Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference

America’s public lands are at an inflection point. Record-breaking visitation, intensifying wildfires and biodiversity loss, along with mounting development pressure, are conflicting with management systems and funding models built for another era. How we proceed is an open question – and a story that couldn’t be more urgent.

This panel brings together leading voices to explore emerging models for public lands management, from cross-agency coordination to governance approaches that reflect today’s realities. It also examines a critical piece of the puzzle: how we pay for it. As the traditional user-pay model tied to hunting and fishing changes, we’ll consider new strategies – and who should help bear the cost.

Together, this conversation considers under-reported angles and growing tensions at the intersection of policy and conservation. Panelists will share insights and ideas that will define the future of our national legacy of public lands and waters.

Artificial intelligence can now generate breathtaking landscapes and close-up wildlife shots using only a brief prompt. As these technologies rapidly improve, outdoor photographers are facing an existential question: what makes a real photograph valuable when a convincing alternative can be created in seconds?
​
This panel explores how landscape, wildlife, and adventure photographers can adapt, differentiate their work, and remain essential in an AI-driven visual culture. Panelists will discuss how authenticity and ethical transparency can become powerful advantages in a world flooded with synthetic imagery. The conversation will also focus on practical strategies for sustaining income in a changing market. Panelists will share ideas for diversifying revenue streams with workshops, print sales, brand partnerships, and more. 

The outdoor industry is often associated with adventure, freedom, and well-being. But in reality, many of us who work in or write about the outdoors face long hours, financial uncertainty, climate grief, and burnout. This panel explores the realities of mental health for communicators, conservation professionals, recreation guides, and outdoor creators. Panelists will share personal experiences and highlight strategies for staying healthy--including how time spent outside can support healing and offer space for connection. Attendees will also gain insight into how thoughtful storytelling can reduce stigma and encourage more open conversations about mental health within the outdoor community.