FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oregon Wild Unveils 2010 Photo Contest Winners at Open House Event

Painted Hills, Cape Kiwanda, and Three Sisters among winning images

Supporters gather at Portland Japanese Garden to celebrate winners and welcome new Oregon Wild Executive Director, Scott Shlaes.

Wildlands winner "Painted Hills Overlook" by Alan Hirschmugl

After receiving 415 submissions from over 100 entrants, the conservation group Oregon Wild today announced the winners of the Sixth Annual Oregon Wild Outdoor Photo Contest. The winning photographs were officially unveiled at an open house gathering at the Portland Japanese Garden last night. Along with paying tribute to the photo contest winners, Oregon Wild introduced its new Executive Director, Scott Shlaes, to a gathered crowd of over 200 supporters. Attendees were treated to the following winning photographs:

• Wildlands—Alan Hirschmugl of Gresham, OR for his photo Painted Hills Overlook in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
• Wildlife—Kelle Herrick of Bandon, OR for her photo Crow Bullies at Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
• Waters—Jian Xu of Seattle, WA for his photo Cape Kiwanda outside of Pacific City
• Endangered Places—Brizz Meddings of Noti, OR for his photo Three Sisters Hiker in the Three Sisters Wilderness
• Kids—Alena Nore, age 12, of Sisters, OR for her photo Dee Wright Observatory in the Willamette National Forest

Winners were awarded prize packages totaling over $500 in value.

The Oregon Wild Outdoor Photo Contest features some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Oregon, but it’s not just about the beauty. Each year, Oregon Wild staff members select a theme for the “Endangered Places” category that highlights an area of the state at risk from harmful development. This year’s “Endangered Places” theme added a twist, featuring the places where Oregonians can still experience traditional recreation like hiking, camping, and fishing undisturbed by off-road vehicles, logging, mining, and resort development. All photos entered into the category were required to feature recreation.

“All of the photos submitted to our contest remind us what a beautiful state we live in,” commented Shlaes. “They also serve to remind us we have a responsibility to ensure these places exist beyond our lifetimes, so our grandchildren can experience them with their own eyes, not just through old photographs.”

Oregon Wild would like to thank the sponsors of the 2010 Outdoor Photo Contest: Pro Photo Supply, 1859 Magazine, All Star Rafting, Amazon.com, Columbia Sportswear, Chris Glad, Holy Kakow, Laurelwood Art, Laurelwood Brewing Company, Lavish Flora, Lensbaby, Mountain Rose Herbs, Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, Outside Magazine, Patagonia, Portland Japanese Garden, Ruff Wear

The 2010 winning photographs are available online at: http://www.oregonwild.org/about/hikes_events/photo-contest/winners

Contact Sean Stevens for hi-res versions of these photos.

###