The City of New Bedford’s Conservation Commission Announces Wetland Photo Contest

The City of New Bedford’s Conservation Commission invites the public to explore the beauty of New Bedford’s wetlands through photography. They are seeking photographs that highlight New Bedford’s wetlands displaying any flora, fauna, or natural landscape. The goal of this contest is for everyone to become more aware of the wetlands in New Bedford and their benefits to the environment. The contest is open to all ages and does not have a residency requirement.

Photographs will be on displayed at City Hall outside of Room 304 as they are received. The public can vote for their favorite photograph(s) during the voting period of October 3rd through November 4th at noon. The 12 photographs that receive the most votes during the voting period will be used in the 2012 City of New Bedford Conservation Electronic Calendar available on the City’s webpage. Three random prize winners will also be drawn by the Conservation Commission during their December meeting.  All entries will be eligible for the random prize drawing. Prizes include a Buttonwood Park Zoo Membership, a day of kayaking with Ocean State Adventures and passes to the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

The contest is being presented by the New Bedford Conservation Commission and is generously sponsored by Converse Photo Supply of New Bedford, the Buttonwood Park Zoo, Ocean State Adventures and the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

For any questions about the New Bedford Wetland Photo Contest please contact the Conservation Commission at (508) 991-6188 or email Kerry.Muldoon@newbedford-ma.gov.  For a summary of contest details please visit: http://newbedford-ma.gov/WetlandPhotoContest.htm

Contest Rules:

• All submissions must be original, unpublished photographs and must include flora, fauna or natural landscape from one of New Bedford’s wetlands. Flora includes all of the plants that live in a particular wetland area, such as trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, sedges, rushes, mosses and lichens. Fauna includes all of the animals that live in a particular wetland such as birds, fish, frogs, salamanders, toads, turtles, rabbits, fox, opossum, and deer. Landscape photos can include wetland areas with flora and possibly fauna; water features such as a pond or stream; or coastal rocky shoreline or beach. Pictures with people in them will be disqualified. Photographers are strongly encouraged to take pictures that are easily recognizable as being within New Bedford’s wetlands. New Bedford wetland locations include: Acushnet White Cedar Swamp, Brooklawn Park, Buttonwood Park, Clarks Cove, East Beach, Flora B. Peirce Nature Trail, New Bedford Harbor, Palmers Island, Pine Hill Park, Riverside Park, Sassaquin Pond, Tabor/Fort Rodman, Turners Pond, Victory Pond, and West Beach. View map of wetlands at: http://newbedford-ma.gov/Environmental/conservation/ContestFiles/WetlandMap.pdf
• Photographs must be current pictures, taken on or after February 10, 2011.

• Contestants are asked to submit 8X10 prints, unframed & unmatted. Color or black and white prints are acceptable. Photocopied or framed images will not be accepted. Contestants can go to Converse Photo Supply located at 12 North Sixth Street in New Bedford to print their 8 X 10 photographs for only $2.00! Offer only good with coupon. View and print photo coupon at: http://newbedford-ma.gov/Environmental/conservation/ContestFiles/Coupon.pdf

• Contestants are asked to type or print the following information on an index card and attach it with tape to the back of each photo (please do not write directly on the back of the photo or use staples or paper clips as this will damage the photo): Name, Address, Telephone Number, Email Address, Which Category (Flora, Fauna, or Landscape), and Where the Photo Was Taken.

• Entrants may submit only one photo per category contest.

• Minor digital enhancements are permitted (i.e. cropping, lighting/darkening etc) but images that have been significantly modified or appear unnatural will be disqualified. No watermarks or copyright images on the photos.

• The Commission reserves the right to have final ruling on all pictures. By submitting a picture, the artist gives the New Bedford Conservation Commission authority to publish and use the picture for future use with credit to photographer. Photos will not be returned to owner.

How to Submit a Photo:
Entrants must submit photograph(s) and entry form via mail or at the Conservation Commission Office:
City of New Bedford Conservation Commission
c/o Wetland Photo Contest
133 William Street, Room 304
New Bedford, MA 02740

Submissions will not be accepted via e-mail. Entries must be postmarked by September 30, 2011. If mailing photographs, the City of New Bedford Conservation Commission and its sponsors assume no liability for damaged, bent, or lost in transit photographs. To protect photos, entries should be packaged with appropriate material. View and print entry form at: http://newbedford-ma.gov/Environmental/conservation/ContestFiles/EntryForm.pdf

Voting:
The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite photograph during the Voting period which begins on Monday, October 3, 2011 and ends on Friday, November 4, 2011 at noon. Voters can vote for as many photographs as they like, but may only vote once per photo per day. Voters must place their vote in Room 304 by filling out the voter ballet slip. Winners will be announced in December. The winners will be notified by phone, email or postal mail.