The 9th Annual RMFI NATURE! Photo Contest serves as a fundraiser for RMFI's outdoor stewardship work as well as helps showcase beautiful Colorado and the talented photographers who are able to capture that beauty. Our contest has 4 categories:

(R)estoration:  Protection of our public open spaces relies on the people who selflessly serve as stewards of the land, repairing damage caused by fires, floods, and heavy recreational use. Capture these wonderful people and/or projects in action!

(M)ountains: If there’s one thing we have in Colorado, it’s mountains! Showcase the beauty of the state with your best photos of Colorado’s majestic landscapes.

(F)lora/Fauna: Colorado is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Send us your best photos of plants and wildlife that make our landscapes so beautiful.

(I)nteraction: How do you connect with nature? Show us your best photos that capture the beauty of people interacting with the natural world around them.

**Photographers 17 years old or younger are invited to submit photos under the Youth Entry from any of the categories. (Please indicate in your submission that it should be considered in the Youth Category.)

How to Enter:

1. Submit your entries via email to contest@rmfi.org between November 1 and November 14, 2021. All photo files must be a minimum of 300 dpi. Please indicate which category each of your entries will represent (categories listed above).

2. Donate the corresponding entry fees ($10/jpeg or 3 jpegs for $25) through RMFI's Indy Give! page. (Page goes live on November 1).

JUDGING AND PRIZES
Judging will take place shortly after the contest ends on November 14, 2021. Two images from each of the 4 categories, plus a ‘Youth Entry’ (taken by those 17 or younger) will be selected as finalists by a panel of local professional photographers and artists.

Photos selected as finalists will be printed and mounted and displayed at an unveiling at RMFI's Fall ShinDIG on November 18, and then at Mountain Chalet during the month of December. They will also be showcased on RMFI's social media and web platforms.

A Grand Prize Winner will be selected by public vote, which will be open at the viewing events and through our web and social media platforms, and announced in December. All finalists will receive $25 gift cards from contest sponsor, Mike's Camera!

Courtesy of Mountain Chalet, the Grand Prize winner will receive:

Sea to Summit Explore EX II Sleeping Bag (Regular, 25 Degree)

Thermarest NeoAir Topo Luxe 3.7 R-value Sleeping Pad (Regular)

$100 Gift Card to Mountain Chalet

Silent Auction:
Please note, finalist photos are printed and mounted at no expense or effort of the photographer and will belong to RMFI and used in a silent auction fundraiser. RMFI will have silent auction bidding during all exhibits. Proceeds from the photo silent auction will go towards our ecological restoration efforts in Southern Colorado! Photographers will, of course, be credited for their works.

Photo Release:
By submitting photographs to RMFI's NATURE! Photo Contest, you give RMFI permission to utilize the photograph(s), with photographer credit, in future marketing and outreach materials specific to RMFI.