Dear Wikimedia colleagues,

After five wonderful editions of Wiki Loves Earth resulting in over 400,000 new photos on Commons (source: http://tools.wmflabs.org/wikiloves/earth ), we are happy to invite you to the 5th edition of Wiki Loves Earth international photo contest - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Earth_2018

As a reminder, Wiki Loves Earth is focused on natural heritage (protected natural areas of all possible types) in different countries. Like Wiki Loves Monuments, the contest is organised in a federative way – meaning that it depends only on YOU and your affiliate/group if the contest will take place in your country.

Last year we had 36 participating countries organising local contests. 20 are already on the list for this year's edition.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Earth_2018

If you have already added you country to the table, please make sure that all information there is correct: dates of the contest, time zones, landing pages, links to the lists of natural sites etc.

== To join ==

In order to join please add your country on the contest page, you can learn more on how to organise a contest in your country (it’s not that difficult!) here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Earth_2018/Organise

== Dates of the contest ==

Of course, if you have everything ready (lists of objects are the most important!) you can start contest on May 1. But if you need to work a bit more on the preparations, you can run a local contest from May 15 to June 15, from June 1 to June 30, or on any other reasonable days within May-June (particularly if your country uses a different calendar). Contact us if you have things to discuss!

== Jury tool ==

Action plan for jury tool is the same as last year : https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Earth_2017/Jury_tools

== Grants ==

If you need finances to be able to buy prizes and expenses, please try to apply for a rapid grant from the Foundation: WMF disburses grants for up to 2000 USD in this programme. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as the last (really last, there will be no other opportunity before July) day to apply for a rapid grant is May 11: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Rapid

For example, have a look at this rapid grant application for Latvia: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Rapid/UG_LV/Wiki_Loves_Earth_Latvia_2017 and Moldova: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Rapid/Gik%C3%BC/Wiki_Loves_Earth_2017_in_Moldova

== Blogposts&socia media ==

If you have an interesting story to share, please contact us at wle-team@wikimedia.org.ua or on social media.

== Contact us ==

We hope to see many new participants in Wiki Loves Earth this year and we are happy to help you if you have any questions. 

Please tell us what kind of assistance you would like to get from the international team! Just email us at wle-team@wikimedia.org.ua to tell what you need to start in your country

Best regards

Mykola Kozlenko (NickK)

Wiki Loves Earth international team