Contact:
Dorinda Nyberg
Save the Redwoods League
415-820-5814
[email protected]
SaveTheRedwoods.org
SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE KNOW WONDER PHOTO CONTEST
–Prizes awarded to three photographers by popular vote
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 30, 2013) — Save the Redwoods League today revealed the three winners of its national photo contest in which 252 park enthusiasts entered their stunning images of the world’s tallest trees.
In the 2013 Know WonderSM photo contest, the League challenged redwood park enthusiasts to capture redwood forests from every angle — from the smallest inhabitants on the forest floor to the lofty branches of the redwood canopy, as part of an effort to raise awareness for redwoods and state parks. “We are thrilled with the huge response this year – the Know WonderSM photo contest shows that people treasure these awe-inspiring forests and the parks that protect them,” said Dorinda Nyberg, Interim Director of Outreach for Save the Redwoods League.
After tallying more than 6,700 votes from the public, the League named three winners:
Scott Wright of Bountiful, Utah won first prize: a $250 gift card to B&H Photo, Video & Pro Audio. Wright’s photo portrays an owl in Muir Woods.
Wright has recently begun practicing photography full-time. Through his work he strives to share his deep love for the natural world, and to inspire other people to connect with nature as well. He created a Facebook page with that goal: www.facebook.com/Life.Illuminated. This winning image was taken on Wright’s first visit to the coast redwoods. “There is a power and beauty among these beautiful trees which can only be experienced in silence,” Wright said. “Words don’t exist to convey the feelings my wife and I had there.”
Kevin Citta of Weed, California won second prize: one Lightweight Travel Pack and one Chacabuco Pack 32L Backpack by Patagonia. Citta’s photo captures the view from within a redwood on Cal Barrel Road in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
Citta relocated to California in 2009 by riding his bicycle from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He arrived in Redwood National Park after the 3-month bicycle trip supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He now resides near Mount Shasta, but loves the diversity of the redwood forest and visits whenever possible. “From the forest floor to the canopy overhead, the redwood forest is breathtaking,” Citta said.
“Nature, photography, travel and exploration are my passions,” he said. “What better place to enjoy all of these than the majestic redwoods!”
Alan Justice, PhD, of Crescent City, California won third prize: one California State Parks Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass. Justice’s photo shows a spotted owl in the redwoods near Klamath River.
Justice retired from his career doing medical research in neurology in 1999 to concentrate on nature photography full-time. He then moved to the North Coast, closer to his favorite place on Earth, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. He volunteers at the Redwood National and State Parks visitor center. You can see more wildlife shots on his webpage: http://home.earthlink.net/~wildlifepaparazzi/.
Read more about Alan. To view all Know WonderSM photo contest finalists, please visit our gallery.
For more information about the Save the Redwoods League photo contest and future opportunities to participate, visit: SaveTheRedwoods.org/contest.
For high-resolution images of winning photos please contact Dorinda Nyberg, Interim Director of Outreach for Save the Redwoods League at (415) 820-5814 or [email protected].
About Save the Redwoods League
Walk through a redwood forest — home of the tallest, largest, and some of the oldest living beings on Earth — and you can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe and peace among these magnificent giants. Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has led the effort to protect the coast redwoods and giant sequoias for all to experience and enjoy. To date the League has completed the purchase of more than 189,000 acres of redwood forest and associated land. For more information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org, or to receive monthly email updates, sign up at SaveTheRedwoods.org/signup.
Tags: 2013, Press Release
