The Valley Land Fund's South Texas Shootout
The Ultimate Wildlife Photographic Challenge 2008
Those interested in the Small Tract Competition, Youth Photo Contest will find links at the bottom of this page.

• PHOTOGRAPHERS
• LANDOWNERS
• SPONSORS

• Digital or Film
• Three months long
• New structure
• Submit 50 images
  

$100,000 in Prize Money

(click on picture to enlarge)

Registration: January 2007 through February 29, 2008
Contest runs April 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008

Reminder Submission deadline is July 8th, Tuesday 5 o'clock - We strongly encourage you to submit by Tuesday. For those of you who may need more time we are offering an extension for submissions until Friday July 11th at 12 o'clock. You must contact the Valley Land Fund Office at 956-686-6429 and inform staff of the extension.

The Valley Land Fund Mission and Goals
The mission of The Valley Land Fund, a 501(c)(3) land trust, is to preserve, enhance and expand the native wildlife habitat of the Lower Rio Grande Valley through education, land ownership and the creation of economic incentives for preservation.

The goal of our photo contests is to create a partnership among businesses, private landowners and wildlife photographers, where all participants benefit while promoting the conservation and protection of wildlife and habitat.

Landowners and photographers compete as teams and share equally in the significant prize money. Additionally, they promote wildlife conservation while participating in the most challenging wildlife photo contest in the world.

Businesses benefit through advertising sponsorships that offer years of positive exposure and through the direct economic rewards of products and services that result from the contest.

Wildlife prospers as private landowners play a crucial role in the conservation of wildlife by providing diverse and well-managed habitat.

The public becomes more educated about the unique and beautiful wildlife of our region. Winning photographs are showcased in books, magazines and our traveling photo exhibits that are displayed in sponsors' businesses, museums, public gathering places and at special events.

The photo contest is a major fundraising event that supports our preservation activities. The Valley Land Fund recognizes the profession of wildlife photography and its importance to conservation.

PHOTO CONTEST MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Tony Corso
Esperanza Chapa
Michelle Romero
John Martin
Jack Wilson

$100,000 in Prize Money
Several aspects of the contest have changed. Please read this section carefully.
You've commented and we've listened.

• Digital and film submissions will both be accepted and compete alongside one another.
• the 2008 Contest will be held over 3 months:  April 1 - June 30, 2008.
• Submissions limited to 50 images.
• Each of the three judges will award from 1-10 points per image.
• Photographer teams allowed
• No single species rule.
• Winning images (1st, 2nd, & 3rd place) in EVERY class will win a cash prize.
• And we won't forget those that build incredibly diverse portfolios.  The 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Grand Prizes  will be based upon the portfolios with the highest accumulated point scores.

All prizes are shared equally between the photographers and the owners of the land on which the winning photos were taken.

Contestants must minimize disturbance of wildlife and habitat. Welfare of the subject is the foremost consideration. No tame or caged animal photographs are allowed. Judges will disqualify photographs of any animal appearing to be stressed from being trapped or mishandled.

RARE CAT AWARD
A separate prize of $5,000 will be awarded for a winning image of a mountain lion, juguarundi or ocelot.  Special rules and fees apply.

Photo Contest Judges
Photographer Information
Landowner Information

Official Rules
Submission Instructions
Judging Guidelines

Sponsors
Sponsorship opportunities are available in the amounts from $1,000 to $30,000 or more.  The Valley Land Fund has been blessed with national, regional and local sponsors for each photo contest.  The participation by these sponsors make it possible to attract the best wildlife photographers from around the world.

Sponsors receive a variety of benefits commensurate with their commitment levels, including named awards, promotional opportunities, website links, credits in programs, brochures, traveling displays, winning photographs, and much more.

Check Out The Competition!
Visit this page periodically to see a growing list of participants. Register today!