It’s that time of year again! Leaves are changing color, temperatures are dropping, and OWAA’s Excellence in Craft Contest is opening! Mark your calendars for November 1st to enter your work for the 2024 Excellence in Craft cycle! If it is your first time hearing about OWAA’s Excellence in Craft Awards, we invite you to […]
2024 Excellence in Craft Contest opens November 1st Read More »
Air escaping particles of fine white sand joins the sounds at The Lodge’s beach. Each step squeaks, a quirk of Alabama beaches from thousands-of-year-old quartz filtered through the Appalachian Mountains. Similar to the sound of wet sandals, noisy steps can’t help but bring a smile to newcomers’ faces, accompanied by squawking sanderlings, the chatter of sunbathers and
OWAA’s 2023 conference: Striking balance between professionalism and play Read More »
Recently, I returned home from spending a summer up north, just outside of Ely, Minnesota, on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. As a born and raised “East Coaster,” there was no way to expect what I’d experience in the rural midwest. I’d spent two summers in a small town in Colorado before
From loons to berry patches: Embracing the quirks of Minnesota’s outdoors Read More »
Writer Christine Peterson Leads Way with Six Awards OWAA leadership revealed the winners of our 2023 Excellence In Craft (EIC) Contest and the President’s Choice Awards at our annual conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Christine Peterson received six awards, while James Smedley, Dan Small and Brent Frazee took home five awards each. The EIC Contest
OWAA names 2023 Excellence In Craft Contest winners Read More »
The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama September 9-11, 2023 at The Lodge at Gulf State Park promises a dynamic blend of education, camaraderie, and outdoor exploration. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor media professional or an aspiring storyteller, this event’s schedule offers a multitude of reasons to attend. Pre-Tours: Immersion
Gulf Shores, Alabama rolls out the red carpet for outdoor media in September 2023 Read More »
Herons. Condors. Falcons. Birds known for their majesty, their abilities and impressive stature. And then there are pigeons. Sky Rats. City Doves. Rats with Wings. Perhaps the bird most in need of a new press agent. It is unusual that this bird, often considered a pesky annoyance, would be the one to spark my interest
Enhance your birding experience with the Merlin Bird ID app Read More »
If you’re planning to attend the annual OWAA conference this September in Gulf Shores, Alabama, you could make some money during your visit by setting aside time before and/or after the conference to explore, collect story content and sell the work you produce. Here are some story leads to help you turn your time in
Three outdoor-focused story ideas in and around Gulf Shores, Alabama Read More »
Jayme Sun Thomas is a wildlife photographer and docent naturalist at Placerita Canyon State Park in Newhall, California. Thomas is working on a Bachelor’s Degree at Academy of Art University in Documentary Wildlife Photography. She photographs wildlife to document and tell the story of wildlife that inhabit the forest at Placerita Canyon State Park and she
Meet OWAA member Jayme Sun Thomas Read More »
Birdwatching or birding bestows many benefits. It can decrease stress, sharpen concentration and let you impress your friends when you can identify birds on a whim (that skill comes after A LOT of practice though). Birding gives you the opportunity to explore new places, whether it be your backyard or a whole different country. While
Brittney J. Miller is an energy and environmental journalist and Report for AmeriCorps at The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She has a bachelor’s degrees in journalism and biology from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in science journalism from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Miller received the Bodie McDowell Scholarship from OWAA in the
Bodie McDowell Scholarship paves the way for one outdoor communicator Read More »
