Outdoor Writers Association of California names Michael Muir the 2014 Californian of the Year

Wild Rivers Coast, Calif. - Each year the Outdoor Writer's Association of California (OWAC) honors one individual with its Californian of the Year Award. The award is given to the person who exemplifies the spirit of the outdoors through contributions above and beyond the call of duty.

Michael Muir, great-grandson of John Muir, and a wilderness advocate in his own right, was chosen as the recipient of the 2014 award. Michael accepted the award, in person, at OWAC's fall conference in Del Norte County on the Wild Rivers Coast, held Sept. 14-16, 2014.

With help from volunteers, Muir founded Access Adventure in 2005. Access Adventure operates on a 2,070-acre historic farm called Rush Ranch, located on the northern edge of the San Francisco Bay and owned by the Solano Land Trust. Access Adventure provides free services to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and other underserved members of the community by providing open space access, outdoor recreation, therapy and education through a working partnership with horses.

Michael understands limited mobility first hand, having lived with multiple sclerosis since the age of 15. His main motivation to get back outside into nature all those years ago, and still today, is his abiding love for horses.

In an effort to help all people experience outdoor adventures, Michael - through Access Adventure - built modified wagons on wheels with solar-powered wheelchair lifts. The wagons provide access to all and are pulled by Michael's incredible team of horses. The wagon rides are free to everyone and are available at Rush Ranch. Michael's wagons and horses, along with the Sierra Club, have taken people with disabilities into remote corners of California to experience life outdoors away from freeways and urban life.

OWAC's Members and Supporting Members nominate the Californian of the Year each summer, with only the Members voting for the person who receives this honor. The award is given annually at OWAC's fall conference.

Learn more about Access Adventure at Access-Adventure.org.

Founded in 1986, OWAC now comprises some 160 working writers, broadcasters and photographers who reach audiences of millions throughout California, the western United States and nationwide. OWAC's members include some of the most respected communicators in the nation.

Graham Communications yvonne. graham@gmail.com