SHOHOLA, PA — The Twin and Walker Creeks Watershed Conservancy (TWCWC) welcomed the winners of the 2023 photo contest recently and reminded all that photos are being accepted for 2024.

For 2024, winners of the photo contest receive nominal prize money of $50, $25 and $15 for first, second and third places in both Adult and Youth (under 18) categories. 

Many of this year’s adult photos could win prizes anywhere. Photos for next year must be taken between September 1, 2023, and August 20, 2024; must be taken within Pike County; and must feature natural beauty. Manmade structures cannot be a major feature.

The TWCWC was organized in 2001 to promote an awareness of the need to protect, restore and manage the aquatic resources contained within its watershed. In 2017, then-president Pat Dawson suggested a photo contest that could promote the natural beauty of all Pike County—and the TWCWC photo contest began.

That contest, now under the direction of Jackie Kaiser Cozzolino, has expanded rapidly. It closes each year with a Photo Gala, where streamers of photos hang from the ceiling of the Walker Lake Clubhouse. 

The 2023 contest saw 42 youth and adult photographers from throughout Pike County submit almost 100 photos. 

Among those photographers were two eight-year-olds and a 10-year-old.

At the entrance to the clubhouse, attendees were met by the skeleton called Bones, the oldest photographer. 

Contributed by the Twin and Walker Creeks Watershed Conservancy.