Song, photo contests mark 50th anniversary of state Environmental Rights Amendment

Shutterbugs and tunesmiths have an opportunity to use their skills to help salute the 50th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment.

The nonprofit Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation has announced a new contest as it searches for an original song that best reflects the writer’s sentiments about the landmark amendment to the state constitution.

The foundation also has chosen the amendment milestone as the theme for its annual photo contest.

The 1971 amendment acknowledges “the right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment,” while charging the commonwealth to “conserve and maintain” those natural resources.

The amendment “ensures all Pennsylvanians, today and future generations, the right to a clean environment and a preservation of our public lands,” said Marci Mowery, foundation president. “We are excited to offer an opportunity for an artistic expression of what the amendment means to performing artists of all ages. Music is another way to express how you feel about something.”

Mowery noted Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states that has such language in its constitution, supporting such assets as the state park system. During the covid-19 pandemic, she noted, “People have really embraced the public spaces as a way to stay health and de-stress.”

Songs are to be between two and three minutes long and may be in any musical genre. They must be submitted in a digital format by Aug. 1.

The foundation will award a grand prize of $250 and a youth prize of $100, for the top entry among contestants under 18.

The winners will be invited to perform their songs at a foundation event. Songs also will be shared through the foundation’s digital platforms.

Visit ppff.events/era50-song-contest for complete contest rules.

Photo contest details may be found at paparksandforests.org.

Professionals and amateurs alike are invited to enter images captured at locations in any of Pennsylvania’s state parks or forests.

Contest categories include Clean Air, Pure Water, Natural Value, Scenic Value, Historic Value and Esthetic Value. A separate category is open to photographers ages 12-17. State park gift cards valued between $25 and $75 are offered as prizes.

Submitted photos are due by noon on Sept. 30.

Latrobe resident Clare Kaczmarek captured last year’s Judges’ Choice award with a photo taken at Ohiopyle State Park.

The foundation will be highlighting the Environmental Rights Amendment throughout the year, featuring monthly creative activities in the ERA 50 section of its website. This month, web visitors are being challenged to write a five-line stanza on the topic of clean water. In April, they may choose to pen a haiku concerning the preservation of nature.