WORCESTER – At the annual meeting of the New England Outdoor Writers Association (NEOWA) in Worcester, Mass., three Mainers active in the outdoor community were recognized for their work.

Hampden outdoor writer and newspaper columnist V. Paul Reynolds received two first-place awards in the annual outdoor writing competition, one for Best Humor in an Outdoor Magazine and one for Best Outdoor Column in a Newspaper.

Reynolds, who writes “Outdoors in Maine” for the Lewiston Sun-Journal, the Northwoods Sporting Journal, and a number of Maine weekly newspapers, is editor and co-publisher of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He also is host of a weekly Sunday night radio program “Maine Outdoors,” which is broadcast on the Voice of Maine News-Talk Network.

Maine state bear biologist Jennifer Vashon was recognized by the outdoor writers group for her “contributions to wildlife conservation in New England.” During last fall’s statewide bear referendum Vashon spoke about the critical role that recreational hunting plays in scientific wildlife management. The biologist, who spoke to numerous groups and appeared in a television ad before the November referendum vote, was presented with NEOWA’s coveted Yerka Award by NEOWA president Spence Conley. In presenting the conservation award, Conley said, “As the state’s leading bear biologist, Jennifer worked tirelessly to educate the general public and get the unemotional, scientific facts on bear management to Maine voters.”

Jeremiah Wood, a native of Eagle Lake and a Wildlife Ecology major at the University of Maine, was one of six New England college wildlife majors to be presented with a $2,500 scholarship from the organization. Following interviews with NEOWA members, Wood was selected to be the recipient of the annual Founder’s Award, which is an additional bonus scholarship presented to the wildlife student whose potential appears to most exemplify the mission and goals of the NEOWA.