The National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA) was formed in 1997 as an American-based non-profit program which each year presents awards honoring the best in
outdoor writing and publishing. It is housed at
Idaho State University and chaired by Ron Watters.[1] It is sponsored by the National Outdoor Book Awards Foundation, Idaho State University and the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education. As of 2021, awards have been presented in 13 categories, although not all categories are awarded in any given year.
The award is announced in early November of each year.[2] Winning books are promoted nationally and are entitled to display the National Outdoor Book Award gold medallion.[3]
Winners and honorable mentions (Silver Medals)
Small date (2010 vs 2010 ) = Honorable Mention or Silver Medal (Starting in 2021, "Silver medals" replaced honorable mentions. They are awarded when the two top books in a category score within a slim margin of each other. Ties are also sometimes awarded.)
Outdoor literature (non-fiction)
1997: Don Gayton, Landscapes of the Interior: Re-Explorations of Nature and the Human Spirit
1997: W. Scott Olsen and
Scott Cairns, The Sacred Place: Witnessing the Holy in the Physical World
1998:
Greg Child, Postcards from the Ledge: Collected Mountaineering Writings of Greg Child
1999:
Richard Bangs, The Lost River: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Transformation on Wild Water
2000:
Chris Duff, On Celtic Tides: One Man's Journey Around Ireland by Sea Kayak
2001: Erika Warmbrunn, Where the Pavement Ends: One Woman's Bicycle Trip Through Mongolia, China and Vietnam
2002: Jill Fredston, Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge
2008: Thomas Winnett, Ben Schifrin, Jeffrey Schaffer, Ruby Johnson Jenkins and Andy Selters, Pacific Crest Trail (series). In three volumes: Southern California, Northern California and Oregon & Washington
2008:
Ellsworth L. Kolb, Through the Grand Canyon from Wyoming to Mexico
2009: William Nealy, Kayak: The New Frontier
2009: Steve Sherman and
Julia Older, Appalachian Odyssey: Walking the Trail from Georgia to Maine
2011: Judy Burris and Wayne Richards, The Secret Lives of Backyard Bugs
2012: Peggy Thomas, Laura Jacques (illus.), For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson
2013: Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet, Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana
2013: Stacy Tornio and Ken Keffer, The Kid's Outdoor Adventure Book: 448 Great Things to Do in Nature Before You Grow Up
2014: Elizabeth S. Varnai, Kate Hartley (illus.), Good Morning Loon
2015: Nancy Plain, This Strange Wilderness: The Life and Art of John James Audubon
2016: Sharon Mentyka, Chasing at the Surface: A Novel
2016: Mary Casanova, Wake Up, Island
2017:
Jonathan London, Sean London (illus.), Pup the Sea Otter
2017: Monica Russo, Kevin Byron (photos), Treecology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Trees and Forests
2018: Wendy Gorton, Oregon & Washington 50 Hikes With Kids
2018: Rob Bierregaard, Kate Garchinsky (illus.), Belle's Journey: An Osprey Takes Flight
2018:
Stan Tekiela, Elleyna Ruud (illus.), The Kid’s Guide to Birds of Minnesota
2019 Stacy Tornio, Jack Tornio, 101 Outdoor Adventures to Have Before You Grow Up
2019:
Julie Bertagna, William Goldsmith (illus.), Wildheart: The Daring Adventures of John Muir
2019: Phyllis Root, The Lost Forest
2020: Monica Wiedel-Lubinski and Karen Madigan: Nature Play Workshop for Families: A Guide to 40+ Outdoor Learning Experiences in All Seasons
2021: Matt Ritter, Nayl Gonzalez (illus.), Something Wonderful
2022: Susan Ewing, Evon Zerbetz (illus.), Alaska is for the Birds! Fourteen Favorite Feathered Friends
2023: Becky Cushing Gop, Carrie Shryock (illus.), What Goes On Inside a Beaver Pond?
Design and artistic merit
1997: Darcy Williamson, Larry Milligan (cover art), Teresa Sales (design), The Rocky Mountain Foods Cookbook
1998: Maurice Hornocker, Andy Lewis (art dir.), Tom Lewis (design), Track of the Tiger
1998:
Ira Spring,
Harvey Manning, Jennifer Shontz (graphics), Marge Mueller (cartography), 100 Classic Hikes in Washington
1999: Leonard Adkins, Joe Cook and Monica Cook (photo), Grant M. Tatum (director), Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail
1999:
Hanneke Ippisch, Hedvig Rappe-Flowers (illus.), Kim Ericsson (design), Kathleen Ort (ed.), Spotted Bear: A Rocky Mountain Folktale *2008: Guy Motil, Surfboards
2002: Stephen Kirkpatrick (photo),
Marlo Carter Kirkpatrick (text), Heidi Flynn Allen (design), Wilder Mississippi
2002: Craig Childs, Mary Winkelman Velgos (design), Peter Ensenberger (photo), The Southwest's Contrary Land: Forever Changing Between Four Corners and the Sea of Cortes
2003: Tom Blagden, Jr. (photo), Charles R. Tyson, Jr., First Light: Acadia National Park and Maine's Mount Desert Island
2004:
Michael Collier (photo), Rose Houk (text), Mary Winkelmann Velgos (design), The Mountains Know Arizona
2004:
Art Wolfe (photo), Art Davidson, Edge of the Earth, Corner of the Sky
2005:
John Fielder, Mark Mulvany (design), Mountain Ranges of Colorado
2006: Tom Vezo (photo), Chuck Hagner, Wings of Spring: Courtship, Nesting and Fledging
2005:
Wayne Dickert, Jon Rounds,
Skip Brown (photo), Roberto Sabas (illus.), Basic Kayaking: All the Skills and Gear You Need to Get Started
2006: Scott Graham, Extreme Kids: How to Connect with Your Children Through Today's Extreme (and not so extreme) Outdoor Sports
2007: Tim Brink, The Complete Mountain Biking Manual
2008: Guy Andrews, Road Bike Maintenance
2008:
Ken Whiting, Kevin Varette, Whitewater Kayaking: The Ultimate Guide
2009:
Katie Brown,
Ben Moon (photo), Girl on the Rocks: A Woman's Guide to Climbing with Strength, Grace and Courage
2010: Andrew Bisharat, Sport Climbing: From Top Rope to Redpoint, Techniques for Climbing Success
2011:
Robin Barton, The Cycling Bible: The Complete Guide for all Cyclists from Novice to Expert
2012: Jerry Monkman, AMC Guide to Outdoor Digital Photography: Creating Great Nature and Adventure Photos
2012: Kristin Hostetter, Backpacker Magazine's Complete Guide to Outdoor Gear Maintenance and Repair: Step by Step Techniques to Maximize Performance and Save Money
2013: Mike Zawaski, Snow Travel: Skills for Climbing, Hiking, and Moving Across Snow
2014:
Steve House,
Scott Johnston, Training for the New Alpinism: A Manual for the Climber as Athlete
2014:
Yvon Chouinard, Craig Mathews and Mauro Mazzo, Simple Fly Fishing: Techniques for Tenkara and Rod & Reel
2015: Nate Ostis, NOLS River Rescue Guide
2016: Dave Hall with Jon Ulrich, Winter in the Wilderness: A Field Guide to Primitive Survival Skills
2017:
Liz Thomas, Backpacker Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike
2017: Charles R. Farabee, Big Walls, Swift Waters: Epic Stories from Yosemite Search and Rescue
2018: Molly Absolon, The Ultimate Guide to Whitewater Rafting and River Camping
2019 Steve House, Scott Johnston and Kilian Jornet, Training for the Uphill Athlete: A Manual for Mountain Runners and Ski Mountaineers
2020: Maria Hines and Mercedes Pollmeier: Peak Nutrition: Smart Fuel for Outdoor Adventure
2020: Pete Whittaker: Crack Climbing: The Definitive Guide
2021-2023: [no award]
Nature guidebook
1997: Mark Stensaas, Jeff Sonstegard (illus.), Canoe Country Flora
1998: Alan Tennant, A Field Guide to Snakes of Florida
1998: Stephen R. Jones, Ruth Carol Cushman, Colorado Nature Almanac
1999: James Halfpenny, Todd Telander (illus.), Dana Kim-Wincapaw (design), Scats and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains: A Field Guide to the Signs of 70 Wildlife Species
2000: Kate Wynne & Malia Schwartz, Garth Mix (illus.), Guide to Marine Mammals & Turtles of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
2001:
Jeffrey Glassberg, Butterflies Through Binoculars: A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Western North America
2001:
Scott Weidensaul, The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures
2009: Dennis Paulson, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West*2010: Charley Eiseman, Noah Charney, Tracks and Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates: A Guide to North American Species
2010: Jonathan Poppele, Night Sky: A Field Guide to the Constellations
2010: Steven N. G. Howell, Molt in North American Birds
2011: Mary Holland, Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide Through the Fields, Woods and Marshes of New England[6]
2012: Noble S. Proctor,
Patrick J. Lynch, A Field Guide to the Southeast Coast & Gulf of Mexico
2013: Jeffrey E. Belth, Butterflies of Indiana: A Field Guide
2013: Richard Crossley, Jerry Liguori and Brian Sullivan, The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors
2013: Kurt F. Johnson, The Field Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
2014: Tom Stephenson, Scott Whittle, The Warbler Guide
2015: Kate Wynne and Garth Mix (illus.), Guide to Marine Mammals and Turtles of the U.S. Pacific
^Mackie, Dan (2011, Nov 25). "Hartland nature writer wins National Outdoor Book Award." Valley News [White River Junction, Vt] 25 Nov 2011: C.1. Retrieved October 12, 2012
General sources
"2011 National Outdoor Book Award Winners Announced." Targeted News Service [TNS] 18 Nov. 2011. Infotrac Newsstand. GALE|A272746321. Retrieved 12 Oct. 2012.
The National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA) was formed in 1997 as an American-based non-profit program which each year presents awards honoring the best in
outdoor writing and publishing. It is housed at
Idaho State University and chaired by Ron Watters.[1] It is sponsored by the National Outdoor Book Awards Foundation, Idaho State University and the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education. As of 2021, awards have been presented in 13 categories, although not all categories are awarded in any given year.
The award is announced in early November of each year.[2] Winning books are promoted nationally and are entitled to display the National Outdoor Book Award gold medallion.[3]
Winners and honorable mentions (Silver Medals)
Small date (2010 vs 2010 ) = Honorable Mention or Silver Medal (Starting in 2021, "Silver medals" replaced honorable mentions. They are awarded when the two top books in a category score within a slim margin of each other. Ties are also sometimes awarded.)
Outdoor literature (non-fiction)
1997: Don Gayton, Landscapes of the Interior: Re-Explorations of Nature and the Human Spirit
1997: W. Scott Olsen and
Scott Cairns, The Sacred Place: Witnessing the Holy in the Physical World
1998:
Greg Child, Postcards from the Ledge: Collected Mountaineering Writings of Greg Child
1999:
Richard Bangs, The Lost River: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Transformation on Wild Water
2000:
Chris Duff, On Celtic Tides: One Man's Journey Around Ireland by Sea Kayak
2001: Erika Warmbrunn, Where the Pavement Ends: One Woman's Bicycle Trip Through Mongolia, China and Vietnam
2002: Jill Fredston, Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge
2008: Thomas Winnett, Ben Schifrin, Jeffrey Schaffer, Ruby Johnson Jenkins and Andy Selters, Pacific Crest Trail (series). In three volumes: Southern California, Northern California and Oregon & Washington
2008:
Ellsworth L. Kolb, Through the Grand Canyon from Wyoming to Mexico
2009: William Nealy, Kayak: The New Frontier
2009: Steve Sherman and
Julia Older, Appalachian Odyssey: Walking the Trail from Georgia to Maine
2011: Judy Burris and Wayne Richards, The Secret Lives of Backyard Bugs
2012: Peggy Thomas, Laura Jacques (illus.), For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson
2013: Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet, Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana
2013: Stacy Tornio and Ken Keffer, The Kid's Outdoor Adventure Book: 448 Great Things to Do in Nature Before You Grow Up
2014: Elizabeth S. Varnai, Kate Hartley (illus.), Good Morning Loon
2015: Nancy Plain, This Strange Wilderness: The Life and Art of John James Audubon
2016: Sharon Mentyka, Chasing at the Surface: A Novel
2016: Mary Casanova, Wake Up, Island
2017:
Jonathan London, Sean London (illus.), Pup the Sea Otter
2017: Monica Russo, Kevin Byron (photos), Treecology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Trees and Forests
2018: Wendy Gorton, Oregon & Washington 50 Hikes With Kids
2018: Rob Bierregaard, Kate Garchinsky (illus.), Belle's Journey: An Osprey Takes Flight
2018:
Stan Tekiela, Elleyna Ruud (illus.), The Kid’s Guide to Birds of Minnesota
2019 Stacy Tornio, Jack Tornio, 101 Outdoor Adventures to Have Before You Grow Up
2019:
Julie Bertagna, William Goldsmith (illus.), Wildheart: The Daring Adventures of John Muir
2019: Phyllis Root, The Lost Forest
2020: Monica Wiedel-Lubinski and Karen Madigan: Nature Play Workshop for Families: A Guide to 40+ Outdoor Learning Experiences in All Seasons
2021: Matt Ritter, Nayl Gonzalez (illus.), Something Wonderful
2022: Susan Ewing, Evon Zerbetz (illus.), Alaska is for the Birds! Fourteen Favorite Feathered Friends
2023: Becky Cushing Gop, Carrie Shryock (illus.), What Goes On Inside a Beaver Pond?
Design and artistic merit
1997: Darcy Williamson, Larry Milligan (cover art), Teresa Sales (design), The Rocky Mountain Foods Cookbook
1998: Maurice Hornocker, Andy Lewis (art dir.), Tom Lewis (design), Track of the Tiger
1998:
Ira Spring,
Harvey Manning, Jennifer Shontz (graphics), Marge Mueller (cartography), 100 Classic Hikes in Washington
1999: Leonard Adkins, Joe Cook and Monica Cook (photo), Grant M. Tatum (director), Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail
1999:
Hanneke Ippisch, Hedvig Rappe-Flowers (illus.), Kim Ericsson (design), Kathleen Ort (ed.), Spotted Bear: A Rocky Mountain Folktale *2008: Guy Motil, Surfboards
2002: Stephen Kirkpatrick (photo),
Marlo Carter Kirkpatrick (text), Heidi Flynn Allen (design), Wilder Mississippi
2002: Craig Childs, Mary Winkelman Velgos (design), Peter Ensenberger (photo), The Southwest's Contrary Land: Forever Changing Between Four Corners and the Sea of Cortes
2003: Tom Blagden, Jr. (photo), Charles R. Tyson, Jr., First Light: Acadia National Park and Maine's Mount Desert Island
2004:
Michael Collier (photo), Rose Houk (text), Mary Winkelmann Velgos (design), The Mountains Know Arizona
2004:
Art Wolfe (photo), Art Davidson, Edge of the Earth, Corner of the Sky
2005:
John Fielder, Mark Mulvany (design), Mountain Ranges of Colorado
2006: Tom Vezo (photo), Chuck Hagner, Wings of Spring: Courtship, Nesting and Fledging
2005:
Wayne Dickert, Jon Rounds,
Skip Brown (photo), Roberto Sabas (illus.), Basic Kayaking: All the Skills and Gear You Need to Get Started
2006: Scott Graham, Extreme Kids: How to Connect with Your Children Through Today's Extreme (and not so extreme) Outdoor Sports
2007: Tim Brink, The Complete Mountain Biking Manual
2008: Guy Andrews, Road Bike Maintenance
2008:
Ken Whiting, Kevin Varette, Whitewater Kayaking: The Ultimate Guide
2009:
Katie Brown,
Ben Moon (photo), Girl on the Rocks: A Woman's Guide to Climbing with Strength, Grace and Courage
2010: Andrew Bisharat, Sport Climbing: From Top Rope to Redpoint, Techniques for Climbing Success
2011:
Robin Barton, The Cycling Bible: The Complete Guide for all Cyclists from Novice to Expert
2012: Jerry Monkman, AMC Guide to Outdoor Digital Photography: Creating Great Nature and Adventure Photos
2012: Kristin Hostetter, Backpacker Magazine's Complete Guide to Outdoor Gear Maintenance and Repair: Step by Step Techniques to Maximize Performance and Save Money
2013: Mike Zawaski, Snow Travel: Skills for Climbing, Hiking, and Moving Across Snow
2014:
Steve House,
Scott Johnston, Training for the New Alpinism: A Manual for the Climber as Athlete
2014:
Yvon Chouinard, Craig Mathews and Mauro Mazzo, Simple Fly Fishing: Techniques for Tenkara and Rod & Reel
2015: Nate Ostis, NOLS River Rescue Guide
2016: Dave Hall with Jon Ulrich, Winter in the Wilderness: A Field Guide to Primitive Survival Skills
2017:
Liz Thomas, Backpacker Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike
2017: Charles R. Farabee, Big Walls, Swift Waters: Epic Stories from Yosemite Search and Rescue
2018: Molly Absolon, The Ultimate Guide to Whitewater Rafting and River Camping
2019 Steve House, Scott Johnston and Kilian Jornet, Training for the Uphill Athlete: A Manual for Mountain Runners and Ski Mountaineers
2020: Maria Hines and Mercedes Pollmeier: Peak Nutrition: Smart Fuel for Outdoor Adventure
2020: Pete Whittaker: Crack Climbing: The Definitive Guide
2021-2023: [no award]
Nature guidebook
1997: Mark Stensaas, Jeff Sonstegard (illus.), Canoe Country Flora
1998: Alan Tennant, A Field Guide to Snakes of Florida
1998: Stephen R. Jones, Ruth Carol Cushman, Colorado Nature Almanac
1999: James Halfpenny, Todd Telander (illus.), Dana Kim-Wincapaw (design), Scats and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains: A Field Guide to the Signs of 70 Wildlife Species
2000: Kate Wynne & Malia Schwartz, Garth Mix (illus.), Guide to Marine Mammals & Turtles of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
2001:
Jeffrey Glassberg, Butterflies Through Binoculars: A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Western North America
2001:
Scott Weidensaul, The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures
2009: Dennis Paulson, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West*2010: Charley Eiseman, Noah Charney, Tracks and Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates: A Guide to North American Species
2010: Jonathan Poppele, Night Sky: A Field Guide to the Constellations
2010: Steven N. G. Howell, Molt in North American Birds
2011: Mary Holland, Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide Through the Fields, Woods and Marshes of New England[6]
2012: Noble S. Proctor,
Patrick J. Lynch, A Field Guide to the Southeast Coast & Gulf of Mexico
2013: Jeffrey E. Belth, Butterflies of Indiana: A Field Guide
2013: Richard Crossley, Jerry Liguori and Brian Sullivan, The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors
2013: Kurt F. Johnson, The Field Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
2014: Tom Stephenson, Scott Whittle, The Warbler Guide
2015: Kate Wynne and Garth Mix (illus.), Guide to Marine Mammals and Turtles of the U.S. Pacific
^Mackie, Dan (2011, Nov 25). "Hartland nature writer wins National Outdoor Book Award." Valley News [White River Junction, Vt] 25 Nov 2011: C.1. Retrieved October 12, 2012
General sources
"2011 National Outdoor Book Award Winners Announced." Targeted News Service [TNS] 18 Nov. 2011. Infotrac Newsstand. GALE|A272746321. Retrieved 12 Oct. 2012.