BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.4.10//EN TZID:Europe/London X-WR-TIMEZONE:Europe/London BEGIN:VEVENT UID:0-2@exe-estuary.org DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260710T000000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261004T234500 DTSTAMP:20260701T142115Z URL:https://www.exe-estuary.org/events/exploring-the-exe-photo-competition / SUMMARY:Exploring the Exe Photo Competition DESCRIPTION:Welcome to the 2026 Explore the Exe Photo Competition. The Exe Estuary Management Partnership and collaborators are inviting everyone to  submit your best photos showcasing the Exe across four categories:   \n\n Wildlife &\; Conservation\,  \n Culture &\; Heritage\,   \n Seascapes &\; Landscapes\, and \n Homes &\; Livelihoods.  \n\nThrough our digital and print resources\, and those of our Partners and collaborators\, we hope this gives you another reason to get out and enjoy the Exe Estuary. Helping you refine your photography skills and lear n more about the Exe\, we are offering a series of in person and online ev ents throughout the competition.  \n\nThe aim of the 2026 Explore the E xe photo competition is to celebrate the Exe Estuary\, encourage people to explore what it has to offer\, and bring together people from diverse ba ckgrounds with a shared passion for this place. \n\nThe competition will run from the 10th of July to the 4th of October 2026. We have a panel of outstanding judges ready to shortlist and select our winning photos in October. Winners will be announced during our Exe Estuary Forum Celebrati on event in mid-November\, where winning and shortlisted photos will be  exhibited. The exhibition will spend early 2027 touring local venues (sc hedule TBC).  \n\n\nSubmit Your Photos Here\n\n\nSubmission Categories\n Our categories reflect the varied elements of the Exe Estuary and everyth ing which makes up this unique place. We believe there is something for ev eryone here and hope that you find a home for your photos in one of the  categories below. If you’re unsure about which category is the best fit\, please contact us for more information. \n\nThere are two bracket s of submissions within each category: Under 16\, and 16 Plus.\n\nWe req uire all participants to ensure that you adhere to all rules and guidance to avoid wildlife disturbance and damage. Take a look at our Codes of Co nduct to find out how best to share the Estuary with all: Codes of conduc t | Exe Estuary Management Partnership.  \n\nPlease see the Eligibility section for information regarding photography ethics (e.g. photo release form requirements).  \n\nClick on each category for more information.\n \nWildlife &\; Conservation Wildlife and habitat conservation are at th e heart of the Estuary. We host numerous protected sites which recognise a nd support birds\, mudflat species\, wetlands\, and others. The winners of this category will celebrate the wildlife of the Exe\, showcasing the vit al conservation work that takes place here. Submissions could include phot os of birds\, habitats\, plants\, fish\, mammals\, conservation measures\, or people doing conservation work. Two winners will be selected per brack et (U16 and 16+) for this category.Our designated sites include a Special Protected Area conserving internationally important wading and wildfowl bi rd species such as Brent geese\, avocets\, and oystercatchers. Some can be seen year-round\, while others are feeding and breeding visitors. The Spe cial Area of Conservation recognises the importance of the humid dune slac ks at Dawlish Warren which support rare plant species. The Ramsar site pro tects the wetlands\, recognising them for their role in supporting birds a nd people. The Site of Special Scientific Interest\, along with wildlife r efuges\, and Local Nature Reserves\, recognise and protect estuary ecosyst ems such as mudflats\, sandbanks\, and saltmarshes and their invertebrates and plants. In turn\, these support the bird\, fish\, and mammal populati ons\, as well as people.\n\nSouth East Devon Wildlife manage the conservat ion of the protected sites. You can often find their rangers\, alongside t hose of the nature reserves (Dawlish Warren and Exmouth)\, and RSPB (Exmin ster &\; Powderham\, and Bowling Green &\; Goosemoor) out and about telling people about the Estuary\, ensuring that the wildlife refuge prote ction measures are being enforced\, and monitoring wildlife populations.\n \nWe encourage you to visit the nature reserves and RSPB sites\, get invol ved in conservation activities\, and learn about our local wildlife. The S hores of South Devon voluntary group can help you learn more about the mar ine life found on our coastlines too. Check out their website for informat ion about talks and events: Shores of South Devon | Marine life interest a ssociation. You can find out more by looking at our wildlife leaflet here: Exe_Wildlife_Web 24 or requesting a printed copy here: Contact Us\n\nWhen out and about\, please ensure that you adhere to all rules and guidance t o avoid wildlife disturbance and damage. Take a look at our Codes of Condu ct to find out how best to share the Estuary with all: Codes of conduct | Exe Estuary Management Partnership\n\n \;\n\nCulture &\; Heritage T he Exe Estuary has a diverse cultural and heritage offer\, with many museu ms and culturally significant sites across numerous communities. The winne r of this category will showcase the culture and/or heritage of the Exe. P hotos submitted should celebrate people connecting with the Exe in a multi tude of ways\, e.g. through art\, theatre\, learning\, sport\, socialising \, and honouring the past. This category will award two winners per bracke t (U16 and 16+). One per bracket under the general category\, and one per bracket under a specific ‘Recreation’ sub-category. All images submitt ed to ‘Culture &\; Heritage’ will be considered for both awards.&nb sp\;\n\nExeter acts as the main hub\, with institutions such as the Royal Albert Memorial Museum\, while Exmouth\, Dawlish and Teignmouth provide sm aller museums reflecting local maritime and community history. The estuary is anchored by major historic assets\, including Powderham Castle and Exe ter’s nationally significant heritage as a Roman and medieval cathedral city with surviving city walls. Alongside this historic fabric\, a growing programme of arts and cultural activity—including festivals\, exhibitio ns\, and community events—adds a contemporary layer to the estuary’s c ultural identity.\n\nMaritime history and the estuary’s waters remain ce ntral to its character\, but they are experienced today through a wide ran ge of cultural and recreational uses. Historic quays and ports at Exeter\, Topsham and Exmouth sit alongside smaller waterfront communities such as Starcross\, Cockwood and Lympstone\, where everyday activities—from walk ing\, birdwatching and cycling to community events and heritage interpreta tion—connect people to the landscape. Water-based recreation\, including sailing\, kayaking and paddleboarding\, forms part of this broader mix\, reflecting the estuary’s living relationship with the water. These exper iences are supported by key infrastructure\, including Brunel’s west-sid e railway\, the Avocet Line\, and the Exe Estuary Trail—a well-used walk ing and cycling route attracting around 250\,000 users annually—which to gether help link cultural\, historic and contemporary uses into a cohesive and accessible estuary environment.\n\nWe encourage you to explore the he ritage of the Estuary\, including how it’s changed over the years. You c an find out more by looking at our leaflet here: Exe_Heritage_Web 24 or re questing a printed copy here: Contact Us\n\nRecreation\n\nThis sub-categor y recognises the huge importance and value in recreation taking place on and around the estuary. The winners will highlight leisure activities of the Exe. Submissions could include photos of watersports (sailing\, kaya king\, paddleboarding\, swimming\, etc.)\, wildlife watching\, beach-goin g\, walking\, cycling\, or ways people relax and have fun on\, in\, and a round the estuary.   \n\nWe encourage you to explore the variety of act ivities on offer around the Estuary. Slow Ways is a great resource for w alking routes between communities in the area. The Salmon Run takes pla ce on 19th September 2026 and will see ultrarunners racing from Exmouth to the source of the Exe River\, alongside relay teams completing sections of the run. You can find out more by looking at our leaflets here: Ex e Activities and Exe_Explorer_Web 24 or requesting a printed copy here:  Contact Us  \n\nWhen out and about\, please ensure that you adhere to all rules and guidance to avoid wildlife disturbance and damage. Take a look at our Codes of Conduct to find out how best to share the Estuary wi th all: Codes of conduct | Exe Estuary Management Partnership\n\n \;\ n\nSeascapes &\; Landscapes Coasts\, rivers\, and the estuaries where t hey meet offer diversity of colour\, light\, texture\, movement\, and elev ation. Resulting from a drowned ria\, the Exe Estuary’s geologic and hyd rologic origins have created a dynamic\, beautiful\, and fascinating sea- and land-scape. The winners of this category will showcase the vistas of t he Exe. Photo submissions may include landscapes\, seascapes\, or similar which share the scale of the estuary and its importance as a geographic an d geologic place. Only one winner per category (U16 and 16+) will be selec ted. \;\n\nTwo main rivers enter the estuary\, the River Exe and the s maller River Clyst\, which flow either side of Exeter. The Exe Estuary is a ria\, meaning that it was formed from sea-level rise after the last Ice Age. The massive change in sea-level flooded the unglaciated river valley formed by the Exe. This explains the large size of the estuary compared to the outflow of the River Exe. This low discharge is important in the form ation as otherwise the estuary would have quickly become sedimented and pr evented water flow.\n\nThe estuary continues to have continually shifting sediment. This challenges the Harbour Master as the channel moves regularl y\, posing safety risks for vessels. The sediment movement along the south coast and within the estuary is also responsible for the evolution of the Dawlish Warren\, a spit which creates the western edge of the estuary’s entrance.\n\nThe Environment Agency are in the process of reviewing the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for the area in the ne xt few years. You can read about the last review here: Dawlish Warren Flo od and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) - Exe Estuary Management Pa rtnership \n\nWhen out and about\, please ensure that you adhere to all rules and guidance to avoid wildlife disturbance and damage. Take a look  at our Codes of Conduct to find out how best to share the Estuary with a ll: Codes of conduct | Exe Estuary Management Partnership \n\n \;\n\ nHomes &\; Livelihoods Over 150\,000 people live near the Exe Estuary. We live in cities\, towns\, and small villages. Our homes and gardens are in urban\, suburban\, coastal\, riverbank\, and agricultural spaces. Our w ork includes tourism and hospitality operators\, outdoor activity centres\ , education\, administration\, environmental management\, caring\, medicin e\, small shops\, fishing\, construction\, farming\, and many other activi ties. The winner of this category will show what it’s like to live and w ork here. Submissions could include photos of commercial activities of the Exe\, commuting\, people at work\, gardens\, homes\, people living near t he Exe\, and governance around and of the Exe. Two photos per bracket (U16 and 16+) will be selected. \;\n\nAlong the Exe Estuary\, livelihoods are deeply shaped by the surrounding landscape and its rhythms. Tourism su pports cafés\, accommodation\, and seasonal businesses\, while farming an d fishing maintain long-standing connections to land and water. Recreation on the estuary has grown into a source of income for instructors and guid es\, and many people work in offices\, schools\, healthcare\, and local se rvices within towns and villages nearby. Daily life often involves commuti ng along its edges\, with routes following the estuary’s unique geograph y. At the same time\, conservationists\, authorities\, and volunteers work to manage and protect this environment\, creating livelihoods rooted in c are and stewardship. Together\, these activities reflect a shared dependen ce on—and responsibility for—the estuary\, where working lives and sen se of place are closely intertwined.\n\n \;\nSupport\nSee the page lin ked below for information about training workshops and webinars\, photo wa lks\, and other supporting activities to help you learn about photography and the Exe. \n\nCheck out our free talks\, workshops\, and photo walks h ere!\nEligibility\nAnyone is eligible to participate in the competition. Y ou do not have to be based in the area to participate. If you are under 18 you will need to provide a permission form signed by a parent/guardian. P lease download a permission form here: Release Templates \n\nThe Under 16  bracket is for any individual under the age of 16. To be eligible in th is bracket you must not turn 16 on or before the competition deadline.   The 16 Plus bracket is for anyone 16 years old or older. To be eligibl e in this bracket you must have turned 16 on or before the competition d eadline date.  \n\nWhen making your submission(s)\, please provide your date of birth and we will allocate your submission to the correct brack et for judging.  \n\nParticipants must conduct themselves ethically\, w ith care and consideration for the environment. Please see our codes of co nduct for information about how to do this: Codes of conduct | Exe Estuar y Management Partnership \n\nFor more information about responsible photo graphy\, check out Nature First \n\nAny photos with identifiable young p eople\, close ups of individuals’ faces\, or on private property must pr ovide a release form. You can download template release forms here: Releas e Templates \n\nPhotos must be taken from within the Exe River catchment **. They must have been taken on or after June 1st\, 2025. \n\nEdited ph otos are permitted\, however the use of Artificial Intelligence is not. You will be asked to confirm that no part of your submission was created with AI. We encourage you to adopt the rules and conventions of the Natu ral Landscape Photography Awards\, as explained here: Rules on Adjustment s Natural Landscape Photography Awards  CATEGORIES:Photo Competition END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London X-LIC-LOCATION:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260329T020000 TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR