2009 PHOTO CONTEST - Contest deadline has passed Illinois Nature Preserves Commission PROMOTIONAL FLYER

The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) invites the citizens of Illinois to get to know a special high quality natural area near you.  A photo contest is a fitting way to celebrate and record for history the rare scenic beauty found at Illinois Nature Preserves and Land and Water Reserves at this momentous occasion of inducting the 500th site.  The contest goal is to showcase photographs from all corners of Illinois revealing the immense natural diversity found in our State.  Please assist us by visiting the site nearest you to capture an image today!

DEADLINE IS 5:00 PM ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2009 (see contest guidelines below).

The INPC will celebrate the addition of its 500th protected natural area by hosting a photo contest.  This unique opportunity is provided to us by OutdoorIllinois, the premiere natural resources magazine of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), as they conduct their 10th annual photo contest.

Photographs that are submitted to the OutdoorIllinois contest by 5:00 p.m. on August 7, 2009, under the Illinois Nature Preserves and Land and Water Reserves category will also automatically be entered into the INPC contest after judging.  The INPC will take the contest further and identify two photographs from each of the State’s areas (see map here) to develop an educational photographic display revealing the diversity and beauty of our highest quality natural areas in Illinois.  The renowned Illinois State Museum will design and create the display.  Prizes will be awarded for the top four photos (Best of Show, First, Second, and Third), and certificates will be awarded to all of the exhibited photos.  The life span of the exhibit and these photographs is expected to be long –

• The display of our State’s finest natural lands will serve as the INPC’s contribution to the Burnham Plan Centennial in Chicago.  The INPC honors Cook County as the second largest landowner of INPC sites, surpassed only by the IDNR. (Learn more on Burnham Plan Centennial here).

OutdoorIllinois Contest guidelines:

1.  Categories are: Illinois Nature Preserves and Land and Water Reserves (including landscapes, endangered/threatened plants and animals), Illinois historic sites, mammals, birds, insects, reptiles/amphibians, fish (including underwater images), scenic/landscape, flora (plants, mushrooms), natural resource recreational activities and young shutterbugs (same categories but taken by persons 12 years of age or younger).

2.  Photographs must be taken in Illinois.

3.  Photos of captive and domestic species will not be considered.

4.  Entries are limited to color or black-and-white slides, prints and digital images. Print images must be unmounted and at least 5 x 7 inches but not more than 8 x 10 inches. Slides (35mm) and medium or large transparencies should be mounted. Digital images (minimum of 2 megapixels or 1600 x 1200 dpi) must be submitted as a print.

5.  Each entry must be labeled with the photographer’s name, address, daytime phone number and e-mail address (if applicable), category and when and where the photograph was taken. Adhering a label to the back of the print, vs. writing directing on the back of it, is preferred as ink often smears.

If the INPC category is chosen, identify the nature preserve or land and water reserve where the photo was taken.  Photos received for this category may be part of a statewide photographic exhibit, as well as a digital production, created to celebrate the INPC’s 500th site.  Winning photographers from this category will be invited to attend a reception featuring their work in 2010. 

6.  A note must accompany entries specifying the total number of slides, prints and/or digital images entered.

7.  Photographers of winning entries must be willing to provide the original slide, negative or electronic file for publication purposes if necessary.

8.  Entries received after 5 p.m. August 7, 2009 will be disqualified and not returned.

9.  A panel of photo experts will review entries. Winners will be notified after the judging is completed.

10.  The 2008 OutdoorIllinois photo contest Best of Show winner and IDNR employees and members of their immediate household may not compete.

11.  All entries become the exclusive property of the IDNR and will not be returned to the photographer. The IDNR may contact any photographer regarding gratis use images in printed materials promoting Illinois' natural resources.

12.  All submitted photos must be free of claims and rights of third parties.

13.  Send entries to: Photo Contest, OutdoorIllinois, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271.

Contest guidelines are also available here. Questions may be directed to (217) 785-0975 or by e-mail to dnr.editor@illinois.gov.

All winning images will be published in the February 2010 issue of OutdoorIllinois–our sixth annual photographic issue.

Among the items the Best of Show winner will receive are a weekday, one-night lodging and breakfast for two package for Rend Lake Resort and Lodge, two tickets to the 2009 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet where the recipient will be honored and the winning photograph displayed, and on behalf of the INPC, a one-year family membership to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago (year-round, unlimited access to the museum, free admission to more than 250 museums around the world, half-off admission to some of the best-loved Chicago area museums, free coat check and stroller rental, discounts on birthday parties, overnights and summer camps, free programming and activities and much more.  For a complete list of benefits, click the link to Membership at www.naturemuseum.org or contact the Membership Coordinator at (773)755-5115.

First, second, and third-place winners will receive three-year, two-year and one-year subscriptions, respectively, to OutdoorIllinois and the opportunity to have their winning photos published in the February 2010 issue.

PLEASE NOTE: All Illinois Nature Preserves and Land and Water Reserve photos will be transferred to the INPC upon completion of the OutdoorIllinois contest, to become part of the 500th protected site celebration. We will announce the 22 winning photographs by the 2009 Winter season.