In the meantime, some of our longtime members are brimming with facts and fun stories from a century (almost!) of OWAA. Check back in with us on our website and socials for more.

This month, while a source of celebration, has also been challenging for the outdoor media and conservation realm. On April 16, the U.S. Senate voted 50-49 to overturn a 20-year mining ban on roughly 225,000 acres of Superior National Forest, upstream of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, clearing the way for a proposal for a copper sulfide mine to march ahead. OWAA’s membership is full of outdoorspeople and conservationists with deep roots in the region, and accordingly, April 16 delivered a big blow.

But the Boundary Waters saga is a perfect example of why OWAA exists: to support and empower those telling stories from the front lines of the biggest issues facing the outdoors, today and tomorrow. Read below for a special section highlighting some of the work OWAA members have done reporting on, communicating about, and fighting for the Boundary Waters in the past.

In the meantime, please don’t forget that our 2026 Membership Drive is underway! Learn more about how to participate and potentially win amazing prizes here.

Members At Work

“Pat McManus: Into the Twilight, Endlessly Making People Laugh”

Andrew Sharp, Sporting Classics Daily, April 7

Sharp leads readers on a well-attended journey through the life and works of iconic outdoor humor columnist Pat McManus. The back pages of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life were McManus’ domain for decades, where he crafted countless woodland misadventures into tales as relatable as they were funny.

“Florida’s Beaches Are Full of Nesting Sea Turtles Right Now–Here’s How to See Them”

Brandy Jo Hastings, Beach, April 14

A Florida resident and sea turtle lover herself, Hastings is full of expertise on how to do nesting turtle tourism right. She shares it all in this helpful explainer, which covers everything from the best counties for viewing nesting sea turtles to how to book a guided sea turtle beach walk.

“Counting Giants in Florida’s Blue Spring State Park”

Anietra Hamper, Sierra, April 15

Speaking of Florida, Hamper joins Wayne Hartley, a specialist with the Save the Manatees Club, to tally “sea cows” at Blue Spring State Park near the St. Johns River. Manatees migrate from coastal estuaries to warm water refuges for the winter, and the drink at Blue Spring stays 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, making it the perfect spot.

“What Sportsmen Lose When the Forest Service Labs Close”

Josh Crumpton, Wild Dispatch, April 27

On April 16, U.S. Forest Service chief Tom Schultz told the House Appropriations Committee that the agency “intends to close 57 of its 77 research facilities and relocate its Washington headquarters to Salt Lake City,” Crumpton writes. What follows is a reaction — and call-to-action — from a hunter-angler-taxpayer who demands the environmental science and management he paid for.

OWAA News

• Register for the 2026 OWAA Conference in Madison, Wisconsin! Come join hundreds of outdoor media professionals as we gather and work together to tell more stories. Register here and learn more about what we have in store here!

• Student and early-career members, OWAA has officially launched a monthly virtual meetup for you. This is a great spot to find community with other emerging outdoor media professionals from across the country. Members currently enrolled in degree programs or with fewer than five years of outdoor media experience are welcome to join. To learn how to join the Student and Early-Career Outdoor Writers group, which we are lovingly referring to as SEA-COW, reach out to executive director Chez Chesak at chez@owaa.org.

Lastly, This…Dispatches from the Boundary Waters

A timeline of coverage and conversation about the BWCA from a variety of OWAA members.

“‘Mud and water daughter’ prepares for Boundary Waters trip” — Emily Stone, Tribune Enterprise, July 24, 2025

“Keep the boundary waters wild — and stand up for our public lands” — Katie McKalip, Billings Gazette, November 30, 2025

“Iowans are for protecting the Boundary Waters” — Dan Cohen, Des Moines Register, December 15, 2025

“House Votes to Strip Critical Boundary Waters Protections in a Blow to Sportsmen and Public Lands” — Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, January 21, 2026

“Boundary Waters wilderness becomes center of mining debate” — Paul Smith, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, February 19, 2026

“Senate Votes Against Protecting Boundary Waters” — Sage Marshall, MeatEater, April 16, 2026

“Minnesota Bound: BWCA Special” — Bill Sherck and Laura Schara, Minnesota Bound, April 20, 2026

See you next month!

The monthly Outdoor Writers Showcase newsletter highlights work published by current members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. If you’re a current member and would like to see your work or professional accomplishments featured, please submit links for consideration to this Google form OR comment on the weekly Friday Brag post in the OWAA Members Only Facebook group.

Not a member of OWAA? Creating work that aligns with these stories? Join us today.

From Megan Postol’s recounting of high-impact outdoorswomen like “Fly Rod” Crosby, Maine’s first ever registered guide, to National Geographic by-lines from Annika Kipple and Jessica Baltzersen, to outdoor reporter and broadcaster Kris Millgate’s latest book release, the women of OWAA are keepers and purveyors of top-notch stories from the wild places around us. Get ready to dive in.

In the meantime, please don’t forget that our 2026 Membership Drive is underway! Learn more about how to participate and potentially win amazing prizes here. Also, Early Bird registration for the 2026 OWAA Conference in Madison is open until April 15. Get $100 off by signing up now.

Members At Work

“Trailblazers: The Women Who Broke Trail Before Us”

Megan Postol, Athlon Untamed, March 3

In this seasonally appropriate roundup, Postol platforms a historic roster of outdoorswomen and conservationists that anyone can take inspiration from. Take extra time with the section on Joan Wulff, a fly angler extraordinaire and OWAA legend.

“Everything You Should Know About North Cascades National Park”

Annika Kipple, National Geographic, March 6

Kipple delivers a reliable wealth of information on one of Washington State’s most prized jewels. From its 300-plus lakes, to its pika and mountain goat populations, to its trail networks suited for all ages and abilities, the North Cascades are a must-see — and Kipple’s comprehensive guide is a must-read.

“There’s no single best way to be a black bear”

Christine Peterson, WyoFile, March 11

A new study from Wyoming reveals just how challenging it is to pin down what composes a black bear’s diet. Peterson talks to University of Wyoming Ph.D candidate and lead study author Emily Davis about what this unpredictability means for the black bear’s conservation outlook.

“This 100-year-old lodge is in the Smokies—and getting there is half the experience”

Jessica Baltzersen, National Geographic, March 11

Nestled in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — the most visited national park in the U.S. — is LeConte Lodge, a picturesque hike-in lodging option for those lucky enough to snag a highly coveted reservation. Baltzersen unravels the property’s backstory and shares useful advice on how to increase readers’ odds of getting in.

“The Land Girls of War”

Katie Hill, Offrange, March 21

Hill takes a quick, proverbial trip across the Atlantic Ocean to interview award-winning nature writer Nicola Chester about her latest book, Ghosts of the Farm: Two Women’s Journeys Through Time, Land and Community, a part-memoir, part-land-epic that centers on the female farmers of both World Wars and the ecological outcomes of war-era farming that demand action today.

OWAA News

• Early Bird registration for the 2026 OWAA Conference in Madison, Wisconsin closes on April 18! Get access to this reduced pricing structure — $100 off all rates — while it lasts. Discounts apply to fees for individual attendees (both members and non-members), supporting groups, and non-supporting brands, orgs, agencies, and destinations. Register here and learn more about what we have in store here!

• Applications for the Bodie McDowell Scholarship and John Madson Fellowship are open until TONIGHT. The Bodie McDowell Scholarship is a great opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in any type of outdoor communication. Individual awards can range from $1,000 to $5,000, and recipients will also receive one free year of membership to OWAA. Recipients of the John Madson Fellowship get up to $3,000 to advance their careers in outdoor communication. Both are open to members and non-members. Learn more and apply on OWAA’s Submittable page!

• Speaking of students, OWAA has officially launched a monthly virtual meetup for its dozens of student members. This is a great spot to find community with other emerging outdoor media professionals from across the country. To learn how to join the Student Outdoor Writers group, reach out to executive director Chez Chesak at chez@owaa.org.

Lastly, This…

Emmy-winning outdoor journalist Kris Millgate has done it again with the fourth installment of her My Place series, My Place Among Birds: Misadventures in the Desert (Tight Line Media, February 2025). This time, Millgate takes us across the American West in search of the greater sage grouse, documenting the decline of the species and the iconic habitat they call home.

In addition to the book, she also filmed and produced a documentary from the trip, “Sage Wisdom West,” which will premiere in Idaho Falls, Idaho on April 2. Congratulations, Kris!

See you next month!

The monthly Outdoor Writers Showcase newsletter highlights work published by current members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. If you’re a current member and would like to see your work or professional accomplishments featured, please submit links for consideration to this Google form OR comment on the weekly Friday Brag post in the OWAA Members Only Facebook group.

Not a member of OWAA? Creating work that aligns with these stories? Join us today.

Keep reading to learn what else is going on at OWAA this month. (Hint: Early Bird registration for our 2026 conference is now open!) Meanwhile, our membership spotlight shines on some wintry writing, some springy writing, some salty writing, and one sweet ode to simplicity we could all use right now.

Members At Work

“The first bloom of the year is here, even if it’s buried in snow”

Ashley Stimpson, The Washington Post, January 31

Stimpson praises the arrival of the Eastern skunk cabbage — an uncharacteristic, stubby, petal-less wildflower — as a sign that spring really is coming on the East Coast, despite the continued barrage of harsh winter weather. (Don’t worry. The Eastern skunk cabbage generates its own heat.)

“A slow departure from self awareness”

Ammi Midstokke, The Spokesman-Review, February 4

We’re all probably guilty of getting a little too obsessed with milestones, stat-tracking, and the competing-against-myself mindset that often comes standard with aspirational outdoor hobbies. In her Spokesman-Review column, Midstokke gives us the gentle reminder we all need to forget all the data and return to enjoyment.

“‘You’ve got nothing to luge’ at this Muskegon park”

Joe Dits, Joe Dits on the Outdoors, February 10

In true Olympic fashion, Dits takes us to the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Complex to give the speedy downhill pursuit a shot. Along the way, he excavates some of Michigan’s Winter Olympics history and muses on what Lindsey Vonn can teach us about healing.

“Reel Salty: Reel Guide Stories”

Ryan Johnston, self-published, January 24

At the end of January, Johnston published his third book in a series of fishy memoirs, this one dedicated to his life of adventures in saltwater fly fishing. Earlier titles include “A Reel Job: Short Stories and Thoughts from the River” and “Reelly: Unbelievable Fly Fishing Guide Stories,” all available through his website.

OWAA News

• Early Bird registration for the 2026 OWAA Conference in Madison, Wisconsin is open! Get access to this reduced pricing structure — $100 off all rates — while it lasts. Discounts apply to fees for individual attendees (both members and non-members), supporting groups, and non-supporting brands, orgs, agencies, and destinations. Register here and learn more about what we have in store here!

• Also note that our calls for speakers and workshop instructors will remain open until February 28. So will the call for pre- and post-conference tours, so if you know an outdoors-related tour operator or guiding service in the Madison area that might be interested, pass the word along.

• Applications for the Bodie McDowell Scholarship and John Madson Fellowship are open until March 30. The Bodie McDowell Scholarship is a great opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in any type of outdoor communication. Individual awards can range from $1,000 to $5,000, and recipients will also receive one free year of membership to OWAA. Recipients of the John Madson Fellowship get up to $3,000 to advance their careers in outdoor communication. Both are open to members and non-members. Learn more and apply on OWAA’s Submittable page!

Lastly, This…

OWAA’s hard-working board members gathered in Bentonville, Arkansas from February 17-20 for the annual winter in-person board meeting. They tackled strategic planning, upcoming events, budget items, and even managed to squeeze in some sunny biking and group revelry!

See you next month!

The monthly Outdoor Writers Showcase newsletter highlights work published by current members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. If you’re a current member and would like to see your work or professional accomplishments featured, please submit links for consideration to this Google form OR comment on the weekly Friday Brag post in the OWAA Members Only Facebook group.

Not a member of OWAA? Creating work that aligns with these stories? Join us today.

Winter weather hardly means hibernation for our crowd. Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, late-season hunting, winter hiking, the opportunities to breathe fresh, cold air are endless. As for those who live in places where winter means 70 degrees and sunshine, well…soak up some rays for the rest of us, please.

Members At Work

“We Corner Crossed the Wyoming Ranch That Started It All. Accessing Those Public Lands Is Still Complicated”

Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, January 7

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court declining to take up the famed corner-crossing case, Peterson follows fellow Wyomingite and public lands law expert David Willms and a group of friends on an attempt to corner-cross their way to the top of Elk Mountain — the place where the conflict first began.

“A Field Test of ‘Soul Glo’”

Chris Midgette, The Hunting Traveller/Boykin Spaniel Society Magazine, January 7

Some products — like this satirical bird dog coat varnish of Midgette’s own imagination — are just too good to be true.

“Creating Outdoor Space for All”

Andrew Sharp, Sierra, December 2

Sharp’s exploration into the Rails to Trails Conservancy unearths the organization’s history, its bright future, and the people who have propelled it forward since 1986. Today, some 26,000 miles of rail trails criss-cross the nation, and work toward the Great American Rail Trail from Washington State to Washington D.C. continues.

“Photographer Discovers the Meaningful Layers of Montana”

Suzanne Downing, ActionHub, January 15

Downing’s profile of Montana photographer and OWAA member Andy Austin takes readers on a journey through the Montana of Austin’s eyes and camera lens. At the center of the piece is Austin’s new photo book, MONTANA: Photographs from the Last Best Place.

OWAA News

We’re coming down to the wire for the Norm Strung Youth Writing Contest, OWAA Student Photo Contest, and Excellence in Craft Awards! Find all the details and submit your work for consideration at OWAA’s Submittable page. All contest submissions share the same deadline of January 31.

Lastly, This…

Get ready to recruit! The OWAA Membership Drive will commence on February 1. Members of OWAA will have six months to bring in as many new members as possible, all while competing for monthly prize drawings and growing our organizational reach.

Have a few potential members in mind? Direct them to the OWAA application page to apply. Make sure they include your name in the “Sponsor” field of the application so we can count them toward your recruitment total on the leaderboard. Be on the lookout for more instructions and details coming soon.

See you next month!

The monthly Outdoor Writers Showcase newsletter highlights work published by current members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. If you’re a current member and would like to see your work or professional accomplishments featured, please submit links for consideration to this Google form OR comment on the weekly Friday Brag post in the OWAA Members Only Facebook group.

Not a member of OWAA? Creating work that aligns with these stories? Join us today.

One of the best ways to stoke embers of gratitude into roaring flames is by reading the variety of work coming from OWAA members. Their words, photos, and ideas remind us that stories lurk behind every bend in the trail, beyond every watercolor sunrise. How lucky are we to get to find them?

Members At Work

“The Layup Buck: What to Make of Lucky Hunts”

Sage Marshall, MeatEater, November 10

In this essay from his very short Montana mule deer season, Marshall grapples with two perennial struggles for new hunters. At what point do you struggle enough to become a real hunter? And what do you make of the low-effort wins that come in the meantime?

“Snowy owls are an always-welcomed sign of the changing season” / “Snowy owl photo gallery”

Paul Smith, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, November 12

Wisconsin saw a massive influx of seasonal snowy owls last year, Smith reports, a wildlife phenomenon known as an “irruption.” Now that the first few sightings of the season have started trickling in, enthusiasts and biologists alike wait patiently to see more. Also, if the accompanying lineup of snowy owl snapshots doesn’t make your day, please consult your doctor.

“10 Great Audiobooks to Listen to While Hiking”

Nicky Omohundro, Little Family Adventures, November 13

As Omohundro aptly points out in the conclusion of her blog post, it’s best to keep at least one ear open to your surroundings while hiking. But some ambient noise can be a welcome bear deterrent, and these audiobooks make great alternatives to that playlist you’ve cycled through 47 times in the last month.

“Warriors in Waders: The Healing Waters of Oak Heart Lodge”

Pete Brookes, Brookes Outdoors, November 18

Between the Marine Corps birthday on November 10 and Veterans Day on November 11, it’s a great month to pay all members of our armed forces some extra gratitude. Brookes, himself a Navy veteran, spent some time on the Pere Marquette and Muskgon Rivers in Michigan with fellow service members as part of a Project Healing Waters fly fishing trip, the details of which he rehashes in his latest Substack post.

OWAA News

The Excellence in Craft Awards contest remains open for member submissions! Throw your best work in the ring at OWAA’s Submittable page. All categories are open until January 31, with the exception of the book contest, which closes on December 1.

Lastly, This…

OWAA members have a few exciting milestones and accomplishments worth celebrating this month.

• On November 5, former executive director and member Tom Sadler took over as the CEO of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, where he will continue his great work advocating for the many saltwater ecosystems he and other OWAA members hold dear.

• On November 13, member Emily Stone recorded her 400th episode of the Natural Connections podcast, “Dowsing for Witch-hazel,” from her post as naturalist and education director at the Cable Natural History Museum in Cable, Wisconsin.

• On November 15, member Andy Austin received the “Keep It Wild” award from Wild Montana for his work in conservation and public lands advocacy.

See you next month!

The monthly Outdoor Writers Showcase newsletter highlights work published by current members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. If you’re a current member and would like to see your work or professional accomplishments featured, please submit links for consideration to this Google form OR comment on the weekly Friday Brag post in the OWAA Members Only Facebook group.

Not a member of OWAA? Creating work that aligns with these stories? Join us today.

As always, our members create work that both engages the concerned and encourages the hopeful. The best way to honor their efforts is by reading on.

Members At Work

“Indigenous-led protections spark Bali starling’s recovery in the wild”

Heather Physioc, Mongabay, October 2

A near-extinct songbird with white plumage and a cobalt face is the star of Physioc’s work of photojournalism for Mongabay, which looks at a history of failed attempts — and one successful one — to protect the charismatic Bali starling. Today, the small island of Nusa Penida is a sanctuary for the recovering species.

“Can bison ever reclaim their historic range east of the Mississippi?”

Jessica Baltzersen, Sierra, October 6

Some 60 million bison once called North America — including the eastern U.S. — home. Baltzersen reports on the collaborative, multi-pronged effort to restore genetically diverse bison to their native range, the outcome of which looks promising. Small herds of bison now roam in Ohio, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.

“After 20 Years of Applying, 28 Days of Hunting, and 130 Miles of Hiking, I Arrowed My Bull at 8 Yards”

Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, October 10

‘tis the season for some truly outlandish hunting stories, and this one from Millgate might take the cake. Bowhunter Leana Robins recounts her gut-busting efforts to fill an incredibly rare elk tag in her home state of Oregon. The bull she harvested had an injured hoof and a broken piece of another bull’s antler sticking out of his skull — a tribute to the wily toughness of the Rocky Mountain elk.

“On Eastern Egg Rock, puffins get the last laugh”

Derrick Z. Jackson, The Maine Monitor, October 19

Sometimes conserving one species means controlling others. That’s the story for the Atlantic puffin on Eastern Egg Rock in Maine, where the Audubon Seabird Institute has set up shop to deter competing species in a variety of ways — some of which are fatal. Jackson’s story and photos shed light on the complexities of ecology and the hope of those doing the work.

“Hikers’ footwear linked to microplastic pollution in Adirondack lakes”

Steven Featherstone, Syracuse.com, October 23

Featherstone’s reporting spotlights concerning results from a report on water samples from Lake Tear of the Clouds — the highest-elevation source of the Hudson River — that contained nearly twice as much microplastic pollution as samples in 2023. The culprit? Likely the treads on visitors’ shoes, researchers say.

OWAA News

Mark your calendars! The 2026 Excellence in Craft Awards submission window is fast approaching. Starting on November 1, OWAA members will have the opportunity to submit work published within the last year for EIC consideration. Follow along at OWAA’s Submittable homepage for information on categories and entry instructions and check out last year’s winners here.

Lastly, This…

On October 14, OWAA celebrated six years under the leadership and guidance of our hard-working executive director, Chez Chesak. If you’ve attended an OWAA conference, used OWAA’s ample member resources to advance your career, or even just learned something from an OWAA social media post in the last six years, you have Chez to thank. The next time you see him either in-person or digitally, let him know how much you appreciate him and his massive contribution to the organization.

Cheers Chez, you rock!

See you next month!

The monthly Outdoor Writers Showcase newsletter highlights work published by current members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. If you’re a current member and would like to see your work featured, please submit links for consideration to this Google form OR comment on the weekly Friday Brag post in the OWAA Members Only Facebook group.

Not a member of OWAA? Creating work that aligns with these stories? Join us today.

When they haven’t been out adventuring, members have also been hard at work crafting beautiful, important outdoor stories for a variety of outlets. Take a look.

Members At Work

“This Land Is Your Land”

Christine Peterson, Sierra, September 9

Peterson reflects on the fragility and importance of America’s public lands during a 70-mile bike trip across Wyoming’s Red Desert with her eight-year-old daughter, Miriam. The unfenced, undeveloped landscape demands childlike wonder from all who experience it, no matter their actual age.

“‘This is the hardest I’ve ever lived’: meet the US cowgirls making it as ranchers”

Katie Hill, The Guardian, September 17

Hill meets a roster of female ranchers across the West and gets a peek into the harsh, beautiful realities of their lives. As more women enter the agricultural field every year, the future of the industry falls more and more on their shoulders.

“Recipe: Duck Confit with Sweet Potato Hash”

Joshua Flohr-Crumpton, Wild Dispatch, September 18

Flohr-Crumpton delivers a mouthwatering wild duck confit recipe with accessible ingredients and a split preparation — half at-home, half in camp. If wowing your waterfowling friends is on the menu for the upcoming season, this is the way to do it.

“The century-old search for Maryland’s biggest trees”

Ashley Stimpson, The Washington Post, September 23

As Maryland’s Big Tree Program celebrates its 100th birthday, Stimpson explores its roots (pause for laughter) and the role it plays in forest conservation across the Old Line State. After all, as one source points out, “trees are part of the family.”

“3 Days in Vero Beach: Where to Stay, Eat, and Relax on Florida’s Treasure Coast”

Brandy Jo Hastings, Beach, September 24

If the beginning of the seasonal turn already has you thinking about getaways to warmer climates, Hastings did your research for you — and Florida’s Treasure Coast might be the answer. Pack a bathing suit and set your sights on Vero Beach.

OWAA News

Save the Annual Conference Date: August 22-24, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin!

During its annual conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, OWAA announced it selected Madison, Wisconsin, as the host for its 2026 conference. That event will help kick off the organization’s centennial celebration. Stay tuned bookmark this page for more information.

Lastly, This…

“‘Minnesota Bound’ Hosts Marks 30 Years of Captivating Audiences”

The Today Show, August 25

‘Minnesota Bound’ host and OWAA member Bill Sherck, co-host Laura Schara, and founder Ron Schara sat down with NBC’s Joe Fryer for a conversation on ‘The Today Show’ about three decades of delivering Minnesota outdoor magic to viewers’ living rooms. They broadcast a total of 1,146 episodes on NBC affiliate KARE 11. Congratulations, ‘Minnesota Bound’ crew!

See you next month!

The monthly Outdoor Writers Showcase newsletter highlights work published by current members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. If you’re a current member and would like to see your work featured, please submit links for consideration to info@owaa.org OR comment on the weekly Friday Brag post in the OWAA Members Only Facebook group.

Not a member of OWAA? Creating work that aligns with these stories? Join us today.