8th Annual Photo Contest
**Next Entry Deadline**
Entries must arrive at the office by 4:00 pm
Friday, September 22, 2023
Categories
- Wildlife—Avian (birds)*
- Wildlife—Fauna (mammals and other wildlife other than birds)* Plants/Fungi*
- Landscape and Scenic (Must be taken at Loess Bluffs NWR)
- People in Nature (People engaged in outdoor activities at Loess Bluffs NWR) Youth (Youth photographers are age 17 years & under by the contest entry deadline)
- Cell Phone Photography (Photos can fit in any above categories)
*Photographs entered in the Wildlife and Plants/Fungi categories must contain flora or fauna that is indigenous to Loess Bluffs NWR, regardless of where the photo was taken.
During September and October all entries will be displayed in the auditorium and on the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge's Facebook page. Winning photographs will be on display throughout the year until the following August.
Recognition
Winning photos will be displayed throughout the year at the Loess Bluffs NWR Visitor Contact Station. Winners in each category will receive a certificate of recognition and invited to a Recognition Banquet at the refuge in October.
Directions to Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge: Take Interstate 29 to Exit 79 south of Mound City, Missouri then travel south 2 ½ miles on U.S. Highway 159.
Website: www.fws.gov/refuge/loess_bluffsvisit/visitor_activities/photo_contest.h…
For more information, please call (660) 442-3187.
Photo Contest Rules
Photo Entries
- Photographers can submit up to five total photo entries of their own original work in any of the categories:
- Wildlife - Avian (birds)*
- Wildlife - Fauna (mammals or other wildlife other than birds)*
- Plants/Fungi*
- Landscape and Scenic (Must be taken at Loess Bluffs NWR)
- People in Nature (People engaged in outdoor activities at Loess Bluffs NWR)
- Youth (Youth photographers are age 17 years & under by the contest entry deadline)
- Cell Phone Photography (Photos can fit any above categories)
- Regardless of shape or size, photo entries must fit into an 8” x 10” dimension.
*Photographs entered in the Wildlife and Plants/Fungi categories must contain flora or fauna that is indigenous to Loess Bluffs NWR, regardless of where the photo was taken.
Photo Submission Contest entries can be sent by mail or hand-delivered. A high resolution electronic copy should be submitted to loessbluffs@fws.gov or included with mailed/hand delivered entries. If you are unable to submit an electronic copy of your photo, the photo will be scanned for you by refuge staff. Scanned photos are not always as high
quality as photos submitted electronically.
Forms Photographers are responsible for completing and submitting the following forms which are available on our
website or at the Loess Bluffs Visitor Contact Station.
- Completed and signed Entry Form on the back of the photograph
- FWS Form 3-2259 “Copyright Release Agreement” - please note your name for photo credit. One FWS Form 3-2259 can be submitted for all photographs but the photograph title(s) should be listed on the form in box.
The Following is Not Allowed
- Photos may not display the name of the photographer on the front of the photograph.
- Photographs that have been matted, framed, or have writing on the front.
- Photographs of captive wildlife will not be accepted.
Winners will be announced when judging has concluded. All winning photographs will remain in the care of Friends of Loess Bluffs and Loess Bluffs NWR until August 2023. If you wish to have your photographs returned to you, place a self-addressed stamped envelope with the entries submitted. If participants do not pick up their photographs after August 2023, the photographs will be disposed of.
Liability Upon entry of photo contest, participants acknowledge that neither Friends of Loess Bluffs, Loess Bluffs NWR, nor any sponsors of the contest are responsible for any lost or damaged photographs, or liable for copyright or other legal disputes that may arise from this competition. All entrants agree to allow Friends of Loess Bluffs and Loess Bluffs NWR rights to publish winning photos in future promotional publications without compensation.
Hand delivered entries will be accepted during normal hours:
Monday – Friday (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), except for Federal holidays.
Loess Bluffs NWR Visitor Center phone number is: (660) 442-3187
Mail or hand deliver entries to:
Loess Bluffs NWR
C/O Photo Contest
25542 US-159
Forest City, MO 64451
Website: www.fws.gov/refuge/loess_bluffs/visit/visitor_activities/photo_contest…
Sponsored by:
Friends of Loess Bluffs; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
