Trees and Biodiversity
The theme of category 1 was “Trees and Biodiversity” and there were some wonderful pictures entered in both the adult and the junior category.
The winning images were chosen from a wide range of photographs submitted to the competition from all across the country. It really was difficult to decide on a winner.
Adult Category Winner – Adrian Nolan
Adrian Nolan from County Galway was the adult winner with an evocative photo of life on the forest floor.
Paul Butler, Teagasc Forestry Liaison officer, described Adrian’s adult category winning photo as “a great illustration of the often hidden lower layers of the forest. You can almost smell the forest floor from this photo! Well done to Adrian.”
Junior Category Winner – Skyla McPartland
Skyla McPartland from county Leitrim was chosen as the junior winner. Skyla’s picture was interesting and multifaceted showing the various layers of an ecosystem.
In complimenting the junior category winner, Tom Houlihan, Acting Head of the Forestry Development Department in Teagasc said: “This striking photo combines a number of very attractive elements; the tall serene trees with the ray of sunlight captured just at the moment it shines through; and the fungal structure, a diverse range of which occur in our forests, reminding us that biodiversity occurs in many forms, some of which often go unnoticed.”
Highly commended images
Highly commended images in the adult category were entered by Conor Finnegan and Brian Madden while Emily Bulandi and Charlotte Cloney entered highly commended images in the junior category.
Trees on the Farm
The theme of category 2 was “Trees on the Farm” and there were some wonderful pictures entered in both the adult and the junior category.
The winning images were chosen from a wide range of photographs submitted to the competition from all across the country.
Adult Category Winner – Aoife Hester
Aoife Hester from Bray, Co. Wicklow was the adult winner. Aoife’s photo transmits the peace and quiet often found in the countryside. The trees, animals and fields illustrate how forestry and agriculture can complement each other. Aoife says she visits the tree at different times of year and enjoys the changing colours.
Junior Category Winner – Eva Heaphy
Eva Heaphy from Kilworth in Co. Cork was chosen as the junior category winner. Eva’s entry is very imaginative, colourful and unusual. Reading a book in the shade of trees on a warm day is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature. Woodlands on the farm can offer these places of tranquillity. Eva says this farm is a great place to “escape everything” as it is deep in a forest.
Highly commended images
A highly commended image in the adult category was entered by Kevin Naughton while Emily Conroy entered a highly commended image in the junior category.