Our community is growing.
And you can be a part of it!
Founded in 1998, Listening Point Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Listening Point and advancing Sigurd Olson’s wilderness philosophy.
Listening Point was a place of connection for Sig, continually renewing his sense of wonder and gratitude for the natural world. Honoring that legacy, our vision is to foster people’s connection to wild places by inspiring them to find their own listening point.
We at the Listening Point Foundation are excited and ready to step into the future with fresh ideas and new energy. Explore this page to find out what is happening in our community and how you can be a part of the action!
Learn more about Sigurd Olson, Listening Point, and the Listening Point Foundation below.
Check out our FAQ page, and join our mailing list to keep in touch!
Listening Point Foundation, Inc.
Best-selling author, award-winning conservationist, and wilderness philosopher. Come explore the world of Sigurd F. Olson!
We offer free, guided tours of Sig's most beloved places while sharing his story, philosophy, and legacy. Visit Ely, Minnesota and visit the Olson family home, Sig's Writing Shack, and his iconic Listening Point retreat.
Tours available May - October. Individuals, families, groups, students welcome.
Schedule your tour and learn more here: https://listeningpointfoundation.org/schedule-tour/
"Everyone has a listening-point somewhere. It does not have to be in the north or close to the wildereness, but some place of quiet where the universe can be contemplated with awe." --Sigurd F. Olson
Canoeist, conservationist, and writer Sigurd Olson eventually found his patch of paradise in the woods near Ely, Minnesota.
Sigurd Olson (1899-1982) was a well-known environmentalist, award-winning conservation activist, and best-selling author. Though he lived in Ely, Minnesota and took numerous trips within the Quetico-Superior wilderness, he traveled widely and influenced the creation and preservation of natural areas across the country. Learn more about Sigurd Olson here.
Sigurd Olson created Listening Point in 1956 as a private retreat on the shores of Burntside Lake. It became widely known and celebrated after Alfred Knopf published Olson’s book, “Listening Point” in 1958. Learn more about Listening Point and how to visit here.
Founded in 1998 by Sig’s younger son, Robert K. Olson, the Listening Point Foundation continues to promote Sigurd F. Olson’s legacy. Located in Ely, MN, the Foundation headquarters in the Olson family homestead, and continues to preserve Sig’s Writing Shack and the Listening Point property, along with providing educational tours and opportunities to the community. Learn more about the Listening Point Foundation here.
Keep the legacy alive by donating
We are working hard to create a sustainable financial future for the Listening Point Foundation.
Your donation helps us keep the mission alive and the Foundation moving forward. You can also make a lasting impression by donating a brick to our patio engraved with a message of your choice. Learn more by clicking below!