14 Professionals to Judge NH Conservation Photo Contest
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- Land Conservation
The NH Association of Conservation Commission’s second annual state-wide photo contest has attracted some of the most prestigious judges because -- it isn’t just about cash prizes. The program is about getting people outside to explore and appreciate the wonder of our natural world in their own backyards, on their town lands, and amongst the state’s great outdoor treasures. The contest’s theme this year, is “This is Worth Protecting.”
People come to NH for its abundance of natural resources; forests, lakes, fishing rivers, mountains, clean water and air, hiking trails and scenic vistas. The work of New Hampshire’s over 200 municipal conservation commissions is to make sure those precious resources are protected and accessible to New Hampshire residents and visitors.
But the move out of cities and neighboring states has accelerated since the pandemic, and development is now encroaching into once protected lands and threatening wildlife habitats, wetlands, farmland, and forests. “When did we start calling “land” “lots” , says NHACC’s President, Lesley Johnson.
Paul Wainwright, an NHACC Board member who serves on Atkinson’s Conservation Commission and the town’s Planning Board, has convinced 14 esteemed individuals to serve as judges this year. Among them is Heather Marcus, Yankee Magazine’s Photo Editor, retired Director of Photography for the NH Institute of Art, Gary Samson, Jim Salge, former Weather Observer at the Mt Washington Observatory, Jerry Monkman, Founder and Principal Photographer for Ecophotography, LLC, Charlotte Thompson, Stewardship Outreach for UNH Cooperative Extension, as well as directors from many of the state’s land trusts.
The contest is open to all NH residents with a new category this year for Cell Phone Photos. You don’t need a fancy camera, just get out there and capture an image that says, “this is worth protecting!” All photos must be taken in New Hampshire. A complete list of rules can be found on the NHACC website. An on-line platform called ArtCall hosts the entries. The registration fee is $10 per adult, and kids 18 and under are free. All proceeds go toward the cash awards and any additional fees are used to fund NHACC’s support programs for local conservation commissions.
Contestants will be able to edit or change their entry any time before midnight on September 20th. Cash awards will be presented in three categories: Adults 19 and up; Teens and Kids 18 and under, and Cell Phone photos without age restriction. Each category will award $250 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place. Winning photos will be on display at NHACC’s Annual Meeting and Conference November 2, 2024.
Complete List of Jurors:
| Heather Marcus, Photography Editor, Yankee Magazine |
| Peter Randall, Photographer and Book Publisher |
| Jerry Monkman, Founder, Principal Photographer, and Film Editor, Ecophotography LLC |
| Gary Samson, Director of Photography, Retired, The New Hampshire Institute of Art |
| Jim Salge, Educator, Freelance Photographer, and Former Weather Observer at the Mount Washington Observatory |
| David Johnson, Senior Communications Advisor, Southeast Land Trust |
| Anna Berry, Director of Communications and Digital Outreach, The Forest Society |
| Kristy Heath, Development and Communications Coordinator, The Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust |
| Charlotte Thompson, Stewardship Outreach Manager, UNH Cooperative Extension |
| Kristina Meserve, Outreach Manager, Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust |
| Martin Royle, Communications and Marketing Director, the Monadnock Conservancy |
| Linda Hansen, NHACC Board member |
| Larry Spencer, NHACC Board member and Holderness Conservation Commission Chair |
| Stephen Wingate, NHACC Board Member |