Our Ultimate Goal is to galvanize the nation's 26,000,000 nature photographers into a viable economic force for the future of habitat conservation. Millions of nature photographers will pay to enjoy private lands with good wildlife habitat. Landowners who lease professional quality photographic areas can generate significant income and conserve wildlife. The elements are there, and the ICF Pro-Tour brings them all together.

The Series of Pro-Tour Competitions will begin in 2006. Each competition will focus on a different geographic region of North America, to showcase its greatest private lands through the artistic mastery of the world's best nature photographers. The 2006 Pro-Tour is the exciting start of an enduring championship event, like the first PGA Masters or Wimbledon.

The Texas Hill Country will host the 2006 Pro-Tour.. This attractive region, stretching from San Antonio to Austin and westward, combines extraordinary wildlife diversity with beautiful landscapes, making it an ideal setting for unforgettable images. Promoting this area with images of nature can boost tourism and bring significant revenue to local businesses. Nature photography, as a leading sector of the nature tourism industry, can mean substantial profits for popular destinations. Upcoming Pro-Tour events are planned for Florida and northeastern Mexico.

Click Here to see a map of the Texas Hill Country

Professional Nature Photographers
Click on the photographer's name to learn more about them and view a sample of their work.

Private Landowners
The top twenty private landowners as selected by ICF. Contact ICF for details.

Photographer-Landowner Teams
Twenty Photographer-Landowner Teams will be matched at random for the one-month competition. Each Team will submit a final 75-image portfolio for judging.

Divisions
Five Divisions will exhibit each region's diversity: Birds, Mammals, Reptiles & Amphibians, Insects & Arachnids, and Plants & Landscapes

Judges
Judges for the Pro-Tour are selected for their expertise in the field of nature photography. They will anonymously evaluate the images and award points. The highest-scoring portfolios will win prize money. Click on the judge's name to learn more about them.

• Rosamund Kidman Cox
  Former Editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine
• Stephen B. Freligh
  Publisher / Editor-in-Chief, Nature's Best Magazine
• Art Wolfe
  World-renowned Wildlife Photographer

Up to $160,000 in Prize Money will be awarded.*
Prize money will be shared equally by the Photographer and Landowner of each winning Team.

* NOTE: Since this is the first Pro-Tour event, it has no sponsorship history, and there is a possibility that the full $160,000 in prize money may not be raised. If that occurs, ICF will pay out the prize money raised as of April 30, 2006, according to the percentages listed under '%' in this table.

By Developing Partnerships among nature photographers, private landowners, local businesses, corporate America, government agencies and conservation groups, the ICF Pro-Tour creates a dynamic force for wildlife conservation. Compelling photography, comprehensive publicity and powerful economics will combine to: promote nature photography on private lands, develop a network of nature photographers and local photo competitions, and create a visual voice for wildlife.

Sponsorship Opportunities are great for individuals, local businesses and corporate America. Ask about our benefits packages.

Individual Sponsors receive recognition, prints of great wildlife photography and the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to preserve the beauty and quality of life of the region.

Local Businesses that market to the community can leverage their support of the Pro-Tour to sell more products. By having your name associated with an event that directly benefits quality of life, you earn the community's respect, and their business. Sponsors receive prominent promotional recognition in Pro-Tour materials and special events.

Corporate America will benefit from positive customer association and branding. Special promotional programs give your company national recognition as a founding sponsor of this dynamic event.

Teamwork is at the heart of the ICF Pro-Tour. Through the collaboration of enthusiastic people and organizations, the Pro-Tour will make great strides in wildlife conservation. Benefits and recognition are bountiful for sponsors and affiliate organizations. For more information on how you or your organization can get involved, contact us.

Download Pro-Tour Brochure in PDF format (two pages)

The Pro-Tour is supported by:

The Conservation Fund (PDF)
Conservation International (PDF)
Environmental Defense (PDF)
The Nature Conservancy (PDF)
North American Nature Photography Association (PDF)
Texas Parks & Wildlife (PDF)
Texas Travel Industry Association (PDF)
Texas Wildlife Association (PDF)
Wildlife Habitat Council (PDF)

Images for Conservation Fund (ICF) is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering wildlife conservation, economic development, natural history, art and education through the power of photography. To accomplish these goals, ICF has created the Pro-Tour, for which ICF serves as the competition authority, manager and prime fundraiser.

For Photographer and Landowner application forms, or to become a Sponsor, Volunteer or Partner, contact ICF