With your help, we haven’t had any trouble finding the AWEsome in National Forests. We received more than 2,500 submissions to our National Forest Week™ Photo Contest and for yet another year, we were in awe of your talent for submitting such breathtaking photos.
Thank you to our friends at AllTrails, Ignik Outdoors, Küat Racks, Pink Jeep Tours, Bronco Wild Fund, Southwest Airlines, Boxed Water, Filson, Maison Louis Marie, and the Society of American Foresters for contributing so many incredible prizes.
In the coming months we look forward to sharing many of the beautiful photo submissions across our social media channels. Thank you to everyone who participated and without further ado... here are our 2024 winners!
Grand Prize
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
"A Wise Great Gray Owl For The Environment."
Photo by Lorraine Snipper
Landscape
Pisgah National Forest
"An October Sunrise in the Linville Gorge Wilderness of Pisgah National Forest."
Photo by Adam Bean
Recreation
Mount Hood National Forest
"Nearing the summit of Mt. Hood, Oregon."
Photo by Josh Lawrence
Flora & Fauna
Tonto National Forest
"Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) in bloom."
Photo by Justin Eddinger
Alaska
Chugach National Forest
""Into the Storm." A lone kayaker begins his journey across Kenai lake during some stormy weather."
Photo by Logan Maddox
Just for Fun
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
"Sometimes all you can do is watch."
"We had an action-packed morning of archery elk hunting and took a quick break in the shade to enjoy a snack. Through the burn we caught movement, and a beautiful mule deer buck in full velvet was walking right towards us. Closer and closer he came to us until he was under 10 yards and seemingly posed for us in the midday sun. None of us were carrying mule deer hunting tags, so all we could do was enjoy the moment and take in the beauty of such a magnificent creature. Truly unforgettable."
Photo by Trevor Groves
Video
Pisgah National Forest
"Peeking through leaves dappled with sunlight, I see the wonder in my children's eyes mirrored in the forest itself. This is Pisgah National Forest, a tapestry woven with memories for our family.
"These woods hold a special magic. It's where my husband and I exchanged vows by Looking Glass Falls, with our firstborn, Juniper, by our side, as our second child, Cedar, grew within me.
"Now, years later, these very same trees cradle all three of my children. This is where my children learn about local flora and fauna, tiptoe and splash through gurgling creeks, and discover cascading waterfalls. This is the place where our baby experienced his first hike, with his gummy smile peeking through the canopy of our hiking carrier, and where our oldest began the Junior Ranger program with her heart brimming with a newfound passion for conservation, building onto her vast love for the natural world around us.
"Witnessing my baby's first time in Pisgah, hearing the giggles of my children exploring and learning, fills my heart with joy. We're building memories and connection as a family, and creating our story.
This week, and every week, we celebrate this sanctuary. This is home."
Video by McKenna Buck
Thank you to our 2024 Photo Contest Judges
Savannah Rose is a full-time freelance wildlife photographer and camera trap technician with a passion for the earth’s biodiversity and conservation efforts. She is specifically drawn to North America’s apex predators and strives to capture portraits of the most evocative and elusive creatures. She has lived in Jackson Hole for nine years now and is grateful for the opportunity to share with you the beautiful stories of these animal’s lives. Find Savannah Rose on Instagram.
Professional photographer Paris Gore has an exceptional talent for capturing authentic narratives set against vast-yet-nuanced landscapes. He’s spent the past 15 years documenting the action and culture of mountain biking, exploring the dynamic relationship between light, movement and mountainous terrain, and that expertise has allowed him to expand his vision to other outdoor sports, fashion, automotive campaigns and beyond. Paris splits his time between Bellingham and Trout Lake, Washington, where he can be found flying his plane, exploring the woods with his dog Fern, and continuously seeking his next endeavor. Find Paris Gore on Instagram.
Mary Mitsos joined the NFF in July 2001 and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, Mary was Director of Community-Based Forest Stewardship at the Pinchot Institute for Conservation where she provided leadership for the program in sustainable forestry and sustaining rural communities. She brings expertise in a range of topics relating to the protection and sustainable management of forest ecosystems and sustainable development. Her specialized interests are in collaborative stewardship, contracting mechanisms on public forestlands, conservation-based development and strengthening the working relationship between local communities and forestland managers.
Cover photo by Logan Maddox
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