Wisconsin's Great Waters 2020 Photo Contest and Writing Project
Winners and Submissions
The Office of Great Waters is pleased to present our 12th annual calendar, along with the winners and submissions from the 2020 Great Waters Photo Contest and Writing Project. As the calendar, photos and writings clearly show, the Great Lakes and Mississippi River are among Wisconsin's most scenic and beloved natural resources.
Thank you to all 2020 photographers and authors for sharing your talent with us!
2020-2021 Calendar
We hope this calendar will serve as a daily reminder of the magnificence of Wisconsin's Great Waters and how we all can help protect them. The calendar is a unique collection of photos from our 2020 photo contest, creative writings submitted by Wisconsin authors and descriptions of stewardship projects. It is typically distributed at DNR events and state parks, visitor centers and DNR regional offices throughout the state.
The Great Lakes and Mississippi River are vital to our communities, industries, tourism and our way of life. Throughout Wisconsin, people are working together to protect these important resources by cleaning up pollution, restoring habitat, monitoring fish and wildlife, and improving water quality for today and for generations to come. This work is essential to maintaining our economy and quality of life. I deeply appreciate all the hard work of the good stewards who take care of our Great Lakes and mighty Mississippi River.
2020 Winning Photographs
The Office of Great Waters received more than 250 beautiful photos of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Mississippi River for the 2020 contest. Winning photographs are featured in the 2020-2021 Wisconsin's Great Waters Calendar.
People Enjoying Our Great Waters
"Cave Walk" by Sheri Erickson. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, near Cornucopia. 1st Place - People Enjoying our Great Waters.
- 1st Place:
- Sheri Erickson
- 2nd Place:
- Mark Straub
- Honorable Mention:
- Joshua Schwartz, Jennifer Rasmussen, Steve Bensing, Pat Streff, Mark Ponto, Jeff Halverson, Mason Morris, Colleen Andrasko, Derek Victor, Michael Knapstein
Cultural and Historical Features
"North Pier Milky Way" by Nathan Farvour. Sheboygan. 1st Place – Cultural and Historical Features
- 1st Place:
- Nathan Farvour
- 2nd Place:
- Chris Schultz
- Honorable Mention:
- Mason Morris, Kevin Lamar, Mark Straub, Michael Henderson, Steve Bensing, Karen Gersonde, Glenn Gierzycki, Julie DeLisle, Jeff Halverson
Natural Features
"Striking Sky" by Mason Morris. Port Washington. 1st Place – Natural Features
- 1st Place:
- Mason Morris
- 2nd Place:
- Jonah Westrich
- Honorable Mention:
- Randy Koehler, Lynn Thornton, Emil Toney, Michael Knapstein, Jennifer Rasmussen, Nathan Farvour, Sheri Erickson, Nick Bahr, Lori Shilts, Howard Vrankin
Wildlife
"Pelican Prom" by Mason Morris. Sheboygan. 1st Place – Wildlife
- 1st Place:
- Mason Morris
- 2nd Place:
- Nathan Farvour
- Honorable Mention:
- Mark Straub, Lori Shilts, Lorri Howski, Karen Gersonde, Lynn Thornton, Linda Rappel, Jennifer Kelly, Victoria Almgren, Julie DeLisle
2020 Eligible Photo Submissions
Each category is a separate PDF file and each page corresponds to one submission.
2020 Writing Project Submissions
The Office of Great Waters received 29 lovely poems, short stories and creative writings from Wisconsin authors. Their work appears in our 2020-2021 Wisconsin's Great Waters Calendar.
- After the Solstice, by Dawn Hogue
- Agates of Lake Superior, by Kristie Degner-Hansen
- Butterflies are Free to Fly, by Rebecca Seymour
- A Collection of Four Poems, by Marilyn Zelke Windau
- The Colors of the Season, by Karen Gersonde
- Five Poems Inspired by Lake Superior, by Nancy Franz
- Forest Restoration, by Jennifer Klein
- In Praise of Cycles, by Patricia Williams
- Memories of the Big Lake, by Tim Boyle
- The Midwinter Night is Long and Magic in Collapsing Stars, by Patricia Williams
- The Mighty Ships, by Karen Gersonde
- Nature and Rainy Day, by Tracey Ludvik
- On the Empire Builder During Spring Floods, by Maryann Hurtt
- A River’s Life, by Elizabeth Sproehlich
- Sea Cave, by Thom Singleton
- A Squadron of Pelicans and One Black Bear, by Maryann Hurtt
- Summer Place, by Thor Ringler
- The Telltale Orb, by Tim Boyle
- A Visit to Bayfield, by Sara Zarnstorff
- Wishing in the Dark, by Ms. Willi Scharrer