Showcasing Some of the Best

2002 Photo Opportunity Winners

Upping the competitive pressure from 2001, some 17 States submittal 133 photos in 7 categories. The jury met December 12 and commented, "a wonderful selection from which to choose this year. Accolades in general to the States!" They name the following first place winners:

1. Native Planting** - Missouri
2. Nonnative Planting** - West Virginia
3. Protected Natives - Arizona
4. Public Awareness - Minnesota
5. Close ups - Missouri
6. Restoration & Management - Oregon
7. Invasives - Maryland

Some new States threw their photos into the ring this year. Welcome to Rhode Island and Kentucky! Your timing was such that the competition was very keen; so please try again next year, As before, some of the winners will be used in the upcoming 2003 Earth Day Calendar. Some non winners will also appear in the publication. Watch for the special calendar In April!

As Editor, I want to thank the jury and the 17 contending States for their efforts. All of you have great roadside stories to tell. I hope you are appreciated for the hard work you do. Later this spring the first place winners will be presented a green crystal award from your FHWA Division office to your Director and you. West Virginia's presentation will take place in March at the annual Governor's Conference!

** Editor's Note: There were two disqualifications of first place wins this year. I want to explain why two winning unnamed photos were disqualified. The first was in category I for submitting a photo of planted native wildflowers that included mostly, if not all, nonnatives. Please double check photos for what is native and what is not. The other disqualification was in category II for nonnatives. The winning photo included nonnatives that are considered invasive in many States and are on some State noxious weed lists. As a publication representing State DOTs, we cannot print a picture that appears to boast about invasives we have planted . . . not good public relations for any of us. The contest warning has been given before, to avoid submitting invasive nonnatives. In each case, the acknowledged second place winner was moved into first.

2002 Categories:

1. Planted Native Forbs/Grasses: Limit to plantings of native species known to he native in your area.
2. Planted Nonnative Wildflowers: Include non native or garden wildflowers introduced into an area. Photos of species known to be invasive cannot be accepted.
3. Protection: Show off preserved native remnant vegetation or endangered plants characteristic of your area.
4. Public Awareness: Collect photos, brochures, whatever explains your public outreach effort . . . . please limit to 1-3 plastic sleeves.
5. Close Up: Chose your best plant species close ups.
6. Vegetation Management: Send examples of woodland, wetland, or grassland restoration, erosion control with natives, reduced mowing results, landscaping, and integrated management methods on invasives.
7. Invasive Plants: Close ups to identify, distant shots to show spread, or related.