In conjunction with the national “Find Your Park” campaign, Los Alamos County has launched a contest seeking the best photo submissions taken within the county’s three national parks―Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera National Preserve and the recently designated Manhattan Project National Historic Park.

 

The photo contest runs until 5 p.m., June 2. Visitors may submit photos on the “Visit Los Alamos” Facebook page.

 

The contest celebrates Los Alamos’ recent designation as the hub for three national park sites. With the December 2014 enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Valles Caldera National Preserve and the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park join Bandelier National Monument as National Park Service sites.

“Three of the nation’s most fascinating, historic national treasures exist right here or share a border with Los Alamos County, so we encourage everyone to submit their best shots of family and friends enjoying themselves at any one or all of these incredible national parks,” said Kelly Stewart, economic development marketing coordinator at Los Alamos County. “Though we love to look at the beautiful landscapes of our national parks, we are looking for ‘site-doing’ shots that show people at these amazing locations.”

Visitors can enter the contest in a number of ways―by tagging “Visit Los Alamos” in each photo submission; by posting a public photo on Facebook with the hashtag #LosAlamosParks; or by entering the contest on WooBox. There is no limitation on the number of entries a person can make per day.

The winner will be selected at 5 p.m. on June 2, and will be announced on June 3. No late entries will be accepted. The winner will receive a $500 pre-paid Visa® gift card.

Upon winning, the winner must be prepared to submit a high-resolution image of the winning photo and agree for it to be used by Los Alamos County for marketing purposes. The County will credit the winner in all photos.

The “Find Your Park” campaign was created by the National Park Service in celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2016. For more information about the “Find Your Park” campaign visit findyourpark.com.

Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged, beautiful canyon and mesa country. Evidence of a human presence at Bandelier dates back over 11,000 years. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities. Visit nps.gov/band/index.htm for more information.

Valles Caldera National Preserve.

One of the world’s seven supervolcanoes, the Valles Caldera erupted 1.2 million years ago, forming the Pajarito Plateau that is now home to Los Alamos County. In 2000, an act of Congress effectively converted this 89,000-acre property from a family ranch to a National Preserve. Located just 14 miles west of Downtown Los Alamos, the Valles Caldera offers 54+ miles of trails and 30 miles of trout streams. Under the Park Service, the Valles Caldera will continue to offer access for many activities including elk and turkey hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, van tours, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, environmental education, and photographic adventures. Visit vallescaldera.gov/about/ for more information.

Manhattan Project National Historic Park.

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will be one of the few national parks that focuses on American science, technology and industry during World War II. It encompasses three non-contiguous sites across the country that feature the structures associated with the research and production of the atomic bomb. These include: Oak Ridge, TN (uranium enrichment); Hanford, WA (plutonium production); and Los Alamos, NM (atomic bomb design and testing). In addition to the science, the park sites will interpret the social and cultural life of the individuals and families that lived and worked in these “secret cities.” In Los Alamos, some of the most iconic symbols of the Manhattan Project are open to the public today. The County co-manages a number
of contracts and services to ensure these assets are preserved and interpreted with care. Visit energy.gov/management/office- for more information.

 

For complete information about the national parks in Los Alamos County, see visitlosalamos.com.