February 1949 (age 49)

The battle over airplanes in the canoe country wilderness entered a new phase in February 1949 with the release of Sigurd Olson's 30-minute, color documentary film, Wilderness Canoe Country. "I feel that it tells the story better than any of the articles I've written," said Sigurd, "and I hope it will crystallize public sentiment tothe point where people will take action." His wish would come true. The film, produced by the President's Quetico-Superior Committee and narrated by Paul Harvey, would build more critical support in northeastern Minnesota than all the speeches, articles and other conservationist propaganda. It also would attract the attention and support of groups, private individuals and government officials throughout the United States and Canada, and help give Sigurd national recognition as a leading conservationist.

February 1964 (age 64)

In February 1964 Sigurd was appointed to the National Park Service's first Science Advisory Board, along with Starker Leopold and Stanley Cain. Its purpose was to advise and guide the Park Service's research program.

In the middle of the month he received a letter from Harrison Salisbury, the director of national correspondence for the New York Times. Salisbury wrote to say how much he loved Sigurd's newest book, Runes of the North, and said, "Please remember that you have the strongest of allies right here on the Times, and at any time when there is something which we can do which would be constructive and would advance the cause, do let us know. I myself will make it a point to keep in touch with you constantly, every few months, in hopes that there is some kind of story we can carry which will repel the hordes. "