Athens press release
The Texas Forest Trail Region recently held a “We Pine for East Texas” photography competition and invited photographers to enter the spring photo contest to showcase the wonder, uniqueness and the character of the Texas Forest Trail Region, a 35-county area of East Texas.
Images were judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, artistic merit, and support of the mission of the Texas Forest Trail Region. The judges were a panel of Texas Forest Trail Region staff, board members, and volunteers responsible for selecting images for various Texas Forest Trail Region printed and online marketing membership materials. Eligible photos had to be taken within the 35-county region and in a place that is accessible to the general public.
The City of Athens Department of Tourism entered a photo, taken by tourism coordinator Sherri Skeeters, of the tulips in bloom at the East Texas Arboretum in Athens. The photo caught the eye of several of the judges and was awarded Honorable Mention.
“We are honored to receive this award from the Texas Forest Trail Region and to have the opportunity to showcase one of our beautiful attractions,” said Skeeters.
The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society is open year-round and spans one hundred wooded acres offering visitors an opportunity to explore two miles of nature trails, picturesque gardens, a historic home and enjoy bird watching.