EIC opens for entries March 1st

The Excellence in Craft Awards (EIC) presented by the Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC) is a program designed to recognize excellence in the field of outdoor journalism and media communications by media professionals on topics related to the outdoors. The contest opens for entries on Monday, March 1, 2021 at 6am PST. The contest is...

Our new website is up and running

On behalf of the OWAC Board of Directors, I am delighted to announce that our new website is up and running. Our domain name (URL) remains the same OWAC.org and we hope you will take some time to browse through the site. The site offers a new look and updated styling. Interactivity allows for members...

Onward to a digital world

Selecting your best work from 2020

Remembering John Henigin

January 21, 1949 – January 26, 2021 John Henigin, past president and longtime member and friend of the Outdoor Writers Association of California, passed away on January 26, 2021 from a non-Covid related infection. Born January 21, 1949, John began his career in radio with Fish Talk Radio, more than 20 years ago, broadcasting weekly...

New Year, New Yarn

Each January 1 we awaken with the opportunity to tackle a new year in a new way. A clean slate, an empty book: the pages keen to be written. And as members of OWAC we are irrepressible storytellers! So let this be the new year you weave a new yarn. ‘Tell a fresh story, in...

Help Create the Next Generation of Outdoor Writers

Outdoor writers are not born to the job. They are made often through experience gained as students writing about California outdoor activities. Some get that experience while writing and photographing for student publications or working as interns at local newspapers. Many are impeded from successful work by a lack of funds to travel to destinations...

RMEF Tops 8 Million Acres in Mission Accomplishment

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recently surpassed more than eight million acres of lifetime conservation work over its 36-year history. “This is a noteworthy landmark and one worth celebrating, yet what we’re really talking about is significant, measurable on the ground conservation accomplishment that permanently protects or enhances wildlife habitat across elk country and benefits...

America’s National Parks

President’s Message Newsletter : December 2020 – January 2021  As 2020 winds down and the pandemic continues to restrict our travels, my husband and I, along with our lab puppy decided to escape and head east on a road trip to visit some of America’s beautiful national parks. I’m writing this quick note from stunning...

‘Tis the season

Executive Director’s Message Newsletter: December 2020 – January 2021  We’ve come into Fall and soon Winter will be upon us. As the seasons change, the holidays cannot be far behind. The hectic pace may have slowed a bit, what with all the challenges we face today. But our efforts at sharing the happiness of the...