May 2026
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute Announces 2026 Book Awards.
On April 30, 2026, the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute announced the newest books selected for the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Awards, which have been presented annually since 1991 to honor the legacy of renowned nature writer Sigurd F. Olson.
Is A River Alive? by Robert MacFarlane is this year’s winner in the Adult Book Category. MacFarlane writes about rivers and the rights of nature movement, which he brings to life through experiences on endangered rivers in Ecuador, India and Canada --and the river near his home in England. “This outstanding book by one of the worlds best nature writers shows us that ‘rivers run through people as surely as they run through places,’” said reviewer Susan Hedman. “If you already love rivers, you will love this book – and Is A River Alive? will ignite a passion in those who are not yet ‘rivered’ to ‘find the current . . . [and] follow the flow.’”
The winner of the Children’s Book Category is The Crane and the Keeper, written by Meeg Pincus and illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara. It is a true story that introduces readers to Walnut, a white-naped crane raised by humans, and the carefully negotiated bond she shares with her keeper, Chris Crowe. Through accessible storytelling and expressive illustrations, the book offers an endearing yet powerful exploration of
perseverance, patience, and love, while inviting reflection on the complex relationship between humans and wildlife. “The Children’s Committee is especially pleased to honor a story rooted close to home in Wisconsin, where cranes, conservation efforts, and Sigurd Olson’s legacy are deeply woven into the landscape,” said reviewer Clair Emmons. “Walnut’s journey resonates in a state where many children grow up watching cranes rise from wetlands and cross open skies. Grounded in real conservation work, The Crane and the Keeper helps young readers understand both the challenges wildlife face and the responsibility humans share in protecting them, embodying the spirit of curiosity, empathy, and stewardship that is at the heart of Sigurd Olson’s legacy.”
The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose is the Young Adult Book Category winner. This book follows a young girl growing up in a remote fire lookout in New Mexico, where she must reckon with both a family legacy tied to wildfire and her own fear shaped by personal loss. When she is left on her own and confronted with danger, she is forced to find her place between inheritance and independence. “With a strong sense of landscape and an honest portrayal of fire as both threat and natural force, this story reflects the complex relationship between people and the
environments they inhabit,” said reviewer Demaris Brinton. “It speaks to resilience, responsibility, and the importance of understanding the natural world in a time of increasing ecological change.”
Sigurd F. Olson was the author of many books -- including The Singing Wilderness, which won the John Burroughs Nature Writing Award. Olson worked as a wilderness guide in the lakes and forests of the Quetico-Superior country of northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario, and helped preserve the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and draft the Wilderness Act. Olson also served as President of The Wilderness Society and the National Parks Association.
For more than 50 years, the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute (SOEI) has been a leader in thinking about conservation, wilderness and sustainability in the Lake Superior region. Historically, its education programs have been wide-ranging, from citizen science projects on keystone species like the loon and wolf, to more philosophical, literary programs, to public policy initiatives like the Lake Superior Bi-National Program and topical problem-solving workshops.
In 2026, the Institute is re-tooling its programs for the next 50 years, moving beyond its role as a department of Northland College to its own 501C3 non-profit organization. Led by a dedicated group of volunteers and a board of directors, the Institute continues the important work of LoonWatch, the Timber Wolf Alliance, and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. SOEI plans to continue to build vibrant outreach, citizen science and public policy work that SOEI has done in the Lake Superior Region and Chequamegon Bay area since 1972. To that end, the board is completing a strategic plan, looking ahead, and considering ways to develop impactful programs for the next 50 years.
Contact: Rocky Barker 208-841-5921 [email protected]
Is A River Alive? by Robert MacFarlane is this year’s winner in the Adult Book Category. MacFarlane writes about rivers and the rights of nature movement, which he brings to life through experiences on endangered rivers in Ecuador, India and Canada --and the river near his home in England. “This outstanding book by one of the worlds best nature writers shows us that ‘rivers run through people as surely as they run through places,’” said reviewer Susan Hedman. “If you already love rivers, you will love this book – and Is A River Alive? will ignite a passion in those who are not yet ‘rivered’ to ‘find the current . . . [and] follow the flow.’”
The winner of the Children’s Book Category is The Crane and the Keeper, written by Meeg Pincus and illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara. It is a true story that introduces readers to Walnut, a white-naped crane raised by humans, and the carefully negotiated bond she shares with her keeper, Chris Crowe. Through accessible storytelling and expressive illustrations, the book offers an endearing yet powerful exploration of
perseverance, patience, and love, while inviting reflection on the complex relationship between humans and wildlife. “The Children’s Committee is especially pleased to honor a story rooted close to home in Wisconsin, where cranes, conservation efforts, and Sigurd Olson’s legacy are deeply woven into the landscape,” said reviewer Clair Emmons. “Walnut’s journey resonates in a state where many children grow up watching cranes rise from wetlands and cross open skies. Grounded in real conservation work, The Crane and the Keeper helps young readers understand both the challenges wildlife face and the responsibility humans share in protecting them, embodying the spirit of curiosity, empathy, and stewardship that is at the heart of Sigurd Olson’s legacy.”
The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose is the Young Adult Book Category winner. This book follows a young girl growing up in a remote fire lookout in New Mexico, where she must reckon with both a family legacy tied to wildfire and her own fear shaped by personal loss. When she is left on her own and confronted with danger, she is forced to find her place between inheritance and independence. “With a strong sense of landscape and an honest portrayal of fire as both threat and natural force, this story reflects the complex relationship between people and the
environments they inhabit,” said reviewer Demaris Brinton. “It speaks to resilience, responsibility, and the importance of understanding the natural world in a time of increasing ecological change.”
Sigurd F. Olson was the author of many books -- including The Singing Wilderness, which won the John Burroughs Nature Writing Award. Olson worked as a wilderness guide in the lakes and forests of the Quetico-Superior country of northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario, and helped preserve the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and draft the Wilderness Act. Olson also served as President of The Wilderness Society and the National Parks Association.
For more than 50 years, the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute (SOEI) has been a leader in thinking about conservation, wilderness and sustainability in the Lake Superior region. Historically, its education programs have been wide-ranging, from citizen science projects on keystone species like the loon and wolf, to more philosophical, literary programs, to public policy initiatives like the Lake Superior Bi-National Program and topical problem-solving workshops.
In 2026, the Institute is re-tooling its programs for the next 50 years, moving beyond its role as a department of Northland College to its own 501C3 non-profit organization. Led by a dedicated group of volunteers and a board of directors, the Institute continues the important work of LoonWatch, the Timber Wolf Alliance, and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. SOEI plans to continue to build vibrant outreach, citizen science and public policy work that SOEI has done in the Lake Superior Region and Chequamegon Bay area since 1972. To that end, the board is completing a strategic plan, looking ahead, and considering ways to develop impactful programs for the next 50 years.
Contact: Rocky Barker 208-841-5921 [email protected]
April 2026
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute charts new independent course for next 50 years.
For more than 50 years, the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute (SOEI) has been a leader in thinking about conservation, wilderness and sustainability in the Lake Superior region. Historically, its education programs have been wide-ranging, from citizen science projects on key species like the loon and wolf, to more philosophical, literary programs, to public policy initiatives like the Lake Superior Bi-National Program and topical problem-solving workshops.
In 2026, the SOEI is re-tooling its programs for the next 50 years, moving beyond its role as a department of Northland College as its own 501C3 non-profit organization. Inspired by Sigurd Olson and his nature writing.
Led by a dedicated group of volunteers and a board of directors, the Institute continues the important work of LoonWatch, the Timber Wolf Alliance, and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award.
SOEI plans to continue to build vibrant outreach, citizen science and public policy work that SOEI has done in the Lake Superior Region and Chequamegon Bay area since 1972. To that end, the board is completing a strategic plan, looking ahead, and considering ways to develop impactful programs for the next 50 years.
This past year Institute program highlights include:
He is best known for his writings about the values of wild places and wilderness in human spiritual and intellectual growth and for his work to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota. Olson often spoke about “intangible values” as a key to “the good life”. The Institute continues to explore these values and support “the good life” for human and non-human entities in our region.
“The conservation of waters, forests, mountains and wildlife are far more than saving terrain. It is the conservation of the human spirit which is the goal, and that is what is meant by the good life…”
In 2026, the SOEI is re-tooling its programs for the next 50 years, moving beyond its role as a department of Northland College as its own 501C3 non-profit organization. Inspired by Sigurd Olson and his nature writing.
Led by a dedicated group of volunteers and a board of directors, the Institute continues the important work of LoonWatch, the Timber Wolf Alliance, and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award.
SOEI plans to continue to build vibrant outreach, citizen science and public policy work that SOEI has done in the Lake Superior Region and Chequamegon Bay area since 1972. To that end, the board is completing a strategic plan, looking ahead, and considering ways to develop impactful programs for the next 50 years.
This past year Institute program highlights include:
- LoonWatch collected loon lake monitoring reports from the hundreds of loon rangers who monitor the native birds with their haunting calls across northern Wisconsin and Michigan. This string of data, started in the 1970s and will continue with the mailing of the 2026 Lake Monitoring forms.
- The Timber Wolf Alliance created and distributed thousands of Wolf Awareness Week posters in October.
- The winners of the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Awards will be announced by the reading panels later this month.
- The SOEI Board is also considering plans to continue programs to help get youth and adults into the wild, and sponsor educational events on important Lake Superior Country issues.
He is best known for his writings about the values of wild places and wilderness in human spiritual and intellectual growth and for his work to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota. Olson often spoke about “intangible values” as a key to “the good life”. The Institute continues to explore these values and support “the good life” for human and non-human entities in our region.
“The conservation of waters, forests, mountains and wildlife are far more than saving terrain. It is the conservation of the human spirit which is the goal, and that is what is meant by the good life…”