Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
We welcomed over 700 visitors to the Foundation from all over the United States and abroad, and our team of volunteers put in over 1500 hours of guided tours for our guests. We also sent out two free newsletters with thoughtful articles, photographs, updates, and more. In 2019, we launched our email platform, allowing us more ways to share stories, quotes, updates, photos, and more. Among other things, we also succeeded in expanding our outreach, inviting partnerships with local organizations to share Listening Point with youth, along with reflection and service learning opportunities.
Current Goals
In 2021, Listening Point Foundation is continuing our core mission while expanding opportunities within our community. In terms of preservation, we have two main goals. Our first goal to complete work on the roofs of the structures out at Listening Point. Our second goal is to maintain ongoing work to preserve the integrity of the buildings by reducing the powder-post beetle invasion.
In terms of advancing Sigurd Olson's wilderness philosophy, we have three goals. The first is to continue developing and implementing an educational internship for college students that began in 2020. The student intern will engage in various learning opportunities with tour groups, communications for social media, creation of original art and historically-informed exhibits, archival processes, and nonprofit leadership. Second, we will also continue expanding our partnership opportunities with youth camps and student groups in our region. Solid groundwork was laid for this in 2019, and we will continue to invite groups for a combination of tours, reflection, and service learning opportunities. Third, we will continue to provide free, educational tours of Sigurd Olson's home and historic Listening Point to interested members of the public and student/organizational groups. All of these will help further our vision of fostering people's connections to wilderness, as well as hopefully inspiring them to find their own listening points in the world around them.
Community or Constituency Served
We serve the general public.
Geographic Area Served
The Listening Point Foundation is located in Ely, Minnesota and serves the community there and abroad. We welcome visitors from all around the United States and the world.
