BINGHAMTON, NY - The Broome County Environmental Management Council (EMC) announced today that it will sponsor its ninth Joyce K.L. Smith Environmental Photography Show and Competition. The EMC invites local amateur photographers to submit photographs of Broome County's physical environment. The purpose of the event is to showcase Broome County's environment and the EMC's efforts to protect and enhance it. The event honors the late Joyce K. L. Smith, a long-time EMC member, local leader and environmental activist.

Entrants to the Joyce K.L. Smith Environmental Photography Show and Competition will be asked to submit no more than three (3) photographs for competition in the following five (5) categories: Wildlife, Plantlife, Natural Landscape, Cultural Landscape, and People in Action. A panel of local professional photographers and environmental specialists will select one (1) winner and no more than five (5) runners-up in each category. The entry deadline is Wednesday, March 9, 2005.

Co-sponsors Silver Image Photographics, Vestal; Garland Gallery, Binghamton; and Allstate Glass, Binghamton, will furnish prizes. Winners and those receiving honorable mentions will be recognized at an opening reception and awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Broome County Public Library, 185 Court Street, Binghamton. The public is invited. The winning and honorable mention photographs will remain on exhibit at the library during May and June.

For guidelines and official entry forms, please contact the Broome County Environmental Management Council at 607.778.2116 or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Photo Competition, Broome County EMC, PO Box 1766, Binghamton, NY 13902-1766. Guidelines and entry forms will be available from Competition sponsors and on the Broome County website: www.goBroomeCounty.com/emc/photo.