The Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild was established in 1980 as the Outdoor Writers Guild - a professional group for writers specialising in the outdoors. In 2006 the Guild changed its name to Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild to recognise that members had professional skills in other areas to writing, with an informal strapline ‘Words and Pictures from the Outdoors’. Today’s membership includes writers, journalists, photographers, illustrators, broadcasters, film-makers, artists, web designers, publishers and editors, but all with the common bond of a passionate interest in the outdoors.
Most members are based in the UK although membership extends internationally. It has over 150 members and is run by a committee of members. The current chair is the prolific writer and journalist Stan Abbott. His predecessor, whom he succeeded in October 2021, was the mountaineering writer and Boardman Tasker winner, Peter Gillman, who was chair for five years, and is now the guild's vice-chair.
Each year, the Guild hosts an AGM and Awards weekend, at various locations across the UK and Channel Islands. Previous destinations have included Isle of Wight, Snowdonia, Jersey, Shropshire and Northumberland. The weekend is an opportunity for members to come together for learning workshops, the awards ceremony, the Annual General Meeting as well as social events.
Awards
The Guild annually presents Awards for Excellence, which are open to members only, as well as a number of other awards to confirm its links with the outdoor trade.
Awards which members can enter include Outdoor Article/Feature, Technical Article/Feature, Guidebook, Photography, Digital, Outdoor Book
Recent winners can be found on the OWPG website under "Awards".
These include the prestigious Derryck Draper Award for Innovation, and the Golden Eagle Award, presented annually people who have 'rendered distinguished or meritorious service to the outdoors generally'.
Golden Eagle Award
The Golden Eagle Award, an original watercolour painting by Guild member, David Bellamy, is presented to a person who has rendered distinguished or meritorious service to the outdoors generally. Past recipients have been:
2022: Nick Owen MBE
2019-21: Not awarded
2018: Chris Packham
2017: Richard Fox
2015–16: no award
2014: John Grimshaw
2013: No award
2012: Dr Adam Watson
2011: Bill Bryson
2010: Jonathan Williams
2009: Marion Shoard
2008: Sir Chris Bonington CBE
2007: W. R. 'Bill' Mitchell MBE
2006: Kate Ashbrook and Robin and Sue Harvey
2005: Doug Scott CBE
2004: Sir David Attenborough
2003: Alan Blackshaw and Cedric Robinson MBE
2002: John Cleare
2001: Tom Weir
2000: Irvine Butterfield
1999: Chris Brasher CBE
1998: Alan Mattingly
1997: Dr Rennie McOwan
1996: Walt Unsworth
1995: Ken Wilson
OWPG Award for Technical Innovation (formerly the Derryck Draper Award) Award winners since 2022 2022: Garmin inReach Mini2
From 2006 to 2021, the former "OWG Crystal award" was renamed in memory of one of the Guild’s founder members and a past Chairman, Derryck Draper.
Award winners 2006-2021
2021: PrimaLoft® P.U.R.E.™ (Produced Using Reduced Emissions) 2020: Not awarded 2019: Not awarded 2018: Not awarded 2017: Outdoor Design Logistics X-tex breathable fabric for single skin tents 2016: Pertex CS10 Technology fabric 2015: Osprey’s suspended AntiGravity™ backsystem 2014: Primaloft Down Blend Insulation 2013: Brunton Hydrogen Reactor 2012: Biolite Campstove 2011: Neoshell Fabric by Polartec 2010: Laser Photon tent by TerraNova 2009: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir mattress by Cascade Designs 2008: Teko socks system 2007: Satmap Active 10 GPS 2006: Steripen
Crystal Award
The Outdoor Writers Guild Crystal Award replaced the Golden Boot Award in 1999. It was presented for ‘innovation in the outdoors generally’. Award winners 1999: Perseverance Mills (Pertex) 2000: Brasher Boot Company 2001: Nextec (Encapsulated Fabrics) 2002: GoLite 2003: Not awarded 2004: Lyon Equipment