Outdoor Writers Association of America

Rue Mapp stands in front of a city scene

Rue Mapp’s “Nature Swagger”: An invitation to reconnect with nature

OWAA Outdoor Voices Blog

OWAA’s supporting group and national not-for-profit Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Its Founder and CEO, Rue Mapp, released an extension of the network’s Black joy moments in nature on Nov. 1, 2022, with her first book “Nature Swagger.” Developed with American publisher Chronicle Books, “Nature Swagger” is filled with breathtaking photography, inspiring …

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Photographer outdoors in a field with mountains in the background

Youth writing and photography contests aim to inspire the next generation 

OWAA Outdoor Voices Blog

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 …

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A rock climber at sunset climbing rocks near a lake

What you may not know about sustainable writing and inclusive outdoor language

OWAA Outdoor Voices Blog

Language is alive. All humans depend on ever-evolving languages and their ability to grow and change to better reflect our cultural contexts. Language, like our natural world, has been tended to and curated by people for millennia. Much like natural resources, there are sustainable and unsustainable practices. Knowing the histories of the words and terms …

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Four college students outside with arms on each other's shoulders

Three tips for students stepping into the outdoor communication space

OWAA Outdoor Voices Blog

The world of journalism and outdoor communication is intimidating. It’s a competitive field where you are forced to make a name for yourself, and your job opportunities mostly rely on who you know. Making connections is daunting enough, and for those who want to go into a  specific niche of journalism, the challenges seem even …

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Howard Fox stands in Nevada with a camera with mountains in the background

Meet OWAA member Howard Fox

OWAA Outdoor Voices Blog

The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) provides resources to help our members flourish as outdoor communicators and establish themselves as industry leaders. We create opportunities to make valuable industry and personal connections, sharpen professional skills, showcase work, and gain access to in-demand educational resources and mentorship opportunities. There are many Individual member benefits. Howard Fox …

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A person wearing white gloves taking environmental samples in dirt.

Three resources for building your environmental beat as a journalist

OWAA Outdoor Voices Blog

I didn’t love working at my local NPR radio station for the first few months. Writing one-minute stories covering Abilene, Texas city council lawn mowing contracts and library fundraisers wasn’t  the high-impact journalism I had in mind when I became a journalism major. And worse than not feeling like I wasn’t making an impact – …

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