Art Contest | Terms & Conditions

All photographic entries must be taken at or depict Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. All poetry must be original and reflect on the Refuge experience. The September 2020 theme of “Wildlife of Southern Maine” will include that wider geographic area. All media designations, on specified months, mean that contestants can submit any art form as a photographic representation of their work or any short literary form.

Up to three entries per contestant may be submitted per month. Children (ages 3 -12) and teens (ages 13-18) may submit up to five entries per month. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees may enter this contest as long as photos or writing was created on personal time.

All photographs and poetry must be submitted using the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Sense of Wonder Art Contest page. You may also submit photos and poetry directly to Anne Post Poole at annedpost@gmail.com.

We will accept all styles of photography including color, black and white, high dynamic range alterations and other artistic changes deemed necessary and interesting by the artist. The photograph submitted must be original to the artist who is submitting it. No watermarks are accepted. Abstract artworks will also be considered.

All entries must be posted or sent via email by the last Friday of each month for consideration. The winner of each month’s submission theme will be announced via Facebook and Instagram on the last day of the month.  Those who have sent entries via email will be notified by email of the winning selection. 

If a person is pictured in a photo, an “Agreement for Use of Likeness in Audio/Visual Products” (Form 3-2260) must accompany the entry. If a person is over the age of 18, a form is needed only if that individual’s face or other means of identification are visible. If the individual pictured is under the age of 18, a form signed by a parent or legal guardian is needed for any type of depiction, including that which does not show the minor’s face. Forms can be found at (http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2260.pdf). Copies can also be found at the Visitor Center (when open) or mailed to requesting individuals. 

All entries will be retained by Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and/or the Friends group; the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will also have rights to use the image, a representative image of your artwork or original writing for future outreach with due credit given to you as the artist (by permission) including, but not limited to, social media posts (especially in relation to the Sense of Wonder Art Contest), publications, webpages and presentations.

Winning selections will require that artist agree to the following before the Friends publish the 2022 Calendar that will include photos, photos of artwork and poetry. You will be notified to sign this agreement upon selection.