While forests are increasingly celebrated for their importance, grasslands deserve equal attention. Far from being mere empty expanses, natural grasslands are indispensable ecosystems. Their remarkable biodiversity, water retention capacity and soil protection functions make them critical allies in the fight against climate change.
An outstanding photograph is conceived in the mind long before it is captured in the field. This philosophy is closely associated with Dr Zsolt Kalotás, wildlife photographer, founding member and first president of the Hungarian Nature Photographers’ Association (naturArt). In addition to serving as a juror for the Secrets of Grasslands photography competition, he is the recipient of numerous awards and honours. More than 8,500 of his nature photographs have been published in books, conservation magazines, specialist journals and environmental publications. We asked him about the competition, in which the fifth round challenges entrants to present the beauty and diversity of grasslands from a broader perspective.
The fifth round of Secrets of the Grasslands, a nature photography competition, aims to draw attention to the beauty and diversity of grassland ecosystems. In this year’s edition, one of the challenges set for entrants is landscape photography.
The fifth round of “The Secrets of Grasslands” photo contest draws attention to the beauty and diversity of grasslands. In the landscape category, participants are invited to present the charm and rich variety of grasslands from a broader perspective. A separate category was announced for showcasing the seasonal transformations of grassland habitats. We spoke with Bertalan Balczó, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural engineer, and chair of the jury, about the themes of the contest and the role of grassland protection, which lies at its core.
The best 30 images of “The Secrets of Grasslands” photo contest are on display from 31 March, 2022. The aim of the exhibition is to bring people closer to the unique animals that live in grasslands. After showcasing the photos in Budapest, from April, the exhibition will tour around the country.
The LIFE integrated project is halfway through its 8-year duration. During the first cycle of the project, between 2019 and 2020, we focused on preparatory works, while during the second cycle pilot actions were conducted. Where does the integrated project stand now that is coordinated by the Herman Otto Institute with the collaboration of 14 project partners and what are the achievements so far?
As part of the Grassland-HU LIFE Integrated Project, professional and non-professional photographers were invited to participate in “The secrets of Grasslands” Photography Contest. The theme of this year’s contest was invertebrates in their grassland habitats. It attracted 1165 entries, almost twice as much as last year.
The Grassland Conservation Management Advisory Service was established under the Grassland-HU integrated project to promote conservation-friendly grassland management and provide professional support for farmers who are open to adapt agri-environmental measures.