APOLLO BEACH, Fla. – The best in Florida outdoor writing, photography, and videography was honored Sept. 30 by the Florida Outdoor Writers Association (FOWA) during an online broadcast. Sponsored by the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau, Southern States Fishn’ & Huntn’ Magazine, and Visit Sarasota County, the Florida Outdoor Writers Association 2020 Excellence in Craft awards recognize FOWA members who produced outstanding content in the form of broadcast, digital, and print media during 2019.

Winners of the 2020 Florida Outdoor Writers Association Excellence in Craft awards are:

Conservation Story

First Place: “Nature Coast Butterfly Season is Back,” an article on NatureCoaster.com by Diane Bedard

Second Place: “Too Many, Too Much,” an article in WaterLine by Capt. Van Hubbard

Third Place: “The Adventures of Scout Turtle Tales,” a book written for the Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Englewood Youth Explorers program, by Lucy Tobias

Family Participation in the Outdoors

First Place: “The Adventures of Scout Turtle Tales” by Lucy Tobias

Second Place: “The Passion,” an essay on OutdoorFla.com by Paul Presson

Third Place: “You Need to Experience a Homosassa Shore Lunch,” an article on NatureCoaster.com by Diane Bedard

Feature Article, 1,200 Words or Longer

First Place: “It’s All about the Bait,” an article in Coastal Angler Magazine by Cefus McRae

Second Place: “Hide & Seek” an article in Florida Sport Fishing by Steve Wayne

Third Place: “Getting Alligator Educated at Orlando’s Gatorland,” an article on AdventuresofMom.com by Sally White

Article or Column, Fewer than 1,200 Words

First Place: “The Old Man and the Keys,” an article on FloridaTraveler.com by Karuna Eberl

Second Place: “Fishy Vacations,” an article in Angler Magazine by Cefus McRae

Third Place: “Around Charlotte Harbor: Wanna Meet a Mermaid?” an article in WaterLine by Ralph Allen

Outdoor Travel & Destination Story

First Place: “Airboat Adventure in DeLeon Springs,” an article on AdventuresofMom.com by Sally White

Second Place: “Gulf State Park,” an article on FloridaHikes.com by Sandra Friend and John Keatley

Third Place: “The Deployment,” an article on OutdoorFla.com by Paul Presson

Outdoor Book

First Place: “Florida Trail Hikes” by Sandra Friend and John Keatley

Second Place: “Treasures of the Trails: Kayak Fishing” by Gary Rankel and Tom Craig

Third Place: “Fishing, Gone? Saving the Ocean through Sportfishing” by Sid Dobrin

Photojournalism/Photography

First Place: “King Rail” by Rick Davidson

Second Place: “Sibling Affection” by Rick Davidson

Third Place: “Mullet Man” by Paul Presson

Online Blog Post

First Place: “Can William Bartrand help us Save the St Johns River,” on the site FloridaWaterscapes.com by Whitney Sanford

Second Place: “Getting Alligator Educated at Orlando’s Gatorland,” on the site AdventuresofMom.com by Sally White

Third Place: “Under the SEAsons Greetings,” on http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco by Betty” Staugler

TV Video/Webcast

First Place: “High Waters,” an episode of Guidelines TV by Jay Withers

Second Place: “St. Augustine Kings,” an episode of Nuts & Bolts of Fishing TV by Cefus McRae

Third Place: “Barotrauma Series,” a five-video series from Florida Sea Grant, submitted by Elizabeth “Betty” Staugler

“Since its beginnings in 1946, the Florida Outdoor Writers Association has encouraged and fostered outdoor communicators to share the Sunshine State’s unique outdoor heritage and science of conservation with readers, viewers, and listeners. FOWA members know Florida better than anyone else. The work recognized during the 2020 Excellence in Craft awards shapes perceptions, inspires adventures, and creates awareness about Florida’s diverse outdoor opportunities. Congratulations to all the winners,” said Jennifer Huber with the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau and president of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association.

The not-for-profit organization meets annually, and like most other events in 2020, the conference was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The next annual conference is scheduled for Aug. 18 – 21, 2021 in Venice, Fla.

About FOWA
Chartered in 1946, the Florida Outdoor Writers Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) statewide paid professional communicators organization made up of outdoor communicators with the goals to educate the public, improve knowledge and skill, support the best use and wise management of all-natural resources, maintain the highest standards of professional competence and ethics, get the facts, and motivate and encourage young people to promote the outdoors and conservation. Learn more at www.fowa.org and connect with the group on facebook.com/FOWAOrg.