If you like kayaking, canoeing, boating, swimming, etc. on public lands, then participate in our friendly, fun, and engaging photo competition to showcase your awesome photographs. To participate, and for a chance to win one of four categories, submit your photos by posting on Instagram. Use the hashtag #RecreateWithUSGS and tag @USGS_Water.
What’s #RecreateWithUSGS about?
#RecreateWithUSGS is a national photo contest to raise awareness of the importance of USGS water data collected on public lands where people recreate in, on, and around water. Last year marked the inaugural year of this summer campaign, and we are thrilled to continue it!
If you like kayaking, canoeing, boating, swimming, etc. on public lands, then participate in our friendly, fun, and engaging photo competition to showcase your awesome photographs. To participate, and for a chance to win one of four categories, submit your photos by posting on Instagram. Use the hashtag #RecreateWithUSGS and tag @USGS_Water.
Categories
Pet Play: Your best photo of your pet having fun while recreating on, in, or near the water. Contest committee selects four finalist photos that show one or more pets goofing off while recreating.
Serene Spot: Your best photo that evokes a serene experience while recreating on, in, or near the water. Contest committee selects four finalist photos that show a peaceful spot found while recreating.
Family Fun: Your best photo of however you define family while recreating on, in, or near the water. Contest committee selects four finalist photos that show a group of people enjoying recreating.
Optimum Overall: Your best photo of your overall experience while recreating on, in, or near the water. Contest committee selects four finalist photos from the entire pool of submissions for the BEST overall photo to represent the champion water recreation photo of the year.
When’s #RecreateWithUSGS happening?
UPDATE: We're extending the entry period! Instead of the contest ending in August, it'll end in September. Get those entries in!
Entries will be accepted from June 12th – September 30th. Public voting will occur from October 7th – October 16th. Winners will be announced on October 17th.
What are the rules for entry?
If you're recreating on, in, or near water that's on public lands, share it with us!
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Post a photo of your journey recreating on, in, or near water on your publicly visible Instagram feed. *UPDATE: if your profile is NOT publicly visible, you can still enter. Please email us your photograph (gs-w_wma_web@usgs.gov). We want this contest to be inclusive, and we welcome your participation.
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In the caption, use the hashtag #RecreateWithUSGS and tag @USGS_Water. If you want your entry to be associated with a specific category, put the category title in the caption. If there is no category mentioned, our committee will assign it to the most relevant category
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If there are minors present in the photo, a legal guardian must provide permission by adding the following text to the photo’s caption: A minor is present in this photo, and as legal guardian I approve of their presence in this photo. Upon receiving your submission, we'll send you a short form releasing us to share the photo
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Your photo must be on public lands, not private property
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By participating in this campaign, you are consenting to this additional copyright permissions agreement that applies to your entry
What’s the prize?
Our committee will catalog all entries that comply with the rules, then associate them with the most relevant category. Our committee will select the top four photos that will be the finalists for each category. We will provide a publicly accessible form so that members of the public can vote for the winners. The winners of #RecreateWithUSGS will have their photos featured on our social media platforms!
FAQ
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Do I have to be in the photo?
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No, you don’t have to be in the photo! If your photo & caption combined indicate you’re recreating, you’re good. The photo can be of your kayak on the water, or a picture of a river as you launch your boat to fish, etc.
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Where does USGS collect water data?
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We’re so happy you asked! We collect water data all across the nation, some of which is only publicly managed lands. Our scientists go into the field to collect data and we use sensors to remotely monitor waters. A monitoring location is a place where we monitor conditions and collect data, represented by a webpage like this one, https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/11264500/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D. And a gage is a piece of equipment we use to collect water data remotely: https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/streamgaging…
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