Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute

12/01/2025

This Giving Tuesday, help us continue our dedication to Environmental Stewardship.

Today, we invite you to join the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute in empowering people of all ages to connect with the natural world.
Your donations will help support the programs you love find their footing and continue stronger than ever. Contributions directly support Loon Watch, Timberwolf Alliance, Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Awards, and a future rich with programs that inspire individuals to live a life rooted in environmental stewardship.
With Loon Watch’s focus on growing education and citizen science for one of the most iconic Northwoods birds, the Timberwolf Alliance’s mission to use science based evidence to promote healthy wolf populations and peaceful coexistence with humans, or SONWA’s recognition of the best nature writers of today, the SOEI bring programs that inspire people to discover the wonder of caring and experiencing out wild spaces.

The final typed words of Sigurd Olson were, “A new adventure is coming up and I’m sure it will be a good one.”

We here at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute believe those words now more than ever. Show us you believe it too with a contribution this Giving Tuesday.

Every gift—large or small—makes a meaningful difference.
Every donor helps strengthen our mission and bring us closer to stability.
Every act of support honors Sigurd Olson’s legacy of finding peace in wilderness.

👉 Donate today and be part of the movement to protect the places we love and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. Give at the link below:

https://www.sigurdolsoninstitute.org/

Thank you for supporting the SOEI this Giving Tuesday.

11/10/2025

Stewards of the North Country,

The Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute is here to stay!
While Northland College and many of its programs have shuttered, a small volunteer board of impassioned community members have fought to keep the Institute is alive and active. We strive to continue its mission and vision in connecting people to the North Country through education, research and stewardship. Our programs like Loon Watch, Timber Wolf Alliance, and Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Awards. We have prevailed in the first step in continuing the Legacy of Sigurd Olson separated from Northland College, but out programs remain delicate. We call upon our past, present, and future supporters to assist in this time of rebuilding the institute that has called the Northwoods home for decades.

We are seeking an agreement with the Listening Point Foundation to act as our non-profit fiscal sponsor as we wait for our 501(c)3 status. This will allow us to provide you with tax deductible donations. ​

You can support us by:
Sharing our message.
Making a Financial contribution to one of our programs.
Together, let’s carry Sigurd’s legacy of stewardship in the Northwoods into the future.

Give now and stay informed at our new website:
https://www.sigurdolsoninstitute.org/

03/31/2025

Join the SOEI for a showing of the No Man's Land Film Festival! As the premier all-women and genderqueer adventure film festival, NMLFF showcases groundbreaking stories of athletes and adventurers who are redefining femininity in the outdoors. Come get inspired! The showing is comprised of nine short films with an intermission in the middle.

This showing will be held on April 3rd from 6:45pm-9:30-pm in the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute. Snacks and drinks will be provided. All are welcome to attend. Admission is free!

NMLFF website: https://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/

02/06/2025

Calling all Outdoor Adventurers!

Are your life-saving skills up to date? Are your Wilderness medical certifications expired or soon to be?

Worry not!

In just a few short weeks Northland College will once again be hosting two wilderness medical certifications geared towards anyone who like to play in the wilderness. Whether you are a weekend backpacker, or an outdoor professional spending extended time in the backcountry, we have a course offering for you! Below, find details of each course brought to you by the curriculum of Wilderness Medical Associates.

Wilderness First Responder- (April 20th-27th)
Our Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course provides essential training in wilderness medicine, leadership, and critical thinking for professionals, leaders, and outdoor adventurers in outdoor, low-resource, and remote environments. This 70-hour course runs through April 19th-26th. This hands-on course is the standard in the outdoor industry and, speaking from our personal experience, provides a robust knowledge of body systems, and the confidence to treat injuries in a remote setting. The course fee is set at $750.

Wilderness First Responder Recertification
The Wilderness First Responder Recertification course is designed to recertify eligible Wilderness First Responders and current WMA Wilderness EMS Upgrade graduates. Students will review essential skills, wilderness protocols, and updates in wilderness medicine. Course fee is set at $425.00.

Register Today! Space is always limited on courses like these! Don't get caught without the skills to be safe in the backcountry.

Find details on our website or follow the Links Below to register, or call/email Taylor Pena-Hansen to register over the phone. [email protected], 715-682-1846

https://www.northland.edu/.../wilderness-first-responder.../
https://www.northland.edu/.../wilderness-first-responder.../

09/29/2023

09/25/2023

Calling all Northland College students! This weekend (Sept. 29-Oct. 1), we’re excited to host a free filmmaking workshop with the acclaimed director Doug Pray. Exclusively for Northland College students, 'Finding Your Film' will equip you with the skills to create impactful movies. Don't miss this event! Sign up today at https://www.northland.edu/event/finding-your-film-a-weekend-film-making-workshop/

04/13/2023

And it’s that time of year again!

Outdoor Pursuits is having their 2nd Annual Spring Garage Sale this weekend.

We were blown away by the community’s enthusiasm surrounding this event last year and can’t wait to share our new well-loved collection with you.

Some featured items this year include:

Nordic Skis (skis only)
Tents
Hot tent and stove
Packable kayak
River kayaks
Garmin eTrex
Cooking equipment
Interior painting supplies
And more!

Come find that piece of gear you’ve been looking for to prep for your summer excursions. 🥾 🌲 🛶

We’ll see you at the SOEI from 10am-2pm this Saturday and Sunday (4/15-4/16)!

04/04/2023

In honor of Sigurd Olson's birthday, we are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2022 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award (SONWA)! In the Adult Nonfiction category, three books were jointly awarded the top prize, offering a transformational leap in our understanding of interspecies communication. The young adult winner, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults, weaves together indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge, while the children's winner, Count on Us!, offers a vision filled with hope and empowerment. Congratulations to all the winners and honorable mentions! Follow the link to learn more about these amazing books and authors.

The Northland College Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute has announced the winning books for the 2022 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing…

01/09/2023

On December 23, 2022, David Backes passed away unexpectedly from complications related to a heart condition. David was Sigurd Olson’s biographer, a founding member of the Listening Point Foundation, and a long-time friend, consultant, and contributor to the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute.

David last contributed to a Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute program on October 20, 2022, when he presented virtually, and exactly 50 years to the day after the original event, a moving talk focused on Sigurd Olson’s keynote address at the Institute’s founding dedication in October of 1972.

David Backes was a knowledgeable, insightful, gracious, and dedicated steward and promoter of Sigurd Olson’s legacy. He will be deeply missed.

Share Memories of David & Support the Backes Family