Britain’s leading wildlife research charity is hoping to encourage talented young people aged 16 or under to take part in its 2014 nature photography competition.
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) inaugurated the Julian Gardner Award in 2012. The award is given to the picture that best encapsulates the wonder and beauty of the British countryside. The award is made in two categories: adult and 16-and-under, and the GWCT is eager to encourage younger entrants for its third year. The competition is open to all amateur photographers from around the world, though the entries must have been taken in the UK.
Last year's winner in the junior category was Christopher Page from Kent, who took the prize with his image of woodland bathed in golden sunlight. He followed Cleveland's Craig McCann, who received the award in its inaugural year with his atmospheric scene of muirburn at twilight.
While both previous winners in this category have been in their teens, the competition is open to all talented young photographers. One of the runners up in last year's contest was nine-year-old Eloise Rux-Burton of Oxfordshire, who received praise for her atmospheric landscape photo from the environment minister Richard Benyon when he presented her with her prize at the 2013 CLA Game Fair.
The contest will be judged by celebrated professional wildlife photographer Laurie Campbell, GWCT advisor Peter Thompson and GWCT publications editor Louise Shervington.
Louise Shervington said, "We've seen some spectacular images by children and young adults over the first two years of the contest, but we think there's a lot more undiscovered talent out there. There are some wonderful countryside scenes just waiting to be captured, especially as we move further into spring. If you're 16 or under and have an interest in either photography or nature then we want to hear from you."
The award is named after the Sussex farmer Julian Gardner who was tragically murdered while defending his property in October 2010. The award is made possible by a generous donation from Julian’s family and friends, which has funded two magnificent hare sculptures given each year to the winning entrants.
The competition can be entered by emailing your photographs to photocompetition@gwct.org.uk before midnight 31 May 2014. The winners will be announced in July. Further details and competition rules can be found at http://www.gwct.org.uk/wildlife/the-julian-gardner-awards/.
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Photocaption: Nine-year old Eloise Rux-Burton is presented with a print of her entry in the 2013 Julian Gardner Award by environment minister Richard Benyon.
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