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| FOWA First VP and President-Elect Ron Presley ended his term as Secretary/Treasurer of the Florida Guides Association at yesterday's FGA Annual Meeting in Tampa. Captain Ron's been a driving force at FGA and we're all excited that he'll take the helm at FOWA next year. Shown with Ron in the photo is Capt. Troy Sapp (FGA Senior VP), the lovely Karen Presley, and Capt. Pat Kelly (FGA President). Tommy Thompson, Executive Director |
Welcome to The Florida Outdoor Writers Association’s website. FOWA is the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor communicators’ organization.
In the spring of 1945, Rube Allyn, then a nationally known outdoor editor of the St. Petersburg Times, was in Chattanooga, TN. attending the Outdoor Writers Association of America convention. He was lobbying OWAA to have the next convention in Florida, but was told he needed a state association before the group would consider the offer. Allyn returned, determined that Florida would host in 1946.
After lots of help from the St. Petersburg Junior Chamber of Commerce and calling and visiting outdoor writers from around Florida, such as "Salty" Sol Fleischman, Paul Maines, and Ernie Lyons, the organization was formed. Hardy Bryan served as coordinator with the Jr. Chamber of Commerce.
The group received its charter in 1946, and OWAA held its next convention in St. Petersburg. However, it was not until the first Corporate Charter for FOWA was filed with the Secretary of State on April 06, 1954, that the Florida Group gained state recognition.
The general purpose of FOWA at that time was to educate the public about the urgent need for conservation of Florida's wildlife and natural resources. Throughout the years FOWA has evolved from a small group of fishing and hunting enthusiasts to a large group of dedicated outdoor communicators. FOWA works to enhance the economic well being of its members through organized events, education and general craft improvement in all areas. The association also provides information about issues related to Florida's wildlife, rivers, forest, wetlands, estuaries, cays and other natural resources to its members.
FOWA’s mission, "Through ever-improving our communication skills . . . to heighten the education of all outdoor participants in the areas of conservation, safety, participation and environmental issues” is as important today as it was over 50 years ago.
We encourage you to look around the public areas of this site. On the menu bar to your left you’ll find links to our latest e-newsletter, The Market Edge, information about individual, corporate and tourism memberships, and a listing of the winners of our recent Excellence-in-Craft Awards. You’ll also find a link to a wrap-up of our last Writers’ Conference and information about our next gatherings. And soon, we’ll be making public information about selected FOWA members.
Tommy Thompson
FOWA Executive Director
