The Outdoor Writers Association of America: Enhances members’ abilities as professionals, sets the highest standards for morality and communication, mentors the upcoming generation of qualified outdoor communicators and promotes public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources.
SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR
OUTDOOR WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
An international, nonprofit organization, OWAA represents a varied collection of professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. The best outdoor experts in the country make up the OWAA membership.
• Writers
• Editors
• Authors
• Makers of digital content
• Broadcasters and podcasters
• Video and film creators
• Photographers
• Artists
• Lecturers/speakers
• Publishers
• PR and communication specialists
We want to provide our members with the best tools, encouragement, and inspiration possible so they can educate the public about outdoor activities, issues, and the wise use of our natural resources. Members of the OWAA are mandated to deliver honest, complete, knowledgeable, responsible, and unbiased outdoor coverage through OWAA membership and adherence to its creed and code of conduct.
The organization is committed to assisting members in growing intellectually and increasing profitability — both professionally and personally — by offering a broad variety of member services, such as:
• Outdoors Unlimited, a prize-winning bimonthly journal
• The annual meeting of OWAA
• Events, lectures, and workshops
• Job openings and editorial requirements
• Grants for postsecondary education
• Networking with other communicators and experts in the outdoor industry
• Creating a code of conduct
HIGHLIGHTING AND HONORING EXCELLENCE
Six writers, five men, and one woman, who were in Chicago for the Izaak Walton League convention in 1927 came up with OWAA. As a nonprofit educational and professional organization, it was afterward incorporated. The OWAA has had four main goals since the beginning:
Apply also; The LaVerne Noyes Scholarship Program
1. Getting to know each other and interacting with one another in the outdoor writing community through the sharing of information, ideas, and experiences
2. Promotional and educational efforts to increase media coverage of outdoor events in the country
3. Bringing conservation to the public’s notice
4. Individual member craft advancement
All 19 of the founding members—the six founders and a few friends—were essential “writers” in the strictest sense of the word—textual authors for publishers of books and periodicals. Photographers were still using flash powder, the radio was in its infancy, and television hadn’t even been invented. The protection of the resources needed for fishing, hunting, and other outdoor pursuits was given first priority.
The next years saw both gradual and revolutionary changes. The written word is no longer the deciding element. The current OWAA membership includes representatives from illustrative art and photography, radio, video, the lecturer’s platform, and a variety of digital media.
And as developments brought more individuals and more activities into the scene, the topic matter coverage grew. Environmental concerns have pushed outdoor media to the fore as the ones best suited to promote public awareness of the need for responsible outdoor use. Along with their related knowledge and pursuits pertaining to the enjoyment and preservation of the resources that make up the great outdoors, conservation, hunting, fishing, travel, and camping still exist. The majority of disciplines are represented among OWAA’s members, including forestry, biking, recreational vehicles, hiking, boating, archery, camping, travel, wildlife and fisheries, nature studies, and fishing and hunting.
The officers and board of directors of the organization oversee OWAA. Officers are chosen annually by the board, while board members are chosen annually by the active membership. A foundation for the success and expansion of OWAA is also provided by dozens of volunteer committees that are staffed by OWAA members. The association’s daily operations, including the creation of the magazine and other publications, are managed by the executive director and headquarters personnel.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
These scholarships, which bear Bodie McDowell’s name as a tribute, are given to three or more students each year. Although every year is unique, individual awards typically range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Candidates should have letters of recommendation, examples of work, and clear, important goals in outdoor communications. Academic success is taken into account, although it is not one of the top three selection factors.
Students majoring in outside communications, such as print, photography, video, art, poetry, or radio, are required to apply. open to qualified graduate students and undergraduates.
Jan. 1 through Mar. 30 is the application period. The submission window opens on January 1 and concludes on March 30 automatically via Submittable.com (be sure to scroll to the bottom of that page to view the guidelines).
APPLICATION LINK
Interested persons can now apply here
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