Contest Goal
The goal of this year's contest is to celebrate the incredible diversity of birdlife at Heron Haven through photography. This year’s theme focuses on “Birds of Heron Haven,” with a special emphasis on capturing rarer or less commonly seen species. Submissions will help us highlight the hidden delights of our local bird population and contribute to updating our official list of birds observed at Heron Haven.
Contest Guidelines
Online entries can begin on Friday, August 1st, 2025. Deadline for submitting photos is Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 at 11:59 PM - Central time
- This is a free contest, and all age groups are welcome to participate.
- Four (4) photo submissions per person, during the duration of this contest.
- All photos must be taken at Heron Haven between the years 2020 and 2025.
- The theme of this year's contest is Birds Around Heron Haven (rarer the better)
- You must be the creator of any image you submit.
- Photos may be in color, black and white, or a combination of your choosing.
- Submissions must include date of exposure and your name.
- Photo submissions must be submitted by email to photo@heronhaven.org for review.
- The winners of the photo contest will be the photo with the most votes by the Heron Haven Photography Club. If there is a tie, the winner will be chosen by the clubs leaders..
Additional Info.
Prizes:
- Winners will be announced before October 31st, 2025
- There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
- Gift cards, HH t-shirt, State Park Permit, and/or items from local sustainable businesses and restaurants
- Winning photos with your name attached will be published in the Heron Haven Newsletter, displayed in the trailhead display case, and on the Heron Haven website. If you prefer not to list your name, please let us know. A copy will also be given to the photographer at the contest end date.
Disclosure: I grant Heron Haven and the Nebraska Environmental Trust a non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to modify, reproduce, publish, distribute, transmit, display, license, annotate, archive, backup, or otherwise use the Submission in whole or in part in any media without any limitation or restriction.
Questions and inquiries about this contest can be emailed to photo@heronhaven.org
Park Rules
- No pets on or off-leash are permitted.
- The wetland is open to the public from dusk to dawn daily. The gate to the parking lot will be closed at dusk!
- Walk only on designated trails.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints.
- Picking flowers or removing plants is prohibited.
- No fishing, trapping, or netting of fish, or insects is allowed without permission.
- Strollers, walkers, or wheelchairs are permitted. Bicycles, scooters, ATVs, or other wheeled vehicles are prohibited.
- Please do not litter. Heron Haven is a "carry in, carry out" facility.
- Smoking and the use of alcohol are prohibited on the premises.
- The quieter you walk, the more wildlife you and others are likely to see.
- No large groups, if the parking lot is full, please come back another time or wait for some people to leave.
Heron Haven is a "carry-in, carry-out" sanctuary. Take only photos, leave only footprints!
Disclosures
By submitting photos, you grant Heron Haven and the Nebraska Environmental Trust a non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to modify, reproduce, publish, distribute, transmit, display, annotate, archive, backup, and otherwise use the submission in whole or in part in any media without any limitation for restriction.
Photos may be published via newsletters, bulletin boards, kiosks, and on all marketing platforms. If you prefer not to list your name, please say so. Other submissions may be utilized for marketing purposes.
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