Grace Haight, Pottsboro, Texas, was among those receiving honorable mention in the 2009 National Wildlife Refuge Association Photography Contest, when winners were announced by the NWRA. 

Grace, along with her husband Michael, was  August 2008, Photographer of the Month for the Friends of Hagerman.  Grace has  a certificate in photography from Richland College and nearly 10 years of experience.  The Haights, recently retired, are regular volunteers at the Refuge. 

NWRA Announces 2009 Refuge Photo Contest Winners 

Washington, DC - The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Refuge Photography Contest, a digital photography contest showcasing the stunning scenery and wildlife of America’s national wildlife refuges. More than 2,000 images taken by photographers in 44 states and territories were submitted in this fourth annual Refuge Photo Contest, testimony to the allure of wildlife refuges as amazing places to experience wildlife and wild places. Images were submitted by upload through the contest website from May 1  through July 15, 2009.

“Images of spectacular wildlife and landscapes tell the Refuge System story: that these 550 conservation gems are vital to sustaining America’s diverse wildlife heritage,” said Evan Hirsche, President of the NWRA. “These photos will help us illustrate why it’s so important to protect and conserve our wildlife and habitats for the benefit of future generations.” 

The top prize was awarded to Ted Steinke, for an explosive image of dueling northern harriers taken at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT. Mr. Steinke will be awarded $5,000 in cash, generously provided by ATP Oil and Gas Corporation.

Chairman and CEO of ATP T. Paul Bulmahn stated, “ATP is proud to be a 2009 Premier Sponsor. All of the images submitted showcased the beauty of our national wildlife refuges and national landscape. We congratulate the winners of the photo contest, and applaud NWRA’s mission to conserve America’s wildlife heritage for future generations.”

After Steinke, the remaining top prize winners are: 2nd place -- Mike McBride of Afton, WY; 3rd place -- Steve Dimock of Beaverton, OR; 4th place -- Jim Burns of Scottsdale, AZ; Judy Lyle of Tallahassee, FL; Les Zigurski of Scales Mound, IL; Jack Rogers of Oviedo, FL; and Timothy Vidrine of Church Point, LA.

Additional prizes awarded to contest finalists and runners-up include two round trip tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines, and offerings from Barbara’s Bakery, Wild Bird Centers of America and Houghton

Mifflin Harcourt. The contest was generously hosted by Zenfolio, a premier photo-hosting site, and images and entries can be viewed at: http://nwra.zenfolio.com/2009-winners

A full list of contest winners and honorable mentions can be viewed at:http://www.refugeassociation.org/contest/2009winners.html

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge Association is to conserve America’s wildlife heritage for future generations through strategic programs that protect, enhance, and expand the National Wildlife Refuge System and the landscapes beyond its boundaries that secure its ecological integrity.