Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference

Katie McKalip has over two decades of experience helping advocacy organizations shape narratives, increase effectiveness, advance policy, engage diverse constituencies and expand their impact. Over the course of her career, she has successfully amplified the voices of influential... Read More →

Land is a 5th generation Montanan quite literally born into conservation. From a young age Land got his hands dirty and his feet wet in the wilds of his home state while simultaneously being surrounded by conservation conversations led by his parents and many other leaders of the... Read More →

Nate Ptacek is a Senior Film + Video Editor at the outdoor brand Patagonia, where he has worked for nearly two decades on projects ranging from product and brand videos to documentary films highlighting the intersection of sport and environmental issues.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Ptacek relocated to Minnesota to attend St. John’s University and spend summers as a Boundary Waters canoe outfitter. This sparked a lifelong passion for wilderness canoeing, with expeditions ranging from northwest Ontario and western rivers to the... Read More →

Aaron served public lands and those who depend on these lands for over 28 years. He has worked a career in Federal Law Enforcement as a Ranger with the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service stationed in Utah and Wyoming. He also served in Wildland Fire leadership with... Read More →