TOWA President
The 51st annual Texas Outdoor Writers conference offered a lot for everyone, including battling breezes.
First 25 mph gusts were from the south, then from the north as a cold front blew in. While some outdoor activities were curtailed, plenty still went on inside.
Those of you who attended know the seminars and speakers could lead to story ideas and profits from expanding into new media and social networking.
First, welcome two new board members who were elected at our general membership meeting – Peggy York, who also is our recording secretary, and Steve LaMascus.
On behalf of the board of directors, I welcome their service to the organization while thanking the two departing board members for their dedication – Earl Nottingham, who led the redesign of the web site and will continue to shepherd it, and Barry St. Clair.
For those who were not able to be with us from Feb. 26-28 at Port Royal Resort & Conference Center in Port Aransas, here is a little of what you missed (besides one of the best places we’ve ever met).
Dr. David McKee of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi talked about his book, “Fishes of the Texas Laguna Madre: A Guide for Anglers and Naturalists.” He went beyond fishing and fish, though, to describe colorful coastal figures such as Dr. Henry Hildebrand, who did early work on fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
A living, breathing colorful coastal figure was on hand, too.
Billy Sandifer, who loves Padre Island more than anything, described its uniqueness and why he has devoted his life to enjoying it, sharing it and preserving it. Sandifer started the Big Shell Beach Cleanup 14 years ago because nobody else would dispose of the debris that washes up. So far, the cleanup has collected more than 1 million pounds of trash.
We also heard from Chris Holmes of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and a new program, the Texas Outdoor Family. It introduces people who have never camped to skills many of us take for granted, such as pitching a tent or starting a fire. He also spoke to the need of getting such urban dwellers involved in the outdoors so they can learn to love it, protect it and pass our outdoor opportunities to coming generations.
We also heard from Cody Ryan Greaney, board member T.J. Greaney’s 25-year-old son, who gave a presentation on social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
He uses those to connect with old friends and make new ones. Along the way, he is able to put some of them together with fishing guides in his international business – and make money.
The Internet can provide important new revenue streams as many traditional publications continue to make cutbacks in response to thinning circulation and advertising, especially in this economic downturn.
Greaney’s presentation generated a lot of audience participation.
At the board meeting on March 1, I announced the appointment of TOWA member Tripp Holmgrain as the head of a committee look into ways to create a membership category for members of the new media.
Recruitment of that segment of professionals will be vital to the growth of our organization. We can learn from them, too, to expand our opportunities.
If you have any ideas, let me know at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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