The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting entries for the 16th annual Great Waters Photo Contest and Writing Project through Apr. 1, 2024. The top photographs and writing submissions will be featured in the next DNR’s Office of Great Waters calendar.
The photo contest and writing project highlight how people connect with and value the Great Lakes and Mississippi River, inspiring greater care for these vast yet vulnerable resources.
View the 2023-2024 Wisconsin’s Great Waters Calendar for inspiration and examples of past submissions at: widnr.widen.net/s/kvh5bgrpx7/wisconsinsgreatwaters2023-2024calendar.
Eligible entries include photos of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior or the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, and short essays, stories, or poems around 200 words inspired by our Great Waters. Written descriptions of stewardship projects or partnerships to help protect or restore Wisconsin’s Great Waters will also be accepted.
Pictures of all seasons are needed and are accepted in the following categories:
- People enjoying Wisconsin’s Great Waters
- Cultural and historical features
- Natural features
- Wildlife
To review the photo contest and writing project rules and instructions, visit the DNR’s Great Waters Photo Contest and Writing Project webpage at: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/GreatLakes/Contest.html.
Submission And judging
Email all photography entries to [email protected] and all writing entries to [email protected] by April 1, 2024. Include your name, address, phone number, and email address with the submission.
Judging will be completed by a panel of DNR staff members. Criteria for judging include visual and technical merit, creativity, and composition. All authors and photographers will be credited.
For questions about the photo contest or writing project, contact Susan Tesarik, DNR Office of Great Waters, at [email protected] or 608.977.2416.