Winners of the “Trees and Biodiversity” Category of the 2023 Teagasc Forest Photo Competition Announced
The Teagasc Forestry Development Department today, Thursday, 2 November, announced the prize winners in category 1 of its forest photo competition ‘Celebrating the New Forestry programme 2023-2027’.
The theme of category 1 was “Trees and Biodiversity” and there were some wonderful pictures entered in both the adult and the junior category.
The winning images were chosen from a wide range of photographs submitted to the competition from all across the country. It really was difficult to decide on a winner. Adrian Nolan from County Galway was the adult winner with an evocative photo of life on the forest floor.
Skyla McPartland, County Leitrim, Junior Winner of Category 1 Forest Photo Competition "Trees and Biodiversity".
Skyla McPartland from county Leitrim was chosen as the junior winner. Skyla’s picture was interesting and multifaceted showing the various layers of an ecosystem.
Each of the winners will receive a voucher worth €300 and will also be entered into the Grand Final on 15 December when an overall winner will be chosen from each of the three theme winners in each age group. The overall winners will receive a further voucher for €300.
In complimenting the junior category winner, Tom Houlihan, Acting Head of the Forestry Development Department in Teagasc said: “This striking photo combines a number of very attractive elements; the tall serene trees with the ray of sunlight captured just at the moment it shines through; and the fungal structure, a diverse range of which occur in our forests, reminding us that biodiversity occurs in many forms, some of which often go unnoticed.”
Paul Butler, Teagasc Forestry Liaison officer, described Adrian’s adult category winning photo as “a great illustration of the often hidden lower layers of the forest. You can almost smell the forest floor from this photo! Well done to Adrian”
The winning photos, along with a selection of highly commended entries in the “Trees and Biodiversity” category will shortly be available for viewing on the forestry section of the Teagasc website at www.teagasc.ie/forestphotos23
Category 2: Now Open For Entries
Teagasc wishes to thank the many entrants to the competition to date. Category 2, “Trees on the Farm”, is now open for both age categories and provides further exciting opportunities for entries up to 5pm on the 20 November 2023. This ongoing competition is open to non-professional photographers and a maximum of one photo per participant is allowed for each category. Please also consult www.teagasc.ie/forestphotos23 for full details as well as terms and conditions.
Teagasc coordinates this competition with support from the Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.