named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Code of Ethics
Enforced standards requiring environmental stewardship, honest advertising, and professional conduct for all member guides.
Guide Certification & Exam Review
Training and preparation sessions for guides seeking or maintaining state licensure, including safety and regulatory knowledge.
NYSOGA Rendezvous
Annual four-day gathering featuring hands-on training, seminars, certification opportunities, and community networking for professional outdoor guides.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Professional Certification and Continuing Education 2 activities
- Providing professional development and ethical standards for guidesOffers training and field experiences in outdoor skills, professional ethics, and communications; maintains a professional roster of licensed guides by enforcing a mandatory Code of Ethics for all members.
- Supporting guide licensure through training and exam administrationHosts an annual Winter Rendezvous event that includes preparation and review classes for the NYS guide exam, on-site administration of the official exam by the NYSDEC, and comprehensive programming to support applicants in meeting all three certification prerequisites for licensure.
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Community CPR and First Aid Training 1 activity
- Administering safety training and certification programs for guidesProvides year-round and event-based training and certification in First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, AED, and Basic Water Safety through National Safety Council-approved instructors; these programs fulfill prerequisites for obtaining a New York State guide license.
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Outdoor Recreation Access Promotion 1 activity
- Connecting the public with licensed outdoor guidesOperates a searchable online directory and engages in media partnerships, regional sports shows, and public relations campaigns to connect outdoor enthusiasts with licensed professional guides across New York State for activities including hunting, fishing, hiking, paddling, and wildlife education.
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Corporate Sponsorship Programs 1 activity
- Offering sponsor membership and business promotion servicesProvides a sponsor membership program for individuals, organizations, and companies at an annual fee, offering benefits including a prominent website listing with direct link, opportunities to contribute to newsletters, present at events, and network with active guides.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Organizing annual member gatherings with educational and networking componentsHosts an annual Summer Rendezvous offering access to club facilities and subsidized meals, and an annual Winter Rendezvous in March featuring training sessions, certification courses, guide exam review, risk planning training, marketing roundtables, and member meetings and banquets to support professional community building.
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Guided Outdoor Expedition Programs 1 activity
- Providing outdoor guide services and experiential programsDelivers guided outdoor experiences including hiking, camping, snowshoeing, paddling, fly fishing instruction, historical excursions, and customized backpacking trips in regions such as the Adirondacks, Catskills, and Lake George; also designs experiential programs for youth groups, individuals, and corporate teams, with specialized trips for women and educational tours to locations including Yellowstone and the Everglades.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$18K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$16K89%
Investment income$4643%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$32K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$34K
Cash$34K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$34K
Liquid reserves12.6 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -14.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 18
- ALAN WOODRUFF — DIRECTOR AT LARGE
- BRIAN MANNING — REGION 3 REP
- CRAIG TRYON — DIRECTOR AT LARGE
- EDWARD MORAN — REGION 1 REP
- JAMIE ARNOLD — REGION 7 REP
- JEFFREY WHITTEMORE — TREASURER
- JOHN WAINWRIGHT — REGION 6 REP
- KIM FORTIN — DIRECTOR AT LARGE
- LAURA BAKER — REGION 5 REP
- MARK WATERMAN — 3RD VP
- MARY HALL — DIRECTOR AT LARGE
- MICHAEL NEWELL — 2ND VICE PRES
- MICHAEL PAPA — DIRECTOR AT LARGE
- SCOTT LOCORINI — PRESIDENT
- SHEILA YOUNG — SECRETARY
- SONNY YOUNG — 1ST VICE PRES
- TYLER HUHN — DIRECTOR AT LARGE
- VACANT — REGION 4 REP
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Adirondack Heritage Outfitters Partner — Member guide service offering historical hiking, kayaking, and snowshoeing in the Lake George region.
- Adirondack Women... Forever Wild Partner — Member guide service focused on outdoor experiences for women in the Adirondacks.
- Catskill Country Walks, LLC Partner — Member guide service offering educational hikes in the Catskill region.
- Earth Spirit Educational Services, Inc. Partner — Member guide service leading educational trips to natural areas including the Adirondacks and Yellowstone.
- Facebook Partner — Platform used for organizational outreach and communication
- Hudson to High Peaks Guide Service Partner — Member guide service offering customized hiking and backpacking trips.
- Instagram Partner — Platform used for organizational outreach and communication
- Law Enforcement Officers Government — Cooperates with law enforcement officers to uphold legal and safety standards during guiding activities.
- NYS DEC Government — Collaborates with NYS DEC on hatchery operations, public lands access, and administration of the Licensed Guide Exam.
- NYS Outdoor Writers' Association Network — NEW YORK STATE OUTDOOR GUIDES ASSOCIATION is affiliated with or shares membership with the NYS Outdoor Writers' Association.
- NYSOGA Network — Member organization connecting outdoor enthusiasts with licensed guides in New York State.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Administers the guide licensing process; NYSOGA prepares candidates for DEC requirements and exams.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Has a working relationship with NYSOGA to support outdoor guide services and conservation activities in New York State.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Partners with NYSOGA to design and update guiding laws, regulations, licensing standards, and state guide examinations.
- PayPal Partner — Uses PayPal as the payment processor for water safety training registrations
- Private Landowners Partner — Respects and collaborates with private landowners in accordance with land use regulations and ethical guiding practices.
- Public Land Management Agencies Government — Works in cooperation with public land management agencies to follow regulations and promote responsible land use.
- Russell School of Hiking Partner — Member guide service providing hiking, camping, and outdoor skills instruction in upstate New York.
- Saratoga Fishing Charters and Boat Tours Partner — Member guide service offering fishing charters on Saratoga Lake and other New York waterways.
- Schoventures LLC Partner — Member guide service offering experiential outdoor adventures for individuals and groups.
- The Fly Fishing Workshop Partner — Member guide service providing fly fishing instruction and guided trips in the Adirondacks.
- White Otter Fish and Game Club Partner — Hosts the NYSOGA Summer Rendezvous event and shares membership overlap with NYSOGA members.
- Wildlife Officials Government — Cooperates with wildlife officials to ensure compliance with conservation and game laws.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Environmental Stewardship through Guided Educationmethodology: environmental-education-through-guidingBy integrating ecological knowledge and Leave No Trace principles into guided experiences, the association promotes environmental stewardship, because immersive, context-specific education during outdoor activities leads to lasting conservation behavior in clients.
- Experiential Mentorship for Personal and Professional Growthmethodology: experiential personal developmentBy designing outdoor experiences that combine mentorship, adventure, and skill-building, the association fosters confidence and connection—especially among underrepresented groups—because shared, supported experiences in nature produce transformative personal development.
- Professional Community Development through Safety and Ethicsmethodology: professional-community-developmentBy fostering a professional community grounded in safety, integrity, and mutual support, the association strengthens the credibility and sustainability of the outdoor guiding profession, because shared standards and accountability increase public trust and practitioner retention.
- Regulatory Partnership to Elevate Professional Standardsmethodology: regulatory-collaborationBy collaborating with state agencies to co-develop licensing standards and guiding laws, the association ensures that regulations reflect field expertise and conservation goals, because joint governance produces more effective, credible, and adaptive policy.
- Skills-Based Certification as a Pathway to Licensuremethodology: skills-based training and certificationBy delivering structured training, field experiences, and exam preparation through intensive events, the association enables aspiring guides to achieve licensure, because consolidating education and assessment reduces barriers and increases completion rates.