In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, which was passed on September 3, 1964, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has opened “Wilderness Forever: 50 Years of Protecting America’s Wild Places,” a photography exhibition that features juried selections from over 5,000 entries.
These award-winning images reveal a rarely seen side of America: “wild, untouched, and free.” Through the vision of professional, amateur, and student photographers, viewers can journey to gorgeous vistas and the natural environments of the creatures who dwell in this beautiful land.
HONORABLE MENTION, WILDLIFE, PRO: Dee Ann Pederson (Houston, Texas)
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). Denali Wilderness, Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
HONORABLE MENTION, PEOPLE IN NATURE, AMATEUR: Thomas Haney (Kooskia, Idaho)
Smokejumpers, Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho.
HONORABLE MENTION, SCENIC LANDSCAPE, PRO: Jarrod Castaing (Sydney, NSW, Australia)
Snowy Meadow, Mount Hood Wilderness in Oregon.
WILDLIFE WINNER, PRO: David Bahr (Nederland, Colorado)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Glacier Bay Wilderness Area in Alaska.
HONORABLE MENTION, SCENIC LANDSCAPE, PRO: Bill Lea (Franklin, North Carolina)
Bald Cypress Dome, Cardinal bromeliads (Tillandsia fasciculata Sw.). Cypress Swamp, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness in Florida.
HONORABLE MENTION, SCENIC LANDSCAPE, AMATEUR: Samuel Feron (Noisy-le-Sec, France)
Mineral Aurora, Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness in New Mexico.
HONORABLE MENTION, SCENIC LANDSCAPE, PRO: William Patino (Wollongong, NSW, Australia)
Valley of Solace, Yosemite Wilderness in California.
WILDLIFE WINNER, AMATEUR: Verdon Tomajko (Superior, Colorado)
Mountain Goat Kids (Oreamnos americanus). Mount Evans Wilderness, Colorado.
HONORABLE MENTION, SCENIC LANDSCAPE, AMATEUR: Richard Ansley (Salt Lake City, Utah)
White Pocket, Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness in Arizona.
MOST INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT, WINNER, PRO: Joe LeFevre (Oswego, New York)
Milky Way over Second Beach, Olympic Wilderness in Washington.
WINNER, SCENIC LANDSCAPE, STUDENT: Thomas Goebel, age 18 (Jensen Beach, Florida)
Proxy Falls, Three Sisters Wilderness in Oregon
WILDLIFE WINNER, STUDENT: Jenna Van Kley, age 16 (Powell, Ohio)
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness in Florida.
WINNER, PEOPLE IN WILDERNESS, AMATEUR: Dawn M. LaPointe (Hermantown, Minnesota)
Sunset Paddle, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota
HONORABLE MENTION, PEOPLE IN NATURE, PRO: Richard Hebhardt (Juneau, Alaska)
Solitary Hiker, Great Sand Dunes Wilderness in Colorado.
HONORABLE MENTION, WILDLIFE, AMATEUR: Robert Amoruso (Orlando, Florida)
Brown Bear Up Close (Ursus arctos). Katmai Wilderness, Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska.