Nominations for the 2025 Land Managers awards are open!
The inaugural Sea Otter Australia Festival not only brings together outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe but also launches a vital initiative: the 2025 Land Managers Awards for Excellence in Recreation. We’re thrilled to announce that nominations for these prestigious awards are now officially open!
The 2025 Land Managers awards for Excellence in Recreation (multiple categories) will be held as part of the Sea Otter Australia Summit. Winners will be awarded at the Summit dinner as part of the closing function.
Who can nominate, and who is eligible?
If you’re a trail user who appreciates a well-maintained path, a club benefiting from a fantastic recreation area, or an organisation that collaborates with land managers, you can nominate. You can also nominate if you work in land management, of course. We encourage nominations for and by all commercial and community entities, covering a wide range of asset types.
Award Categories include:
- Excellence in Recreation Accessibility: Celebrating efforts to make outdoor spaces welcoming and usable for everyone.
- Excellence in Recreation Infrastructure: Acknowledging superior design, construction, and maintenance of trails, facilities, and other recreational assets.
- Excellence in Community engagement for Recreation asset use: Highlighting successful initiatives that involve and empower communities in the use and stewardship of recreational spaces.
- Excellence in Recreation destination management (promotion and maintenance): Recognising exemplary work in both promoting and maintaining our amazing outdoor destinations.
Winners will be celebrated at the Summit dinner, a fitting close to what promises to be an inspiring event.
What it’s all about? – To celebrate the backbone of our outdoors, our Land Managers!
At Sea Otter Australia, and through our organiser Rocky Trail Entertainment, we know that the breathtaking trails and accessible outdoor spaces we all love don’t just magically appear. They are the result of tireless dedication, expert planning, and passionate work by land managers across our diverse landscapes. These are the unsung heroes who craft the very platforms that get us out on our bikes, into our hiking boots, and connected with nature.
The Land Managers Awards, presented as a key part of the Sea Otter Australia Summit, are our way of shining a spotlight on this incredible contribution. They’re an opportunity for every trail user, club, organisation, and collaborator to show appreciation and formally recognize the efforts of those who make our outdoor adventures possible.
The Sea Otter Australia Summit: Fostering the Outdoor Economy
The Land Managers Awards are an integral part of the larger Sea Otter Australia Summit (SOAS). The Summit itself is a unique gathering of international, national, and NSW speakers, drawing attendance from North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Its core purpose is to foster new networks, encourage vital collaboration, and facilitate knowledge-sharing within the rapidly growing outdoor economy. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the SOAS aims to drive innovation and sustainability in the outdoor recreation sector.
Ultimately, these awards are more than just accolades; they’re a platform. They’re a testament to the hard work and amazing contribution that land managers make to the outdoor tourism industry. They are a recognition that getting people out on trails and into nature—which is at the heart of everything Sea Otter Australia and Rocky Trail stands for—starts with the incredible dedication of these individuals and organisations.
Don’t miss this opportunity to acknowledge the vital work that enhances our outdoor experiences. Nominate a deserving Land Manager today!
