'Preserve the Moment' with Forest Preserve Photo Contest

• Photo: A photo of turtles having fun in the sun won Connie Secor of Orland Park third place in the 2014 Forest Preserve District of Will County photo contest. This year’s “Preserve the Moment” photo contest began on June 1 and ends on Dec. 31.

The annual Forest Preserve District of Will County photo contest is up and running, but will be doing things a little different this year.

The contest’s new name, Preserve the Moment, encourages participants to enjoy some time in nature then preserve it for posterity. Unlike past contests which ran five months, from June 1 through Oct. 31, Preserve the Moment will run two months longer and end on Dec. 31. Submitted photos must be taken by amateur photographers in Forest Preserve District of Will County locations during the time period specified.

The biggest change in the District’s photo contest is the way the photos will be judged. Instead of submitting photos by one final deadline, participants should upload their entries monthly. Each month, from June to December, a panel of judges will select its favorite photo from among those submitted. These photos will then be entered into the final judging. Each contestant is limited to five contest entries per month. June submissions are being accepted now. Directions on how to submit photos and a complete list of rules is posted at ReconnectWithNature.org.

After the contest ends on Dec. 31, photos selected as the best for each month will be posted for online judging by members of the public. The first-place winner will receive a wireless HP color printer, the second-place winner will receive a messenger-style bag with a padded laptop sleeve, and the third place winner will receive a fleece blanket.

Each participant will receive a gift for entering the contest, and the photo submissions will be shared online on the District’s website and Flickr pages and may be used in other District marketing efforts.

So grab your camera and start snapping pictures, but remember to upload your best photos monthly to be in the running for final contest judging and prizes.

Submitted by the Forest Preserve District of Will County