TWO WEEKS LEFT TO ENTER “Wilderness Forever” PHOTO CONTEST

START AN ENTRY NOW and you may finish your uploads by 11:59 pm
(Eastern Standard Time) on Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

SIGNED INTO LAW in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Wilderness Act was a triumph for all who enjoy the open landscapes of America and the natural heritage they represent. 

Today, more than 100 million acres are protected by the National Wilderness Preservation System to ensure these areas remain ecologically sound and environmentally pristine for future generations. In 2014, the Wilderness Act will reach its 50th Anniversary.
In tribute to this milestone, Wilderness50—a coalition of government agencies, nonprofit groups, foundations, and other supporters—have joined together to celebrate the 50-year mark through numerous educational events, including the “Wilderness Forever” nationwide photography competition and print exhibition at the Smithsonian.

ABOUT THE COMPETITION: THE Wilderness50 COALITION, distinguished panel of judges, the Smithsonian Institution, and the team at Nature’s Best Photography now invite photographers at all levels of experience to enter the new “Wilderness Forever” photography competition. This call for entries seeks your best photos and personal stories and experiences within America’s protected wilderness areas (see the official list link: www.wilderness.net/NWPS/stateView?state=AK)

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION: CATEGORY WINNERS and a selection of Highly Honored photos will be displayed in a 2014 print exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, one of the most widely respected and highly visited museums in the world. In addition, all winning images will be published in a special publication produced to commemorate this golden anniversary event and promoted nationwide through other electronic, print, and event promotions. Each of the four contest categories will have a Pro, Amateur, and Student winner, plus Honorable Mentions. Download the Entry Guidelines for complete details, rules, and categories: Entry Guidelines PDF

WILDERNESS FOREVER SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES

FEDERAL AGENCIES:

Bureau of Land Management

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Forest Service

National Park Service

ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS:

Back Country Horsemen of America

Epson America Corporation

Great Old Broads for Wilderness

Pew Charitable Trusts

The Sierra Club

Smithsonian Institution; 
The Society for Wilderness Stewardship
The Wilderness Land Trust
The Wilderness Society

Wilderness Photos © Bob Wick/BLM

June 25 to July 1st, 2013 Picture of the Week by Scott Bechtel

Click on the “Picture of the Week” button on the NBP website to view this image sent in by Scott Bechtel of Findlay, Ohio, USA. www.naturesbestphotography.com

Title: Surprise!

Subject: Male Rufous Hummingbird

Location: Cranbrook, British Columbia

Camera: Nikon D7000; Nikon 70-300mm ƒ/4.5-5.6 lens at 200mm; 1/250 sec at ƒ/19; ISO 200.

Story: “I was on vacation near Cranbrook, British Columbia taking photos of hummingbirds. While shooting this rufous another rufous over my head caught the attention of this guy. I captured him just as he turned to enforce his territory.”

**Notice**
The image appears on our website from Tuesday, June 24, until Monday, July 1st, 2013. No use without permission of photographer © Scott Bechtel.

Picture of the Week 1/29/2013 to 2/4/2013 by Didier Binetruy

Click on the “Picture of the Week” button on the NBP website to view this image sent in by Didier Binetruy of Villers-le-Lac, France. http://www.naturesbestphotography.com/index.php

Subject: Prayer Flags in Tso Moriri lake

Location: Ladakh, India

The Story: “This photo was taken while trekking in Ladakh in August 2012, i just feel in love for the natural beauty of the place. this lake is at about 4600m Altitude.”

**Notice**
The image will be available to view on our website from Tuesday, January 29, until Monday, February 5, 2013.

Picture of the Week 12/25/2012 to 12/31/2012 by Chase Dekker

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Nature’s Best Photography team!!

We chose this photograph to celebrate the festivities on this chilly Christmas day.

Click on the Picture of the Week button on the Nature’s Best Photography website to see this week’s featured photo sent in by Chase Dekker entitled “A Moose Beneath the Brush”: http://www.naturesbestphotography.com/

No use without photographer’s permission under any circumstances.

Subject: Shiras Bull Moose
Location: Antelope Flats in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
Photographer: Chase Dekker
The story: “I ventured out to Grand Teton National Park this December to photograph the beautiful and quiet park during it’s off winter season. I spend a lot of time with moose and was able to find a group of 12 moose out in the sagebrush flats. During a snow flurry, I sat quietly with this bull for quite some time as he took a rest from eating all day.”

**Notice** The image will be available to view on our website from Tuesday, December 25, until Monday, December 31, 2012.