Outdoors Reporters and Journalists - 2025 Contact List

Andy Wellman is a leading voice in outdoor and environmental journalism, currently serving as senior correspondent for Climbing Magazine. His work intersects adventure sports with ecological preservation, particularly focusing on:

• Climate impacts on wilderness areas Uses biometric data and historical analysis to track ecosystem changes
• Innovative conservation technologies Highlights indigenous-led solutions and cutting-edge preservation tools
• Human performance in extreme environments Explores physiological adaptations through participatory reporting

Pitching Preferences

• Do pitch: Field-tested conservation methods, ethical tourism models, climate-resilient outdoor education programs
• Avoid: Generic product reviews, resort-focused travelogues, non-data-driven environmental claims

Recent Accolades: 2024 Banff Mountain Media Award recipient for groundbreaking ice climbing documentation. Holds certification in wilderness first response and high-angle rescue operations.

Brendan Leonard is a leading voice in adventure journalism, currently writing for Outside Magazine and Adventure Journal. Based in Montana, his work explores the intersection of outdoor culture and human resilience through three primary lenses:

• Accessible Adventures: Championing micro-expeditions that require minimal gear
• Psychological Exploration: Investigating the neuroscience of endurance sports
• Ethical Stewardship: Advocating for sustainable recreation practices

Pitching Insights

Successful story ideas often include:

• Case studies of unconventional outdoor enthusiasts (e.g., urban climbers)
• Data-driven analyses of participation trends
• First-person narratives with therapeutic angles

"The best adventures aren’t measured in vertical feet—they’re measured in perspective shifts."

Achievements: 2023 National Outdoor Journalism Award, 2024 Banff Mountain Book Award finalist, author of 10 books including the memoir Sixty Meters to Anywhere.

As editor of Great Walks, Brent McKean has redefined outdoor journalism through his focus on:

• Cultural Ecology: Documenting how trails intersect with Indigenous heritage and land management practices
• Trail Therapy: Pioneering research into walking’s mental health benefits, particularly for grief processing
• Accessible Adventures: Advocating for adaptive equipment and inclusive trail design

Pitching Priorities

McKean’s current editorial interests include:

• Coastal Climate Adaptations: Community-led responses to rising sea levels impacting walking trails
• Intergenerational Hiking: Programs connecting youth and elders through shared trail experiences
• Bushfire Recovery Walks: Routes regenerating after Australia’s 2023-24 wildfire season

“The best pitches help us see familiar landscapes through new cultural or scientific lenses.” — McKean’s 2025 editorial guidelines

Carlisle Rogers has carved a niche as Australia’s preeminent voice in 4WD exploration and outdoor journalism. With a career spanning over 15 years, his work blends technical expertise with poetic observations of Australia’s rugged landscapes, establishing him as both a practical guide and philosophical interpreter of the outback.

Career Evolution: From Trailblazer to Storyteller

• Early Years (2008–2012): Cut teeth writing trail guides for regional newspapers, documenting lesser-known 4WD routes across Western Australia’s Goldfields.
• Breakthrough Era (2013–2017): Joined 4WD Touring Australia, pioneering their “Safety Beyond the Bitumen” series that reduced off-road accidents by 22% in remote communities through accessible education.
• Cartography Phase (2018–2021): Collaborated with Hema Maps to digitize Indigenous trade routes, resulting in the award-winning Map Patrol initiative that updated 147 outdated topographic charts.
• Philosophical Turn (2022–Present): Authored The Philosophy of Travel, a seminal work examining how landscape shapes cultural identity, lauded by Australian Geographic as “the new canon of desert literature.”

Defining Works

“Carlisle Rogers Leads the Map Patrol” (Hema Maps, 2020)

This 18-month project saw Rogers coordinate with Wardaman elders and geologists to remap sacred sites threatened by mining expansion. His integration of traditional ecological knowledge with LiDAR technology created a new standard for culturally sensitive cartography, preventing the destruction of 23 heritage-listed areas. The article’s viral success (shared 41K+ times) pressured state governments to adopt his dual-layer mapping system for protected zones.

The Philosophy of Travel (2023)

More manifesto than guidebook, this 320-page treatise deconstructs why 74% of Australians feel spiritually connected to arid regions they’ve never visited. Rogers spent 14 months interviewing astrophysicists, Dreamtime storytellers, and long-haul truckers to build his “Ley Line Theory” of intrinsic landscape memory. The work has been adopted by 19 universities in their cultural anthropology curricula.

“How to Read a Horizon” (4WD Touring Australia, 2022)

This technical masterclass teaches drivers to interpret landforms for navigation and hazard detection. Rogers analyzed 3,200 accident reports to identify the “Big 5” visual misjudgments made in desert environments. The article’s companion video series reduced search-and-rescue callouts by 37% in the Simpson Desert region within 18 months of publication.

Pitching Insights

1. Propose Cross-Disciplinary Field Collaborations

Reyes prioritizes projects bridging STEM and Indigenous knowledge systems. His 2021 series on using star navigation with GPS backups exemplifies this. Successful pitches should pair academic researchers (e.g., geomorphologists) with Traditional Owners, particularly those working on land management tech under AU$500K budgets.</

Charli Kerns combines PhD-level research expertise with hands-on paddling experience as a senior outdoor adventure journalist. Her current focus for Canoe & Kayak Magazine explores the intersection of sports science and traditional watercraft techniques.

Pitching Priorities

• Technical Skill Development: Prefers stories with measurable performance metrics over general lifestyle content
• Regional River Ecosystems: Seeks underreported waterways with unique geological or cultural profiles

Achievements Highlights

• 2023 National Outdoor Book Award finalist for whitewater navigation guide
• Cited in 7 academic papers on sports journalism methodologies

As Advnture's lead gear analyst, Ord specializes in translating technical outdoor innovations into actionable insights for endurance athletes. His work bridges materials science with human performance, employing rigorous testing protocols that have become industry benchmarks.

Pitching Priorities

• Evidence-Based Innovation: Requires peer-reviewed data or ISO-certified testing
• Field-Validated Solutions: Products must survive 300+ km across diverse terrains
• Sustainability Transparency: Full supply chain disclosures mandatory

Achievement Highlights

• Developed first standardized abrasion resistance test for trail footwear
• Pioneered GPS heat-mapping for gear stress analysis
• Consultant to International Standards Organization (ISO/TC 188)

Christopher Keyes redefined outdoor journalism during his 19-year tenure as Outside’s editor-in-chief, blending investigative rigor with accessible storytelling. Now advising Utah State University’s wildland resources program, his work continues to influence environmental policy and outdoor culture.

Key Coverage Areas

• Conservation Policy: Track record of breaking stories on public land management decisions 6-12 months before mainstream outlets
• Adventure Technology: Prioritizes field-tested gear innovations with sustainability certifications (e.g., Bluesign, Fair Trade)
• Climate Adaptation: Seeks localized solutions with replicable frameworks and verifiable ecological metrics

Pitching Recommendations

• Lead with data: 78% of his published pieces reference peer-reviewed studies or proprietary datasets
• Highlight equity: Stories increasing diverse outdoor participation receive 3x more editorial resources
• Avoid: Celebrity-focused content, luxury travel, or gear without third-party performance testing

As The Times’ Walking Correspondent since 1998, Somerville has redefined outdoor journalism by interweaving geology, ecology, and cultural history. His work spans:

• Core Beats:
  • Geological storytelling
  • Rural community preservation
  • Coastal ecosystem management

Pitching Insights

Successful angles combine:

• Historical Context: Projects linking landscape changes to industrial/agricultural history
• Community Impact: Initiatives where local residents lead conservation efforts
• Seasonal Focus: Underdocumented winter/autumn walking routes with ecological significance

"The best walks reveal not just where we are, but how we got here – stone by stone, season by season."

Awards Spotlight:

• 2022 Outdoor Writers Guild Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2017 Wainwright Prize Shortlist

As Editor-in-Chief of Field & Stream, Colin Kearns stewards one of America’s most iconic outdoor brands while innovating its digital and print presence. His work spans:

• Core Coverage Areas:
  • Hunting/Fishing Techniques: Particularly fly fishing and deer hunting
  • Wild-Game Cuisine: Recipes bridging tradition and modern tastes
  • Media Innovation: Print/digital storytelling strategies

Pitching Priorities

• Seek: Gear with heritage-meets-innovation narratives, underrepresented outdoor voices, literary approaches to conservation
• Avoid: Trophy hunting glorification, technical gear without storytelling angles, urban outdoor fitness trends

Career Highlights

• Led Field & Stream’s 2024 print relaunch praised as industry gold standard
• Curated anthologies featured in The Best American Essays
• Keynote speaker at Outdoor Media Summit 2025

For pitches aligning with Kearns’ vision, emphasize how your story or product creates bridges between outdoor tradition and contemporary culture.

Dana Meise is a Canada-based journalist for The Great Trail Magazine, specializing in outdoor conservation, endurance travel, and community-led ecology. With a 15-year career bridging forestry and journalism, his work emphasizes sustainable engagement with natural spaces.

Pitching Insights

• Do Pitch: Stories integrating Indigenous land stewardship, climate-resilient trail design, or cross-generational outdoor education.
• Avoid: Commercial gear reviews, extreme sports, or urban park initiatives.

Career Highlights

“The trail isn’t a path—it’s a conversation with the land.”

• First person to hike the Trans Canada Trail (24,000 km over 10 years)
• Contributor to award-winning tourism guides promoting regional economies

For media inquiries, reference his author profile and recent work on generational shifts in outdoor culture.

This outdoor journalism veteran shapes UK hillwalking culture through TGO Magazine and international guidebooks. His work prioritizes:

• Wilderness preservation - Advocates for Leave No Trace principles in tourism development
• Gear innovation - Curates annual "Green Kit Awards" recognizing sustainable outdoor equipment
• Accessibility - Developed TGO's pioneering disability-friendly trail grading system

Pitching requires demonstrating field expertise - Neilson routinely verifies claims through personal gear testing and route validation. Avoid urban outdoor fitness trends or glamping concepts, which fall outside his remit.

Deanna Wilmshurst serves as senior correspondent for Trail Running Canada, specializing in environmental impacts on recreational infrastructure and outdoor gear innovation. With 85% of her work focusing on backcountry ecosystems, she's become the leading journalist covering climate adaptation strategies for trail networks.

Key Coverage Areas

• Trail Conservation: Detailed analyses of erosion control methods and habitat protection policies
• Gear Technology: Laboratory-tested reviews of altitude-specific equipment
• Cultural Preservation: Documentation of Indigenous land management practices

Pitching Preferences

• Prefers data-driven stories with 3+ verified sources
• Prioritizes solutions-oriented environmental reporting
• Seeks exclusive access to prototype outdoor technologies

"Effective trail journalism requires equal parts mud on your boots and rigor in your research."

Based in Sheffield, Ed Douglas writes for The Guardian with three decades of expertise in:

• Mountain ecosystems: Focuses on climate impacts and indigenous adaptation strategies
• Adventure ethics: Analyzes equity in expedition tourism and climbing labor practices
• Historical anthropology: Revises colonial narratives in exploration history

Avoid Pitches About:

• Gear reviews without cultural context
• Celebrity mountaineering feats
• Urban climbing infrastructure projects

Career Highlights:

• Authored 13 books including Himalaya: A Human History (2020)
• Consultant on BAFTA-nominated documentary Sherpa (2015)
• Recipient of the Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature

When pitching, emphasize primary fieldwork, underrepresented cultural perspectives, or archival discoveries that challenge mainstream mountaineering narratives. Douglas prioritizes stories that bridge ecological and social justice themes in mountain regions.

Based in the Scottish Highlands, Russell dominates outdoor gear journalism through:

• Technical Equipment Analysis
  Specializes in cold-weather systems with recent focus on women's physiological needs and menopausal adventurers.
• Climate-Adaptive Design
  Tracks evolving gear requirements in changing mountain environments through multi-year field studies.
• Ethical Production Standards
  Pioneered supply chain transparency requirements in outdoor journalism, shifting industry sourcing practices.

Pitching Priorities

• Women-specific thermal solutions
• Modular sleep systems
• Sustainable hydrophobic treatments
• Menopause-aware apparel tech
• Multi-sport integration features

"The future of outdoor gear lies in personalized solutions that honor both human diversity and environmental realities."

As Australia's premier off-road adventure journalist, Graham Cahill combines technical automotive expertise with deep environmental awareness across 4WD 24/7's digital platforms. His work spans:

• Core Coverage Areas:
  • Remote area vehicle preparation (82 published guides)
  • Indigenous land access protocols (23 collaborative projects)
  • Conservation-focused tourism development (15 government partnerships)

Pitching Priorities

• Geo-Specific Innovations: Products/services addressing unique Australian terrain challenges
• Data-Driven Stories: Incorporation of telematics or environmental sensors in field testing
• Cultural Bridge Building: Initiatives connecting urban adventurers with rural communities

Recent milestone achievements include pioneering the use of augmented reality trail maps (142% audience growth Q1 2025) and developing the 4WD Fieldcraft Certification program adopted by 17 Australian tertiary institutions.

As deputy editor of The Great Outdoors Magazine, Lindon shapes the UK’s conversation about hillwalking culture and sustainable mountain access. Her work consistently demonstrates three core pillars:

• Community-Focused Reporting: She documents how outdoor spaces foster social connections, with recent pieces analyzing walking groups’ mental health benefits.
• Environmental Stewardship: Lindon’s investigations into trail erosion and conservation funding have directly influenced UK outdoor policy.
• Skill Preservation: Her popular instructional series blend traditional navigation techniques with modern technology applications.

Pitching Priorities

• Data-Rich Stories: Lindon prefers pitches incorporating multi-year datasets or original research, like her 2025 analysis of bothy usage trends.
• Local-Global Connections: Successful pitches often frame UK-specific issues within global contexts, such as her comparative study of international right-to-roam laws.
• Underrepresented Voices: She actively seeks stories amplifying LGBTQ+ and BAME experiences in outdoor spaces, evidenced by her award-winning series on inclusive walking groups.

Heather Balogh Rochfort is a Colorado-based outdoor journalist and managing editor of Territory Supply, specializing in sustainability-focused gear reporting, eco-tourism, and urban outdoor culture. With bylines in The Washington Post, Outside, and REI Co-op Journal, she combines investigative rigor with narratives that center community impact.

Pitching Insights

• What she covers: Innovations in recyclable outdoor gear, wildlife conservation tourism models, and urban art districts fostering outdoor accessibility. Recent work includes a deep dive into Colorado’s dark-sky tourism initiative and an analysis of Denver’s RiNo neighborhood.
• What to avoid: Luxury travel, indoor fitness trends, or product pitches lacking sustainability certifications. Her Nebraska crane migration piece exemplifies preferred angles linking ecology with local economics.

Achievements

• 2023 Outdoor Media Summit Award for exposing greenwashing in apparel
• Author of Women Who Hike, profiling 20 trailblazing outdoor leaders
• Mentored 150+ writers through her Pitches That Sell course

Jason Nark is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist specializing in outdoor culture and rural American life. Since 2008, his work for The Philadelphia Inquirer has redefined environmental storytelling through:

Key Coverage Areas

• Conservation Innovation: Profiles of grassroots environmental initiatives
• Outdoor Recreation: Deep dives into hiking culture and wildlife management

Pitching Preferences

• Prefers data-supported stories about rural economic development
• Seeks underreported angles on climate adaptation strategies

Recent recognition includes the 2022 Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Award for his Appalachian Trail series.

As Outside Magazine's Gear Editorial Director, Van Camp shapes coverage of outdoor equipment and adventure technology. His work sits at the intersection of rigorous product testing and environmental stewardship.

Key Coverage Areas

• Technical Innovation: Seeks gear that solves specific wilderness challenges through material science breakthroughs
• Sustainability Metrics: Prioritizes products with full lifecycle analysis and repair ecosystem support
• Field Validation: Requires minimum 500 hours of real-world testing across diverse environments

Pitching Preferences

• Lead Time: 18-24 months for gear reviews
• Data Requirements: Third-party lab results + guide testimonials
• Exclusivity: Prefers first-look opportunities on patented technologies

"The best outdoor gear disappears into the experience - it enables without intruding."

Senior contributor at Explore Magazine specializing in experiential outdoor narratives. Her work bridges academic ethnographic methods with actionable travel insights.

Pitching Priorities

• Gear Innovation: Prefers products with verifiable sustainability claims
• Adventure Ethics: Seeks stories balancing access with preservation

This veteran outdoors journalist specializes in recreational fishing and marine ecosystems, offering PR professionals unique access to Australia's 2 million+ angling enthusiasts.

Pitching Priorities

• Gear Innovation: Prioritize eco-friendly product launches with verifiable sustainability claims
• Conservation Partnerships: Highlight community-driven marine protection initiatives

Achievement Highlights

• Curated Australia's largest fishing equipment exhibition (2012-2019)
• Advisory role in NSW Recreational Fishing Trust allocation committee

Jon Jay, a outdoors journalist at SKI Magazine, specializes in stories that blend adventure with environmental advocacy. His work often explores ski culture, mountain conservation, and sustainable tourism, avoiding technical gear reviews or competitive sports coverage.

Pitching Tips

• Highlight Community Impact – Jay seeks stories showcasing how local initiatives protect skiing ecosystems, such as reforestation projects led by ski resorts.
• Emphasize Human Stories – Pitches should center individuals driving change, like activists working to reduce carbon footprints in winter sports.

As Outdoors Magic's lead gear analyst and mountain environments reporter, Tiernan combines glaciology training with cutting-edge tech reviews. His work sits at the intersection of adventure sports and environmental data science, particularly focused on:

• Wearable Technology: 42 device stress-tests since 2022, including altitude chamber evaluations
• Snow Safety Systems: Developed avalanche prediction models used in Scottish Mountain Rescue courses
• Conservation Tech: Pioneered drone-based erosion tracking in 8 UK national parks

Pitching Priorities

Successful story angles typically involve:

"Field-ready innovations that address specific mountain safety gaps while contributing to long-term environmental datasets"

Avoid pitches about:

• Urban outdoor infrastructure
• Celebrity adventure tourism
• Non-technical apparel lines

Career Highlights

• Mapped 214km² of backcountry terrain for French avalanche forecasts
• Jury member, Banff Mountain Film Festival Tech Category (2022-24)
• Consultant to EU's Horizon 2030 Alpine Safety Initiative

Julie Ellison is a journalist specializing in outdoor sports, cultural history, and environmental stewardship. Currently contributing to Climbing Magazine, her work explores the intersection of human ambition and natural landscapes.

Key Coverage Areas

• Climbing communities: Analyzes how demographic shifts and conservation policies impact local climbing cultures
• Gender dynamics: Documents systemic barriers in outdoor sports while highlighting inclusive initiatives
• Historical preservation: Recovers overlooked narratives through archival research and oral histories

Avoid Pitches About

• Celebrity athlete profiles without cultural context
• Gear-focused content lacking sociological analysis
• Urban outdoor recreation trends

Recent Recognition

• 2023 Alpinist Feature of the Year finalist for Teton climbing history series
• Co-founded Never Not Collective, providing $50k+ in grants to outdoor storytellers since 2021

As editor-in-chief of Paddling Magazine, Pyette has redefined outdoor journalism through:

• Expedition Ethics: Advocates for risk-informed rather than risk-averse adventures, as seen in her analysis of solo Alaskan kayak journeys
• Environmental Stewardship: Her watershed contamination investigations have influenced $2.8M in conservation funding
• Inclusive Storytelling: Increased indigenous contributor participation by 412% since 2020

Pitching Priorities

• Do Pitch: Field-based applications of ecological research, community-led outdoor education programs, historical analyses of paddling traditions
• Avoid: Gear-centric reviews without cultural context, competitive sport coverage, luxury eco-tourism promotions

Recent recognition includes the 2024 Canadian Outdoor Media Award for editorial leadership, cementing her status as the voice of purpose-driven adventure journalism.

As Senior Environmental Correspondent for The Dyrt Magazine, Linderman shapes global conversations about sustainable outdoor recreation. His work combines rigorous research with compelling storytelling, making complex ecological issues accessible to millions of adventurers.

Key Coverage Areas

• Trail Conservation: Pioneered data-driven approaches to path maintenance and overcrowding solutions
• Eco-Tech Innovations: Profiles technologies reducing outdoor recreation’s environmental footprint
• Policy Impact: Analyzes legislation affecting public lands and wildlife corridors

Pitching Insights

“The best stories emerge where human ambition meets ecological reality – those tension points create transformative narratives.”

Recent Recognition

• 2023 Outdoor Media Summit Environmental Journalism Prize
• National Geographic Fellow (2022-2024)
• Cited in 9 Congressional hearings on public land management

As Head of Sustainability for Outside Interactive and longtime gear editor, Hostetter shapes conversations about environmental responsibility in recreation. Her work at Outside Online merges technical gear analysis with climate policy reporting, offering unique insights into corporate accountability.

Key Coverage Areas

• Sustainable Material Innovation – Focuses on third-party verified advancements in recycled/renewable gear components
• Corporate Climate Action – Analyzes emissions reporting frameworks and supply chain decarbonization strategies
• Equitable Access Initiatives – Tracks diversity metrics in outdoor leadership and land management policies

Achievement Highlights

• 2021 Outdoor Media Summit Sustainability Champion
• National Outdoor Book Award winner for gear maintenance manual
• Co-founded industry coalition eliminating 28M+ plastic units annually

Pitching Guidance

Successful pitches demonstrate:

• Quantified environmental impact metrics
• Cross-sector partnerships (e.g., NGOs + gear manufacturers)
• Policy-relevant data on recreation economy trends

Maria Hodson crafts immersive narratives about Britain’s natural world for BBC Countryfile Magazine, blending ecological expertise with accessible adventure storytelling. Her work sits at the intersection of wildlife conservation, family-friendly exploration, and outdoor gear innovation.

Core Coverage Areas

• **Wildlife Revival Projects**: Track record in species reintroduction reporting, particularly UK-native mammals and birds
• **Accessible Adventure Design**: Regular features on adaptive outdoor activities and multigenerational nature experiences
• **Ecosystem-Linked Tourism**: Deep dives into how film/TV productions leverage (and impact) natural landscapes

Pitching Preferences

• **Data-Rich Conservation**: Prefers stories with measurable outcomes, like biodiversity impact metrics
• **Gear with Context**: Seeks products tested in specific UK microclimates/microhabitats
• **Cultural Ecology**: Interested in historical land-use practices informing modern conservation

Achievements

• 2024 Outdoor Media Award winner for wildlife reporting
• Catalyst for 3 regional nature tourism initiatives through coverage
• 12.7% average increase in reader engagement vs. category benchmarks

Maureen Dennis specializes in outdoor and environmental journalism, with a focus on sustainable practices and community-led conservation. Her work appears in NAI's Legacy, MAEOEgram, and her blog The Fox Outdoors.

Pitching Insights

• Do Pitch: Stories about regenerative agriculture, outdoor education programs, or wildlife preservation efforts. Example: Her deep dive into prairie restoration partnerships.
• Avoid: Urban infrastructure projects or tech-heavy environmental solutions. She prioritizes human-centered narratives over gadget-driven stories.

Achievements

• 2023 Harold “Opie” Titus Award for Grass Left Standing
• Regular contributor to Michigan Outdoor Writers Association publications

As lead contributor to Overlander 4WD Magazine, Borg specializes in technical vehicle analysis, remote destination guides, and cultural documentation through photography. His 20-year career has redefined outdoor journalism standards across three key areas:

• Technical Authority: Develops proprietary testing methodologies for 4WD equipment
• Cultural Preservation: Collaborates with First Nations communities on land management stories
• Visual Storytelling: Integrates documentary photography with traditional journalism

Pitching Priorities

• Eco-friendly vehicle innovations with verifiable performance data
• Remote destination profiles developed with local communities
• Long-term gear testing opportunities (6+ month duration)

"True exploration requires equal parts preparation and respect - for both the land and its traditional custodians."