Tom Stienstra, Outdoors Writer Emeritus for the San Francisco Chronicle, has chronicled Western wilderness for over four decades. His work blends practical outdoor guides with meditations on nature's restorative power, earning recognition from the National Outdoor Book Awards and inclusion in the Library of Congress' historic journalism collection.
Stienstra avoids coverage of commercial outdoor products without substantive environmental stewardship components. His recent work focuses on climate resilience strategies for protected lands.
We've followed Tom Stienstra's work for decades as he evolved from local reporter to America's most recognized outdoors columnist. His career began unexpectedly after a traumatic brain injury reshaped his worldview, driving him to document California's wilderness with Rebel, his loyal hiking companion. Stienstra's early pieces for the Palo Alto Times laid the groundwork for his signature style—blending practical guidance with philosophical reflections on humanity's relationship with nature.
This poignant reflection on grief through the lens of wilderness therapy became one of the 20th century's most anthologized essays about human-animal bonds. Stienstra's account of scattering his dog Rebel's ashes in their favorite alpine meadow pioneered a new genre of outdoor writing that interweaves personal narrative with environmental reporting.
Stienstra prioritizes solutions-oriented environmental reporting, as seen in his PBS documentary on Tuolumne River preservation. Successful pitches highlight collaborative efforts between agencies and communities to protect ecosystems.
"Twice named National Outdoor Writer of the Year, Stienstra redefined wilderness journalism by making topographic maps read like poetry." — Outdoor Writers Association of America
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Outdoors, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
