OWAA OUTDOOR VOICES
Use Your Outdoor Voices
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Who knew? Six awesome things about El Paso (You’ll salivate at #5!)
With contributions by Chez Chesak When I first learned that El Paso was the site of the Outdoor Writers Association of America’s 2024 conference, I was pretty excited. My excitement was driven mainly, I admit, because Cormack McCarthy—author of one of the greatest and most devastating post-apocalyptic stories of all time, IMO—lived there for decades.…
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El Paso, Texas: 10 story leads for outdoor media
Get ready to mix business with pleasure at the annual OWAA conference in sunny El Paso, Texas, happening Sept. 20-22! While you’re not busy conferencing, spice up your downtime by diving into some exciting story leads. Explore the vibrant outdoor scene of El Paso and turn your adventures into cash by highlighting the best of…
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Explore El Paso, Texas and the spectacular southwest: Five outdoor places to visit
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site Located only 40 minutes east of El Paso, Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site is a paradise for rock climbers and history buffs alike. Visitors can hike, try rock climbing and bouldering, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic, and stargaze. Also available are guided and self-guided tours…
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OWAA Spring 2024 outdoor gear guide
Spring is the ideal season to rejuvenate your outdoor gear collection in anticipation of your summer and fall adventures. Whether you’re hitting the trails, exploring new waterways or going on that much-anticipated camping, hunting or fishing trip, you may want to try out some of our recommended Spring gear. Below is a curated selection of…
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How to unlock your potential as an outdoor media professional with OWAA
If you’re an outdoor professional like a freelance journalist, photographer, podcaster, blogger, full-time employee of an outdoor-related organization, you may benefit from the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA)—by elevating your career and connecting with like-minded professionals. Your individual media membership gives you a rich tapestry of resources, networking opportunities and mentorship programs. The organization is…
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Outdoor Media Story Leads: Discover El Paso’s Franklin Mountains & Surrounding National Parks
Located at the corner of two countries and three states, El Paso is a popular destination for outdoor adventures. Within its city limits alone, El Paso is home to the majestic Franklin Mountains State Park, 27,000 acres of rugged desert land and vegetation, miles of hiking trails, and curious species. A short car ride away…
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Explore Johnson City, Tennessee at OWAA’s July 2024 Field Fest for Outdoor Media
Visit Johnson City Tennessee staff is gearing up to host the inaugural OWAA Field Fest this summer, July 7-11, 2024 at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City, Tennessee. OWAA’s Field Fest is a “mash-up” of a mini-conference, marketplace for outdoor communicators and various small group press trips. (It’s also an opportunity for OWAA to work with…
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Saving Sea Turtles on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula
At 6 am, back in Seattle, I would definitely still be sleeping. My earliest school mornings entailed bundling up for my biology labs and trekking across campus in the rain. I never expected that for the fall quarter of my third year at the University of Washington, I would wake up at 4:30 am for…
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Meet OWAA Member Candace Dantes
Candace Dantes is a fourth-generation cowgirl and award-winning communicator based in the Georgia Black Belt Region. From rural America, she has collaborated with global brands like London’s M&C Saatchi and Black Beauty & Hair Magazine. Back home, she has served as an agriculture marketer, media consultant, and feature writer for brands like Wrangler, Justin Boots, Cotopaxi,…
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Top 5 Must-See Attractions In El Paso
This September, El Paso Texas rolls out the red carpet for OWAA! The destination will host the 2024 OWAA conference September 20-22. This premier conference is where outdoor media and other professionals connect, mingle and learn from more than 250 outdoor storytellers — and the brands that support their work. Save the date! We hope to…
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Introducing Camping.Tools: Revolutionizing the way you capture and share your outdoor adventures
Are you tired of the endless drama and algorithmic manipulations that dominate mainstream social media? Do you yearn for a secure and private space to preserve your camping memories while enjoying the convenience of sharing with friends and family? Your perfect alternative has arrived – Camping.Tools! At Camping.Tools, we understand the need for a safe,…
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2024 OWAA Youth Contests Open for Submissions
OWAA leadership, staff, and outdoor media professionals continue to be inspired by the quality of outdoor writing and photography submitted by budding outdoor communicators. And it’s more than just words and images on a page. “The contest isn’t just about the writing or photography,” said OWAA’s Executive Director Chez Chesak. “It’s about inspiration. It’s about…