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• Midewin NTP Photography Challenge · 2020

About the Photography Challenge 

​Spending time in nature is a powerful practice for mental and physical well-being. During COVID-19, the number of visitors to natural areas has sky-rocketed while programming has dropped. In order to help connect our veterans to therapeutic art and nature programming during this difficult time, we created the Midewin NTP Photography Challenge. Veterans and their families participated in this self-guided photography challenge, which included a virtual photography class, an independent day trip to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, virtual editing classes, and national recognition of photography through the USDA. The goal was to encourage new ways for U.S. Veterans to experience the great outdoors and for others to be able to see nature through the lens of their cameras.

View the Class Recordings

“While transitioning from military service to civilian life is difficult, natural spaces allow
veterans to heal and flourish.”
–Jessica Klinge, Veteran Program Specialist, Brushwood Center

Veterans Photography Exhibition

This virtual photography exhibition documents the beauty of the USDA Forest Service’s Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, as experienced and captured by 15 U.S. Military Veterans and their family members in August and September 2020 during Brushwood Center’s At Ease: Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Nature Platoon.

View the Exhibition

Photography Instructors: Greg DuBois, Ron Kapala, Michael Kardas, Ryan Smith 
Photographers: Harold Bretzlauf, Mary Ann Bretzlauf, Brenda Canning, Dennis Copper, Greg DuBois, Joy Hyzny, Michael Kardas, Jessica Klinge, Chip Miller, Tammy Miller, Eduardo Moya, Joseph Paleczny, Bill Smith, Kristin Smith, Ed Ross​

Watch this Veterans Day Reception to meet the photographers and partners involved in this project!

​“It is outstanding to think that this land, with its strong ties to U.S. Military history, is where veterans of all ages can come out and engage with nature through photography.”
–Wade Spang, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Supervisor

This Program is a Partnership Between: 

​At Ease
Brushwood Center’s At Ease Program is an innovative approach to empowering the well-being of Military Veterans through a series of nature-based art and photography workshops. All veterans are welcome to join us and participate in At Ease programs. Email us at info@brushwoodcenter.org for more information.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, site of the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, is the first national tallgrass prairie in the United States. Explore over 30 miles of non-motorized trails every day from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy self-guided tours at fs.usda.gov/midewin