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2013 NC Forest Service Student Arbor Day Photo Contest, ‘Trees Where I Live’ Entries Accepted Through Feb. 28

Jan. 4, 2013. North Carolina is home to beautiful trees and forests that enhance the places we live, work and play. Trees provide many social, economic and environmental benefits to our citizens. The Arbor Day Photo Contest is an opportunity to share not just the beauty of these valuable trees and forests but also the values and benefits that each of us enjoy now and hope to for many generations to come. The competition is open to all North Carolina students in 5th through 12th grades. Entries will be accepted through February 28, 2013.

Grade Divisions and Judgingtree photo

  • 5th – 8th grades
  • 9th – 12th grades

A panel of judges will select a first place winner from each grade division and a grand prize winner. Honorable mentions may also be awarded. Entries will be judged on composition, technique and the use of light, overall impact and originality, as well as the expression of the theme, “Trees Where I Live.” The caption and photographer’s statement will also be considered in the judging. All decisions of the judges are final.

Prizes
First place winners of each category will receive $50 and a tree to plant on their school grounds. One grand prize winner will receive $150, a tree to plant on their school grounds, and a framed reproduction of their photo. All winners will be honored at a state Arbor Day event on March 22, 2013 in Raleigh.

Entrant Agreement and Use of Images
By submitting the official entry form, entrants agree that theirs is an original image taken by the entrant and, with parental/guardian consent, allow the unlimited use of the image by the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS). Entrants grant NCFS the right to publish their name, school, and city in print or other media in connection with the photo contest. Photographs may be displayed at the state Arbor Day Celebration in Raleigh and on the NCFS website.

How to Enter
Complete the entry form, including the caption and photographer’s statement. Only one photo per photographer may be entered. Schools may select up to six (6) photos for entry. Each photo must have an accompanying entry form. Single entries may be emailed to Jennifer.Rall@ncagr.gov. A school submitting more than one photo should submit them on a CD or DVD by mail to:

Jennifer Rall
NC Forest Service
1616 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1616.

Submission Guidelines

  • The contest theme is: “Trees Where I Live”
  • File format: JPEG
  • High resolution. File size maximum of 6 megabytes.
  • Use first and last name as the photo title (i.e. janedoe1.jpg).
  • Photo must have been taken by the student.
  • Submissions may be made by the teacher, the student or the student’s parent. Every entry must be associated with a teacher/school (information submitted in entry form).
  • Include a caption for the photo.
  • Include a Photographer’s Statement (maximum of 150 words) sharing your interpretation of how your photo relates to the contest theme.

Photo Criteria

  • Tree or forest must be in North Carolina and located in or near a community.
  • Subject matter will include not only the beauty of the tree or forest but also demonstration of benefits such as energy conservation, shade, traffic calming, property values, wildlife habitat, stream buffers, etc.
  • Photos may be black and white or color.
  • Photos may be enhanced for color or clarity only.
  • Photos can include people and/or animals interacting with trees or forests.

Winning photos will be selected by March 8, 2013. Photographers of the winning photos will be notified by March 11, 2013 and prizes will be awarded at the NC Arbor Day celebration on March 22, 2013 in Raleigh.

Questions?
For more information, contact Jennifer Rall at 919-857-4849.