Forest Preserve District Of Will County Launches 'Preserve The Moment' Photo Contest

Press release from the Forest Preserve District of Will County:

The leaves may have fallen off the trees, and while things may not be as colorful this month, there are still plenty of opportunities to frame that perfect shot in the November portion of the Preserve the Moment photo contest.

If you haven't entered yet, time is quickly running out not only for a chance to win the monthly prize, but also for the entire contest, which wraps up at the end of December.

With a more open landscape, it's easier to see birds in the trees, especially everyone's favorite bald eagles, and there is the hustle and bustle of wildlife getting ready for winter. As an added bonus, shorter days means you can catch a colorful sunset without having to stay out late.

There are so many opportunities to try to wow the judges with your photos, but be sure to get your entries in by 11:59 p.m. Monday, November 30.

So far this year's monthly contest finalists are:

• May: A frog on a log at Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve.
• June: A widow skimmer posing at Hickory Creek Preserve.
• July: A perfect mirror image of the bridge at Lake Chaminwood Preserve.
• August: A praying mantis at Riverview Farmstead Preserve.
• September: A rare heron devouring a crawfish at Whalon Lake.
• October: A coyote cruising through the brush at McKinley Woods.

Each monthly finalist — as voted on by a panel of judges — will receive a $75 MasterCard gift card and advance into a final round of judging once the contest concludes on December 31.

All eight monthly finalists will compete for the top three overall contest spots as determined by a public vote on the District’s Facebook page, with the first-place winner receiving a $500 gift card; second place, $250; and third place, $150.

Three random drawings also will be held for all contest participants and those three winners will each receive a $75 MasterCard gift card. All who enter will receive a participation gift.

Looking for inspiration?

• Check out our Will County Wildlife Facebook Group to see what everyone else is spotting throughout the county these days.
• Check out our various photo-driven social media accounts: Instagram, Today's Bird, Today's Bald Eagle and Wildlife of the Day.

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS NOW

Participants may enter up to five digital photos per month. All photos must be uploaded via the District’s contest upload page. Be sure to fill out all of the required categories, including the date and location the photo was taken.

Photos must be taken by amateur photographers age 18 or older, and they must be snapped in a Will County forest preserve during the contest period, which began May 1. For instance, pictures taken at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, which is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, and Pilcher Park, which is a City of Joliet park, will not qualify for the contest.

For a list of all Forest Preserve locations, check out the District's preserve page and be sure to read the contest rules before entering. Entries not adhering to the rules will automatically be disqualified.

The Preserve the Moment photo contest is sponsored by The Nature Foundation of Will County.

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This press release was produced by the Forest Preserve District of Will County. The views expressed are the author's own.