THE NYSOWA M. PAUL KEESLER

NEW YORK OUTDOOR CITIZEN AWARD

Award Criteria:

The NYSOWA M. Paul Keesler New York Outdoor Citizen Award is presented to an individual or organization that effectively has raised the public’s awareness of outdoor recreational opportunities and conservation issues in New York State.

Award Nominating Process:

Anyone may nominate a living person or functioning organization by submitting a recommendation stating the person or organization’s name, address, telephone number and e-mail address, and an explanation of 350 words or less on the qualifications and accomplishments of the nominee as they relate to the stated criteria for the NYSOWA M. Paul Keesler New York Outdoor Citizen Award.  The nomination must be endorsed by an active member of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association.  Following gaining written endorsement, the nomination shall be sent to: NYSOWA M. Paul Keesler New York Outdoor Citizen Award, c/o Bob McNitt, 202 State Hwy 320, Norwich NY 13815, e-mail nysports@frontiernet.net, or Leo Maloney, 321 Robertson Rd, Sherrill NY 13461 lmalone1@twcny.rr.com. Award nominations must be postmarked by August 1, 2009. To learn of a member near you who may provide the nominee’s endorsement, contact Bob McNitt, e-mail nysports@frontiernet.net, telephone (607) 334-6087. Official announcement of the award recipient will be made at the annual conference of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association.

Who Was M. Paul Keesler?

M. Paul Keesler, a professional communicator and passionate sportsman, spent nearly five decades promoting and conserving the outdoor wonders and opportunities within New York State.  Beginning with outdoor columns for the Utica Observer Dispatch and progressing to the founding of the Mid-York Sportsman magazine, which grew into the New York Sportsman magazine, Paul, and his magazine contributors, enlightened and educated readers statewide and beyond to the wild treasures of the Empire State.  In addition to his magazine accomplishments, Keesler wrote books on canoe fishing New York waterways and on his beloved West Canada Creek and Mohawk Valley, the latter perhaps the most comprehensive book ever written on the area.

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