Welcome to the October 2005 issue of the Images for Conservation Fund Newsletter!

Click here for the September 2005 issue or the August 2005 issue

Images for Conservation Fund (ICF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to wildlife habitat conservation through sustainable economic development using the power of nature photography.

Our Executive Summary, Media Kit and News Releases are online at: www.imagesforconservation.org

2006 Calendar of Events
* Events Open to the Public

* March 18 Symposium for Landowners & Photographers at Texas Military Insititue (TMI)
* March 18 Pro-Tour Launch Party at Gallagher Headquarters Ranch
April 1-30 Pro-Tour Competition Period
May 15 Team Portfolios Due
May 22-27 Judging at LCRA's Canyon of the Eagles Facility
* June 17 Awards Celebration at the Hangar Hotel, Fredericksburg
* TBA Book Dedication Party at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Charter Sponsors of the Pro-Tour

The list of Sponsors continues to grow, and we are thankful for their support. To become a Sponsor, call (956) 381-1264 today.

A major milestone was reached last week with commitments of $150,000 for the Pro-Tour Prize Money. We are well on the way to our goal of $200,000.

It is important that we continue to receive commitments. Every sponsorship level offers benefits. At the $1,000 level, regional sponsorships are available for your favorite bird, mammal or other critter. In addition to name recognition in our published materials, you will recieve a print of your sponsored category to proudly display in your home or office. Call (956) 381-1264 to sign up.

Special thanks to our newest Pro-Tour Sponsors:
CEMEX, H-E-B, Alamo Forest Products, Munoz Investment Banking Group, Nature Photographers Network, Texas Military Institute, Stowers Ranch Company, Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, Smith Fankhauser Voigt & Watson PLLC, Ellis Koeneke Ramirez LLP, Anonymous, Rachel Blancas, and Linda Price May in Memory of David May

New Book Celebrates the 2004 Valley Land Fund Wildlife Photo Contest

Tickets are still available for the Book Dedication Party for Visions of South Texas: Beyond the Ranch Gate , the sixth book from the Valley Land Fund's Wildlife Photo Contest. The Book Dedication Party takes place on Saturday, November 19, 2005, at the historic south Texas ranch of Frank & Mary Yturria. The book will be dedicated to Mr. & Mrs. Yturria, who are avid conservationists and longtime VLF participants. Tickets are very limited and in high demand, so call Myra today at (956) 686-6429. (Cover Photo: Rex Hewitt, Landowner: Buena Vista Ranch).

ICF Partners with Plateau Land & Wildlife Management

Plateau Land & Wildlife Management has stepped up its support of the Pro-Tour. In addition to fundraising assistance, Plateau representatives have advised ICF on landowner selection for the 2006 Pro-Tour. Plateau is very enthusiastic about developing the Nature Photo Tourism Industry for the private landowners of the Texas Hill Country, and will be working with ICF to make this vision a realty. Learn more about them at: www.plateauwildlife.com

Pro-Tour Receives Great Online Publicity

Two outstanding nature photography websites are featuring ICF and the Pro-Tour. Naturescapes (www.naturescapes.com) published an article in its October newsletter, and the Nature Photographers Network (www.naturephotographers.net) will publish an article in its November issue. We are grateful to them, and encourage you visit their sites, which have excellent resources and active forums for all nature photographers.

Charter Membership

You now have an opportunity to make a powerful and permanent impact on wildlife conservation in North America. From now until April 1, 2006, ICF is offering Charter Memberships for only $100. As a Charter Member, you will be a founder of the Pro-Tour and the Nature Photo Tourism Industry. Visit www.imagesforconservation.org/support.html for details, or call us at (956) 381-1264.