Dorset Wildlife Trust is encouraging young people to get out with their cameras or mobile phones to capture winning wildlife this spring. With the first frogspawn and butterflies of the year already spotted, the conservation charity wants your spring pictures for its monthly photographic competition for under-18s.
The Pat Dolbear Photographic Award for Young People aims to get young people interested in some of our smaller nature by using their mobiles and digital cameras. The award is the brainchild of expert photographer Ken Dolbear, a long-standing member of DWT from Portland, and is dedicated to the memory of his wife Pat. Prizes, of up to £25 in Amazon gift tokens, will be given to one or more of the young photographers who, in the opinion of the judging panel, submit the best work each month.
Lichen by Lauren Humphries – a January runner-up
Slipper limpet shells by Holly Lucas – one of the January winners
Catherine Mason, Community Conservation Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “Now is theperfect time to practice using your latest phone or camera by searching out the hidden wildlife in your local area. Try looking in sheltered spots such as under logs for creatures hiding from the cold, or venture out on a sunny day and find an early bumble bee or beetle. We are keen to see pictures of some of our smaller wildlife that is often overlooked, so take a closer look around you!”
The monthly winners and runners-up work will be showcased on Facebook and Twitter and may even feature in DWT’s monthly e-news bulletin Wildlife Matters. Some of the images may also benefit DWT’s conservation work by expanding its already comprehensive photographic data base of wildlife in the county.
To enter the Pat Dolbear Photographic Award, send photos to [email protected] including your name and age and some detail about when and where the photo was taken. Winners will be notified by email. You can see the latest winners at www.facebook.com/dorsetwildlife
