CHADRON, Nerbaska -- The Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District (UNWNRD) held the first annual amateur photo contest, soliciting photos of natural resource related subjects from residents within the District including Box Butte, Dawes, Sheridan and Sioux counties. With nearly 50 photos submitted from across the District, the contest was a great success in its first year. The UNWNRD Board of Directors voted on the winning photos at the last board meeting June 11, 2020.

“With so many beautiful photos submitted, the decision was difficult,” said Nancy Fisher, UNWNRD director.

The Board chose winners for first, second and third places with cash prizes awarded to the winners. The first-place photo will be made into a canvas print and displayed in the UNWNRD office for the next year, after that time the print will be returned to the winner.

The 2020 winners were Tom Menke of Chadron in third place with his photo of the Chadron City Dams, titled “Perfect Moment,” Becky Potmesil of Alliance with her photo of a rainbow over a barn near Lakeside, titled “After the Storm” and Eric Arneson of Alliance with his photo of a thunderstorm over Hemingford, titled “Panhandle Light Show.” 

The photo contest was intended to get the citizens of the District outside to find and enjoy the beauty in our natural resources close to home.

“With the photos that were submitted, many of our local residents managed to capture the true beauty we sometimes overlook in western Nebraska,” said Al Rasmussen, UNWNRD Director.

The UNWNRD will host the second annual photo contest in 2021 and hope to receive even more breathtaking photos as this contest moves forward. Please look for more information on the NRD website www.unwnrd.org or stop by the office at 430 E. Second Street to see the 2020 winning photo.