2015 Refuge Photography Contest to Launch September 15

Best Wildlife Refuge Images to be Featured in Online Gallery

News provided by

National Wildlife Refuge Association

Sep 15, 2015, 10:40 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Wildlife Refuge Association will launch its 2015 Refuge Photo Contest on September 15. One grand prize-winner will receive $1,000, and runners-up will receive prizes generously donated by Orvis, Eagle Optics and Wild Bird Centers.

Ten photographers will also receive honorable mention and receive prize packs, including two nature books or field guides generously donated by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All entrants will receive a free one-year membership to the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

Sunset at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida | Credit: Judy Lyle, 2012 Photo Contest Entry

Common Yellowthroat at Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana | Credit: John Flores, 2010 Photo Contest Entry

"America's national wildlife refuges are outstanding places to capture the beauty of nature and the wonder of wildlife," said David Houghton, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. "Nature photography is a growing passion on our wildlife refuges, and we're excited to showcase the skills and talents of the photographers who visit to visually tell the stories of the wildlife and people that make these places so special."

Entries will be accepted from September 15 until November 15 at 9 p.m. EST.

Eligible contestants should visit http://refugeassociation.org/people/photo-contest-2015. to submit photographs beginning on September 15, 2015. The entry fee is $25 (USD), and each entry may include up to five (5) photos. For complete contest rules, visit http://refugeassociation.org/people/photo-contest-rules-and-procedures.

Selection of winners will be based on two rounds of judging. The first round will select at least 100 images to be included in the Refuge Association's Refuge Image Library. The second round will result in the selection of the top prize-winners.

Images must be taken on national wildlife refuges and can feature birds, mammals, insects, fish, other animals, plants, people or refuge scenery.

During the contest judging period, the photo contest team will highlight select entries in the online photo gallery and/or on social media. Visitors to various social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest may also share any entry posted on those accounts.

About National Wildlife Refuge Association
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is the only nonprofit that promotes the world's largest wildlife conservation network: the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Refuge Association works in Washington, D.C. and around the nation to protect the integrity of the Refuge System and fosters partnerships between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, private landowners and refuge supporters to advance on-the-ground fish and wildlife conservation.

Learn more at: http://refugeassociation.org/about/about-nwra/

Contact: Tracey Adams, 202-577-3396
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150915/266471
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150915/266472

SOURCE National Wildlife Refuge Association