Syracuse.com - Veteran outdoor writer and loon advocate honored by NYS Outdoor Writers Association

[HuntingNY-News]

The Pass It On Award was presented to veteran outdoors writer/hunter Bill Hollister, of Valatie, and the M. Paul Keesler Outdoor Citizen Award was presented to loon researcher/advocate Dr. Nina Schoch, or Ray Brook, at the Oct. 15 annual banquet of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association held Oct. 15 in Gloversville.

The following is a press release from the New York State Outdoors Writers Association:

The Pass It On Award was presented to veteran outdoors writer/hunter Bill Hollister, of Valatie, and the M. Paul Keesler Outdoor Citizen Award was presented to loon researcher/advocate Dr. Nina Schoch, or Ray Brook, at the Oct. 15 annual banquet of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association held Oct. 15 in Gloversville.

PASS IT ON AWARD

This award is jointly presented by NYSOWA and Bass Pro Shops in honor of the writer selected annually as doing the most to pass on a love and understanding of our outdoor heritage. The writer is chosen from among NYSOWA’s membership and honored at the fall conference. Bass Pro Shops makes a significant contribution to the NYSOWA Scholarship Fund in that individual’s name.

Bill Hollister spent his life as a wildlife biologist and supervisor with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. During his career and his retirement he continually worked for the preservation and enjoyment of outdoor sports. He has also been an outdoor writer for over 30 years and has written for a number of publications.

He was one of the first to embrace the sport of turkey hunting as restoration efforts spread the birds across New York State. He shared his expertise and knowledge of techniques in seminars around the state and they were immensely popular as countless numbers of hunters were introduced to this growing sport.

Hollister has also conducted many seminars on deer hunting and other outdoor skills, written many articles on various types of hunting and fishing, and mentored young writers as they pursued careers in outdoor writing. He continues to guide and mentor individual hunters, especially youngsters during the Youth Hunting Days. Over the years he has helped or introduced innumerable hunters to the skills of various types of hunting, as well as an appreciation of the outdoors.

THE M. PAUL KEESLER AWARD

This 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.

Dr. Schoch resigned her veterinary practice in order to develop a program to study and protect the common loon, the symbol of the Adirondack wilds. Threats to the loon population had included mercury deposition, lead poisoning, and continued deterioration of their habitat. Her efforts enlisted the help of hundreds of volunteers and the scientific community in the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program.

Her efforts at gaining public support has gathered over 500 who participate in the annual loon census on 200 lakes in the Adirondacks Public awareness and concern have been increased by the opportunity to participate in research, public relations, the website, and school curriculum. Today there are signs indicating what boaters can do to protect loons and countless people are aware of threats to nesting loons and chicks.

She sought the cooperation of the sportsmen and worked with Gremlin Sinker Company to provide non-toxic sinkers and a trade-in program to remove toxic lead which had been a cause of many loon deaths in the Adirondacks. Her efforts at raising awareness of mercury deposition and the problems that it causes have resulted in efforts to curtail this to the benefit of all wildlife and fish. By reaching out to the science and public involvement, the Adirondack loon has apparently doubled in numbers since the 1980s as well as become a symbol of the wild and a healthier environment. Her efforts have extended far beyond the Adirondacks and for these reasons the NYSOWA is proud to present her with this prestigious 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.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog