CLIFF JACOBSON

Professional Outdoors Writer and Speaker: 1974-Present
Author of more than 20 outdoor books, (many in continuous print for over 30 years),  over 500 magazine articles, a popular wilderness skills video (The Forgotten Skills) and numerous educational projects. Lectured at universities, colleges, museums, nature centers, and outdoor stores across the country and is one of the most popular speakers and published outdoor writers in North America. He has appeared at all of North America's most popular wilderness canoeing and camping shows. This year, during COVID, Cliff has given eight virtual presentations, with several more in the works.

 

Arctic Work & Survival School - Spitsbergen Norway: 2005

Invited by Klar/Ullfrotté and Gränsfors Bruk Ax Company on scholarship to test equipment and clothing in the sub-zero (30-40 below) terrain.

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Piragis Northwoods Company, Ely, Minnesota: 1999-2005

Organize, outfit and lead adult canoe expeditions into northern Canada. Teach outdoor skills. Write a monthly web column.​

2009-Present: Guide canoe trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota.

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Science Museum of Minnesota: 1985-1999
Wilderness Expedition Guide and Outdoor Skills Instructor
Organize, outfit, and lead adult canoe expeditions into northern Canada. Teach Basic River Canoeing, Outdoor Skills, and Map and Compass classes at the museum site and in remote areas of northern Canada.

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Hastings Middle School: 1971-2001
Teacher, Eighth Grade Environmental Science
Developed nationally recognized environmental education curriculum. Materials published by HACH Chemical Co, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Minnesota Environmental Education Board. Program earned the Minnesota state Excellence In Education award in 1985.

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Outdoor Education Teacher: 1974-1985
Designed and implemented Wilderness Experience, a unique outdoor education program for ninth graders. Program components included environmental ethics, practical geology, map and compass skills, rock-climbing and rapelling, plus a week long canoe trip in the Boundary Waters or Ontario. Developed high adventure outdoor program for students in grades 10-12. After training, students participated in a week long canoe trip on a wild Canadian river. Program received national publicity and support from Lions Club International.

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: 1974-1980
Metro Area Workshop Coordinator and Skills Instructor
Designed and promoted outdoor education workshops based on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed formats. Handled logistics of securing site, equipment, teaching personnel, and workshop participants. Instructed map and compass, cooking, camping, survival, leadership, and canoeing skills. Author of numerous DNR outdoor education pamphlets, including the widely acclaimed Wilderness Meal and state orienteering materials.

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Southport High School, Indiana: 1968-1971
Instructor BSCS biology and advanced biology

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Forester, US Bureau of Land Management: 1962-1963
Responsible for continuous forest inventory, reforestation, timber management and timber sales layout.

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United States Army Military, 1962-1964
Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Germany
Served as executive officer, artillery. Responsible for 105 men and logistics associated with running a combat-ready field artillery battery. Member of U.S. army rifle team, national champions, 1964. Honorable discharge.

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Education

 

Indiana University, M.S. Secondary Education, 1966

Purdue University, B.S. Forestry, 1962

​St. Cloud State University—graduate courses

​University of Wisconsin at River Falls—Supervision of Student Teaching class.