New York State Outdoor Writers Association to honor an individual or organization.

The 2025 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 2025 annual conference of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association (NYSOWA) in Lewiston May 15-18, 2025.

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, 2025. The NYSOWA Conference will again be held in the spring in 2025. Get your nominations submitted early.

Send nominations to Bill Hilts, Jr., 6409 Sherman Drive, Lockport, NY 14094, or email at [email protected].