World Wildlife Fund Photo Contest

Here's some fun contest news for wildlife shooters! World Wildlife Fund (WWF) today launched the "Life Grows On" photo contest - presented by CVS/pharmacy Photo - to commemorate WWF's 50th Anniversary and to coincide with Earth Day. The contest is aimed at raising awareness of species and land conservation issues and seeks photos in three separate categories: wildlife, wild places, and people connecting with nature.
 
The contest is open to both amateur and experienced (not clear if that includes pros--you'll have to read more on their site) photographers and the first-place prize is a trip to see and photograph polar bears! Cool or what? Three first-place winners will win a trip for two on the Classic Polar Bear Photo Adventure provided by tour operator Natural Habitat Adventures. This travel package, one of the group's most popular polar bear tours, includes a journey into the realm of the polar bear with an expert photographer. Winning photos will be published in several communication vehicles across the organization that will reach more than 8 million people. There is an entry fee ($15) but it allows you to enter up to fifteen photos.

Here some more info from their press release:

•     150 finalists will receive a WWF red baseball cap in recognition of their amazing photos. There will also be an instant game prize (10 prizes given out each day), which is a WWF reusable coffee mug.

RULES

•     To enter the contest, from April 22 until June 17, 2011, participants must submit photos either online at www.WWFPhotoContest.org or by mail on a CD to WWF-US headquarters at 1250 24th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037.
•     Submitted photos must be the photographer's original work.
•     Limit 15 submissions per photographer. Along with the photograph, the following information is needed:
•      Description of photo
•      Name of Photographer
•      Mailing address
•      Email address

SELECTION

•     Entries will be judged by a WWF-selected panel and will be based on creativity, originality, technical quality, and fit to category.
•     The judges will select the top 50 from each category by July 1, 2011, after which the judging and decision-making will be handed over to the public for final vote. July 2 until July 15, 2011, the general public can vote for their favorite photos and select the winners.

ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
WWF is the world's leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.

And by the way, if you want some tips on entering and winning photo contests, I've written a book on the subject:  Winning Digital Photo Contests (Lark Photography Book).