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DECEMBER 22, 2009 ISSUE

Create Holiday Memories in Nature

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wants Your Outdoor Pictures for Mosaic

This painting by noted Canadian wildlife artist and conservationist Robert Bateman forms the basis for the photo mosaic currently being created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo submitted

Steps to Participate in the Let’s Go Outside Photo Project:

1. Head for the outdoors—whether the destination is your backyard, a local park or a nearby national wildlife refuge. A national wildlife refuge is located within an hour’s driving distance of most major American cities. And don’t forget your digital camera.

2. Photograph a friend or family member enjoying an outdoor activity, or have someone snap a photo of you.

3. Send in your photo, following the instructions that can be found by clicking to http://yououtdoors.org.

4. To learn about outdoor opportunities and activities in which you can participate, including the basics of digital nature photography, click to www.fws.gov/letsgooutside and www.fws.gov/refuges/SpecialEvents/FWS_SpecialEvents_Search.cfm.

The weather may be chilly, but it is still a great time to get outside and see birds, mammals and a host of other wildlife species in your own neighborhood. This holiday season, create lifetime memories and establish new family traditions by getting outdoors with your camera and capturing photos of yourself and your family and friends exploring nature.

Visit a national wildlife refuge, a national fish hatchery—or even a stream or woods in your own neighborhood. Then share your best photos of you and your family enjoying the natural world with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its Let’s Go Outside Photo Project, which already includes more than 4,000 images. Your photos will become part of an online image mosaic being compiled from thousands of photos.

All digital photos uploaded to the photo mosaic will help compose what appears to be a single outdoor image, when viewed from a distance. But closer examination reveals that it is made up of thousands of smaller photos.

Visitors to the Let’s Go Outside website will be able to watch the image mosaic being built and locate their own images by using a unique code number.

The Let’s Go Outside initiative, supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners, encourages children, educators and parents to simply get outside and connect with nature and wildlife.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The organization is both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service.

For more information the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, click to www.fws.gov.