurance.
North to the Pole tells the story of the Steger International Polar Expedition to reach the North Pole by dogsled. Their spectacular feat of daring, courage, and commitment was deemed by National Geographic to be a "landmark in polar exploration."
Saving The Earth: A Citizen's Guide to Environmental Action
This environmental action guide discusses the causes and impact of environmental threats, the history of the problem, potential solutions, and helpful resources.
Over the Top of the World
A day-to-day narrative captures the sometimes life-threatening experiences of renowned polar explorer Will Steger and his team as they travel by dogsled over the North Pole to record ecological changes in the Arctic.