Dudley Edmondson

Appointed by the House

Public member Dudley Edmondson was appointed to the Outdoor Heritage Council by the Speaker of the House in 2021. His four year term ends January 2025.

As a young boy, Dudley Edmondson discovered the power of nature and its ability to heal both the mind and body. This led Mr. Edmondson on a lifelong path to follow his passion and instill his love and knowledge of the outdoors in others and inspire them to discover their personal understanding and respect for everything nature offers.

Mr. Edmondson was one of the first to highlight the involvement of African Americans in the public lands system. Unsatisfied with the representation of people of color among those he encountered in his outdoor pursuits, he set out to create a set of Outdoor Role Models for the African American community by writing his landmark book, Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places (Adventure Keen Publications 2006). His latest book entitled What’s That Flower: A Beginners Guide to Wildflowers (DK Publishing, London 2013), details the more common wildflowers of the eastern United States.

For three decades Mr. Edmondson has photographed nature and wildlife across the country. His work has been featured in numerous national galleries and over 100 publications, ranging from the state-specific flora and fauna field guides by author Stan Tekiela, to Bird: The Definitive Visual Guide, by Audubon (DK Publishing, London).

Inspiration is at the heart of all of Mr. Edmondson’s work. He has worked with numerous communities across the county to help urban youth and youth of color to experience nature and the beauty of the outdoors, a privilege for so many. He has seen first-hand the difference bringing young people into nature can make in their life. This inspires young people to seek out the outdoors and all that nature offers, and inspires Mr. Edmondson to continue to bring young people of color into nature.

Mr. Edmondson attended Ohio State University and currently resides in Duluth, Minnesota. He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying several recreational activities including birdwatching, mountain and fat biking, fly fishing, and trail running, just to name a few.

Duluth, MN
lsohc@lsohc.mn.gov
(Communications will be forwarded to Mr. Edmondson.)