In Brief: Meadows Center's Townsend lands two Excellence in Craft awards

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
March 5, 2015

Shane Townsend, senior program advisor at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, placed first in both the Outdoor Book category for Paddling Texas: A Guide to the State's Best Paddling Routes, and Magazine Feature category for the piece “Red Hills Ramble” at the 2014 Texas Outdoor Writers Association (TOWA) Excellence in Craft Contest.

The TOWA Excellence in Craft Contest is an opportunity for members to receive special recognition for journalism excellence. Submission must be outdoor-oriented and must have been published, broadcast or distributed in Texas. TOWA promotes ethics and fellowship among its members and provides a means of exchanging information and techniques that improve the quality of their professional efforts.

"It’s an honor to receive these awards from my peers and mentors at TOWA," Townsend said. "Their work does a great deal to promote and protect the natural resources and the outdoor traditions of Texas."

Texas is home to some of the fastest growing cities in America, and paddling--canoe or kayak--is the fastest growing outdoor sport in the country. Paddling Texas is the newest addition to Falcon Guides’ popular paddling series, perfect for those who are new to either and all those who love both. The book features trips that offer easy access, secure environments, good facilities, great fishing, superb wildlife viewing and beautiful scenery.

Townsend’s magazine feature “Red Hills Ramble” was published in the 2014 summer edition of the Quail Forever Journal. Quail Forever is dedicated to the conservation of quail, pheasants and other wildlife habitat through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.

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About The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment was named following a generous gift from The Meadows Foundation in August 2012. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is dedicated to environmental research, stewardship, education and service. It is run by renowned conservationist Andrew Sansom.