Award Programs

If you are a loon researcher, an author of books about the natural world for adults or children, or are simply interested in loons or good literature, then you may want to know more about the award programs offered through the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute (SOEI).

Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards

Sigurd F. Olson, an influential American conservationist, researched wolves, helped shape national conservation policy, and wrote nine books about the North Country. In 1974, he won the John Burroughs Medal for his book, Wilderness Days.

To honor Olson’s literary legacy, the SOEI presents an annual nature writing award to an author whose book best captures the spirit of the human relationship with the natural world and promotes Olson’s values. Past award winners include Jim dale Huot-Vickery, Jim Brandenburg, David Dobbs and Richard Ober, Robert Treuer, Richard Nelson, Michael Van Stappen, Kathleen Dean Moore, Christopher Cokinos, Kim Todd, Robert Hunter, Jerry Dennis, Harry Thurston, Jonathan Waterman, Karsten Heuer, and Craig Childs. The SOEI also presents an annual nature writing award to a children's author and illustrator whose book best captures the spirit of the human relationship with nature, and promotes the awareness, preservation, appreciation, or restoration of the natural world for future generations. Past award winners include Tony Johnston/Susan Guevara, Jacqueline Davis/Melissa Sweet, Consie Powell, Veronika Martenova Charles/Annouchka Gravel Galouchko and Stephen Daigle, and Rochelle Strauss/Rosemary Wood. Find out more about the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards.

Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award

Sigurd T. Olson made early contributions to the present-day understanding of loons. His 1952 paper co-authored with William H. Marshall, "The Common Loon in Minnesota," continues to be cited as one of the premier baseline reports on the natural history of the species.

The Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award provides researchers with funding for original study that leads to better understanding and management of loon populations. Since its inception, the Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award has provided more than $20,000 to projects in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Massachusetts and Alaska. Find out more about the Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award.

For more information about these or other programs at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, contact us at (715) 682-1223, or email soei@northland.edu.