DNR osprey photo contest deadline nears

The third Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Nongame Wildlife Checkoff photo contest is underway. Carrol Henderson, DNR Nongame Wildlife Program supervisor, reminds amateur and professional photographers to send in their photo entries featuring ospreys, before the June 17 deadline.

Winning photos from the contest will be featured in the 2006 Nongame Wildlife Checkoff Poster. The poster helps promote donations to the Nongame Wildlife Program and is available free to people who donate to the Wildlife Checkoff Fund on their Minnesota state tax forms or directly to the Nongame Wildlife Program.

Photographers may submit up to 12 original slides taken in Minnesota. Photos chosen to be included in the year 2006 poster will be published with photo credit. Contest winners will receive a framed copy of their winning photo, along with their choice of a complimentary copy of the best selling CD “Restore Your Shore” or a copy of the award winning book “Landscaping for Wildlife,” both published by the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program.

Slides or transparencies may be submitted with each slide labeled with the photographer’s first and last name. Slides should be submitted in a clear plastic 35mm slide sheet. A self-addressed, stamped envelope must be included for return of the slides.

Entry forms and contest rules may be obtained from the DNR Information Center by calling (651) 296-6157 or toll-free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367), or by visiting the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.