The fifth annual Julian Gardner Awards photographic competition is now open for entries. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is calling on all amateur nature photographers to take part.
The competition is open to all amateur photographers, not just GWCT members, and relates to GWCT research and advisory work. This takes in all aspects of the UK countryside, including the people who live and work there, game, wildlife, all the various habitats and, of course, the landscape.
There are two categories:
Adult section – The winner will be awarded the GWCT Julian Gardner trophy – a sculpture of a hare.
16 and under section – The winner will be awarded the GWCT Julian Gardner junior trophy – a sculpture of a leveret.
The top three photographs from each section will be printed in our membership magazine Gamewise and featured on our website. The images will be judged by a panel, which includes the world-renowned natural history and landscape photographer Laurie Campbell.
Peter Thompson, GWCT Biodiversity Advisor and competition judge, says: “Following last year’s record number of photographs entered into the competition, I can’t wait to look through this year’s entries. Remember, any subject to do with the countryside can be photographed and sent in. Meanwhile, calling all parents, we want your children to enter as well as you!”
The competition is named after Julian Gardner, the Sussex farmer who was sadly killed defending his property in 2010, and celebrates his life-long love for the British countryside. The winning photographs are judged to be those that best encapsulate the beauty and wonder of the natural landscape around us.
Last year saw Bill Doherty of Ashington in Northumberland winning the adult category for his dramatic picture of an osprey, while Adam Peet of Onchan on the Isle of Man captured a beautiful image of a puffin and was named the winner of the 16-and-under category.
This year’s winners and runners-up will be announced and their photographs displayed at The Game Fair at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. Here the winners will each be presented with the Julian Gardner Award trophies.
The competition can be entered by emailing up to two photographs to photocompetition@gwct.org.uk by 31 May 2016. Entrants must include a contact address, phone number and age with their pictures. Further details and full competition rules can be found at www.gwct.org.uk/photocompetition
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk