Veteran outdoor broadcaster Mike Avery is the host and producer of the syndicated Outdoor Magazine Radio show. That three hour weekly program has been on the air for more than twenty years and is heard on 27 AM and FM stations across Michigan. The podcast version of the show is available worldwide online. Details available at MikeAveryOutdoors.com.
Avery also produces a rapidly growing podcast network featuring outdoor companies and organizations. Those groups include Jay’s Sporting Goods, Off Shore Tackle, Darton Archery, Angler Qwest Boats, Michigan United Conservation Clubs and HHA Sports.
Avery had previously produced an outdoor television show, also called Outdoor Magazine. That show was seen on broadcast stations in Michigan and nationally on The Outdoor Channel, Men’s Network and Sportsman Channel. After nearly twenty five years in production, Mike decided to get out of TV to concentrate on radio and social media. “It was one of the best professional moves I’ve ever made” says Avery.
Jim Bedford was born in eastern Washington but has been a southern Michigan resident since 1950 and has been an avid river angler almost that long. He lives with his wife of 51 years, Kathel, and has two grown children. He fishes often with his daughter, Terri. Jim has earned degrees in Fisheries Biology (B.S. & M.S.) and Aquatic Entomology (Ph.D).
He retired from his duties as an environmental toxicologist for the State of Michigan in 1998 and now pulls on his waders three or more times a week. Jim also taught fishing classes at his local community college for 27 years.
While he concentrates his fishing in Michigan, he also travels regularly to the rivers of other states and provinces. An award winning author and photographer, Jim has been writing for over 40 years and has written for Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, In Fisherman, North American Fisherman, Salmon Trout Steelheader, Fur-Fish-Game, Fly Fishing & Tying Journal, and Trout, as well as numerous regional and Michigan publications. He has written four books including the recently published “Spinner Magic!”. He joined the Matzuo America Pro Staff in 2015.
Tom Buchkoe is a third generation Yooper and a native of Marquette. He graduated from Bishop Baraga HS in Marquette and earned a BA degree in Art from St Johns University in Collegeville Minnesota.
He spent ten years working at the Marquette Mining Journal and the Ketchikan (AK) Daily News before starting a freelance photography career. His work has appeared in hundreds of publications including: Alaska Magazine, The New Your Times, The Washington Post, The National Inquirer, Michigan History, Michigan-Out-Of-Doors, Outside, Lake Superior Magazine and Midwest Living. He has received numerous awards for his work including being selected as a member of Who’s Who among executives and professionals.
Tom keeps busy shooting for commercial, industrial and travel clients as well as doing aerial, scenic, underwater and product work. Digital restoration, logo design and brochure work are among his services offered. A limited amount of wedding, portrait and senior photography are also available.
He is also owner of the Yooper Postcard Company which produces and sells humorous postcards making fun of Yoopers. They can be purchased in over 100 stores in the UP and at yooperpostcards.com.
When not working, Tom enjoys camping, boating, scuba diving, and dirt bike riding with his wife Barb. Their twin sons, Mike and Eric, are graduates of Northern Michigan University and live in Minneapolis MN and Racine WI.
You can contact Tom at 906-226-3459, PO Box 852, Marquette MI 49855, or e-mail him at tbuchkoe@chartermi.net or visit his website at http://www.buchkoe.com.
A freelancer since 1980, Tom Carney has won more than 60 awards for his books, photography, and journalism in areas as diverse as travel, nature and outdoor recreation, humor, news reporting and analysis, and columns. He currently serves as the editor of The Upland Almanac, a quarterly magazine for upland bird hunting enthusiasts.
Additionally, he provides copywriting services for tech companies based in the Detroit Metro area. He has served MOWA as secretary, vice president, president, chairman of the board, and chairman/member of several committees. In 2016, recognizing Tom’s combination of accomplishments as an outdoor writer and contributions to the group itself, MOWA awarded him its coveted “Papa Bear Award.”
He lives near Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Maureen and his two setters, Abbey the Irish red and white and Lizzy the English. He is available for assignments or speaking engagements. For writing samples, see the blog page at tomcarneywriter.com. Email: info@tomcarneywriter.com.
Randy grew up fishing the Saginaw River and Bay before expanding his natural resources career with a
bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in
aquatic ecology from the University of Illinois.
Randy has had the opportunity to serve MOWA as vice-president and president. He also serves on the
Hall of Fame committee and helps with other MOWA organizational needs. Randy enjoys all things
outdoors and telling outdoor recreation stories through freelance articles and other media.
Randy has also served the DNR in a variety of capacities as the Lake Huron Basin coordinator, a Great
Lakes research biology specialist, as well as the interim Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station manager
and supervisor for the Habitat Management Unit. Prior to joining the DNR, Randy gained quality
experience with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, first as a fisheries biologist and then as
interim natural resources director. Randy is currently the Chief of Fisheries for Michigan DNR.
Randy’s experience, approachability, energy and passion for the resource – as well as for the people and
partners who enjoy and help care for Michigan’s fisheries – places him in an excellent position to ensure
continued success on key initiatives in the state, create new avenues for growth and engagement in our
natural resources, and further cement Michigan’s reputation for a healthy, thriving fisheries and one-of-
a-kind recreational opportunities that we can all share and tell stories about!
Raised in the era of Hippy love, magical mystery tours, and personal enlightenment of the 1960’s in Ann Arbor Michigan, John knew at an early age he was born to be wild! After decades of following the corporate path to financial enrichment with seemingly endless work weeks, his free spirit emerged and he got a “Reel” job as Marketing Director of Eppinger Manufacturing Company, makers of the world famous Dardevle fishing lures, and hasn’t looked back.
His life took a decidedly positive trajectory with his new career path as he began to follow the piper that had been calling him since childhood. John’s passion for exploring the remarkable adventures that unfold while hunting and fishing in the great outdoors have lead him to many of North America’s premier fishing adventure destinations in Alaska, Northern Canada and the Arctic. It was through these experiences that he decided it was time to share the wisdom and wonder of the sporting life, and added freelance writing to his byline.
John is a regular contributor to Fish Alaska magazine, Midwest Outdoors, Mike Borger’s Canadian fishing guide and All Canada adventures magazine (All Canada Show program) as well as a regular seminar speaker at sport shows and Trout Unlimited clubs in the Midwest and Canada. He is also an instructor with the Michigan Trout Unlimited fly fishing school.
As a lifelong sportsman he shares a particular affinity for traditional bow hunting, and fly fishing, and regularly attends meetings in remote wilderness locations to mitigate his outdoor addictions. When not hunting or Fishing he stays in shape for his next adventure by competing in Triathlons.
Recent awards include:
2017 - 1st place best outdoor feature MOWA craft award
2016 - 3rd place best outdoor feature MOWA craft award
Allen is a husband and father of two adult sons who frequently out hunt, out hike, and out fish him. By day he runs an advertising agency located in his home state of Michigan, where he enjoys chasing whitetail, trout, and birds. Beyond Michigan, you'll often find him roaming the backcountry of Montana, Idaho, or Wyoming.
He’s an avid outdoorsman and enjoys backpacking, camping, fly fishing, hunting, skiing, and watersports. Allen served as co-chair of the Michigan Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, currently volunteers as Vice President for Pere Marquette Trout Unlimited, and participates with the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association.
His personal website, allenoutside.com, features stories, tips, and gear reviews for outdoor adventurers. His writing has been featured in publications such as Strung, Fly Fusion, Michigan Out-of-Doors, Solace, and Backcountry Journal, and he recently released his first book, Outside in Shorts, which was recognized with the Harold “Opie” Titus Award for Best Book by MOWA in 2023.
Born and raised in Southeast Michigan, Kyle Davidson joined MOWA fresh out of college after winning the Let’s Go Places award in 2022. After graduating Michigan State University with a degree in journalism and political science, Kyle went back for another round, and is currently working on his master’s in journalism research while covering environmental policy, natural resources and state politics as a staff reporter at Michigan Advance.
In addition to his work at the Advance, Kyle has spent time at the Lansing State Journal and the Detroit Free Press, and has published works across the state, appearing in publications like the Detroit News, Traverse City Record Eagle, the Holland Sentinel, The Mining Journal, and the Sault News among others. His coverage of calls for polluter accountability following the Huron River hexavalent chromium spill in Summer 2022 took third place for MOWA’s 2023 C.A. “Frenchy” Paquin Award.
When he’s not running in and out of the Capitol, Kyle also chairs MOWA’s Newsletter Committee.
Bill Diem has been a member of MOWA since the early 1970s, when he was the outdoor editor t the Escanaba Daily Press. For a long time since then he has maintained his active membership and his love of outdoor life in Michigan, in spite of the fact that he had moved on to regular journalism jobs at the Mount Pleasant Daily Times-News, Gladstone Delta Reporter, Detroit Free Press and Automotive News.
That professional publication sent him to London, but not before he had purchased the Newberry News. That 135-year-old UP weekly is run by his brother Jim Diem with help from his wife and daughters, but Jim lets Bill write a weekly column, which is sometimes about trout fishing or even walleyes. When in London he met a French woman and followed her to Paris where they married. A decade of free-lancing and retirement followed, but he has fly tying equipment, rods and creels on two continents.
Russ Fimbinger is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer. His articles and photos have appeared in Michigan outdoor magazines and newspapers for the past 30 years. He has been a MOWA member since the mid 1980’s. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Marion, Michigan.
Rick Fowler has been a freelance outdoor writer for the past 24 years. His articles have been published in numerous magazine such as MICHIGAN OUTDOOR NEWS, WOODS-N-WATER, HOOKS AND BULLETS, MIDWEST OUTDOORS, THE MACKINAC JOURNAL, THE PORCUPINE PRESS, MICHIGAN OUT OF DOORS, FLYFISHING and is also a columnist for GOOD LIFE magazine. He has won two Reader’s Choice Awards as a Michigan Section writer for MIDWEST OUTDOORS and three Craft Awards with MOWA
Growing up in northwest Michigan gave him ample opportunities to fish and hunt. “Plus for the past 25 years we have owned a cottage in the Upper Peninsula on
South Manistique Lake. This means I have even more acreage and miles and miles of water to explore from both locales.”
As a youngster, he like so many others was influenced by watching Mort Neff on the original Michigan-Out-Of-Doors show. “It whet my outdoor spirit.” However, he also remembers the words from his dad who often would remark, “You are never too to learn!"
“I try to keep this in mind every time I’m on the water or in the woods. It helps keep things in perspective.”
Rick’s advice to those who are new to the outdoors is “Just like writers need to write everyday to excel, if you want to enjoy the outdoors you need to get outdoors in all four seasons. Take a walk, take binoculars or take your tent. Outdoors is the ultimate field trip.”
Rick is a retired High School English teacher. He and his wife Sue reside in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
He can be reached: rick7854@charter.net or rickandsue86@gmail.com
She began her career when she went to Michigan State University and wrote for Her Campus, an online women's magazine. There, she wrote multiple articles on topics about how to care for plants and how to be more environmentally conscious. She also designed merchandise for over 100 chapter members in the years 2021 and 2022. From there, she went to write for the Spartan Newsroom and Great Lakes Echo, where she really dove into environmental journalism.
At Great Lakes Echo, she wrote about subjects from shoreline erosion to invasive species. With her time at Echo, she also produced podcasts and created short-form videos. This led her into the world of radio at WKAR where she produced broadcasts talking about climate change and other environmental issues. Genevieve's reporting and photography at WKAR was recognized with the Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press Michigan Editors.
When she graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelors in journalism, she began her freelance career writing for outlets like Planet Detroit. Now, she's a freelance project editor for Metromode's Macomb County series Live, Work, Play and Parks and Trails. She also created a blog called The Fox Outdoors to share her love and passion for the environment. In April 2024, she will be a guest speaker at the Great Lakes Environmental Festival sharing her thoughts and experiences in environmental journalism.
Bob Garner was born in Pontiac, Michigan and grew up in Clarkston. Though he considers himself “the least interesting person I know,” he has been a longstanding figure in the background as well as the forefront of Michigan’s conservation history.
He first entered the political world as an18-year old; the first teenager in Michigan to run for public office after a new law changed the minimum age. At age 21, Bob worked in the Michigan Senate for more than three years under Senator Kerry Kammer, who was at the time the youngest serving state Senator. Kammer credits Bob Garner with the idea to introduce the Kammer Recreational Land Trust Fund Act of 1976 (P.A. 204) creating the first iteration of what is now known as the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. They worked together through a unique alliance of the Michigan Gas and Oil Association, Michigan United Conversation Clubs (MUCC), and state government leaders and lawmakers — with the blessing of former Michigan “conservation” Governor William G. Milliken and with the help of Bob’s long-time friend and hunting and fishing buddy Bill Rustem, then staff to Governor Milliken.
In 1979, Bob worked for fellow Conservation Hall of Famer, State Representative Thomas Anderson and Bob served as the only aide to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Conservation, Environment, and Recreation. Bob recalls, “I came to work in the legislature when all things were possible, and right now all things are suspect… In spite of all that, I’m more optimistic about conservation now than ever. Sometimes out of your deepest morass, comes solutions”.
Garner moved from behind the scenes in politics to in front of the camera on television in 1983, when he became producer, field producer and co-host of Michigan Outdoors. After seven years, he mentioned leaving the TV show to a group of legislators and word traveled fast—that day Speaker of the House Lewis Dodak invited Bob back to the legislature to help with the Firearms Preemption Act of 1990, which prevented local units of government from passing special taxes and ordinances to govern firearms more stringently than the state. He also went on to be assistant to Rep. Jerry Bartnik, who, back in 1984, had led the charge to protect the Trust Fund in the Michigan Constitution, which Bob helped with even though he was doing Michigan Outdoors at the time.
During his two stints around the legislature, he was involved in the creation and the negotiation of many major initiatives. While with Rep. Anderson, Garner led legislation through the House that became the Michigan Wetlands Protection Act.
“With Tom Anderson, there was no leash on me. He relied on me to determine what needed to be done.” Among other things, Bob also helped push through the bill to create the Budget and Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund), and worked on sand dunes mining regulations, soil erosion, allowing handguns for hunting in Southern Michigan and the biggest was opening up the Pigeon River Country for oil and gas drilling. Always modest though, Bob said “None of this is me …I didn’t cast a single vote.”
Bob returned to television as executive producer and host of the Michigan Out-of-Doors television show from 1993 to 1998. He still enjoys his affiliation with Public Television at Central Michigan University, who actually named him an honorary alumni in 2012 for this fundraising work and continued work on their “Ask the DNR” and “Destination Michigan” shows.
Yet another landmark for conservation that involved Bob Garner was the 1996 Proposal D and G campaign. “That was grueling…but the result was so fantastic.” He likes to say that if the conservation community couldn’t have delivered on that, we didn’t deserve all the other hard fought things we enjoyed. “We had to pull that off for the next generation.”
In the late 90s, Bob served on MUCC’s Board of Directors as treasurer. He resigned when he was appointed to the Natural Resources Commission by Governor John Engler in 1999. While he says he was honored, it wasn’t something that he had really sought out although four of his former supervisors over the years had also served on the NRC. Among the issues he was involved with over his eight years on the Commission were Bovine TB, the “deer wars”, being proactive on the Chronic Wasting Disease issue and the comprehensive land consolidation process. When he left the NRC, he was welcomed as a member of the DNR/DEQ retirees, even though he never worked for either.
While it seems like his name has been synonymous with the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund since its inception, he still feels privileged for having served on the Trust Fund Board for 10 years now—3 years as an NRC representative, before being appointed in 2006 by Governor Jennifer Granholm and serving as chair for two terms.
Garner says he’ll leave the Trust Fund Board in December 2013 after his term expires because he believes, as he did when he left the NRC, that new and younger voices need to be engaged in these discussions.
When asked to pinpoint a favorite hunting or fishing trip in Michigan, Bob finds this impossible. But he does remember one of his favorite opening days of deer season. After getting out of TV the first time (1990), he was sitting in his deer blind and for the first time in a long time he was able to enjoy his freedom from deadlines, camera crews, and interviews. But he went on to say, “Hunting, fishing, and eating and getting paid for it, that’s not too bad either.”
Beth, his wife of almost 32 years, has joined him on several fishing and hunting adventures over the years, as has his son Anders (named for the late State Representative Tom Anderson), and his lab Theo. Bob considers his “crowning achievement” to be this past January, when Anders returned to Michigan with his wife Melinda and Bob’s grandsons Devin (7) and Drake (4).
“The truth of the matter is I’ve had nothing but fun,” he says.
He has hunted or fished in every one of Michigan’s 83 counties, many other states and provinces, but claims “It’s not what you shoot or catch that will bring you back, it’s what you see” and it’s the people that make these memories special.
While Bob feels that there are many people that are in the Conservation Hall of Fame that did so much, and feels he “just stood on their shoulders and worked out the details,” we respectfully disagree.
Bob Garner has left his fingerprints on every major conservation initiative over the last 40 years. We are proud and honored to add one more award in recognition to his lifelong commitment to Michigan’s natural resources and public lands, bringing the outdoors to living rooms across the state, and landmark conservation initiatives that will last many lifetimes. We hereby induct him into MUCC’s Conservation Hall of Fame.
Matthew Gay serves as a managing partner for the Outdoor Lifestyles Media Group, editor-in-chief for
The Sporting Life, founder-publisher-editor of Wing & Clay Life Magazine and editor of Clay Shooting
USA magazine. His involvement in the sporting lifestyle began with summers spent on Lake Erie’s
Sandusky Bay, and the balance of the year in the wilds of both Michigan peninsulas. Tales of the “good
ole days” of upland hunting and fishing the northern Midwest from his World War 2 veteran grandfather
fostered a deep-rooted passion for all things wing shooting, scattergun and flyrod. Building a career in
the codes and standards world, with expertise in both technical and literary writing, has given him the
ability to share his adventures, and affinity for the finer things in life through his written works, and the
lens of his camera.
As a master-class sporting clays shooter Matthew travels around the country competing in sporting,
FITASC, Helice and flyer shoots. When the greatest time of the year arrives, he spends his fall chasing
waterfowl and upland birds in the Dakotas, salmon on the fertile waters of the Great Lakes, and his
greatest passion…Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock in the northwoods of Michigan with his Spaniel, Festus.
Denny Geurink has had stories and photos published in numerous magazines and newspapers. He was the former Midwest Editor for Field & Stream magazine. He was also a Contributing Editor for Turkey Hunting magazine and a Contributing Editor for The Outdoorsman. Denny was also a syndicated newspaper columnist for 40 years in over a dozen daily and weekly newspapers. He has had over 4,000 stories published during his career. Denny also created and hosted his own outdoor TV show called "Denny Geurink's Outdoor Adventure's" back in the '80s, before most other outdoor TV shows were created. About the only TV shows at that time were Michigan Outdoors with Mort Neff; and shows hosted by Virgle Ward and Babe Winkelman. Denny's award-winning show was aired on a number of Fox, ABC and CBS stations. His show was always number one in the Nielsen ratings against whatever other TV shows were being aired the same time. Denny's writing and TV work led to an invitation from Mikhail Gorbachev back in 1990 to come to the Soviet Union on an exploratory hunting and fishing trip. It was the era of Glasnost and Perestroika and Gorbachev was trying to generate tourism in the Soviet Union. Denny was the first outdoor writer invited to the Soviet Union. He filmed the first ever Video and TV Show done in the Soviet Union. At the time Denny was a member of OWAA and was friends with many of the newspaper editors from around the country. Many of these newspaper editors knew that Denny was going to the Soviet Union, and they wanted to publish a story about his adventures there. So, when he returned, he was interviewed by numerous newspaper outdoor editors. The story about this initial hair-raising hunting and fishing expedition appeared in newspapers all over the country. Among these papers were the Chicago Tribune, the Cleveland Plains Dealer, the Detroit News, the Denver Post and many other major papers in big cities around the country. This led to thousands of inquiries from people interested in going to the Soviet Union to hunt and fish. So, Denny teamed up with several Russian outfitters to form a hunting and fishing business offering trips to Russia and the Ukraine. It wasn't long before Denny became the No. 1 Brown Bear outfitter in the world! His clients were taking between 40 and 80 bears a year. At one time Denny had 60 out of the top 100 bears in the SCI world record book. Hey so all his booking business in 2017 and retired. Denny has written two books and produced 5 videos. Danny now spends most of his time as a keynote speaker at numerous sport shows and banquets, including being a keynote speaker at the national SCI Conventions. Denny has won numerous awards during his career in the outdoors. Among his most crowning achievements are being elected to the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and honored with a Golden Glow Award from the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW). It's their version of a Hall of Fame award for an outstanding career in the outdoors.
Ron Hilliard is a meteorologist and journalist, who currently serves on the 4Warn Weather team at WDIV/Local 4 Detroit.
Previous experience includes reporting for WJET-TV and WFXP-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania and reporting and anchoring at TV Warren in Warren, Michigan. He also freelanced at WNEM TV5 in Saginaw and Flint, Michigan.
The Detroit native began to study weather and current affairs at an early age. He graduated from Communications and Media Arts High School in Detroit; Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in the Interdisciplinary Humanities of Communications, Spanish and Theater; and Specs Howard School of Media Arts with a Broadcast Media Arts diploma. He continued his meteorology studies at Mississippi State University.
Ron enjoys photographing and spending time in nature. He wants to address environmental concerns, while encouraging people to get outdoors.
Owner of Willoughby Press, Printing and Publishing.
Have retired from the printing side of the business but am still involved in the publishing side. Have been working with Commemorative Bucks of Michigan (CBM) for over 35 years as publisher of Buck Fax magazine and have been involved in all ten volumes of “Michigan Big Game Records”, complete responsibility for editions 8, 9 and 10. Currently scheduled to publish the 11th edition in 2018 after the close of the 2017 CBM scoring period on March 31, 2018.
Chuck has been an outdoor writer for 40 plus years, specializing in bird hunting mostly waterfowl. He grew up in Saginaw and now resides along the banks of the Kawkawlin River in Bay City.
In addition to writing for numerous magazines and newspapers he was a columnist for several publications including 20 years with
Wildfowl Magazine. He self-published one book and authored a Michigan fishing book.
His outdoor pursuits have taken him abroad to New Zealand, South Africa, Iceland, and various other hunting destinations internationally and domestic. Although his travels keep him busy, he still manages to crank out an article from time to time.
Tom Lounsbury has been a freelance outdoor writer/photographer for more than 32 years. He has written a weekly outdoor newspaper column for more than 31 years per the Huron Daily Tribune and The Tuscola County Advertiser, as well as he has written regularly for Woods – N – Water News since that publication’s early days, and has had a weekly radio show (Tom Lounsbury Outdoors – WLEW, Bad Axe) now for over 10 years. He also has had articles in other outdoor publications.
Tom joined MOWA in 1985 and has served on the Board and is a past president, and is presently co-chairman of the Nominations Committee. He has received several MOWA Craft Awards.
A lifelong resident of the “Thumb”, Tom is the 4th generation to own the family Centennial farm, which he has the majority of in conservation programs (he was the Tuscola County 2007 Wildlife Conservationist of the Year). He got his start in the outdoors when his mother took him on a pheasant hunt (he was the “pooch”) when he was 3 years old and he has been pursuing local wild pheasants ever since, as well as raising and training dogs for the purpose. Tom’s favorite outdoor passions are those that he can pursue locally and he is very pleased with what Michigan has to offer statewide.
Tom is fluent with firearms (rifles, shotguns, handguns and muzzleloaders) and archery (primitive, traditional and compound bows, as well as crossbows). He is also a Hunter Education Instructor and firmly believes in promoting the outdoors for the youth.
Email: tlounsburyoutdoors@gmail.com
Married to Becky, with three adult children.
Saginaw Valley State College alum
Retired from law enforcement
Outfitter and Guide as my ‘second’ career
Own/operate: Wild Game Dynasty, A professional hunting outfitter/guide service in Michigan and Missouri. WildGameDynasty.com: book hunt & highlights an active blog for clients and friends of WGD, including a line of handcrafted game calls.
The Michigan Resources Stewards is a conservation and environmental advocacy organization, organized in 1997. It is comprised primarily of retired DNR, DEQ and EGLE personnel from a wide range of professional backgrounds. MRS is also strengthened by members who didn’t spend a career in governmental resource agencies but were active in hands-on conservation efforts and in leadership positions in non-governmental programs and organizations.
For 26 years, members have contributed time and talent on behalf of Michigan’s natural wonders. The motto of the Stewards is Resource Professionals Continuing a Tradition of Service. This is no empty phrase. It succinctly describes what members are all about. After decades of public or volunteer service, they still devote many miles and hours toward the same conservation and environmental goals as in preceding years. Their conservation ethic is as
strong as ever.
Since its beginning, the Stewards have been widely recognized and respected for their professional, non-political science-based approach to conservation and natural resource management issues. Members have been active in a variety of venues to help ensure that wise long-term management decisions are made by public agencies and conservation organizations. MRS does this by partnering with organizations such as MUCC, the Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Outdoor Writers Association, and other groups whose efforts we support. Members serve on a variety of committees and work groups, providing professional background experience, knowledge and input. Individual stewards serve on government task forces and advisory councils. Knowing many of the key decision-makers personally, and having vital knowledge of the structure, laws and procedures that make government function, are attributes that have great value in the process of influencing decisions. But while members are familiar with the function of agencies and politics, we are wholly non-political in practice. We take stands based on knowledge and facts, and long-term protection of the resources, not based on political favor or partisanship. Influence is used on behalf of the resources and the public, not a political agenda.
For a quarter century, members have provided testimony before the Natural Resources Commission and other public decision-making bodies. Resolutions and White Papers adopted and prepared by MRS members document our positions on issues as wide-ranging as Chronic Wasting Disease to sulfide ore mining. Groups have requested that the Stewards study and take stands on various issues to support them in their efforts. MRS frequently takes a formal stand on key actions or issues by means of Resolutions or letters to appropriate governmental officials. These formal declarations are deemed valuable by groups involved in contentious issues with long-lasting consequences.
In recognition of its many contributions to the resources of Michigan, the Michigan Resource Stewards organization was inducted into the Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame in 2019. It is our intention to continue service to Michigan for years to come. In an effort to reverse the trend of a weakened voice for conservation MRS urges outdoor enthusiasts of all varieties to become involved with the groups that represent their interests. Collectively, we are the voice of the land, forests, lakes and rivers, wildlife, fisheries, and every other part of the natural world that we hold precious.
Jeff is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer from Lapeer, Michigan and is a regular contributor to several national and regional outdoor recreation publications. He is fortunate to live in Michigan where outdoor recreational opportunities abound and weekends typically find him on the water, in the woods, or in the field with his two bird dogs.
Born and raised in southeastern Michigan, Dennis Neely is an award winning freelance writer and photographer. He is an active member of the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association and the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
Dennis is considered by some to be one of the foremost authorities on traditional black powder hunting. For over 35 years, he has pursued and taken white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, small game and waterfowl with a flintlock smoothbore called “Old Turkey Feathers” while dressed in the linen and leather clothing of a 1790-era backwoodsman. His engaging 18th-century essays are based on actual hunting exploits near the headwaters of the River Raisin, and his stories help preserve America’s rich hunting heritage for loyal readers in over 60 countries.
Dennis writes two monthly columns, “Traditional Black Powder Hunting,” and the “Black Powder Shooting Sports.” His “River Raisin Journal” essays are a collection of nature reflections, transcribed from actual journal entries that touch on a broad spectrum of outdoor activities on a southern Michigan farm that borders the River Raisin. In addition, Dennis’ “Small Town, Anywhere” series focuses on the fond memories, youthful impressions and painful life lessons associated with growing up and staying in a Midwestern small town.
Dennis Neely
email: dennis@dennisneely.com
http://dennisneely.com/
http://traditionalblackpowderhunting.com/
Tom O’Boyle is a Host, Photographer, Narrator of the Great Getaways travel and adventure show. “Dennis Serra and I have been producing an Out-Door TV show for over 30 years traveling throughout the Mid-West and Ontario.” From our first series Discovering Michigan to the Northern Experience, and now Great Getaways. It is a series that spotlights active getaways adventures across the Mid-West and Canada with emphasis on the outdoors. We travel to a variety of destinations and talk to the locals and enjoy the vacation and recreational opportunities. The show can be found On PBS and Fun Roads TV.
Bill Parker has been writing about Michigan’s outdoors for 30 years and has been the editor of Michigan Outdoor News since its inception in January 2000.
Prior to that he was a sports editor and the outdoors editor for the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers for 13 years (1986-1999), and was a sports writer/photographer for the Glendale Star (Arizona) in the early 1980s while attending college. Bill’s freelance articles (1985-1999) have appeared in Michigan Hunting & Fishing Magazine (field editor), Michigan Out of Doors Magazine, Fur Fish & Game Magazine, World Bowhunter Magazine, Woods-n-Water News and the Huron Daily Tribune.
Hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking and camping have been staples in Bill’s life. His father taught Bill and his two brothers about the outdoors from an early age and that exposure has turned into a lifelong passion.
Bill has been a member of MOWA since 1990. He is a past president (5 years) and a past board member. He also has worked on several committees including Craft Awards (chairman), Clean Waters Award, Teddy Awards and the Papa Bear Award.
Over Bill’s career as an outdoors writer he has won dozens of awards for his writing and photography including MOWA’s inaugural Dave Richey Communicator of the Year Award (2015) and Michigan United Conservation Club’s Ben East Communicator of the Year Award (2015).
Bill lives in Lake Orion with his wife of 27 years, Donna. They have two grown daughters, Jenelle and Kayle, who share Bill’s passion for the outdoors. He also own a German short-haired pointer, Brady, “a five-year-old hunting machine.”
Tom Pink has been a freelance writer since 1986. He often writes about waterfowl hunting and general nature observations, but he has written about hunting turkeys, white-tailed deer, small game, morels, and much more, including stand-up paddle boarding. He has been writing obituaries for more than 30 years, as well as producing advertising and marketing for community causes, including hospice stories, downtown development features, and waterfront development articles. He can help with content for social media platforms, too.
Drop him a line at soopaddler@gmail.com
WNMU is a contributing member and its Program and Traffic Manager, Tod Poirier, is their representative.
WNMU is the Upper Peninsula’s PBS station, carrying regional outdoor programming such as Great Getaways, Michigan Out of Doors, and Wilderness Journal; and National programming such as Nature, Epic Trails, Fishing Behind The Lines, and 2 Les Stroud series.
Before a career in broadcast television, Tod Poirier was a jack of all trades. During summers while at college he was a rafting guide on the Snake River, and later a degree in Architectural Technologies turned into distantly related jobs in Log Home Design, Computer Animation, Computer Programming, Graphic Design, and Photography. In his private life he is an avid hiker, camper, fly fisherman and operates a portable sawmill.
Tod has also been a guest several times on 2 of the most popular regional outdoor television programs: Great Getaways and Discovering.
For more information on WNMU contact Tod at tpoirer@nmu.edu
Jonathan Schechter is the Nature Education Writer for Oakland County Parks and an active member of The Wilderness Medical Society as well as being the current Vice President of MOWA. He has a Master of Science Degree in Forest Resources from the University of Washington in Seattle and is an active backpacker and former park naturalist. For 11 years he had a weekly award-winning Sunday feature hiking/nature column in The Oakland Press and wrote for the Birmingham-Bloomfield Eccentric for seven years before that.
He contributes monthly to Woods N Water News on the topic of Outdoor Safety and First Aid and has a feature story in the 2015 Travelers Guide to Traverse City. Other recent significant writings include two nationally published story for Parks Recreation & Business Magazine, one on creating creative interpretive signage, the other on trail development with equestrian users in mind. When not out hiking, kayaking or exploring in Michigan he can be found in the mountains of North Carolina , the low country of South Carolina or the deserts of the American Southwest.
In the past few years he has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro and trekked across northern Israel for the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee. Schechter lives on ll acres in Brandon Township Michigan and can be reached at oaknature@aol.com His weekly "Wilder Side of Oakland County" blog appears on the government site of Oakland County and can be viewed at OaklandCountyblog.com and on Schechter's nature-rich Facebook site.
Tim Schulz lives in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. His business cards say professor of engineering, but he lives a secret life as a writer, musician, part-time fishing guide, and sluggish skater on North America’s slowest and oldest hockey team. He regularly contributes to Hatch Magazine and published his first book, The Habits of Trout—And Other Unsolved Mysteries, in 2018. His second book, A Cast Away in Montana, with cover art and illustrations by Bob White and foreword by Jerry Dennis, is scheduled for publication in May 2024.
For more than 45 years, Bill Semion has been a news / feature writing / public relations professional with extensive experience in managing, writing and editing press releases, feature articles, brochures, video scripts and studies. His writing and editing experience runs the gamut from newspapers and magazines to the Internet. His Current contributions include Michigan Blue Magazine, Woods & Water News, Leisurevans.com/blog, the AIM Weekend Walleye Series and others. He has received many awards for his writing and is a recipient of MOWA’s Papa Bear Award. Bill spends as much time as possible fishing or cross-country and downhill skiing in his own corner of northern Michigan in his house on the Au Sable River’s South Branch near Roscommon.
Dennis Serra, Producer, Editor, Videographer, Writer, and Director (and just about everything else) of Great Sand Bay Productions decided the best way to enjoy life was in the outdoors. So, in 1988 he started his first TV series called Discovering Michigan and started traveling our great state. But it wasn’t long before he began wandering outside of Michigan to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario which started the second series called the Northern Experience. Then in 2003 it was decided to change the name once again, this time to Great Getaways, the perfect name for the show. Today Denny spends most of his time exploring the small towns and wilderness areas in his home state of Michigan.
I’ve been writing articles for publication for about 50 years now. I started writing outdoor material and taking outdoor photos for Marquette’s daily newspaper, The Mining Journal, when I was in high school. I eventually started producing articles, columns and photos for the newspaper on a weekly basis and contributed to other newspapers in Michigan and Wisconsin as well. My focus gradually shifted to marketing articles and photos to state, regional and national magazines and I’ve been writing for magazines ever since. Over the years, my work has been published in most major outdoor magazines. I was a field editor for Deer & Deer Hunting and Bear Hunting Magazines for a number of years. My first book, which was titled Deer Hunting, was published by Stackpole Books in 1978. The 4th edition of that book was published by the same publisher in 2011, and I won a 1st place award for that book in MOWA’s annual writing competition. Well over 100,000 copies of all editions of that book have been sold. I’ve written a total of 26 books. I also won a MOWA award for my most recent book, the 2nd edition of Black Bear Hunting. I’m the only person I know of in North America to have photographed a grizzly bear attack. I got to go along with a Montana game warden who was relocating a problem grizzly in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. Needless to day, the relocation did not go as planned. That sequence of photos has been published all over the world and has been used in several television productions. I started shooting video in 2003 and I wish I had done so sooner. Since then I’ve produced two DVDs. One is Field Judging Black Bears that is 46 minutes in length. The other is Walking With Whitetails, which is 90 minutes long. I’m also a seminar speaker at hunting shows, banquets and other events about a variety of topics that can be seen on my website. My books and DVDs can also be ordered through my website: www.richardpsmith.com. I have a Facebook page.
Since 1995, Maureen (mo) Stine has been designing and implementing interpretive public programs, curriculum, and professional development opportunities for colleagues, teachers, and children throughout the Great Lakes Basin. Maureen leads programs across Michigan as a 'roving park interpreter' for all audiences including under-served and socially disadvantaged migrant, immigrant and refugee children, and blind and low-vision children through multi-sensory nature explorations. Ice fishing for groups is her signature program. Maureen is a Certified Heritage Interpreter through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional through the National Recreation and Park Association, a Certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT) and in 2016 was the first person in the State of Michigan to become a Certified Environmental Educator, Professional (EEC-P) with the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE).
Maureen is a published essayist writing outdoor themes for NAI’s Legacy publication and MAEOE’s MAEOEgram. Her first non-fiction book: Grass Left Standing: A Park Interpreter's Road Map to Forest Bathing (Mission Point Press, Traverse City) is slated for public release in May 2024.
Few individuals have had a more significant, positive impact on Michigan’s recreational fishing than former Director of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Dr. Howard Tanner.
The impact of Tanner’s successful introduction of Pacific salmon into the Great Lakes in the mid-1960’s is still felt today and estimates of the economic value of Tanner’s work range as high as $10 billion dollars.
In recognition of his efforts, Tanner was recently inducted into the Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame where a plaque commemorating his contributions will hang in the MDNR’s Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac Michigan.
Tanner was hired as the Fisheries Division Chief for Michigan’s Department of Conservation (later renamed to Michigan Department of Natural Resources) in 1964 and went on to serve as the Director of Michigan’s DNR. He graduated with a PhD in Fisheries Science from Michigan State University in 1959 and worked at the Colorado Game, Fish and Parks Department prior to returning to Michigan.
The Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame was founded by the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) in 2017. The MOHoF recognizes individuals or organizations who have had statewide, regional or national significance in an outdoor sport, communications, conservation, government, or education.
Mike Terrell has written for SKI, Skiing, Ski Press, Snow Country, Cross Country Skier, Chicago Tribune, Booth Newspapers, Detroit Free Press and regional magazines. His outdoor column has appeared year-round for over 36 years in the Traverse City Record Eagle. He is currently Midwest Editor for SnoCountry.com.
Amanda is a transplanted Michigan resident, but don’t hold that against her – at least she moved straight to the U.P.! Upon her uprooting in 2005, the new Michigan soil, er, rock was perfect for unfurling her branches. With an English major and writing minor from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, all she needed was a little inspiration. Fortunately, Copper Harbor had a lot.
While filling notebooks with adventures, experiences, favorite places and pure magic, she realized she better start sharing with the world.
Her first book, Little Slices of da Harbor – Copper Harbor, MI, came out in 2014. The characters tell their stories concisely, and, as the reader settles in, they can sense how the speakers’ attitudes change during each season. Her second book, Touring the Tip: Copper Harbor’s Adventure Guide, helps visitors and locals get out on their bike, in their hiking boots, in their kayak or on their skis. This guide is intended to help the user experience the area while providing the persona of a personal tour guide. This guide also won third place in the MOWA Craft Awards for Best Book in 2015.
Other than that, she keeps trying to get out there and experience the great wide U.P. from many silent sports angles. Then she shares her experiences through her blog (www.daharbor.blogspot.com). She’s published other stories in several different publications throughout Michigan including Traverse Magazine, The Great Lakes Pilot, ActionHub.com, Yooper Steez Blog, Porcupine Press and The Copper UP. Outside of Michigan, she has been hired to write for FreeHub Magazine and Mountain Flyer. She has also traveled and written for two separate Pure Michigan campaigns.
Her recent awards include:
2014 – 1st honorable mention in the 2nd Annual U.P. Nature Writing Contest
2015 – 3rd place for best color photo in the MOWA Craft Awards
2015 – 3rd place for best book in the MOWA Craft Awards
2015 – 2nd place for best feature article in the MOWA Craft Awards
2015 – honored to be a judge for the 3rd Annual U.P. Nature Writing Contest
Joan Young has enjoyed the out-of-doors her entire life. Highlights of her outdoor adventures include Girl Scouting, which provided yearly training in camp skills, the opportunity to engage in a 10-day canoe trip, and numerous short backpacking excursions. She was selected to attend the 1965 Senior Scout Roundup in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, an international event to which 10,000 girls were invited. She has ridden a bicycle from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean in 1986, and on August 3, 2010 became the first woman to complete the North Country National Scenic Trail on foot. Her mileage totaled 4395 miles.
She writes an award-winning monthly column for the Ludington Daily News called "Get Off the Couch," and an outdoor column for the Mason County Press.
Recently she has begun writing more fiction, including the Anastasia Raven mysteries, and the Dubois Files mysteries for children.
Drew YoungeDyke is the National Communications Director for Trout Unlimited, Owner of Central Lake Fly Company, and serves as Vice President of the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association and on the Board of Directors of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. He is also a member of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. He writes regularly about conservation issues, fly fishing, fly tying, hunting, camping, and other forms of outdoor recreation for TROUT, Michigan Trout, and Woods’n’Water News. His writing has also appeared in National Wildlife magazine, Adventure Journal, Michigan Outdoor News, Michigan Out-of-Doors, The Riverwatch, and multiple conservation blogs. His work has earned awards from the Outdoor Writers Association of America, the Conservation Media Awards by 2% for Conservation, the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, and the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association. He lives in Ann Arbor and splits most of his free time fishing, hunting, camping, skiing, or surfing between his Upper Peninsula cottage, his northern Michigan hometown of Central Lake, and the Pigeon River Country.