On Thursday, September 19, the Florida Outdoor Writer’s Association presented Diane Bedard with the first place Excellence-in-Craft award in the Outdoor Travel & Destinations Story category at the El Caribe Grand Ballroom in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The award was given for Diane’s story, “Blueberry Season is On: Pick yourself Happy” published on NatureCoaster.com April 19, 2018. The story encourages readers to get outdoors and enjoy harvesting their own blueberries during the u-pick season in Florida’s Nature Coast.

“I am so thrilled to win a First Place in Outdoor & Travel Destinations from FOWA this year. I love the organization and the richness it brings to my writing career,” said Diane.

NatureCoaster.com is an online magazine dedicated to “connecting readers to the awesomeness of Florida’s Nature Coast” according to its publisher. It began in 2014.

Florida Outdoor Writers Association (FOWA) is a state-wide group of the outdoor industry’s top communicators, conservationists, and industry-related companies, including travel destinations, that was started in 1946 and holds members to the highest standards.

Each year, FOWA members gather at the state conference, hosted by a destination to explore the destination, network, and gain education on industry best-practices. 2019’s conference was hosted by Volusia County tourism, West Volusia County Tourism, and Daytona Beach tourism, and was held in Daytona Beach.

Diane Bedard has been a member of FOWA since 2016, previously winning Excellence in Craft Awards for Self-Promotion and Best Television/Radio program.

NatureCoaster.com won the 2018 Sunshine Blog award for Best Local/Events Blog from FLBlogCon. In 2019, it was again voted one of the top 3 Community/Events blogs in Florida.