Congratulations to our winners!
2024 photo contest winners
Grand Prize
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Cave by Brad Bellisle
Birds Category Winner
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Screech Owls by Curt Lundeen
Flora & Fungi Category Winner
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Rue Anemone with raindrops by William Petersen
Insects, Amphibians, & Reptiles Category Winner
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Common buckeye butterfly feeding on goldenrod by Bruce Bartel
People & Other Mammals Category Winner
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American Mink by Steven Thompson
People’s Choice Winner
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River Otter by Philip Knapp
2024 photo contest
The 2024 Photo Contest closed in November 2024.
Every year, we invite you to share your best photos of nature in Wisconsin with us: the landscapes you’ve explored, the wildlife you’ve spotted, and the outdoor adventures you’ve had.
In 2024, we switched things up a bit and incorporated 5 different categories for photo submissions. There will be one winner from each category, and one of the category winners will be selected as the grand prize winner. We are also bringing back the People’s Choice Award where, you guessed it, YOU get to decide the winner. The 2024 Photo Contest categories are:
1) Landscapes
2) Birds
3) Flora & Fungi
4) Insects, Amphibians, & Reptiles
5) People & Other Mammals
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is dedicated to protecting the lands, waters, and wildlife that you cherish most. Thank you for being a part of our mission and letting us see our work through your lens.
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People’s Choice: 2023 — American Avocets by Todd Leech
Prizes
We are awarding prizes for the Grand Prize Winner, 4 additional Category Winners, and People’s Choice!
Grand Prize: Oberwerk 8×32 Sport HD Binoculars ($230) and $200 REI gift card
Category Prizes: GOSKY 12×55 HD Monocular ($170 value) and $50 REI gift card
People’s Choice: NRF swag bag with hat, tee, sweatshirt, & more
In addition, all winners will receive a complimentary NRF membership, Foundation t-shirt, and their photo featured in our newsletter, Bridges.
People’s Choice will be determined by popular vote from a selection of finalists.
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Submission Guidelines
Submit up to four of your best Wisconsin nature photos to the Photo Contest via our online portal. If submitting multiple photos, please submit each one separately. NRF staff, judges, and the immediate family of judges are not eligible to win prizes.
DEADLINE: November 1st, 2024 at 11:59 pm
PHOTO REQUIREMENTS: Photos must be submitted as high resolution JPEG files (200+ dpi). Maximum file size 20 MB. Minimum file size 2 MB. Minimum image size 2048 pixels (tall or wide). Vertical or horizontal in orientation (Note: some images may be cropped to fit format). Photo cannot be over three years old. You cannot submit the same photo to multiple categories. No watermarks please. Only photos that fit these requirements will be eligible for prizes.
PHOTO RIGHTS: Entrant must hold all rights to the photograph, must receive permission from any people featured in the photo prior to submitting.
NOTE: By submitting your photos, you give the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin permission to use them in publications, promotions, and on social media (we always credit the photographer).
You do not need to be an NRF member to submit a photo.
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First Place: 2022 — Momma Fox & Kit by Marci Lanois
GUEST JUDGES
We are excited to introduce our two guest judges for the 2024 Photo Contest! Julie Spanton and Andy Raupp will join a panel with NRF staff to select the winning photos.
Julie Spanton
Winner of NRF’s 2023 Photo Contest
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First Place: 2023 — Sunset on Middle Sugarbush Lake by Julie Spanton
Andy Raupp
Professional bird and wildlife photographer
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Ruby Throated Hummingbird and Wildflowers by Andy Raupp
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2023 Contest Winners
Banner photos by Dave Moffat and Andy Raupp