Cal-IPC’s Annual Photo Contest

Four images: Top left man in bright yellow long sleeve shirt half buried in beach grass; top right man in long sleeve grey shirt throws a quadrat into a grassy field; bottom left man in a yellow long sleeved shirt hacks a beach grass; lower right two people in white hats and PPE haul backpack sprayers down a rocky mountain path

2023 photo winners (Clockwise from top left): 1st: “Up to our necks in European beach grass!” Jane Dexter, Mattole Restoration Council; 2nd: “Justin Valliere randomizing data points by throwing a quadrat to determine invasive and native cover in the Santa Monica Mountains.’” Mayra Hernández, UC Davis; Critics’ Choice: “Spraying cheatgrass in Devils Postpile National Monument.” Charlotte Beltran, American Conservation Experience; 3rd: “Getting to the bottom of the beach grass invasion.” Martin Maskill, Mattole Restoration Council.

Take pictures now! The 2024 Cal-IPC Photo Contest Opens July 15.

Cal-IPC’s outreach, education, and fundraising efforts rely heavily on photos to show the story of weed work in California. We love seeing how our colleagues work hard across the state to protect our natural environment from invasive plants. Without the great pictures you share, our message would be much harder to convey.

Anyone can enter! Your photos may be used in future Cal-IPC outreach materials such as our website, brochures, campaigns, or reports (with photographer credit, of course).

Entries will also be displayed at the Cal-IPC Symposium in October and symposium attendees will vote for their favorite photo. Winners will be announced at the Symposium, but you do not need to attend to win! Top three winners get Cal-IPC gear mailed to them (new t-shirt design to be announced later in the year).

Timeline:

July 15 – Sept. 15: Submit photos online. A form will be add to this page.

Sept. 16 – Oct. 24: Vote! Return to this page to vote for your favorites.

Oct. 25: Winners announced at the 2023 Cal-IPC Symposium.

Rules and Guidelines:

  • Maximum number of entries: 8 per individual.
  • Photographs must be in digital format: JPEG or TIFF
  • Digital files must be high resolution, 300 dpi, file size 3 MB or larger (at close to actual size). Larger file size means prettier pictures!
  • Only online entries will be eligible. No print or film submissions will be accepted, but we do accept scans of printed photos, transparencies, or photographic prints.
  • Do not include watermarks (to avoid voter bias).
  • The photos don’t have to be taken this year. Feel free to share from your archives.
  • All entries must be received by midnight PST on the entry date.
  • Images we use most often: weed workers in action; before and after restoration photos; landscapes with invasive plants. Humorous captions encouraged!
  • You do not need to attend the Symposium to enter or to win – anyone can enter!

By submitting your photos to the contest, you grant permission for Cal-IPC to use your images and all persons pictured for future marketing and outreach materials, including our website, brochures, social media, newsletter, manuals, or reports. Photos may be used for the purposes of education, outreach, marketing, fundraising, or advocacy. We will make every effort to credit the photographer and include image information, as space allows.

All votes will be collected using the online app. Entries will also be displayed at the Cal-IPC Symposium in October and symposium attendees will be encouraged to vote for their favorite photo. Winners will be announced at the Symposium, but you do not need to attend to win! The top three winners get Cal-IPC gear mailed to them (new t-shirt design to be announced in fall!)

 

Questions? Contact us at symposium@cal-ipc.org.

Return to the Symposium Landing Page