The annual forest photo competition, which aims to celebrate the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027, has been launched. This year, the competition will feature a new junior category for participants under the age of 18. Organized by Teagasc, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM), the competition will run until December and is in aid of SPAR National Tree Day. Winners in both the adult and junior categories of the three theme categories will receive a guaranteed prize of €300 euros. All winners will then progress to the grand final on December 15, where an additional €300 euro prize will be awarded.
Acting head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department, Tom Houllihan, expressed the importance of forests and the multiple benefits they provide. He encouraged participants to submit high-quality and visually appealing digital images that showcase these benefits. The three competition themes focus on the multifunctional nature of forests, ranging from timber production to biodiversity enhancement. The competition offers a great opportunity for non-professional photographers and photo enthusiasts to showcase their talent.
The first theme, ‘Trees and Biodiversity’, will run from October 5 to October 26. Participants are encouraged to capture the diverse animal and plant life found within forests. The second theme, which will run from October 27 to November 20, revolves around farm trees and the integration of forests and trees into other farming activities. The final theme, ‘Celebration of all that we can get from our forests’, seeks images that highlight the abundance of resources that forests provide. The Forest Harvest theme will run from November 21 to December 11.
Teagasc forestry liaison officer, Paul Butler, emphasized the importance of trees in our lives and the ever-changing landscapes within and around forests. The competition aims to showcase the significance of forests and their role in our daily lives.
