CALL FOR ENTRIES

The KEEP Conservation Foundation and the Germantown Library are pleased to announce a juried spring photography contest, "Reflections on Life: The KEEP Conservation Germantown Preserve, Spring 2012." Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit up to three photographs (film or digital) taken on the Germantown Preserve between the dates of April 1 and June 15, 2012, that reflect the photographer's vision of life awakening on the preserve in springtime. Located at Orr Road and County Route 8 in Germantown, the KEEP Conservation Germantown Preserve is a place of changing natural beauty throughout the year.

Contestants may enter in one of two divisions: adult or youth (under 18). Cash prizes will be awarded for first through third place in each category. Contestants may submit up to three entries. Photos must be no larger than 12" x 18", framed or matted, and ready for hanging with a suitable hanging wire attached. Each entry must also have an entry form attached to the back in a sealed envelope to preserve anonymity. There is no entry fee. Contestants may download an entry form here.

Entries may be dropped off at the Germantown Library (31 Palatine Park Road, Germantown) between Tuesday, June 19, and Thursday, June 21, during library hours. A reception will be held on Saturday, June 23, from 5-7 p.m., at which time winners in each category will be announced. Winning photographs, and those receiving honorable mention will be on display at the library through July 27.

KEEP Conservation Foundation has nearly completed a trail mapping project with Columbia Land Conservancy, and will have trail maps available at the Germantown Library, and available for download at this website by mid-April.

Contest Juror: Photographic artist, Gail Leboff has generously agreed to be the juror for this contest and show. Based in New York City, Gail creates mysterious landscapes that display both the tangible qualities of nature, and the intangible qualities related to one's memory and experience in nature. She holds a BA and MA from New York University, and is a recipient of the 2005 Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Biennial Award. Her work is found in many museum collections, including Harvard University Art Museum, Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the Norton Museum of Art. To learn more, visit her website at http://www.gailleboff.com .

More about the preserve: The KEEP Conservation Germantown Preserve's 143 acres of rivers, woods and old farm fields have mowed paths to provide an accessible walk through the preserve where many species of breeding, nesting and resident birds can be see throughout the seasons. KEEP's efforts to bring back the old farm fields from encroaching woody vegetation have encouraged the nesting of field birds such as the Blue-Winged and Prairie Warbler, Savannah and Field Sparrow, Eastern Bluebirds as well as many other species. Butterflies, dragonflies, turtles, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals also benefit from this protected habitat. With the help of biologists from the Department of Agriculture, KEEP has planted grasses to attract Bob-o-links and Eastern Meadowlarks, both of which are seriously threatened in New York State. The preserve is open from dawn to dusk seven days a week for walking, nature observation and photography.