Help NCTA Win $100,000 in Marketing Services

Vote at Vote for $100K in Marketing Services for NCTA

Yes, you read that right. This is a voter-decided charity where ten organizations will win $100,000 each in marketing services. Most of the charities are Michigan based (that's where the offer comes from).

I appreciate the little win that you readers all just helped me get, but this vote is much more important, and you can potentially help nine other non-profits as well as the North Country Trail Association. If you are not from Michigan, don't pass it by. There are groups that should appeal to you. Many are animal rescues, women and youth support, faith-based organizations, aid to the disabled and homeless, and lots more.

We just ask that you choose North Country Trail Association as one of your votes!

The list is alphabetical, so you'll find us between New Hope Center for Grief Support, and Novi Athletic Boosters. Just scroll down!

Check ten boxes, then scroll to the bottom and hit Submit.

If there was ever a time to rouse yourself to action this is it! Great benefit to NCTA, and an easy voting process. You do have to enter your name and email, but that's all- no complex sign-up. Vote one time; you're done.

Vote at Vote for $100K in Marketing Services for NCTA

Been to the Boundary Waters? Write and Win!

view from the Border Route Trail (photo by RMA)

from the Boundary Waters Community
Write
Have you visited the BWCA or Quetico some time in the past? Share a trip report, diary, or story and you may be a winner of a five day Kevlar canoe rental!

Rules:
Everyone is welcome to participate, amateur or professional.
There is no limit to the number of submissions.
Submissions will be accepted through October 31st, 2009.
If the story is copyrighted, you must be the rightful copyright owner.
Authors retain the rights to their stories.

You are welcome, and encouraged to post photos with your trip report. Photographers retain the rights to their photographs.

This years contest will again be judged by Cliff Jacobson. Cliff is one of North America's most respected outdoors writers, wilderness guides, national and foreign consultants.

The contest winner will receive a five day Kevlar canoe rental courtesy of Voyageur North Outfitters. Like to ice fish? Your prize will also include 3 days 2 nights lodging for this Winter in your choice of Brainerd or Mille Lacs. The stories may also be featured on BoundaryWatersCanoeArea.com

Take Pictures Every Month

Rules:
Everyone is welcome to participate, amateur or professional.
Photos must have been taken in the BWCA, Quetico, or their bordering lakes (photos taken at area resorts are welcome)
Photo must have been taken by the individual who posts it (you can have help posting your images though).
Photos may be from any time of year.
Past entries are welcome.
You may submit up to five images each month.
Photos can be uploaded to the board (preferred method), or they may be hosted on your own server or hosting service (such as photobucket)
Submissions will be accepted through July 31st, 2009.
Photographers retain the rights to their photographs.

This month's contest will be judged by Rhonda Silence. Rhonda serves as editor of the Cook County News Herald, and has been an editor in the area since 1999.

This month's winner will receive 200 free prints on Kodak Royal paper courtesy of dotPhoto, a one day Royalex canoe rental, or a Kevlar Outfitting Upgrade courtesy of Gunflint Northwoods Outfitters and a two day Kevlar Boundary Waters canoe rental courtesy of Voyageur North Outfitters

For complete details, visit Writing Contest
and Photo Contest

Something to Say About the Northeast Mountains?

a news release of the Waterman Fund

Enter the 2009 Alpine Essay Contest

The Waterman Fund seeks the submission of essays about the mountains of the northeastern U.S. for its second annual Waterman Fund Alpine Essay Contest.

Guy and Laura Waterman spent a lifetime reflecting and writing on the Northeast's mountains. The Waterman Fund seeks to further their legacy through essays and stories that celebrate the spirit of the Northeast's mountains. We encourage the submission of essays that explore the relationship between the human spirit and that environment. Specifically, we are seeking personal essays about stewardship of wild places, whether through a scientific lens or an encounter with wildness.

Essays must be original works ranging from 2500 to 4000 words. The submission deadline is May 1, 2009. The winning piece will be published in Appalachiajournal, and the winning essayist will be awarded $2,000. In addition, the Waterman Fund may recognize one or more essays with honorable mention, awarding those winners with signed copies of the Waterman's companion volumes, Backwoods Ethics and Wilderness Ethics.

Writers who have not published a book or have not been published in a national magazine on the topic of the contest are eligible for participation.

see the complete rules