IUCN

Photojournalists, both professional and amateur, are invited to enter the first ever Nature Images Awards organised by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and French nature magazine Terre Sauvage.

Judges will be looking for entries which use inspirational images of nature to demonstrate the unique relationship between people and the natural world.

The competition is divided into nine categories, ranging from 'People and Places' and 'Year of the Forest' to 'Nature and Society' and 'Life of a Species'. Prizes range from €500 up to €2000. Aiming to encourage new talent, three awards of up to €5000 will be made to fund further photojournalism projects, one of which is to highlight the work of IUCN's conservation projects.

The overall winner of the Nature Images Awards 2011 will receive an additional prize of a photo safari for two in Botswana worth €6000, giving them the opportunity to discover, amongst other places, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.

"Nature is a source of wonder, inspiration and happiness for people of all generations in all parts of our planet. But in order to continue to benefit from nature, we need to behave responsibly towards the world we live in. And because nature photography encompasses all of these values, IUCN is delighted to support this challenge,"  says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General of IUCN.

To participate in Nature Images Awards 2011 go to : www.natureimagesawards.com

The number of entries is limited to five per person. Entries close at midnight on Friday 15 July 2011. Applications are invited in English and French.