ForestWander - Nature Photography News

More people turned out than planners expected
Stacy Wiedmaier • The Desert Sun • February 17, 2008
More than 1,000 residents were guided Saturday on nature walks, viewed desert landscaping workshops and learned nature photography at the Friends of the Desert Mountains Organization annual Wildflower Celebration in Palm Desert.

Organizers said they were inundated with a larger crowd than expected.

“We had an insane blockbuster turnout,” said Scott Segal, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument program director. “This is the initial celebration of the upcoming wildflower season.”

According to Sue Adams, Friends Organization board member, the valley’s peak wildflower season is a short one, lasting from late February to early March. She said it’s amazing such a variety of flowers grow in what most consider a desolate area.

Area organizations also provided education, including officials from Joshua Tree National Park, California Native Plant Society and the Desert Horticultural Society.

Colleen Hacquebord, of Palm Desert, said she brought family visiting from Culver City to the event, calling it an educational family-friendly activity she will return to next year.

Volunteers manned the free activities, including live animals from The Living Desert, appearances by Smokey the Bear, watercolor artistry and tips on growing native plants in your backyard.

“I wasn’t getting up on this mountain enough, so I decided to volunteer,” said John Warden of Palm Desert, who leads the groups Thursday morning hikes. “Working with kids is the best part, teaching them how the environment is interconnected and we can preserve it.”

The Friends of the Desert Mountains supports the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument by purchasing land for conservation and educational programs. Since 1987, they have preserved 33,000 acres of open land in the valley.

“We’re working to create an outdoor community who actively supports this monument,” said Segal. “We need to preserve our national treasures. True sustainability doesn’t come from building more golf courses.”

ForestWander.com West Virginia’s Nature photography website, has been featured in a magazine publication honoring the Monongahela National Forest and the attractions throughout the forest. Beautiful Glady Creek in Babcock State Park West Virginia is the featured Nature Photo which was used in the magazine.

ForestWander.com was formed in 2004 by a father and son hiking and photography team who then began posting their photography work on their website. Since 2004 ForestWander has grown to receive over 50,000 unique visitors each month who view and download the free nature photography pictures offered on ForestWander.com.

ForestWander has also published several video’s on you tube and other popular video sharing sites that express the wonderful beauty of nature and the tranquility that West Virginia has to offer residents and tourists.
http://www.youtube.com/user/forestwander

Winning images exhibited at Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum. Awards open to photographers of all levels of experience. $25,000 in cash and prizes.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 13, 2008 — Nature’s Best Photography and Sony Electronics, Inc. are pleased to announce that photographers may now submit online entries for the 2008 Windland Smith Rice International Awards

Sony Electronics, Inc and its Alpha DSLR Camera system team, the Awards program is one of the world’s most prestigious and visually compelling outdoor photography competitions. Winning images are displayed in large format prints at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, where they are enjoyed by millions of visitors. The 2007 award winners can also be viewed at MSNBC, America Online and Washingtonpost.com.

Pictures have the power to delight, amuse, shock, challenge and inspire us

Presented by

NBP is accepting submissions for its 2008 Awards until April 26, 2008. The opening of entries coincided with PMA08, the Photo Marketing Association International’s annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Online entries can be completed at Nature’s Best Photography.

The awards began with simple yet dynamic goals: To celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography, and to use this far-reaching medium as a creative tool for encouraging greater public interest in outdoor enjoyment and conservation stewardship.

“Pictures have the power to delight, amuse, shock, challenge and inspire us,” said Steve Haber, senior vice president, in charge of Sony Electronics’ digital imaging and audio division. “Digital technologies, like those found on our Alpha DSLR camera system, make it easier to capture and share them with the public. Sony is honored to support and promote the skills and creativity of amateur and professional photographers worldwide.”

In addition to 16 category awards, there are four special awards that are presented at a VIP reception when the winners are unveiled at the Smithsonian.

• Grand Prize - Best overall image
• Conservation Photographer of the Year - Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. Recognizes a photographer who has used their skills to implement meaningful conservation efforts to educate the public about environmental concerns.
• Youth Photographer of the Year - Best overall young photographer (U/18)
• Lifetime Achievement Award - Honoring a photographer’s lifelong dedication to nature.

In 2007, NBP launched a multi-year exhibition partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. “We are proud to continue this important partnership with NBP,” said Elizabeth Duggal, Associate Director for External Affairs and Public Programs, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. “The Nature’s Best exhibitions have been vital in encouraging greater appreciation for nature photography and the natural world on the part of millions of visitors to the National Museum of Natural History.”The Nature’s Best Photography competition is named in memory of accomplished photographer and conservation advocate, Windland Smith Rice, for her past support of emerging photographers worldwide. In 2007, photographers from more than 25 countries submitted over 17,000 images.

“Rarely do you find such a prestigious exhibition that offers opportunities for the public to participate through our annual competition, which is open to photographers of all ages and levels of experience,” said Steve Freligh, NBP Awards Chairman.

EDINBURGH, Scotland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Europe’s largest - ever photography project has launched its web site at http://www.wild-wonders.com/.  Wild Wonders of Europe is an epic, pan-European initiative, aiming to reveal to 700 million Europeans our shared natural heritage and to inspire a desire to safeguard its future.
The Golden Eagle, once the symbol of emperors and kings, and one of Europe’s emblematic wildlife species. Previously endangered because of persecution, but now coming back in force, thanks to better protection. One of the true Wild Wonders of Europe. Photo: Peter Cairns (c)

This is also the start of the countdown to the Great Quest, which will begin in May 2008.

A Quest in which 50 of Europe’s leading nature photographers will travel on more than 90 assignments to every country in Europe, with a mission to create stunning imagery of the very Crown Jewels among Europe’s natural treasures. From the smallest gems to the wilderness riches, from the Atlantic shores to the Ural Mountains, and from the Arctic tundra to the Mediterranean beaches…

The beauty and interest of the images, the excitement of the Quest and the power of the messages will be presented through a variety of media - locally and nationally - together reaching a huge diversity of audiences, crossing borders of class, culture, age and ethnicity.

Wild Wonders of Europe will span at least 5 years, consisting of a cutting-edge web site, outdoor exhibitions, books, audiovisual picture shows, TV-series, photo competitions, and events all across Europe.

“Europeans know more about nature in Africa than in Europe”

“Most of us Europeans today know more about nature in Africa or North America, than we know about Europe. How many Swedes know anything about nature in Bulgaria? How many Irish know anything about nature in Belarus? Or vice versa! This is all part of a natural heritage that we share. But how are you supposed to care about something that you have never even seen or heard about?” says Staffan Widstrand, photographer and writer from Sweden, Managing Director of Wild Wonders of Europe.

“Many think they need to go to America or Australia to experience fascinating wildlife and amazing natural landscapes, but there is lots of it in Europe. We have bison, bears, and wolves, as well as deep canyons, high mountains, rolling steppes, great rivers and turquoise fjords! We would like to inspire Europeans to go out there and better enjoy their own natural heritage, first-hand. But beware, you might fall in love with it all!” says Florian Möllers, photographer and writer from Germany, the project’s Communications Director.

“It is clear that presently, a majority of Europeans are becoming increasingly alienated from nature. Wild Wonders of Europe aims to reverse this trend. We want to touch people’s emotions, excite them about nature, make it cool. We want to re-connect people with our natural heritage…our spiritual home,” says Peter Cairns, photographer and writer from Britain, Business Director of Wild Wonders of Europe.

Wild Wonders of Europe is mainly about good news - showcasing the great diversity and richness of nature and the fact that a lot of the most magnificent Wild Wonders of Europe are still around. And, if we look after them well enough, will still be around also in the future.

Wild Wonders of Europe is a celebration of the joy of wildness, of nature conservation and of the noticeable wildlife comeback across Europe.

Wild Wonders of Europe is being made possible through a growing partnership with several major international conservation, media and public organisations along with socially and environmentally conscious corporations.

Among them are National Geographic Magazine, Epson, Bayard Presse, PolarQuest, Noble Caledonia, European Environment Agency, Conservation International, ILCP (The International League of Conservation Photographers), UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme, The WILD Foundation, and IUCN (The World Conservation Union), Countdown 2010, AEFONA (Association of Spanish Nature Photographers).

Revealing Europe’s amazing natural treasures to the world.

A heritage to share. To enjoy. To protect.

http://www.wild-wonders.com/

Free Press images: are available for download in high-resolution files, in the Press Room at http://www.wild-wonders.com/. These images may be published without cost, but only in direct connection with reports about Wild Wonders of Europe and mentioning the web address.

The photographer’s by-line shall also be published beside each image.

The Green Horizons Conservation Group announces its 2008 photo competition.
(PRWEB) February 8, 2008 –The Green Horizons Conservation Group, through the Green Horizons ‘Kidz Club”, has launched its 2008 photography competition for students grades 1-12, to illustrate the importance of nature in our environment. The theme for the 2008 competition is: “Nature in Urban Spaces”.

The winning school from each level will be awarded 100 carbon offset units, corresponding to 500 planted trees. The photographers of the winning photos will be awarded seed packets to start their own horticulture project.

Eligibility:
All students currently in grade levels 1 through 12 are eligible (public, private or home-schooled) in three different contest levels. Photos may be submitted individually or as a group, including classes or schools.

Photo Content:
Photos must be related to the subject and must have a main subject of nature in urban areas (close to man-made structures and not necessarily highly developed regions).

Entry Deadline:
All entries must be received no later than 12:00 midnight, US EST, May 1, 2008. Photos must be sent digitally via email to the Green Horizons Conservation Group and must include the name of the submitters, school, responsible teacher, the photographer, place and date of the submitted photograph.

Announcement of Winners:
The winners from each contest level will be announced at the Green Horizons Conservation Group official website May 15, 2008.

Awards:
The awards will be presented to the school or family (for home schooled students) of the winner, on behalf of the submitter of the photos, consisting of 100 carbon offset units, representing 500 trees planted in the name of the school/family, thus contributing to offset carbon emissions. In addition, the first place winner, (United States residents only), will be awarded 10 assorted seed packets; the second place winner will be awarded 5 assorted seed packets (United States residents only), and the third place winner will be awarded 3 assorted seed packets (United States residents only).

Complete rules and regulations can be found on the Green Horizons Conservation Group official website.