Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2025 Conference

Something happens to hunters when they pick up a rod and head offshore. Stepping aboard alone, with friends, on charter vessels, or party/headboats they feel the same anticipation and connection with the natural world, but all too often lose their sense of its finite limits. The sheer expansiveness of the ocean seems to alter their perspective.

But not for everyone. Charter captains and seasoned guides, who depend on healthy fisheries for their livelihoods, have long recognized the disconnect between perception and reality. “I’ve had guys who would spend an hour tracking a wounded duck onshore, but at sea, they toss back fish after fish until they land a trophy,” noted one Gulf captain. “They don’t see the fish dying below, but I do.” These professionals, much like hunting guides on land, have become crucial voices in shifting attitudes—helping clients recognize that conservation shouldn’t and can't stop at the shoreline.

Yet from Florida and Texas to New Jersey and Maine many others have begun to take a new approach. They seek to exercise restraint, engage one another in accountable stewardship, embrace pragmatic digital technology, share data with officials, balance rights with responsibilities, and extend many of the conservation approaches they already practice on fields and in streams to rebuild the mysterious and complex wild offshore.

Call it a genuine "Sea Change." Four hundred years ago, William Shakespeare penned The Tempest, a drama of people transformed by the ocean’s magic. To describe this altered state, he coined the phrase “sea change.” Today, that term has become overused and vague. But this talk embraces the Bard’s original meaning: the profound conversion of confused, divided, and broken coastal communities who discover how to thrive in an alliance that turns chaos into grace.

Audience? Anyone who has ever impaled bait on a barbed hook, cast it into the unknown, and wondered with bated breath what mysteries might be taking place in the dark world beneath the surface. But especially outdoor writers, who try and manage to translate that complex mindset into images, stories, and print.

What if your ideal reader or customer were always available—just a click away—ready to chat 24/7? In this session, I’ll show you how to turn that vision into reality with a custom GPT.

A custom GPT is a mini version of ChatGPT that you fine-tune for your specific needs (and no, you don’t have to be a tech genius to build one). We’ll walk through the process of setting one up to act as your ideal customer or reader, equipped with their demographics, preferences, and behaviors. When you engage with it, it responds as if it is that persona, giving you direct insights into their thoughts and reactions.

Imagine the possibilities:

• Test how an article or marketing copy resonates before publishing
• Brainstorm perfectly targeted content ideas
• Ask about product updates they want—or what new offerings excite them
• Identify potential pain points and how you can solve them
• Get direct feedback on pricing strategies

By the end of this session, you’ll have the tools to create a custom GPT–powered feedback loop that helps you refine content, products, and messaging with unmatched precision. Whether you're a writer, editor, marketer, or entrepreneur, this technology will revolutionize how you understand and connect with your audience.

This session will introduce the archival resources available in the Special Collections and Archives at the Denver Public Library.  The Conservation Collection, established in 1960 by author, landscape architect, conservationist, and OWAA member Arthur H. Carhart is a valuable resource for the history of the conservation movement in the United States. OWAA officially endorsed the Conservation Collection in 1961 and donated their records and newsletters to the library.  The Conservation Collection is relevant to outdoor storytellers because we share the same mission to share the outdoor experience and promote the wise use of the outdoors through conservation. The presentation will cover a collection overview, online resource demonstration, access methods, and a discussion session.

The Conservation Collection at the Denver Public Library includes nearly 200 archival collections documenting the history of conserving land, wildlife, and natural resources. It also contains a library of 4,000 book titles and serials. The collection includes records from organizations such as the Wilderness Society, Nature Conservancy, and the Student Conservation Association. Notable individuals whose records are included in the collection are Ira Gabrielson, Howard Zahniser, Enos Mills, and Velma Johnston. Recent acquisitions include the papers of Dave Foreman, Gudrun “Gudy” Gaskill, and records from non-profit and citizen organizations, such as the Citizens for Glenwood Canyon Scenic Corridor Records.

In the next part of the presentation, we will discuss accessing online resources and collections, including digitized materials. We will also cover how to access these collections in person or through reference requests. The presentation will conclude with a Q&A and group discussion, focusing on brainstorming ideas for archives and print collections, as well as identifying the resources storytellers need from the library.

Emily Louina and a panel including Emanuel Rose, Alison Ormbsy, Ken Keffer, and Patricia Newman will discuss highlights from their experiences. Topics will include resources for Children's Picture Book (CPB) authors, being traditionally versus self-published, market strategies, and other industry topics. Panelists will critique select CPB manuscript samples live for greater insight and discussion.

Following the panel, attendees may have the opportunity to informally review their manuscripts with panelists and peers (bring your manuscripts).

in 1969, CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite announced to the world that the federal government had named Chattanooga “the dirtiest city in America.” Thanks to heavy manufacturing, Chattanooga's air quality was so bad that drivers kept their headlights on even in mid-day, and smog discolored clothing. The mighty Tennessee River, which cuts through the city, fared just as poorly. The broadcast was an embarrassment and a wakeup call that became a rallying cry for transformation.

Barely a half-century later, Chattanooga collected a range of positive superlatives including being named “Best Outdoor Town” twice by Outside magazine. In April, Chattanooga became the first National Park City in North America, part of an international grassroots movements to make cities greener, healthier and wilder. This panel of community leaders will share the Chattanooga Story: how Chattanooga achieved its renaissance.

In an increasingly technology-driven culture, it IS possible to tell compelling stories about the transformational nature of outdoor pursuits while balancing these two dimensions. We'll talk about how to do that.

For travel journalists covering animal attractions, knowing how to assess ethical animal care is essential. This session will introduce the 5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare, a globally recognized framework for evaluating zoos, wildlife refuges, sanctuaries, and rescue centers. With a focus on North America—alongside global examples—you’ll learn how to spot ethical versus harmful practices, ask the right questions, and navigate the complexities of animal welfare beyond legal regulations. Whether you’re visiting big cat rescues, marine sanctuaries, or nature parks, this session will provide the tools to ensure your reporting highlights responsible and humane wildlife tourism.