Iowans are invited to take the Tree-mendous Iowa Tree Challenge offered by the “Water Rocks!” statewide water education program based at Iowa State University Extension. The challenge, which began Aug. 3 and runs through Aug. 17, invites Iowans to get outside and discover the trees that are growing across the state by snapping pictures of themselves with as many varieties of trees as they can.

“We have a tremendous variety of tree species that thrive in Iowa, but we sometimes look past the trees that we see every day and don’t often stop to consider the important roles trees play in our natural ecosystems,” says Ann Staudt, director of the Water Rocks! educational program, which is a part of Iowa Learning Farms at ISU.

“For this Tree-mendous Iowa Tree Challenge, we want participants to take a closer look at the different species of trees they find and send us pictures of themselves with the trees. There is no photographic judging going on, but we look forward to seeing the interesting and creative ways people will capture themselves with the diversity of trees found in our state,” she says.

Enter now through Aug. 17

To enter the Water Rocks! Tree-mendous Iowa Tree Challenge, follow these guidelines:

• Get outside and explore the different types of trees found in Iowa. Challenge entries are limited to trees in Iowa.

• For each unique tree species, capture a photo of yourself with the tree. In each photograph, we need to see your face and the tree. Example photos can be viewed online.

Different tree species within the same tree family are allowed — for example, silver maple and sugar maple count as two species. However, a silver maple tree in the park and a silver maple tree in your yard will not count as two separate species.

Submit your photo entry online

Use apps like iNaturalist, the Guide to Common Trees and Shrubs of Iowa and ISU Extension and Outreach’s Interactive Tree Dichotomous Key to help.

Tree hugging is always encouraged — but remember that your face needs to be seen in the photos.

Submit your entry at waterrocks.org/trees. Register your name — and if entering as a household, the number of members — your contact information, and upload your complete set of photos. All entries must be completed by Aug. 17 at 11:59 p.m.

The Tree-mendous Iowa Tree Challenge is being produced in partnership with the Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa’s largest and most comprehensive environmental coalition and dedicated to education and advocacy, and to working together to protect and preserve Iowa's environment. Learn more at waterrocks.org.

Source: ISU Extension, which is responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and its subsidiaries aren’t responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.