(10/05/09)

Bill Hilts Receives
NYSOWA M. Paul Keesler New York Outdoor Citizen Award
New York State Outdoor Writers Association honors veteran Sanborn sportsman for service as communicator and conservationist

Lake Placid, NY—William R. Hilts of Sanborn was named recipient of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association M. Paul Keesler New York Outdoor Citizen Award at the communicator association’s awards banquet on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Lake Placid, N.Y., during its annual conference.

The award was created in the name of one of NYSOWA’s most beloved and active members, M. Paul Keesler, the deceased co-founder of “New York Sportsman” magazine.  Keesler, through his writing and publishing efforts, spent nearly five decades promoting and conserving the outdoor wonders and recreational opportunities within New York State.  The award recognizes an individual or organization that effectively has raised the public’s awareness of outdoor recreational opportunities and conservation issues in the state.

Nominations could be made by the public, as well as by NYSOWA members.  Hilts, better known as Bill Sr., to distinguish him from his son, Bill Jr., who is also active in outdoor communications and conservation affairs, has been a member of the writing fraternity for nearly 50 years.  His career has encompassed radio, television, newspaper, magazine, electronic communications and lectures. 

In addition, he has served on numerous boards and councils in the communications and outdoor fields.  Hilts helped organize the NYSOWA and has served as president of that group, as well as that of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA).  OWAA recognized his extraordinary contributions earlier this year with the presentation of its prestigious Ham Brown Award. That is one of dozens of honors he has received for his service to the state, the nation, outdoors enthusiasts and our natural resources.

“William R. Hilts is most deserving of this honor based on a lifetime dedicated to raising the level of awareness for outdoor recreational opportunities and conservation issues in New York,” wrote Glenn Sapir, a NYSOWA member, in his nomination of Hilts for this award.

The New York State Outdoor Writers Association is a professional organization of communicators dedicated to increasing the public awareness, understanding and appreciation of our outdoor heritage in the use and enjoyment of natural resources.  Its primary purpose is to improve knowledge and skill among its members in the art of communication.

For more information on NYSOWA, visit http://www.nysowa.org.