Supporter Spotlight Archives - Outdoor Writers Association of America

Oregon Trail anniversary offers story ideas

OWAA Developer — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 02:18:54 +0000

Those of us who live in Wyoming find long road trips to be undaunting, even familiar. Spending four hours driving from one part of the state to another isn’t unusual.
But every time I make a pilgrimage from east to west, I find myself thinking of the thousands of emigrants who spent days on end covering the same country I zip over at 70 mph; of the challenges they faced walking alongside covered wagons while I adjust my air conditioning by two degrees; and of the aspirations that fueled them while I enjoy the convenience of visiting my in-laws 300 miles away.
This summer marks the 175th anniversary of the Oregon Trail. Cross-country races are being planned in honor of this anniversary, but I think we should slow down to find its stories. After all, America’s pioneers didn’t cross the nation in a matter of days.
There’s reason to spend more time on one stretch of the trail to write about this anniversary. The Oregon-Mormon-California Trails and Pony Express all cross the Continental Divide in Wyoming’s Wind River Country. Were it not for South Pass — a wide and gently climbing route that allowed wagons to cross the Continental Divide, America would not stretch “from sea to shining sea.”
Cruise along U.S. Route 287 in Wyoming’s Fremont County to see the landmark of Split Rock, which, as a famous discernible landmark, acted as a beacon for the pioneers who crossed the prairie. Step in the ruts of the trail or pull a Mormon handcart just a short drive from Split Rock. Visit pioneer graves and spend time in the towns that America’s first wild road trip gave birth to, towns like South Pass City.
Scouts discovered gold near South Pass sometime after the great migration that opened up the area; 150 years ago this summer, South Pass City boomed to life as a result. Forty original buildings have been preserved in what is now South Pass City State Historic Site. Slow down your road trip to walk the interpretive trails, sip sarsaparillas and sample candy at the saloon and general store. You can even try your hand at gold panning.
Plan your road trip down America’s memory lane to coincide with Gold Rush Days, July 7-8. The annual celebration will be extravagant this year, including live music, fireworks, tours of the Carissa Gold Mine, and the old standby of blasting an anvil into the air.

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Innovative design meets European quality

OWAA Developer — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 20:01:31 +0000

BY INGRID NIEHAUS
The fact that we live in a time of enormous political and economic upheaval doesn’t alter the fact that now, more than ever, people are seeking ways to relieve stress and stay healthy in body, mind and spirit – and for OWAA members, the outdoors continues to be the answer.
At LOWA, we continue to stand behind our 100 percent, made-in-Europe promise to ensure that we deliver the highest levels of quality and performance for a variety of outdoor uses. LOWA Boots LLC, with headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, is a partnership with LOWA Sportschuhe GmbH, founded in 1923 and based in Jetzendorf, Germany. The U.S. branch of the company launched in 1996 and sells, markets and distributes a complete line of four-season outdoor footwear for hunting, hiking, backpacking and everyday use.
All LOWA boots are designed for specific outdoor activities. Take hunting for example. How many hunters have found themselves in the mountains, on a trail or crossing a field with the best that money can buy in guns and clothing, only to find that their day is ruined by footwear that does not fit, gets wet, slips on rocky terrain or just plain hurts? LOWA boots can prevent this scenario.
LOWA offers a wide variety of trail-worthy performance footwear with modern, go-anywhere, low-profile designs. Marketplace energy continues to come from sport-inspired shoes for do-it-in-a-day adventures, a category that LOWA leads by innovation with lightweight, flexible and long-lasting models.
LOWA builds boots under the European Union’s most stringent manufacturing, environmental and labor regulations. We put into practice what many other companies only pay lip service to: clean manufacturing, minimal waste and fair labor practices. From start to finish, LOWA footwear is 100 percent designed, sourced and handcrafted in LOWAowned European factories. LOWA is the only outdoor footwear manufacturer in the world to be granted ISO 9001 status for the highest-quality construction and process standards.
For more information, contact Ingrid Niehaus at 949-499-2225 or ingridniehauspr@gmail.com.

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Mirage Compass points in new direction

OWAA Developer — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 19:55:54 +0000

BY JERRY MCBRIDE
As Americans have grown physically larger and demanded more toys, kayak dimensions have generally expanded to match their appetites. The Hobie Compass accommodates those realities, yet takes a step back toward the original concept behind kayak fishing — simplicity.
Simplicity with a really nice seat and MirageDrive.
The new Hobie Mirage Compass matches the stand-up capabilities of much bulkier boats, but is far more athletic. At first glance, its sharp entry, low gunwales and angular lines disguise a 34-inch width, and the no-nonsense kayak hull weighs in at a svelte 70 pounds.
That kind of width typically condemns a paddle kayak to the slow lane. However, I had no problem hitting 5.5 mph despite the added weight of an H-Crate, four fishing rods, drink cooler, electronics battery and a typical load of fishing gear. Even more impressive, I managed 4.95 mph with a paddle. The lightweight boat has very impressive acceleration, right up to the point when the wide stern suddenly digs in around five knots.
For anglers, the speed and stability don’t come at the expense of stealth. Pedaling into a moderate 10-knot chop, the Compass hull generated little cockpit spray; fishing the flats, hull slap was virtually nonexistent, even with the significant stern weight of a Power-Pole Micro Anchor and loaded H-Crate lifting the bow slightly.
The Compass is offered with MirageDrive with Glide Technology. Standard amenities consist of two molded-in rod holders behind the seat, a molded deck cup holder, two recessed H-Track gear tracks and a single 8-inch Twist-and-Seal hatch forward of the seat.
Hobie’s designers settled on an optimal midlevel seat position. The mounting setup is interesting in its simplicity — two bungee cords lock the seat onto a raised pedestal, while two adjustable straps determine the seatback position.
The Compass is a welcome addition to the Hobie fleet. Quiet, lightweight, stable, fast — there’s always room in my garage for a kayak with those qualities. For more information visit https:// www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-compass/ or contact Katie Hand at khand@hobiecat.com.

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Wind River Visitors Council: Visit authentic Wyoming on driving tour

OWAA Developer — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 00:12:06 +0000

Uncover all the best of Wyoming in one road trip. The Circle the Continental Divide driving loop encompasses classic Wyoming wildlife, breathtaking mountain views, millions of acres of sagebrush interrupted only by stark red rock formations and prolific pronghorns. Dive into cowboy life, unrivaled mountains access, Oregon Trail and gold rush history and Native American culture, and emerge with a renewed spirit and a fresh story.
This loop itinerary was rated a “Best of the Road” trip by road map publisher Rand McNally. After hitting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, this route dives into authentic Wyoming in Wind River Country with wide-open spaces, rich culture and history.
From Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Highway 287/26 takes you south for a short detour to Jackson, then over the majestic Togwogtee (pronounced TOE-guh-tee) Pass, on the Centennial Scenic Byway. Keep an eye out for wildlife, and make a few stops to stretch your legs and hike through the pristine Shoshone National Forest to find waterfalls without crossing paths with another person.
Just 26 scenic miles from the southern entrance to Grand Teton and Yellowstone parks, you’ll enter Wind River Country. Stop in Dubois, for homemade pie and a picture with one of two giant jackalopes in town. Western and outdoor gear stores line wooden sidewalks. Dubois is home to the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, the largest wintering herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, ancient Sheepeater Indian petroglyphs and weekly swing-dance gatherings and rodeos adored by locals and dude ranch guests.
Continue south through the Wind River Indian Reservation—the only Indian reservation in Wyoming—and join hands with dancers for a song or two at biweekly dance events. Visit historical and cultural sites of national significance, such as Crowheart Butte and Fort Washakie, and learn the stories of the native people who call this place home.
Further along Highway 26, you’ll find the outdoor town of Lander, where you can climb world famous rock or perhaps try to explain the disappearing river of Sinks Canyon State Park.
Depart Lander on Highway 287/28 for historic South Pass City and Atlantic City to pan gold.
Return to Lander, then head to Riverton, Wyoming’s Rendezvous City, on Highway 789. If you time your travels right, you’ll be invited to participate in one of many annual gatherings and festivals like the 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous, Riverton Rendezvous week or the Fremont County Fair before you hit the road again. From here, you’ll to travel to Shoshoni, through Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway, to complete your loop into Cody, then back to the national parks and Jackson.

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Wind River Visitors Council: Story ideas abound at climbers’ fest

OWAA Developer — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:09:46 +0000

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Wyoming’s Wind River Country is a place of legends, of strong and diverse culture, and of untamed terrain. Rock climbing is a realm of heroes, with its own unique subculture with those that perform the endless dance between rock and human. The two worlds meet in Lander, Wyoming, particularly during the annual International Climbers’ Festival — providing perfect fodder for any outdoor writer, and it falls right before OWAA’s conference in Billings, Montana, this July.
The 2016 festival’s theme is the mythological, storytelling aspects of the sport and culture of rock climbing. Wind River Country (Fremont County) would like to invite you to extend your educational and professional travel by spending a few days at the Climbers’ Festival July 13-15. Whether you seek training, fresh stories, networking or a few days of pulling hard on rock, Wind River Country and the International Climbers’ Festival have it.
Fall into the stories
Wednesday evening, July 13, will include a casual gathering focused on local lore. Wyoming climbers will hold a panel about sport climbing ethics — a topic rich in personal stories, opinions and even controversy. This will be an excellent setting to listen to a wide range of local perspectives and the casual atmosphere will also allow you the opportunity to speak one-on-one with these experts.For the rest of the week, you’ll have the chance to attend climbing seminars, contests and social gatherings to capture the stories and images of rock climbing.
Advance your skills
Thursday, July 14 will feature several seminars suited to outdoor writers, particularly an adventure writers’ clinic, photography clinic and storytelling seminar. The day is also likely to include Native American dancing, and an art crawl. Extend the educational and networking elements of the OWAA conference in one trip by including Wind River Country.
Invigorate your creativity
In addition to the festival trade fair Friday, July 15, the Wind River Visitors Council will offer a familiarization tour of Wind River Country. Explore the history, culture, and breathtaking scenery of the region — maybe even from a hot air balloon — and discover the story you want to tell about the authentic West.
Climbing opportunities abound
The International Climbers’ Festival was established in 1993 by climbers for climbers. Attend in 2016 for the stories, the culture, or the climbing. We’ll see you at the International Climbers’ Festival (climbersfestival.org) in Wyoming’s Wind River Country (windriver.org). Contact us at media@windriver.org for details and to finalize your plans.
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The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment: Head to Texas for a paddle fest

OWAA Developer — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:06:56 +0000

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The first-ever Texas Water Safari Paddle Fest & Show will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11 at the headwaters of the San Marcos River on Spring Lake in San Marcos, Texas. Paddle Fest is a two-day event that celebrates the river, the outdoors and green living. Saturday morning will include the start of the historic Texas Water Safari, considered one of the toughest boat races in the world. The course covers 260 miles from the headwaters of the San Marcos River to the Gulf of Mexico. The festival will feature green exhibits, outdoor interactive activities, music, food and kayak and stand-up paddleboarding tours on Spring Lake. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas Water Safari, REI and the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce are coordinatoring the event. Learn more at www.twspaddlefest.com.
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Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition: Saving America’s most important conservation program

OWAA Developer — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 21:32:33 +0000

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Dysfunction in Washington has claimed another victim. On Sept. 30, Congress allowed America’s most important conservation program to expire, putting our national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and outdoor recreation areas at risk.
For 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has kept a simple promise to the American people: when we allow offshore drilling for oil and gas on the lands and waters that belong to all of us, we have set aside a small portion of the proceeds to protect America’s greatest places. When lawmakers refused to renew the fund at the end of September, that link between resource extraction and investment in the parks and outdoor places that make America great disappeared.
This is of particular concern to hunters, anglers and anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. The fund was the best tool we had to provide and improve access to public lands. The best game lands and national forests we protected as a nation could now be locked away behind private tracts of land.
The most ingenious aspect of the Land and Water Conservation Fund is that it did not use any taxpayer money — zip, zero, nada. Oil extraction profits from offshore drilling funded it — that’s why it was so popular with the American people and also why anti-conservation politicians are so eager to get their hands on it.
This small but influential group of politicians stalled and ran out the clock on the fund this year. They are now scheming to raid the fund and spend what should be dedicated conservation dollars on special interest projects.
What is so frustrating is that this is an entirely manufactured crisis. If leadership in Washington allowed a straight up or down vote, renewing the fund would sail through the House and Senate with large bipartisan majorities – something you rarely see in Washington these days. The program would then be permanently authorized.
Outdoorsmen and women from across the country are fighting back against this brazen assault on America’s greatest places. Hunters, anglers, the outdoor recreation industry, governors, mayors, outdoor business owners, conservation leaders, landowners, ranchers, farmers and millions of individuals are united in the push for permanent reauthorization and full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund because it protects and strengthens the lands that belong to all of us.
We are emboldened by bipartisan conservation champions like Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT) Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Jon Tester (D-MT), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), among others, who are fighting every day for our shared outdoor heritage.
We must not allow a small group of ideological politicians to raid the trust fund and we will not rest until Congress listens to the will of the people and saves America’s most important conservation program.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition is the umbrella organization of more than 1,000 of the most influential national, state and local conservation and recreation organizations working to save and strengthen America’s most important conservation program. Find out more about or advocacy at LWCFcoalition.org and @LWCFCoalition.
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Toyota: Yellowstone campus powered by reused Camry batteries

OWAA Developer — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 02:05:09 +0000

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About 100 years ago, President Teddy Roosevelt referred to Yellowstone as a “wonderland,” and said, “The creation and preservation of such a great natural playground, in the interest of our people as a whole, is a credit to the nation.”
Today, we can see that Roosevelt’s wonderland remains as pristine and protected. Toyota is helping preserve Yellowstone for generations to come. Toyota’s long-standing partnership with Yellowstone and the Yellowstone Park Foundation has provided its vehicles, technology and sustainability expertise toward that goal.
Toyota is extremely proud to provide sustainable power for one of the most remote, pristine areas in the United States.
At the Lamar Buffalo Ranch field campus in Yellowstone National Park, an innovative distributed energy system that combines solar power generation with re-used Camry Hybrid battery packs came online earlier this year. The result? Reliable, sustainable, zero emission power to the ranger station and education center for the first time since it was founded in 1907.
Solar panels generate the renewable electricity stored within the 208 nickel-metal hydride battery packs that once powered Toyota Camry hybrids. The used battery packs were recovered from Toyota dealers across the United States. On an annual basis, the solar system generates enough electricity to power six average U.S. households for a year, or plenty of power for the five buildings on the ranch campus. The hybrid batteries provide 85 kilowatt-hours of energy storage to ensure continuous power, as the system charges and discharges. Onsite microhydro turbine systems, capturing energy from a neighboring stream, are scheduled to join the power mix in 2016.
The Yellowstone system is the first of its kind to extend the useful life of hybrid vehicle batteries for commercial energy storage. Hybrid batteries typically reach the end of their usable life in automobile-grade applications with significant remaining power storage capacity. Engineers expect this type of use to double the overall lifespan of the hybrid batteries.
By working together with Yellowstone Park, Toyota hopes to continue providing a home where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelope play, and other wildlife have a place to call their own.
To learn more about Yellowstone National Park sustainability initiatives please visit www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/sustainabilitycontents.htm.
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Daytona Beach: You’ll find adventure at America’s original beach

OWAA Developer — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:11:23 +0000

You’ll find adventure at America’s original beach

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Located on Florida’s central east coast, Daytona Beach’s hard-packed, white-sand beaches became synonymous with automobile racing in the early 1930s.
Decades later, racing is reserved for Daytona International Speedway and two other local tracks, and a drive on the beach occurs at a much more leisurely pace. Today, visitors are discovering that a 2-mph paddle along the water yields as much pleasure as a 200-mph lap around the track.
Daytona Beach resides in Volusia County, which is bordered on the west by Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River, which is Florida’s longest river, flows north and is home to 183 species of fish. Atlantic Ocean waves lap at the area’s eastern border, while the Tomoka River, also north-flowing, resides at the northern border. The Intracoastal Waterway, aka the Halifax River, lets out at the southernmost point in Ponce Inlet, with Florida’s tallest lighthouse at the helm. Add in biodiverse Mosquito Lagoon, Lake George and Spruce Creek and it adds up to 331 square miles of the good stuff –water.
You can pet stingrays and starfish at the Marine Science Center, which is renowned for its sea turtle rehabilitation. The nearby Marine Discovery Center offers dolphin and eco tours and programs to protect the Indian River Lagoon system. The Lyonia Environmental Center, known for its friendly scrub jay population, provides unique insight in the area’s fragile ecosystem. All of this is surrounded by Great Florida Birding and Wildlife trails, designated scenic drives, state parks and springs, shooting ranges and phenomenal paddling trails.
Few destinations can compete with the variety of unforgettable group activities that Daytona Beach offers. There is ziplining, paddleboarding, race cars, roller coasters, festivals, lighthouses, ghost tours, fishing and more.
Equally diverse are the choices for one-of-a-kind venues and meeting spaces, whether beachside, riverside, or at the spectacular World Center of Racing. Countless meeting hotels make it easy to find one that’s perfect for any budget and many are located right on 23 miles of sparkling coastline. It’s the perfect place to meet with easy drive-in access and a local airport with more than 200 Atlanta and Charlotte connections — plus non-stop Jet Blue service from New York beginning Jan. 7. There are more than 12,000 guest rooms for all budgets, many located directly on the ocean. The world-class Ocean Center Convention Complex is walking distance to about 1,200 guest rooms. And the city is experiencing about $2 billion in new development and renovations. Plus there are incentive dollars available.
It’s everything you’d expect from America’s original beach
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SHIFT festival and summit: Where conservation and outdoor recreation come together

OWAA Developer — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 18:15:26 +0000

Where conservation and outdoor recreation come together

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Held each October in the spectacular valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, SHIFT is an annual festival that celebrates the outdoor recreation and conservation partnership with food, film, speakers, workshops and outdoor adventure. Set at the forefront of the 2015 SHIFT Festival, which runs from October 7-10, is the SHIFT Summit, an in-depth exploration of the opportunities and challenges before the outdoor recreation and conservation partnership, with an emphasis on GEMS (Gateways to Environments of Major Significance) as laboratories for communities striving to live in balance with nature.
Media frames the conversation in the public mind and an engaged “voice of the outdoors” is critical for well-informed reportage from the nexus of conservation and outdoor recreation. Attending OWAA members will have a chance to inform the summit dialogue with their unique perspectives and to network with the content generators at the forefront of the conversation, including conservation pioneers, youth-engagement leaders, public-land managers and policy makers, outdoor-industry leaders and outdoor recreationists.
OWAA attendees have additional access to:

The SHIFT Awards, recognizing the most innovative, impactful, replicable conservation and outdoor recreation work in North America.
Keynote presentations featuring National Geographic’s Chief Content Officer Chris Johns, who will share insights on Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the world and the sole subject of the May 2016 issue of National Geographic Magazine, and New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman, who will speak on food and how it has the power to make or break not only our personal health, but that of the planet.
The People’s Banquet, SHIFT’s popular celebration of sustainable food systems and Jackson Hole’s “foodie event of the year.”

For more information, please contact Christian Beckwith, director, at cb@shiftjh.org, or for the festival schedule and ticket information, visit www.shiftjh.org.
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