PRINCETON, NJ Restaurant Dining Guide Announcement

Friends of Princeton Open Space Announces 2023 Photo Contest

Princeton, New Jersey - Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS), a nonprofit devoted to preservation and stewardship of land in Princeton, announced exciting changes to their annual photo contest sponsored by REI Co-op Princeton.

Now entering its eighth year, FOPOS's beloved photo contest continues with a new name, an expanded geographic area to photograph and an extended timeline for 2023.

"There are several changes to the contest rules designed to encourage people to spend more time outdoors capturing photos of nature in Princeton," said Fran McManus, long-time former board member and photo contest coordinator. "And, we've changed the name to Perspectives on Preservation, to better reflect the contest's goals."

The geographic range of the contest area has been extended to include the entire Greater Mountain Lakes Recreation Area, which is comprised of the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, Mountain Lakes North/Coventry Farm Park, Community Park North, John Witherspoon Woods, Tusculum, and the boardwalk at Coventry Farm. Photos for submission can be taken at any time of year during the past three years as long as they have not been submitted in a previous FOPOS photo contest.

McManus explained, "Making the contest year-round will better showcase the beauty of the Mountain Lakes Recreation Area and the many ways the nearly 400 acres of preserved open space and farmland benefits our community by providing a place for recreation, creative inspiration and contemplation, as well as critical habitat for native flora and fauna."

Photographers may submit up to three photographs. Twenty photos from the submissions will be selected for FOPOS's annual photo exhibition in late 2023.

The photo contest was conceived as a local activity in support of REI's annual Opt Outside initiative, which encourages everyone to skip the malls on the day after Thanksgiving and spend time in nature instead. REI Princeton is once again sponsoring the contest with gift card prizes.

First Prize: $100 REI gift card
Second Prize: $50 REI gift card
Third Prize: $25 REI gift card

Young photographers, aged 16 and under, are encouraged to enter for a chance to win a gift card to a local business.

The deadline to submit photos is midnight on April 22, 2023. Please visit fopos.org for details on submission requirements and additional information. For questions about the photo contest, please contact photos@fopos.org.

About Friends of Princeton Open Space

Founded in 1969, FOPOS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to acquiring open space in Princeton for preservation, protecting natural resources, maintaining accessibility to trails, and providing environmental education. As part of their mission, they work with groups in the Princeton region to support efforts to preserve and protect open space and the environment. For information about Friends of Princeton Open Space, please visit fopos.org.