Reminder: April 1 is deadline for Pass It On, Keesler Award Nominations
NYSOWA Seeks Nominations for
2024 Pass It On Award
The New York State Outdoor Writers Association reminds members that nominations are now open for the 2024 Pass It On Award. Initiated by Bass Pro Shops, this annual award honors the person who has done the most to “pass on” our outdoor heritage. This award is given to Active Members of NYSOWA. The writer or media person is honored with a plaque at the Annual Conference and his or her name is recorded in the Annual Directory along with previous winners.
Both Bass Pro Shops and NYSOWA have recognized the fact that it is vital to pass on our outdoor heritage, including understanding the role of conservation and promoting an interest in our outdoor sports. This can be done in a number of ways such as creating awareness through writing, helping organizations that promote these activities, or being directly involved in mentoring and educating.
Nominees must be Active Members of NYSOWA. Any member of NYSOWA may nominate a person they consider deserving of this award by giving a written description of the activities or accomplishments that this person has performed to pass on the heritage of outdoor sports and conservation.
Nominations should be sent to Bill Hilts, Jr. at 618 Walnut Street, Lockport, NY 14094 or by e-mail to [email protected]. Deadline for nominations is April 1, 2024. Take note of the early deadline due to the shift of the annual conference. The winner will be honored at the NYSOWA Spring Conference in Oswego.
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State Communicators Group Opens Nominations for
New York M. Paul Keesler Outdoor Citizen Award
New York State Outdoor Writers Association to honor an individual or organization.
The 2024 NYSOWA M. Paul Keesler New York Outdoor Citizen Award will be presented to an individual or organization that has effectively raised the public’s awareness of outdoor recreational opportunities and conservation issues in New York State. The award recipient will be officially announced at the 2024 annual conference of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association (NYSOWA) in Oswego May 30 – June 2.
The award was created to honor worthy individuals and organizations, at the same time perpetuating the name of one of NYSOWA’s dearest members. The late M. Paul Keesler spent nearly five decades promoting and conserving the outdoor wonders and recreational opportunities within New York State. Beginning with outdoor columns for the Utica Observer Dispatch and progressing to the popular New York Sportsman magazine, Keesler, and his magazine’s contributors, enlightened, and educated readers statewide and beyond to the wild outdoor treasures of the Empire State. Keesler also wrote books on canoe fishing in New York waterways, including on his beloved West Canada Creek and Mohawk Valley.
Anyone may submit a nomination of 350 words or less and have it endorsed by an active member of NYSOWA. You can nominate a member of NYSOWA (active or supporting) or a member/group outside the organization. To review award criterion and the nominating process, visit www.nysowa.org. To learn of a NYSOWA member in a nominator’s area who might endorse such a nomination, contact Bill Hilts, Jr. at (716) 622-6168, or Mike Joyner (607) 753-8420 or check the website www.nysowa.org.
Nominations must be received by April 1, 2024. The NYSOWA Conference will again be held in the spring in 2024. Get your nominations submitted early.
Send nominations to Bill Hilts, Jr., 618 Walnut Street, Lockport, NY 14094, or email at [email protected].