The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is featuring winning entries from its annual photo contest, poetry contest, and art show at the Ohio State Fair’s Natural Resources Park until Sunday, Aug. 3.

The Best in Show and Honorable Mention winners were selected by a panel of Division of Wildlife employees. Each of the category winners received a prize package that included a ticket to the Ohio State Fair to see their art on display as well as wildlife promotional items.

Wildlife Photography Contest
The top photo from the annual wildlife photo contest shows a hooded merganser duck. Roni Leatherman, of Rittman, captured the image in Summit County. Winning photos from six separate categories were also chosen. Category winners included:

• Mammal Madness: Tony Everhardt, of Walbridge, photographed a pair of red foxes in Wood County
• Art of Fishing: Cindy Duffala, of Lorain, snapped a photo of a leaping rainbow trout in Erie County
• Birds and Birding: Sarah Curtis, of Dalton, photographed two pileated woodpeckers peering out of a nest cavity in Stark County
• Pursuit of the Harvest: Victoria Turner, of Perrysville, captured a hunter clad in blaze orange in Ashland County
• Birds of Prey: Sarah Curtis, of Dalton, snapped a photo of a short-eared owl in Wayne County
• Wildlife Watching: Stephenie Sell, of Mansfield, captured a painted turtle image in Erie County

Wildlife Poetry Contest

The Division of Wildlife launched the first annual poetry contest in 2025. Winners were selected from five categories. ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker selected a poem by David Dillon of Portage County, titled “Stillwater,” as the overall winner. Category winners included:

• Wildlife Through the Seasons and Weather: “The Sky Falls in July” by Lara Flaute of Fairfield County
• Wildlife in Places, Habitats, or Ecosystems: “Our Wonderful Wildlife” by Aimee Bergquist of Cuyahoga County
• Birding: “Winged Offerings” by Barbara Lyghtel Rohrer of Hamilton County
• Under-Appreciated Species: “Song of the Snot Otter” by Andrew Cole of Wood County
• The Art of Fishing and Hunting: “Hooked for Life” by Joseph Frederick of Cuyahoga County

Wildlife Art Show

High school and college students submitted wildlife artwork to the second annual art show. Five winners of various art mediums were selected:

• Best in Show: “Josephine the Opossum,” a colored pencil portrait of a Virginia opossum, by Natalie Johnson, 16, of Franklin County
• ODNR Director Mary Mertz’s Choice: “Blue Jay,” a colored pencil piece featuring a blue jay, by Savannah Rapp, 18, of Athens County
• Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker’s Choice: “Over the Lake,” an acrylic painting of a great blue heron, by Emily Nolan, 19, of Richland County
• Graphic Designer’s Choice: “Fast Food,” an acrylic painting of an osprey, by Morgan Gaboric, 16, of Knox County
• Honorable Mention: “Perched Serenity,” a colored pencil and watercolor drawing of a tufted titmouse, by Jaye McBride, 19, of Cuyahoga County

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.