carrying on a legacy.

On Sigurd Olson’s birthday, April 4, Northland College announces its choices for the best in nature writing for the previous year. SONWA categories include adult nonfiction and children’s literature.

See a full list of winners 1991-present.

Established in 1991, SONWA honors the literary legacy of Sigurd F. Olson by recognizing and encouraging contemporary writers who seek to carry on his tradition of nature writing. In 2004, organizers expanded the award to include children’s literature.

Recent SONWA Winners

2019 SONWA Winner, Adult
2019 SONWA Winner, Children

2018 SONWA Winner, Adult
2018 SONWA Winner, Children
2017 SONWA Winner, Adult

2017 SONWA Winner, Children
2016 SONWA Winner, Adult
2016 SONWA Winner, Young Adult

2016 SONWA Winner, Children
2015 SONWA Winner, Adult
2015 SONWA Winner, Young Adult

2015 SONWA Winner, Children

Learn About the Awards

The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award (SONWA) was established in 1991 to both honor the memory and literary legacy of Sigurd F. Olson and help support and encourage the work of contemporary writers who seek to carry on his tradition of quality nature writing. Over the years, the award competition has attracted entries from the best nature writers in the nation. The writing award is presented annually to an author whose book best captures the spirit of the human relationship with the natural world and promotes Olson’s values.

The literary nonfiction award is made possible through individual donations and an endowment from Eileen Long, former Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute Advisory Board member, who was instrumental in founding the SONWA.

If you would like to support this program, please give online or send your gift to:

Northland College
SONWA
1411 Ellis Avenue
Ashland, WI 54806.

View SONWA Guidelines

The SONWA winners are announced each year on Sigurd Olson’s birthday, April 4.

Adult Nonfiction

Criteria

The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award is given to a published book of literary nonfiction nature writing that captures the spirit of the human relationship with the natural world, and promotes the values that preserve or restore the land for future generations. The literary work must:

hold a 2020 copyright
be written by a single author

Note: coffee table books, guidebooks, or general references will not be considered.

Award recipient receives

$1,000 cash prize and an invitation to visit Northland College (all expenses paid) for an award ceremony and public reading.

Submission Due Date

Submissions can be made up to December 31, 2020. To enter submit eight copies of your publication to:

SONWA
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
Northland College
1411 Ellis Avenue
Ashland, WI 54806

Children’s Literature

Criteria

The Children’s Award is given to a published book of literary nature writing—nonfiction or fiction—appropriate for children up to age fourteen. The book should capture the spirit of the human relationship with nature and promote awareness, preservation, appreciation, or restoration of the natural world for future generations.

be written by a single author

Award recipient receives

The winner of the Children’s Award receives a $500 cash prize. (If the winning book has an illustrator, who is not the author, the award will be split evenly between the two.)