Love Our NY Lands Photo Contest

Love Our NY Lands Photo Contest

• Press Release: September 12, 2024

  • Governor's Office Environmental Press Releases

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the September 2024 Love Our New York Lands photo contest. September’s theme is “Summit September” to help increase awareness of principles and guidelines that encourage safe, accessible, respectful, and sustainable use of public lands heading into the fall season.  

“During Summit September, DEC is encouraging New Yorkers to get outside and enjoy the outdoors and the special places they love,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “New York State is home to a wide range of lands and sites, scenic peaks and summits, providing ample opportunities to take a break from day-to-day challenges and connect with nature. During their outdoor adventures this month, DEC is encouraging New Yorkers to capture images that reflect safely and responsibly reaching their personal summits, in whatever form that may take.” 

New York State has a wide range of opportunities to get outside and enjoy activities year-round, including birding and wildlife viewing; warm-weather adventures such as swimming, biking, and horseback riding; cold-weather pursuits such as skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling; and challenging adventures like geocaching or rock and ice climbing. For accessible recreation, check out DEC’s Accessible Recreation destinations webpage. 

The Love Our New York Lands campaign, launched in 2020 by DEC and the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, encourages all users of State-owned lands to recognize that these lands are shared by ALL of us, our families, and our neighbors, and we all need to take care of them. The campaign includes guidance on Leave No Trace™ principles so that visitors can do their part to help ensure these special places are protected for future generations. Love Our New York Lands encourages visitors to be respectful of other visitors in these shared spaces. Visitors are asked to share trails, treat people with kindness, and leave things as they found them for others to enjoy. Visitors are encouraged to think of themselves as responsible for helping protect these irreplaceable destinations for future generations. More information is available on DEC’s website.   

Five winning pictures will be chosen that feature creative shots of the public enjoying outdoor activities on public lands all across New York State. Prizes will be awarded to the winning entries. Photos will be judged on the following criteria: originality; artistic composition; technical quality; and whether the photograph showcases people enjoying New York’s outdoor activities safely and responsibly.  

Summit September submissions should be emailed to social@dec.ny.gov by Sept. 30, with the subject line Summit September, the full name of the submitter, the State land or site where the image was taken (if applicable), and the submitter’s Instagram/social media handle as appropriate.   

DEC encourages New Yorkers to join the State’s ongoing efforts to protect lands and resources for generations to come by minimizing impacts, carrying out what they carry in, and encouraging others to care for our shared lands, as well. 

New Yorkers can take action to give back: 

• Participate in one of DEC’s Love Our New York Lands Stewardship Days, including the last stewardship day in 2024, scheduled for Sept. 28; 

• Get involved with local trail crews to help build and maintain trail systems nearby, and Adopt a Trailhead;

• Take a Leave No TraceTM workshop or become a Leave No TraceTM educator; 

• Apply for a stewardship position in the Catskills or Adirondacks; 

• Explore becoming an Assistant Forest Ranger; and 

• Volunteer with one of DEC's many natural resource programs. 

August Contest Winner
DEC’s Love Our New York Lands August “Accessible Recreation” theme highlighted the importance of removing barriers for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities. The winning photo depicts an adaptive hike for people with mobility impairment, submitted by Scott Trager.

View the winning photos on DEC’s Flickr page.