Photo Competition for Biodiversity Day

The Irish Natural Forestry Foundation (INFF) is calling on all Young Photographers to take part in a competition to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity 2008.



INFF was established in 2002 to research, demonstrate and promote economically, socially and environmentally sustainable forestry in Ireland.  INFF, a non-profit charity, has established an education centre and demonstration site within Manch Estate near Ballineen.



In conjunction with a series of nationwide events designed to celebrate Biodiversity Day on May 22nd, INFF will host a series of events which will take place within the Manch Estate's beautiful 300 acre woodland site.  On Sunday May 18th, there will be a day of walks, talks and workshops.  In addition, the farmers market, rural crafts fair and children's activities should provide a fun-filled day for all the family.  While on Sunday 25th the 'Munch at Manch' will take place. At this Slow Food forest feast leading Cork chefs will prepare a banquet of wild and local delicacies.



As part of these exciting happenings there will be a photography competition with the theme of 'Biodiversity in Ireland'.  The competition is open to all young people under 18 and there will be 3 categories: under 10 year old, 10 to 14 years old and 15 to 18 years old.  There are 3 prizes for each category: 1st prize of €100, 2nd prize of €50 and 3rd prize of €25.



The competition will be judged by Mike Brown, nature photographer; Lynn Wright, artist and environmentalist and Marc Holden, photographer.  The winning photographs will be displayed at Manch during Biodiversity Week celebrations and the prizes will be awarded to the winning photographers on May 18th.



Photographs may be submitted either as prints or as high resolution digital photographs.  Entries in print format should be 8" x 10" and posted to INFF, Manch, Ballineen, Co. Cork.  Digital entries can be emailed toenquiries@inff.ie and photographs should be a maximum file size of 3MB.  A digital entry form and further information can be found on the INFF website at www.inff.ie



The closing date for entries is Wednesday April 30th which is fast approaching, so get snapping!  We encourage all budding photographers to enter.  Also keep an eye on local press, the INFF website www.inff.ie, the Slow Food Ireland website http://www.slowfoodireland.com and the Notice Nature website www.noticenature.ie for further details of Biodiversity Day on May 18th and the Munch at Manch on May 25th