2008 Pro-Tour Overview
The ICF Pro-Tour of Nature Photography is coming to the Coastal Bend of Texas in April 2008! This international professional photo contest offers an unprecedented $160,000 in total prize money and is the first competition of its kind in the world.
FORMULA FOR CONSERVATION:
20 Photographers + 20 Ranchers = Astonishing Wildlife Images
The Pro-Tour has selected 20 landowners from applicants representing a 19-county area in the Coastal Bend of Texas. The ranches will be randomly matched with 20 international professional nature photographers for an intensive world-class tournament that will take place April 1 - April 30, 2008.
ICF's goal is to create sustainable development of rural economies through the creation and prosperity of the Private Lands Nature Photo-Tourism Industry. Nature Photography has the unique ability to preserve habitat permanently by making it profitable.
Today, Americans overtly acknowledge the call of the wild by nearly a billion visits each year to national parks, state parks and recreation areas... 46 million birdwatchers come to parks and wildlands with binoculars, 28 million hikers explore trails, 46 million anglers cast a line, 17 million hunters prowl for game, and 18 million try to capture the essence of the wild through photography....all will admit they feel more alive out in the quickened air and raw energy of the outdoors. (Eugene Linden: noted author and environmental writer).
IMPORTANT DATES
*March 28, 2008 Pro-Tour Launch Party
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research
Center, Tío and Janell Kleberg
Wildlife Research Park,
TAMU Kingsville, TX
*March 28-29, 2008 Landowner/Photographer
Symposium
Student Union Building
TAMU Kingsville, TX
April 1-30, 2008 Pro-Tour Competition
June 25-29, 2008 Judging
*June 28, 2008 Family Field Day and "Meet the Judges" Party
Twin Oaks Ranch, Dinero, TX
hosted by Triple B Service Co.
*September 6, 2008 Awards Ceremony
Victoria, Texas
*March 7, 2009 Book Dedication Party
Texas State Aquarium
Corpus Christi, TX
*Open to the public with reservations.
