Nature Writing Awards
Carrying on a legacy.
The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards recognize the best in environmental writing in adult nonfiction and children's literature. Awards are announced on Sigurd Olson's birthday, April 4,
See a full list of winners 1991-present
Learn about our Nature Based Reading video program
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
2020 SONWA Winner, Adult
2020 SONWA Winner, Children
2016 SONWA Winner, Young Adult
Learn how to enter and review the guidelines.
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 values that preserve or restore the land for future generations. The literary work must:
hold a 2021 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, 2021. To enter submit eight copies of your publication to:
SONWA
The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award for children's literature is given to a published book of 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.
The winner of the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award for children's literature 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.)
Submissions can be made up to December 31, 2021. To enter submit ten copies of your publication to:
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.
Supporting the Awards
If you would like to support this program, please give online or send your gift to:
Ashland, WI 54806.
SONWA Winners 1991-Present
Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award Winners
• 1991. Open Spaces, Jim Dale Vickery. Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award (SONWA) gave its inaugural award to Minnesota author…
Nature Based Reading
Listening to a story is a creative pastime—an ancient tradition of the human spirit—that adds to the value of a person's life and can influence…
2020 SONWAs Announced
The Northland College Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute has announced the winning 2020 books for the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award (SONWA). Author Kendra Atleework…
Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards Announced
The Northland College Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute has announced the winning 2019 books for the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award (SONWA). Author Diana Beresford-Kroeger…
SOEI Announces Best in Children's Nature Books 2018
The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award committee has awarded author Sigrid Schmalzer and illustrator Melanie Linden Chan top prize in children's literature for Moth…
SONWA Book Awards Announced
For the third time in its twenty-seven-year history, Craig Childs has been awarded the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award. The SONWA committee has selected…
Loon Research Award
About Forest Lodge
https://www.northland.edu/centers/soei/sonwa