This page includes the Official Rules and an online Entry and Release Form for the DNREC Aquatic Resources Education Center Nature Photography contest.

Official Rules

Deadline for Entry

The photo submission and the completed Entry and Release Form(s) must be submitted by Thursday, Sept. 29, 2023 at 4 p.m.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (“DNREC”) shall not accept late or incomplete entries, or entries that have not followed these Official Rules.

DNREC reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control. DNREC will take reasonable steps to notify of any adjustments made to deadlines.

Content

Photo submissions must not contain inappropriate, indecent, or obscene content. DNREC has sole discretion in determining whether any photo submission contains inappropriate, indecent, or obscene content. Photo submissions determined by DNREC to contain inappropriate, indecent, or obscene content shall be rejected by DNREC.

Photo submissions must be original, previously unpublished, and created solely by the submitting entrant(s), and not violate the intellectual property rights, copyright, or right of property of any third party. DNREC will reject photo submissions that it determines, in its sole discretion, contain copyrighted materials. Photo submissions that have been entered into other contests, or have been published elsewhere (newspapers, magazines, online, etc.) are not eligible.

Photo submissions should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared.

Photos may not include other discernable people, names, signatures, logos or other identifying marks.

Eligibility

This contest is open to all legal residents of the State of Delaware. The contest is not open to DNREC employees or contractors.

Submitted photographs must have been taken within the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area between Sept. 30, 2022 and Sept. 29, 2023.

Entries are limited to 10 photos per person.

Judging and Selection of Winning Entries

The contest will be judged in three categories: birds, nature, and people enjoying nature, and divided into three groups by age: under age 13, teens age 13 to 18, and adults age 19 and older. One winner will be selected from each of the three categories by age in each subject category.

Photo submissions shall be judged and winning entries for each category shall be selected based on how well the photos represent the following criteria: portrayal of things you can see and do at the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area, originality/creativity, and universal appeal. The judging panel will include DNREC educators at the Aquatic Resources Education Center.

DNREC has sole discretion over the selection of winning entries for each category. By entering this contest, entrants waive any right they have to dispute or otherwise challenge DNREC’s selection of the winning entries.

Prizes for Winning Entries

The winners in each category will receive a gift bag and an award certificate.

DNREC will make reasonable efforts to notify winners by phone or email following the judging. Contest winners will be announced publicly via email, news release(s) and social media.

General Provisions

Photo Release: By entering this Contest and submitting this completed Release Form, I, on behalf of myself and, if applicable, the Child identified on this Release Form, grant permission to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and its employees a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, nonexclusive license to display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the Photo submission, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or subsequently developed, for any State of Delaware or DNREC purpose, including, but not limited to advertising and promotion of DNREC in print, its website, and its publications. By entering this Contest, I further agree that the Photo submission complies with to these Official Rules and I will make no monetary or other claim against DNREC or the State of Delaware for the use of any content provided DNREC in connection with My or My Child’s Participation in this Contest.

DNREC is an Agency of the State of Delaware subject to Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act (29 Del. C. 10001 et seq). Participants are advised that any information provided to DNREC in conjunction with this Contest may be deemed a public record under FOIA.

No Third Party Rights: This Release Form affects the rights, obligations, and duties of the Parties only. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, nothing in this Release Form is intended to, nor shall it be interpreted or construed in a manner which shall: (a) grant any third party the right to enforce any of the terms, rights, or obligations set forth herein; (b) confer any substantive or procedural rights or privileges to any third party in relation to or arising out of any collateral civil or criminal legal proceeding; or (c) waive or otherwise affect the sovereignty of the State of Delaware or the application of 10 Del. C. § 4001, et seq. to any civil proceeding involving any officer, employee, or agent of the State of Delaware.

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any legal action brought by either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall be brought in an appropriate Delaware State Court.

Related Topics:  aquatic, arec, contest, entry form, fish and wildlife, nature photography, photography