The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) is pleased to announce the winners of the 13th Annual Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest.

Each year, the photo contest draws hundreds of images from across the Susquehanna Greenway, which runs along the Susquehanna River throughout Pennsylvania. Entries were presented to a select group of judges where they based their decisions on adherence to the category theme, composition, and quality.

This year’s categories included Susquehanna Landmarks, Treasured River Towns, Susquehanna Adventures, and Wildlife. The judges saw some of the contest’s most competitive images and it was no easy task to select the winners. 

“Helping to judge this year’s SGP Photo Contest was a bittersweet experience for me,” explains graphic designer and long-time river enthusiast, Brian Swisher—a judge on this year’s panel. “Our long, deliberative, collaborative selection process resulted in winners that are beautiful, inspiring images of life in the Susquehanna Greenway. I am very pleased with our choices. But there were so many other exceptional entries deserving of recognition. It was really hard to reward only a few, but what a privilege it was to be able to see and enjoy the entire gallery. Congratulations and ‘Thank You’ to all the photographers! Your work honors the Susquehanna.” 

Emily Musser’s photo from Middletown, PA was named the overall Grand Prize winner and 1st Place winner in the Adventures Category. The image depicts her dog ‘River’ having his very own river adventure looking for minnows and crayfish in the sunshine after a passing storm. You can see Emily’s photo and all the other winners on SGP’s website at susquehannagreenway.org/13th-annual-winners and on SGP’s Facebook page. 

In addition to receiving cash prizes, the contest winners will have their photos printed, framed, and displayed as part of a traveling gallery that will exhibit across the Susquehanna Greenway throughout the year.  

“The photo contest provides a key touchpoint for people in locations all along the river,” explains SGP Director of Communications & Outreach, Alana Jajko, “As the traveling gallery moves from place to place so too do the scenes of the Susquehanna, encouraging viewers to discover the beauty and resources of the Susquehanna River.” 

“From cities like Pittston and Harrisburg to the scenic beauty from Clearfield to Lancaster counties, this year’s winners covered a vast geography, making for a collage of photos that truly showcases the wide variety of landscapes within the Susquehanna Greenway.”

In addition to the winning images, 12 Honorable Mentions were selected by the judges to be voted on by the public to select three People’s Choice Winners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place in that category. Votes can be cast on Facebook by “Like”-ing the images you think should be framed and included in SGP’s Traveling Photo Contest Gallery! Voting ends 7 PM (EST) on Sunday, August 25th and can be accessed on SGP’s Facebook page. 

 The Susquehanna Greenway is a corridor of connected trails, parks, river access points, and communities, linking people to the natural and cultural treasures of the Susquehanna River. The mission of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is to continue to grow the Greenway by building connections along the Susquehanna River, inspiring people to engage with the outdoors, and transforming communities into places where people want to live, work, and explore. Learn more at susquehannagreenway.org.