Outdoor Writers Association of America is pleased to announce that Matthew Liere of Spokane, Washington, was recognized as an award recipient for the 2019 OWAA Excellence in Craft Contests. This annual awards program recognizes and honors the best work of outdoor communicators who are members of OWAA. This year, 67 individuals took home over $11,000 in cash prizes.

His awards:

Second place in the outdoor fun and adventure category of the newspaper contest for “The ice whisperer,” published on February 15, 2018, in The Spokesman-Review. The outdoor fun & adventure category recognizes the best outdoor recreation work from the various non-consumptive sports. This includes, but is not limited to, outdoor sports such as camping/backpacking, boating, hiking, birding, snow skiing, orienteering, mountain biking and general outdoor activities. The prize money for this category was sponsored by Izaak Walton League of America.

Second place in the humor category of the newspaper contest for “Remembering the great Pat McManus,” published on April 14, 2018, in The Spokesman-Review. The humor category recognizes pieces that are funny and outdoor oriented.
Matthew Liere is a freelance columnist for The Spokesman-Review. His work highlights personal exploits based loosely on truth and heavy on nostalgic fiction. Liere had a 23-year career with the Coast Guard’s aviation division before picking up a pen and launching a new career as a writer.

About OWAA
The 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. Visit http://www.owaa.org for more info.