UPDATE 5/5: The deadline for the photo contest has been extended to Wednesday, May 14 at 11:59 pm CT. See entry information below.

Columbia, Mo. (April 7, 2025) — The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is launching its first-ever photo contest today. The theme of the contest is wetlands. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, seasonally or permanently. Wetlands could be marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, or floodplains. 

The Desk calls all photographers, outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers to send in their best wetland images from across the basin. Those who enter the contest have the opportunity to win a cash prize of up to $200 and an opportunity to be featured in the Desk’s newsletter, social accounts and stories. 

Wildlife, Landscape and People/Recreation are the contest’s three judging categories. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and may submit up to five original photos per category. 

Photos will be judged by Desk staff on the basis of their aesthetic appeal and ability to capture the spirit and nature of wetland ecosystems. Photographers are encouraged to submit photos embodying the essence of each category.

“This contest is something exciting and new for the Desk,” said Sara Shipley Hiles, executive director of the Desk and a professor at the Missouri School of Journalism. “Our hope is that we’ll introduce ourselves to and hear from more people across the basin while educating our audience about the value of our wetlands.”

Dominique Hodge, a graduate student at the Missouri School of Journalism and a research assistant for the Desk, developed the contest and will help promote it. “There is so much we can learn from our neighbors,” she said. “We are looking at innovative methods to reach communities where they are. We started by building a spreadsheet of over 60 community groups across the states for our outreach.”

The deadline to enter the contest is May 5 at 8 a.m. CST extend to Wednesday, May 14 at 11:59 pm CT.

See the OFFICIAL RULES for more information about how to enter and terms and conditions, and when you’re ready SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY.

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