Here at Garden for Wildlife, we believe everyone has the power to make a difference for wildlife, right in their own backyard – or even on their college campus! That's why we were absolutely thrilled to team up with Larinda Frushour, a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), for a special campaign focused on increasing nature appreciation and educating students about the vital role of native plants.
This fall, UIUC students grabbed their phones, stepped outside, and immersed themselves in the breathtaking beauty of Illinois' native flora for our "Prairie Pics: Phone Photography Contest." The mission was simple yet profound: capture the essence of Illinois native plants in their autumn glory – from vibrant blooms to busy pollinators – and share these moments to inspire others. The response was incredible, showcasing not only the talent of UIUC students but also the often-overlooked natural wonders thriving right on campus.
What is Prairie Pics? A Glimpse into the Contest
The Prairie Pics contest challenged students to turn their everyday smartphones into tools for discovery. We encouraged student participants to explore native plant gardens on campus, specifically the stunning Red Oak Rain Garden, and capture the natural beauty of these spaces through the lens of their smartphone’s camera.
To kick things off, Larinda hosted an event on campus at the rain garden. Students joined a guided tour, learning about the prairies of Illinois, identifying native species, and gathering inspiration for their photo submissions. It was a fantastic way to connect with nature, learn something new, and get those creative juices flowing!
The submission period ran for just two weeks. We kept it short and sweet to maximize engagement, knowing that the best shots would come in right after the kick-off or just before the deadline. Students uploaded their best photos, and then the real fun began: a popular vote allowed the broader UIUC community to pick their favorites, alongside a special "Garden for Wildlife Pick" from our staff. The top photographers each received a $50 Visa e-gift card featuring their winning photos!
The contest was a resounding success, flooding our feeds with stunning images of sunflowers, asters, bustling bees, and graceful butterflies. The collection of images illuminated the incredible biodiversity that exists when we plant native.
Now it's Your Turn! Launch Your Own Native Plant Photo Contest
Are you ready to bring the beauty of native plants to life on your own campus? Here's a playbook based on our experience to help you launch your very own phone photography contest:
Phase 1: Pre-Promotion & Planning (1-2 Months Before Kick-Off)
- Define Your Mission:
- What do you hope to achieve? (e.g., increase appreciation, educate, highlight local species).
- Identify Focus Areas:
- Theme: What plants or ecosystems will you highlight? (e.g., spring vs fall blooms, pollinators).
- Locations: Pinpoint specific native plant gardens or natural areas on or near campus. Highlight a hidden gem or consider high-traffic areas for increased engagement. Get necessary approvals!
- Categories: Offer diverse categories like "Native Plants," "Pollinators," or a creative "Art" category.
- Name Your Contest:
- Brainstorm direct and fun names. Keep it simple. You want people to easily recognize what the contest is about from just a quick glance.
- Examples: "Autumn Hues of [Your State]: Your Phone's Native Plant Story," "Pocket Prairie Pics: Phone Photography Contest," or "[Your Campus] Wildflower Wonders."
- Create Your Visual Assets:
- Logo & Branding: Design a contest logo. Utilize free tools like Canva to create eye-catching social media graphics and printable posters/flyers. Check your school’s brand guidelines to determine if you will need to use specific color codes or fonts for your materials.
- Landing Page: Set up a simple landing page (e.g., using Google Sites, WordPress, or a tool like Woobox) to host contest rules, submission links, and winner announcements. Feature some initial photos of plants/pollinators from your contest location(s) to tie the page together. Create a short, memorable URL for QR codes.
- Craft Your Promotion Strategy:
- Social Media: Plan collaborative posts with campus organizations (e.g., sustainability clubs, environmental institutes) before, during, and after the contest. Use a unique hashtag (e.g., #PrairiePics[YourCampus]). Make sure to allow enough time in advance for any necessary approvals. Posts may take longer to approve, but you can get help from a broad range of organizations with story shares.
- On-Campus Marketing: Print posters and flyers (check dorms for special approval). Use QR codes linking directly to your landing page. You may also want to plant temporary yard signs at the site(s) of your contest to give passersby an easy opportunity to participate. Yard signs may require approval from your university's facilities and services department, so make sure to reach out well before the kickoff.
- Email Announcements: Draft compelling emails for student mailing lists or orientation communications.
- In-Person Announcements: Arrange to give a brief announcement about the contest at the start of relevant classes or student club gatherings.
Phase 2: Kick-Off Event (Early September or Equivalent)
- Engage & Educate: Organize a guided tour of your chosen native plant gardens. This familiarizes students with the plants, sparks ideas, and drives initial submissions.
- Student Leadership: Empower student leaders to guide tours and talks. This boosts peer engagement. Volunteers can help guide anyone who comes in late.
- Create an Experience: Offer light refreshments, create a welcome area, and include a brief educational talk on the importance of local native flora.
- Timing is Key: Consider campus events (e.g., football games) to avoid conflicts. Weekday afternoons or early evenings often work well.
Phase 3: Submissions & Voting (14-Day Window)
- Platform Choice:
- Ease of Use: Tools like Woobox (for basic contests) or a combination of Google Forms (for submission) and a simple landing page (for display/voting) work well. Test thoroughly in advance!
- Voting Mechanism: Decide between popular vote (boosts awareness as students share their photos) and/or an "organizer's favorite" pick (keeps engagement high throughout the submission period, even if there seems to be a clear winning popular pick)
- Active Reminders:
- Social Media: Schedule regular posts throughout the 14-day window. Highlight submission locations, voting instructions, and countdowns.
- Showcase Early Entries: Share a few early submissions to inspire others and show what's possible.
Phase 4: Winner Announcement (7-10 Days After Submissions Close)
- Prompt Announcement: Aim to announce winners quickly after the submission period closes to maintain momentum.
- Multi-Platform Celebration: Announce winners on your blog, social media channels, and through collaborative posts with campus partners.
- Showcase the Art: Feature the winning photos prominently and tag the photographers (if applicable).
- Prize Motivation: A simple gift card (e.g., $50 Visa) is a great incentive!
Get Inspired, Get Involved!
The "Prairie Pics" contest at UIUC proved that even a basic smartphone camera can capture the profound beauty and ecological importance of native plants. It's a fun, accessible way to foster nature appreciation and make a real difference for wildlife, one photo at a time.
We encourage you to take this playbook, adapt it to your own community or campus, and start your own visual journey into the incredible world of native flora. Let's continue to shine a light on the natural beauty that once blanketed our landscapes and encourage everyone to plant with purpose!
Ready to start your own native garden journey? Explore our collections and learn more at gardenforwildlife.com.