Don't Miss April's Preserve The Moment Photo Contest Deadline

It's an exciting time to be taking a stroll through the forest preserves, where both the plants and animals are basking in the glory of warmer weather, giving ample opportunities to snap a potentially award-winning shot in the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Preserve the Moment photo contest.

All sorts of amazing things are happening, from owlets and eaglets popping their heads out of their nests, wildflowers blooming and some very hungry snakes getting back into the swing of things after a long winter. There's no shortage of options to try to impress the judges this month.

If you haven't already submitted your shots for April, be sure to do so by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30. Each monthly finalist — as voted on by a panel of judges — will receive a $75 Visa gift card and advance into a final round of judging once the contest concludes on December 31. The top three winners will be determined by a public vote on the District’s Facebook page, with the first-place winner receiving $500; second place, $250; and third place, $150.

Three random drawings also will be held for all contest participants and those three winners will receive $75 Visa gift cards. 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.
• Attend one of the upcoming programs where wildlife viewing will be center stage and bring along your camera.
• Take a walk through a preserve, which not only yields some health benefits, but also some stunning landscape shots.
• Check out our Instagram account and Flickr page.

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 on April 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.