Outdoor Writers Association of America
Every year, outdoor journalists, photographers, filmmakers, authors and content creators produce work that informs, inspires and connects people to the outdoors. Now it’s time to put that work in the spotlight. The Outdoor Writers Association of America’s 2027 Excellence in Craft (EIC) Contest is officially open for entries, recognizing outstanding work produced by OWAA members
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
Meet OWAA member Rose Shimberg Read More »
Kelly Jo McDonnell is a Twin Cities-based outdoor/nature writer and producer with long-running outdoor series, Minnesota Bound. What are your areas of Outdoor Communication? I have past background in working for a nature nonprofit and radio broadcasting, but my main jam is being a full-time TV writer and producer for Ron Schara Productions, an outdoor/nature
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Cowgirl Candace is a fourth-generation Georgia farmer, award-winning agriculture and outdoor adventure writer, and cultural storyteller redefining how rural America is seen, heard, and understood worldwide. Raised on her family’s centennial homestead, Edward Hill Farm, Candace brings lived experience, historical grounding, and creative rigor to every story she tells, bridging agriculture, outdoor life, and Black
OWAA staff spent the year hiking, paddling, camping and wandering across the map with all kinds of gear in tow. These are some pieces we reached for again and again. These are the things that made our outdoor adventures easier, cozier or just plain more fun. OWAA Member Books You know that feeling when you
OWAA staff 2025 gear guide Read More »
If you’ve got a drift boat in the driveway, a raft rolled in the garage, or a canoe that’s gathering dust, there’s never been a better time to sell. The small craft world like rafts, skiffs, SUPs and canoes is booming, and buyers are actively hunting for well cared for boats that are water
10 tips for selling your small boat faster (and smarter) Read More »
It’s that time of year again! Leaves are changing color, temperatures are dropping, and OWAA’s Excellence in Craft Contest is open! Enter your work in the 2026 Excellence in Craft Contest today. If it is your first time hearing about OWAA’s Excellence in Craft Awards, we invite you to take a look at last
OWAA 2026 Excellence in Craft Contest: How to enter your work Read More »
Annika Hipple is a freelance writer and photographer who has covered outdoors-related topics for Lonely Planet, BBC Travel, Atlas Obscura, Sierra Magazine, Northwest Travel & Life, Bats Magazine, and many other publications. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Sweden, she was raised in the Boston and Stockholm areas and now lives in Seattle, Washington.
Meet OWAA member Annika Hipple Read More »
As outdoor media professionals, there are mixed reviews on heated jackets. Some pros love them and some pros prefer simply layering up and keeping moving to stay warm. For those who find themselves braving the elements to capture the perfect shot or story — often having to stay still so the wildlife won’t spot them
Top benefits of heated jackets for outdoor writers and photographers Read More »
The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) invites you to join us in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from August 19-21, 2025, for our annual outdoor media conference. Known as the “Best Adventure Town in the U.S. to Live + Play” (National Geographic Adventure), Chattanooga is the perfect backdrop for outdoor media professionals to connect, learn and create. From
Discover Chattanooga at the 2025 OWAA Conference this summer Read More »