PURPOSE
The primary purpose of this Association shall be to improve knowledge and skill among its members in the art of communication through the written or spoken word and through art, illustration and photography. This Association shall also strive to increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation of our outdoor heritage in the use and enjoyment of our natural resources.
To accomplish this purpose, we will support the best use and wise management of all natural resources. We are strong supporters of conservation as defined in the North American Conservation Act. We will likewise strive to maintain the highest standards of professional competency and ethics in communicating to our respective readers or audiences.
History
The first group of outdoor writers in the state organized for the first time shortly after World War II. The late Fred Maly, then outdoor editor of the San Antonio Express News, called together various state outdoor writers and editors to travel together to various outdoor events to collect information for their paper's outdoor news pages. The first included a tackle show in Chicago and a Canada fishing trip. The group disbanded in its second year.
It was until the early '50s when a few outdoor editors on several large dailies around the state began meeting for informal hunting and fishing trips that the ideal of a formal association began to materialize. It was during a hunt at Henry LeBlanc's duck camp near Port Arthur that the group came into being. It seems that some of the writers in attendance were disgruntled over the recent duck regulations set by the state. The longer they carped, the more determined they became to pass a strongly worded resolution telling the "dirty SOBs in Austin" what they thought and just what they could do with their new duck regulations.
The late L. A. Wilke, who began his outdoor writing career in the 1920's, and was the consummate gentleman, convinced the group to tone down the resolution, addressing it to the "Gentlemen In Austin." It is still unclear whether the resolution did any good but it did serve as the catalyst to formalize the group now known as The Texas Outdoor Writers Association.
In 1959 the small group elected George Kellam, then editor of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as president. The group has remained active since that time.
The group promotes ethics and fellowship among its members and provides a means of exchanging information and techniques that improve the quality of their professional efforts.
Our Commitments
In all written, oral, and graphic communications, TOWA members strive to:
- Promote the highest quality of craftsmanship in communicating the outdoors.
- Promote responsible ethics among both communicators and outdoor sportsmen.
- Promote fellowship among members of the outdoor media.
- Provide an interchange of information and techniques with the membership and allied organizations.
- Promote individualism among members without endorsing any particular stand.
- Promote goodwill among all political parties without taking part in any political campaign or on behalf of any candidate.
- Support the best use and wise management of all natural resources, as strong supporters of conservation as defined in the North American Conservation Act.
PAST PRESIDENTS
Serving since 1959. Photos and profiles coming soon.
L.A. Wilke Award