# Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association > An organization of outdoor writers, photographers, podcasters, and radio and television communicators ## Posts - [The WOCA 2025 Conference is in the books!](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2025/09/02/the-woca-2025-conference-is-in-the-books/): Nineteen folks attended the 2025 workshop, a cookout was honchoed by chefs Ron Weber and Bob Haase, and members enjoyed a wide range of speakers on ice fishing, public forests, the glowing success of wild turkeys reintroduced in Wisconsin, the world's largest musky shop, wildlife rehabilitation, CWD spread, tick borne disease, trends among deer hunters, and more. - [Madison, Wisconsin to Host 2026 OWAA Conference](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2025/09/02/madison-wisconsin-to-host-2026-owaa-conference/): During its annual conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) announced it selected Madison, Wisconsin, as the host for its 2026 conference. That event will help kick off the organization’s centennial celebration. - [Wisconsin Green Fire Reports Wake Boat Hearing](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2025/09/02/wisconsin-green-fire-reports-wake-boat-hearing/): A hearing has been scheduled even sooner than expected for Tuesday, August 26th. Now is an important time to stand up for our lakes and rivers. The coalition is strong because of our shared commitment to protecting Wisconsin's waters, shoreline property, and aquatic ecosystems. The anticipated bill is unlikely to be even close to protective enough for our lakes and rivers. - [2025 Scholarship Winner Announced!](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2025/08/12/2025-scholarship-winner-announced/): Matthew Crawford, a junior in Communications at UW-LaCrosse, is the winner of the WOCA OHEC scholarship for 2025! - [WOCA Annual Meeting Registration Now Open!](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2025/05/13/woca-annual-meeting-registration-now-open/): Registration for the Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators annual meeting and workshop on August 1-2 in Eagle River is now open. Here’s a link to the informative agenda. Rub elbows with pros in outdoor communication. Join us! - [May 2024 WOCA Newsletter](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2024/05/04/may-2024-woca-newsletter/): We’re less than three months from our annual summer conference at Trees for Tomorrow (Aug. 2-3), and we hope you plan to attend! - [January 2024 WOCA Newsletter](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2024/01/09/woca-newsletter/): Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council has shared information about the Prescribed Fire Conference set for Februany 2-3 at UW-Platteville. Registration is now open - [WOCA Member and Environmental Sociologist Tom Heberlein Has Died](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2024/01/09/woca-member-and-environmental-sociologist-tom-heberlein-has-died/): Thomas A. Heberlein, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Community and Environmental Sociology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and Visiting Professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, died early January 4, 2024 with his wife, Betty, at his side. He was a frequent speaker […] - [The 2024 Annual WOCA Workshop is August 2-3, 2024](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2024/01/09/the-2024-annual-woca-workshop-is-august-2-3-2024/): A wolf management plan workshop and recent updates to this year's upcoming events at the 2024 WOCA Annual Meeting. - [The 2023 WOCA Workshop is in the books.](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2024/01/09/the-2023-woca-workshop-is-in-the-books/): Recommendations for legislation, redesignation of native fish, recruitment of young outdoor communicators, and scholarship updates. - [Dan Small and Tim Eisele Honored by National Wild Turkey Federation](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2024/01/04/wild-turkey/): Two WOCA members honored for their work on behalf of conservation. - [WOCA 2022 Annual Meeting July 22-23](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2023/07/02/2022-meeting/): Make plans now to attend the WOCA 2022 Annual Meeting at Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River, on July 22-23. This year's workshop agenda looks very compelling and something you will not want to miss. If possible, also make plans to attend the Friday night cookout. - [Lifetime WOCA member Tom Muench Passed Away April 8, 2021](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/2021/04/08/lifetime-woca-member-tom-muench-passed-away-april-8-2021/): Eugene “Tom” Muench, age 84, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021 at his home. Originally from Antigo, he lived most of his life in Tomah. Tom’s WOCA history According to Tim Eisele, Tom participated in WOCA’s first informational meeting in 1976. At the time, he was a regional reporter for Wisconsin Sportsman magazine. Tim recalls […] ## Pages - [2025 WOCA Annual Meeting Photos](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/photo-galleries/2025-woca-annual-meeting-photos/): 2025 WOCA Annual Meeting Photos - [2024 WOCA Annual Meeting Photos](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/photo-galleries/2024-woca-annual-meeting-photos/): 2024 WOCA Annual Meeting Photos - [2021 WOCA Annual Meeting Photos](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/photo-galleries/2021-woca-annual-meeting/): 2021 WOCA Annual Meeting Photos - [WOCA 2025 Meeting Agenda](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/annual-meetings/woca-meeting-agenda/): WOCA 2025 Meeting Agenda 2025 Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association Annual MeetingTrees For Tomorrow Conference Center, Eagle River, Wis. Friday, Aug. 1 5 to 6:25 p.m.: Dinner and Social at Trees for Tomorrow, The meal will feature grilled “fireman’s corn,” and brats and/or hamburgers/cheeseburgers. Location: Outside the dining hall. 7 to 8 p.m. Evening Session: How […] - [Meeting Registration](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/annual-meetings/meeting-registration/): Meeting Registration Registration will open again in 2026. Please check back! - [Annual Meetings](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/annual-meetings/): Annual Meetings The 2026 WOCA Annual Meeting will be at Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River, July 31 and August 1, 2026. Don’t miss it! The Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Annual Workshop is one of the best deals going to get up to speed on outdoor recreational trends and issues. Speakers include newsmakers like the Department […] - [Past Newsletters](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/news/past-newsletters/): Past Newsletters To view any of the WOCA past Newsletters, just click on the appropriate link below.  As of 2018 we have discontinued the newsletter and will post all related information under “News”.  This will allow us to post all information as soon as it becomes available and not wait to put it in the […] - [Minutes of Annual Meetings](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/annual-meetings/minutes-of-annual-meetings/): Minutes of Annual Meetings 2025 Announcements Nineteen folks attended the 2025 workshop, a cookout was honchoed by chefs Ron Weber and Bob Haase, and members enjoyed a wide range of speakers on ice fishing, public forests, the glowing success of wild turkeys reintroduced in Wisconsin, the world’s largest musky shop, wildlife rehabilitation, CWD spread, tick […] - [Home](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/): Supporting Community Through Education Our WOCA/OHEC Scholarship allows us to foster the growth of writers from across Wisconsin. Ryan Esch, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, is the recipient of the 2019 Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association and Outdoor Heritage Education Center scholarship. At the time, Ryan was a senior student in Wildlife Ecology, […] - [News](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/news/) - [Membership](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/membership/): Membership Membership is open to anyone involved in outdoor communications. We meet annually to share our skills and knowledge, and provide a communications link among the state’s outdoor communicators and content creators. The WOCA 2025 annual meeting is Aug. 1-2 at the Trees for Tomorrow education center in Eagle River. Please make plans to attend […] - [Photo Galleries](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/photo-galleries/): Photo Galleries 2024 Annual Meeting Photos - [About WOCA](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/about-woca/): About WOCA The Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association is an organization of outdoor writers, photographers, podcasters, and radio and television communicators. Membership is open to anyone involved in outdoor communications. We meet annually to share our skills and knowledge, and provide a communications link among the state’s outdoor communicators and content creators. The WOCA 2024 annual […] - [Officers & Board](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/officers-board/): WOCA Officers President: Patrick Durkin; (715) 514-2663; patrickdurkin56@gmail.com Vice President: Bob Haase; (920) 922-8003 Secretary: Laurel Steffes; (608) 222-9738; Laurel.Steffes@gmail.com Treasurer: Laurel Steffes; (608) 222-9738 Membership Chair: Vacant Newsletter Editor: Laurel Steffes (608) 222-9738; Laurel.Steffes@gmail.com Webmaster: Bob Haase Board of Directors - [Scholarship Recipients](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/scholarships/past-scholarship-recipients/): Scholarship Recipients Matthew Crawford at University of Wisconsin – La Crosse is the 2025 WOCA/OHEC Scholarship recipient Matthew Crawford has established himself as a skilled fisherman and content creator, recognized for his extensive knowledge and experience across the state’s diverse fishing environments. He shares informative content and fishing reports on Instagram and Facebook, offering valuable insights […] - [Scholarships](https://wisoutdoorcommunicators.org/scholarships/): 2026 Scholarship Information To apply: Students MUST submit three items: (1) cover letter, outlining their interest in outdoor communication; and a (2) 750 maximum word outdoor recreation-related article with/or without illustration, OR completed 1- to 3-minute outdoor recreation-related audio or video presentation; plus applicants must provide a (3) letter of recommendation from a professor or […] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)