ALASKA – While precariously straining her body to capture the perfect picture of an Amanita Muscaria mushroom, Jenna Wilson-Ashby had one thing on her mind, the R10 Employee Photo Contest.

Wilson-Ashby was one of fifty Alaska Region employees who submitted photos to the annual contest. The contest received nearly 400 photos. The pictures are shared widely within the region and consistently used by the Public Affairs Office in online platforms and communication products.
This year, the photo contest received some high-level nods, along with local media attention. A reporter from the Anchorage Daily News praised the photos saying “Some of these are stunning! They are really, really good!” Another local reporter happily proclaimed, “These are EPIC.”

The Alaska Region is home to two of the largest national forests in the country –the Tongass and Chugach National Forest– and has an enormous variety of photographic features.

From snowcapped alpine landscapes and glacier fjords to an abundant variety of wildlife, employees have front row seats to capture the grandeur of the forests and spirit of the people who live and work here.

“Our employees always put their best effort forward, especially when it comes to our annual photo contest and I’m always amazed at the images they capture every day,” said Regional Forester Dave Schmid. “I look forward to this competition each year, just to be reminded of the wonderment that is Alaska.”

The Alaska Region photo contest started in 2016 and has seen a consistent number of photos sent in each year. The competition offers multiple categories including best of the Chugach, the Alaska experience, infrastructure, recreation, wildlife and more. Employees compete in a friendly competition and the winners of each category get their photo printed on canvas to display in their offices or homes.

The first place and honorable mention photos can be viewed on the Region Flickr site.