• You must have permission to be in the area where you are taking the photo. 

• Must be taken in Aitkin County.

• Must not harass or harm wildlife or damage the environment in any way. 

• Must be at least 18 years old or have parental/guardian consent. 

• Aitkin SWCD Staff, Aitkin SWCD board members, and the immediate family of staff or board members are not allowed to participate. 

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• Photos will be scored by Aitkin SWCD Staff by a point system. 

• Scored in this order 

  • Scored on how unique the photo is​ - up to 40 points.

  • The description of what the photo means to the submittee - up to 40 points. 

  • Quality of the photo (clear imagery) - up to 20 points. 

• Total of 100 points per photo. 

• There will be first-place and second-place winners.

• First place will receive an 8 x 11 plaque of their winning photo with their name and the year of the contest. 

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• Second place will receive a 5 x 7  plaque of their winning photo with their name and the year of the contest. 

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• Click the link below to reach the submission form.

• Fill out fully and submit at least one photo with a description of what that photo means to you. 

• You are able to submit up to three photos. 

• Photos must be the original photo (no edits or alterations; photo may be cropped to fit size requirements). Photos cannot be AI.

• Must be submitted in .jpg format. 

• On the longest edge of the photo, it cannot exceed 1920 pixels. 

• ​Photos can only feature wildlife and nature; please do not include people. 

• Photos must be free of trademarks, commercial names, watermarks, and/or advertisements. ​​​​

• We want to engage more with the visitors of Aitkin County.

• Find and share the beauty of Aitkin County that not everyone may see on a day-to-day basis.