Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute

Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute advances environmental education and outdoor learning from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, carrying forward the legacy of writer and conservationist Sigurd F. Olson. Its work centers on connecting people with the natural world through field-based programs, professional learning, and community engagement tied to the Lake Superior region and the broader Northwoods.

The institute serves multiple audiences. It runs youth programming that includes summer camps and school-year experiences for children and teens, and it supports educators through teacher workshops and place-based environmental education. It also offers wilderness and natural history experiences for adults, extending its reach beyond campus students to families, teachers, and community participants. This mix of audiences gives the institute a role that is both academic and public-facing within Northland College’s environmental mission.