Stories from "VPT's Outdoor Journal," a TV series produced by Vermont Public Television that celebrates outdoor recreation and conservation, won two Excellence in Craft awards for Lawrence Pyne from the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). The group’s annual conference was held in Rochester, Minn., in June.
“Outdoor Journal” host Pyne of Cornwall, Vt., a member of the OWAA, won two awards in the TV/Video division of the family participation/youth outdoor education contest. The story that won first place was about the summer Green Mountain Conservation Camps that the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department holds on Lake Bomoseen. The third-place story was about squirrel hunting as a way to introduce youngsters to the woods and to proper gun handling.
Pyne is a freelance writer and photographer. Besides his VPT work, he is a columnist for The Burlington Free Press and a contributing editor for Field & Stream.
“Outdoor Journal” broadcasts, online resources and community engagement activities aim to foster appreciation and respect for the environment and working landscape. Neil Hilt, producer of “Outdoor Journal,” says, "These awards are especially welcome, since they honor our work to educate children about the outdoors."
"VPT's Outdoor Journal" premiered on Vermont Public Television in January 2002. It airs on VPT Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and repeats Saturdays at 10 a.m. Executive producer is Enzo Di Maio. Major funding is provided by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
The 1,100-member Outdoor Writers Association of America is the oldest and largest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. It was organized in 1927 by members of the Izaak Walton League of America and includes professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. OWAA’s professionals include writers, photographers, outdoors radio- and television show hosts, book authors, videographers, lecturers and artists. The association is headquartered in Missoula, Mont.