The contest has now closed. Thank you for your entries!

Fall 2020 update: Winners announced on the ABMI blog...

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute is pleased to present the “What Does Biodiversity Mean to You?” Essay Writing Contest.

We know you love Alberta’s great outdoors, and now, in partnership with Alberta Views, we want to hear from you!  Submit your original essay (500-750 words) describing what biodiversity means to you⁠—Albertans of all ages are welcome to participate.

Enter by 11:59 on May 31, 2020 for a chance to win one of three prizes: a Grand Prize of $500.00 and a chance to be published in the September issue of Alberta Views, or two runner-up prizes of $250.00. Please submit entries to abmicoms@ualberta.ca in the format outlined in the Contest Rules and Guidelines.

This competition is brought to you in partnership with Alberta Views. Recognized for its editorial excellence, Alberta Views is one of the most respected publications in Canada, and has won Magazine of the Year and both the National and Western Magazine Awards. Don’t forget to visit albertaviews.ca and use code ABMI20 to get your annual subscription for only $20.00!

1. By submitting to the Contest, the entrant agrees to abide by all Contest rules.

2. To be eligible, entries must be essays between 500 and 750 words, and be submitted by 11:59 on May 31, 2020 to abmicoms@ualberta.ca. Entries must include the author’s name, phone number and email address in the main body of the text. The email subject-line must read: “Writing Contest Entry: First and Last Name” In addition, files must be submitted in PDF format, with the following saved-name format: firstname_lastname_titleofessay.pdf.  All entrants must be currently residing in Alberta.

3. By submitting to the Contest, you agree to having your essay published by the ABMI on any of its platforms, including its website, blog, e-newsletter, social media. The author retains the copyright to his or her essay.

4. By submitting to the Contest, you agree to having your essay published in Alberta Views if your entry aligns with their publishing standards. 

5. There will be three cash prizes: a Grand Prize of $500.00, and two runner-up prizes of $250.00 each. In addition, the Grand Prize winner also wins the chance to be published in the September edition of Alberta Views.

6. Each entrant may only submit one manuscript of original, unpublished prose.

7. All entries are final. No revisions are accepted. Alberta Views retains the rights to make editorial changes to the published entry.

8. A shortlist of finalists will be selected by ABMI communications staff between June 1 and June 30, 2020. Finalists will be selected based on a combination of literary merit, creativity, and emotional impact. As the ABMI is a value-neutral, evidence-based scientific organization, entries that include false or inflammatory content cannot be considered. The contest winner and runners-up will be selected from the shortlist by Alberta Views staff by July 31, 2020. The decisions of the judges are entirely their own and are final and binding.

9. Winners will be individually notified of the results by phone or email.