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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District announces the annual photo contest and invites public land users to submit their favorite photograph(s) of extraordinary finds located on public land. The grand prize winner will receive a 2025 Las Cruces District Office Annual Pass valued at $30, which will feature their photograph. The pass will allow the winner to visit and enjoy BLM’s Dripping Springs Natural Area, Aguirre Spring Campground and Three Rivers Petroglyph Site.    

“This year, we would like to see more extraordinary photos of unique finds on our public lands,” said Las Cruces District Officer Manager Scott Cooke.  “Many entrants have included scenic views, plants and animals. We are hoping to see more unique entries featuring a variety of locations aside from the Organ Mountains.”

The photo contest runs from now through Sept. 1. Contest rules:

• Photos must be taken on BLM Las Cruces District public lands.
• Photographs must be in color and of the highest quality no smaller than 4x6 inches at 400 dpi.
• Cropped photos are eligible. Digitally or otherwise enhanced or altered photos will not be accepted. However, minor adjustments, including spotting, burning and dodging, sharpening, contrast and slight color adjustment or the digital equivalents, are acceptable.
• Participants retain the rights to their photograph. However, by entering the contest, participants grant the BLM a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer’s credit, as feasible.
• For photographs that include a recognizable person under 18 years of age, the photographer must provide written permission from a parent/guardian before the entry deadline.
• Objectionable or inappropriate content is ineligible for this contest and will be discarded.
• Images are limited to .jpeg files only and include subject, location, photographer’s name (e.g., deerDrippingSpringsJohnDoe.jpg).
• All photos must be taken by the contest participant.
• If you post your photos to social media and you would like to tag us, please tag us on Facebook at the Bureau of Land Management - Las Cruces District and Bureau of Land Management - New Mexico Facebook pages or mention us on X at @BLMNewMexico.

Entries will be judged based on creativity, quality and their overall impact. The grand prize winner will be selected by a panel of BLM Las Cruces employees. No more than three photographs per person can be submitted to blm_nm_lcdo_mail@blm.gov. A photograph description and location are required. For more information on the photo contest rules, the public can contact BLM Las Cruces District Public Affairs Specialist Bill Wight at (575) 525-4444.