In honor of International Year of Forests, The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Division of Lands and Forests kicks off the Celebrating New York’s Forests Photo Contest. This contest is an effort to increase awareness of and appreciation for all types of forests, urban and rural, large and small, public and privately owned, across the state.

Take a moment to think about what your life would be like without trees and forests: your campsite, a reservoir, your street or yard, where you work, your local park, your favorite hiking trail

We are looking for the best photos in the following categories:

Nature (wildlife, plants, natural landscapes, etc.)
Enjoying the forest (hunting, fishing, trails, camping, hiking, etc.)
Trees where we live (parks, streets, yards, etc.)
Forest products (maple syrup, lumber, baseball bats, furniture, etc.)
State-owned forests (State Forests, Forest Preserve lands, forested Wildlife Management Areas, Campgrounds)