The New York State Outdoor Writers Association (NYSOWA) is seeking nominations for its M. Paul Keesler New York Outdoor Citizen Award, an award that will be presented to an individual or organization who effectively has 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 annual conference of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association (NYSOWA) this fall.
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 the state.
Beginning with outdoor columns for the Utica Observer Dispatch and progressing to the founding of The Mid-York Sportsman, which grew into the New York Sportsman, Keesler, and his magazine’s contributors, enlightened and educated readers statewide and beyond to the wild treasures of the Empire State.
In addition to his newspaper and magazine accomplishments, Keesler wrote books on canoe fishing New York waterways and on his beloved West Canada Creek and Mohawk Valley, the latter perhaps the most comprehensive book ever written on the area.
Anyone may submit a nomination of 350 words or less and have it endorsed by an active member of NYSOWA. 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, Will Elliott at (585) 502-5207, or Leon Archer (315) 402-1269, or check the website.
Nominations can be sent to: Will Elliott, 777 Bernd Rd., Pavilion, NY 14525 or e-mail: odrswill@gmail.com.
Nominations must be received by August 30, 2014.
