Movers and Shakers category honors impactful newcomers
For many, this will be a new opportunity.
The California Outdoors Hall of Fame has created a new category this winter — Movers and Shakers — that is designed to honor Californians who have made significant contributions to the landscape of outdoors recreation, but may not have the tenure to win lifetime recognition.
“Many of us know people who have done something very special in the outdoors, but because it isn’t a lifetime of achievement, they haven’t qualified for the Hall of Fame,” said John Kirk of the International Sportsmen’s Exposition, which sponsors the event.
“We’re going to fix that. We’re looking at those who have great outdoors achievement, an environmental victory or caused a shift in the industry, regardless of how long they’ve been at it.”
The traditional Outdoors Hall of Fame categories will still exist, Kirk said. The hall was established in 2002 when the first inductees were John Muir (posthumous) and Galen Rowell, the preeminent mountaineer and photographer.
Nominations must include a 200-word bio and contact information. People can nominate themselves — some winners have done so in the past. I am this year’s chairman for the awards and nominations should be sent to me at tstienstra@sfchronicle.com.
Voters for the awards are past winners, the Circle of Chiefs and leaders in conservation, government and industry.
The guidelines for induction to the Outdoors Hall of Fame are twofold: Honorees must have inspired thousands of Californians to take part in the great outdoors and/or conservation, typically doing so outside their primary job. And they must have taken part in a scope of adventures that extends outside the region where they live.
Winners will be announced at the International Sportsmen’s Exposition, which will run Jan. 18-21 at Cal Expo in Sacramento. For information: Sportsmen’s Expo, www.sports expos.com; California HOF, www.cohof.org.