Rose Shimberg is a freelance writer based in Missoula, Montana. You can find her work in outlets including Mongabay, Mountain Journal, Montana Free Press and USA Today, or at roseshimwrites.com.
What are your areas of Outdoor Communication?
I’m a writer telling stories about environmental issues and solutions, outdoor recreation and adventure travel. I particularly love longform, character-driven stories exploring the connection between people and place.
Coming from more of an environmental journalism background, my mind was blown when, during an internship in Oregon last summer, I got the chance to write some travel features for the first time. One of my favorite experiences so far was a 4-day backpacking trip on the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood. Writing about my experiences on the trail, paired with on-the-ground reporting on the state of the trail after a devastating wind event, was an incredible way to pair reporting and travel writing, so I’d love to take on more stories like that. I’ve also dipped my toe into audio and photojournalism and hope to keep expanding my horizons into different forms of storytelling.
What drew you to the field?
I’m an only child, and when I was young, I always entertained myself by reading or writing stories. Growing up in rural New Hampshire, I also spent a lot of time outside skiing, hiking and rock climbing with my parents. I lost sight of my love for writing for a little while and got my Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Vermont. Geography interested me because it was a truly interdisciplinary program and I could take classes across the social sciences and physical sciences, learning a little bit about a lot of different things. In hindsight, it was definitely a way to avoid having to choose one thing, and it left me with no idea what to do after graduation. I moved to Salt Lake City to work in the ski industry and it eventually hit me that what I really wanted to do was write about the topics that interested me, and, more specifically, about the people who truly cared about particular places.
I kind of took the long way around to land on outdoor writing, but I haven’t looked back since. It was a slow process to get into it, but I started writing for a local magazine in Salt Lake City, enrolled in some journalism classes and took on a few small assignments for Visit Salt Lake. I eventually discovered the Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism master’s program at the University of Montana, which seemed like a perfect fit.
What enticed you to join OWAA?
I don’t remember the first time I heard about OWAA, but I know it was through my network at the J-school at UM. I went to a couple of Off the Record meetups in Missoula and met some really cool people, and eventually decided to join as a student member. One of the main things I’ve learned as I’ve started pursuing this career is that connection and relationships are one of the most important parts. OWAA appealed to me as a way to meet outdoor writers and editors at different stages in their careers, as well as people pursuing different types of outdoor communications outside of journalism. When I learned about the John Madson Fellowship, I applied hoping it would be a great chance to connect with this community at this early stage in my career.
What is your favorite outdoor activity and how did you get into it?
My favorite outdoor activity is definitely skiing, which I’ve been doing since I was about three years old. My aunt, who also lived in New Hampshire, taught me a lot when I was little, and I repaid her by wiping her out when I was five and somehow breaking her leg. I was completely fine, and remember being proud of myself when I followed the ski patrollers with the sled down the entire trail without falling. I’m pretty sure she forgives me by now, and we’ve had many years of fun ski trips since then!
What are you currently working on?
I recently wrapped up a story for Mongabay that I reported from Tucson, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico as my first international project. My biggest undertaking currently is finding a way to transition from graduate student (I graduated this May) and occasional freelancer to active freelance writer. Attending OWAA’s conference in Madison was a great boost to this goal and I am working on getting myself organized, reaching out to editors and destination marketers I connected with at the conference and actively pitching stories. It’s an exciting place to be in and a bit of a scary one, but OWAA has helped a lot in making me believe it can be feasible.
What have you gained from the organization?
I have already gained so much from OWAA. When I was awarded the John Madson Fellowship, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with the path in front of me, but this community has already made such a difference. Connecting with people in Madison was incredibly inspiring, and it was truly amazing to feel support from people who understand what I want to do and have each found their own path to making it happen. I left the conference full of ideas and with a long to-do list, when before I felt a bit paralyzed. I’m looking forward to becoming even more involved with OWAA in the future.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking of joining OWAA?
I would definitely encourage someone who’s just starting out to join as a student member and apply for the John Madson Fellowship. I was pretty nervous heading to the conference alone and didn’t know what to expect or what the experience would be like. As soon as I arrived, though, I felt welcomed and embraced by OWAA. It was a wonderful experience and people were kind and supportive in an industry that can feel competitive at times. I made connections that will help me in my career and I had a ton of fun.
Learn more about OWAA and see if you qualify for membership
Individuals who work in outdoor media join the Outdoor Writers Association of America — the nation’s original and largest association of outdoor communicators — to gain access to exclusive individual member benefits.
