About Jodi Stemler
Jodi Stemler is an award-winning outdoor writer and communicator who has been working in conservation policy and communications for two decades. She graduated with a degree in natural resource management from Rutgers University and interned with conservation organizations working on conservation policy issues through college and immediately after. Her first “real” job was as a communications specialist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. With the agency perspective, she then moved to conservation organizations in Washington, DC managing a fish and wildlife funding campaign for the National Wildlife Foundation and then serving as Director of Communications for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
Since 2005, Jodi has been a consultant working on conservation policy and communications projects for clients including the Boone and Crockett Club, the Mule Deer Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, the Wildlife Management Institute, Partnerscapes, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Safari Club International, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and many more.
Jodi is also a freelance outdoor writer with articles running in Petersen’s Hunting, Sporting Classics, USA Today’s Hunt & Fish, The Upland Almanac, Range365.com, the Beretta Blog, SHOT Daily and SHOT Business, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, The Outdoor Wire, and more. Her stories have won numerous awards in the Outdoor Writers Association of America’s Excellence in Craft contests as well as Pinnacle Outstanding Achievement awards from the Professional Outdoor Media Association.
Her article “First Blood” in Petersen’s Hunting about her first pronghorn hunt won the Hunting and Family Participation magazine categories in the 2021 OWAA Excellence in Craft Awards and a POMA Pinnacle Outstanding Achievement award. In 2020, her series on zeroing in a rifle and practicing for a hunt won 1st and 3rd place respectively in the Gear/Technical Blog category of the OWAA Excellence in Craft Awards. Her article on choosing a girl’s first big game rifle won 1st place in the Gear/Technical category of the 2019 OWAA Excellence in Craft awards. In 2018, she won a Pinnacle Outstanding Achievement award from the Professional Outdoor Media Association for her “Clay Shooting Tips for Women” article in Range365. In 2017, Jodi received two first place awards for her articles “Beyond Shrinking and Pinking” in The Upland Almanac, “A Girl’s First Shotgun” in Range365, and a second place for her review of women’s shotguns on Range365 in the OWAA Excellence in Craft contest.
“I am passionate about my work because I am passionate about nature. Spending time with my husband and daughter hunting, fishing, hiking or wildlife viewing grounds me and reminds me why I do what I do. Without effective conservation of our land and wildlife resources, we won’t have opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. By playing a role on conservation issues, I know I am doing what I can to ensure we always have wildlife and wild places.”
Experience
President, Jodi Stemler Consulting, LLC
2005 to PresentFounded in 2005, Jodi Stemler Consulting, LLC provides communications and policy expertise to the conservation community and outdoor industry. Clients have included a variety of conservation and environmental organizations and projects have ranged from event coordination and facilitation to managing communications for legislative campaigns to writing and editing publications and more. Jodi Stemler Consulting fills a unique niche with knowledge of the political process, media and communications, and wildlife science.
Director of Communications, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation – Washington, DC
2002 to 2005Developed and implemented the organization’s marketing and communications efforts and the launch of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. Outreach efforts were built with a cohesive message and imagery to raise visibility and name recognition with key constituents including members of Congress, state legislators, the outdoor media, conservation organizations and the outdoor industry. Managed special projects to highlight the importance of sportsmen and women as a constituency, including the economic impacts of hunters and anglers, hunter access to federal public lands, and the importance of sportsmen in the body politic.
Teaming with Wildlife Project Coordinator/Wildlife Resource Specialist, National Wildlife Federation – Washington, DC
1998 to 2002Coordinated federal conservation funding legislative campaign centered on the Conservation and Reinvestment Act including policy activities, coalition building and relations, grassroots and media outreach and event planning for the campaign. Edited and produced agricultural policy report for 2002 Farm Bill reauthorization.
Communications Specialist, Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife – Boston, MA
1997Managed communications and outreach needs for state fish and wildlife agency including events with state legislators, town hall meetings and press trips. Arranged media and outreach efforts around release of Massachusetts Wildlife Viewing Guide. Facilitated state Teaming with Wildlife coalition including partnerships with businesses and non-profit organizations.