October's "Preserve the Moment" Photo Contest Winner is Here!

The Forest Preserve District of Will County announced last Wednesday, November 2, the winner of the District’s “Preserve the Moment” photo contest of the month of October. The vivid photo, shot at Rock Run Preserve by Kevin Keyes, features a toad sitting on top of a bright red toadstool, surrounded by the different shades of green found in the natural environment of the Preserve.

"That is so humbling and fantastic," Keyes said of his photo winning the contest. "I am honored to be the winner of the October portion of the contest and a finalist overall." Keyes reports to love outdoors, spending as much time as possible at the preserves. He’s passionate about photography too, stating that "I feel that Will County offers some of the most scenic, clean and pure preserves within the entire state." Keyes added that he is particularly interested in photographing reptiles, amphibians and fungus.

While the June to October portions of “Preserve the Moment” contest are over, the District said that participants can continue to submit photos and compete in the November and December contest segments.

In “Preserve the Moment” photo contest, one winner is chosen each month. After the contest ends on December 31, monthly winners will be posted online, and members of the public will choose the overall contest winners. Winning photos must be taken in a Will County forest preserve during the contest time period, from June 1 to December 31.

A list of photo submission instructions and a complete set of contest rules can be found here.