As I reflect on another year serving this exceptional community of storytellers, photographers, travel writers, and conservation advocates, I appreciate the passion and dedication each of you brings to our shared mission.
We are all so fortunate to live in a state with such diverse landscapes, from the fog-draped redwood groves of the north to the stark beauty of our southern deserts, from the Sierra’s granite peaks to our magnificent 2,000 miles of coastline. California’s outdoor places provide endless inspiration for exploration and for our work. But more importantly, they remind us of our responsibility.
As outdoor writers and photographers, we are not merely observers; we are interpreters, educators, and guardians of these wild places. Our work helps the public understand not just the beauty of California’s outdoors, but also the many challenges it faces. Issues of access, conservation, wildfire recovery, water resources, and climate adaptation are just a few. Your work helps the public understand not just the beauty of California’s outdoors, but the complex realities facing these landscapes and the communities that depend on them.
If you would like to become more involved in OWAC, please consider joining our Board of Directors. We meet every month over Zoom, unless we have a conference or event where we can gather in person. Members are always welcome to join us! The Board is actively looking for new faces, so if you think you might be interested in contributing to the future and direction OWAC will be heading in the coming year(s), we would love to hear from you!
Looking ahead, OWAC’s annual Excellence in Craft Awards contest will soon be open for submissions, and our 2026 High School Outdoor Writing and Photography Contest is already open to all California high school students. More information is available on our website under the “Awards” tab.
Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in outdoor communication and for being voices for California’s wild places.
Happy holidays and hope to see you in the coming year!
Carrie
Carrie Wilson
President, Outdoor Writers Association of California
