Nature through the Eyes of Children

NATURE THROUGH THE EYES OF CHILDREN YOUTH PHOTO CONTEST OUTDOOR EXHIBIT & ARTIST RECEPTION

McAllen Photography by Haron Saenz

All summer, valley youth have been busy focusing their camera lenses on wildlife at the edges of urban landscapes. The outdoor exhibit at Quinta Mazatlan is a way to bring awareness of local wildlife and habitat of the Rio Grande Valley. Since 1994, nature photography has long been an important educational tool for the Valley Land Fund. Through the camera, a child can develop a new eye of the natural world. The images children make are representations which embody their own personal hard work, frustration, failure, success, and most importantly, pride in the shot they hold in their hand; the images are impressive, but the experience is that much more powerful.

Every child who participated in the contest had a winning photo in the exhibit. An additional ten Honorable Mentions were awarded across every age division and were displayed in a large-print format in the front lawn. The images helped depict the stories of native wildlife, plants, water resources and other nature-minded photography through the eyes of children.

ALTA FORSHAGE AND RUTH HOYTE LIZA VELIZ AND JOAQUIN RODRIGUEZ VELIZ

HUMBELINDA AND SANTIAGO MORENO ISAIAH, SIMON, AND JULIE FONTENOT

LUKE AND JESSICA MONROE REBECCA AND LOGAN RAE KOTZUR

KAVEH, KOUROSH, AND ZAHRA FORGHANPARAST