Winner of Fourth Annual Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp Photo Contest Announced
OutdoorHub 08.31.12
Conservation stamp proceeds go toward wildlife diversity
The photo of a black-capped chickadee, submitted by wildlife enthusiast Bruce DiVaccaro of Sheffield Village, stood out as a winner for the fourth annual Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp Photo Contest. The first place photo will appear on the 2013 Legacy Stamp, which goes on sale March 1, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
“It’s an honor to see my work published,” said DiVaccaro, who took the winning photo in his Lorain County backyard, where he takes most of his photos. This is the first year DiVaccaro has entered pictures in the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp Photo contest.
The first runner-up photo of a black-capped chickadee was taken and submitted by James Brown of Akron. Arcadia resident Robert Hills was selected as the second runner-up with his picture of a black-capped chickadee.
The contest was only open to Ohio residents, 58 of whom submitted 114 black-capped or Carolina chickadee photos.
“Each year, I am in awe of the talented wildlife photographers who enter this contest,” said Scott Zody, chief of ODNR’s Division of Wildlife. “This contest is a great way to inform Ohioans about the need for funding wildlife conservation.”
According to Zody, the idea for the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp began as a grassroots effort. Offering the stamp to the public has continued with the positive support of individuals and conservation groups throughout the state.
Fourteen dollars of every $15 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp sold are invested in the state’s Wildlife Diversity Fund. This fund supports habitat restoration, wildlife and habitat research projects, creation of wildlife educational materials, as well as efforts that restore and conserve endangered and threatened species. No state tax dollars are contributed to this fund.
The contest was judged this year at Geneva State Park during the fifth annual Wildlife Diversity Partners Conference, Aug. 30-31. The judges of the photo contest were representatives from statewide conservation organizations, metro parks, science and education centers, as well as wildlife biologists, naturalists and outdoor writers. The photos were judged on originality, technical excellence, composition and overall impact.
Participants of the first Wildlife Diversity Partners Conference in 2008 collaborated with the ODNR Division of Wildlife to create the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp. The goal was to provide all Ohioans with an easy and visible way to support wildlife conservation efforts in their state. The inaugural stamp was introduced in March 2010.
Visit wildohiostamp.com for more details. More information about the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp and other wildlife-related topics can be found at wildohio.com.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.com.
