The second annual Student Nature Vids competition featured a lot of oohs and awes, big checks awarded, and an enhanced celebration, making it a full-fledged Nature Fair and Film Festival. The Thursday, May 2 event started with showcasing the video finalists in the Lory Student Center Theatre before moving out to the outdoor mountain-facing courtyard where music, food, prizes, and nature organizations gathered to network and celebrate nature.
SNV is a university-wide student video competition showcasing beautiful vistas, wildlife, and outdoor adventure with a chance to earn recognition and prizes for creativity and love for nature. The idea and event originated from the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources department within Warner College. This year, HDNR fielded 70 video submissions with each having to be under three minutes and fit into one of two categories; natural wonder, or adventure.
A group of staff, students, and faculty from HDNR and Warner College of Natural Resources dwindled the submission list to 20 finalists. From there, winners were determined through a scoring system based on judging criteria such as sizzle, production quality, and impact, ensuring that winning entries captivated audiences and left a lasting impression.
The event program and finalist information can be viewed here.
2024 SNV Winners
Natural Wonder Category:
1st Place – Ryan Connor, “Invaders of the Rockies”
2nd Place – Maricela Alaniz, “67 Degrees South”
Adventure Category:
1st Place – Mila Garelle-Essam, “Finding Balance Facing Death”
2nd Place – Ella Peters, “105 Degrees West”
After the winners received their praise and prizes, the action shifted to the courtyard where the fair portion of the event allowed all to win prizes and mingle with industry leaders. The festival featured partners and sponsors dedicated to environmental conservation and outdoor recreation. From adventure companies like A1 Wildwater and Intrepid Travel to conservation organizations like Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado State Forest Service, the event brought together a diverse community committed to preserving our planet’s natural beauty.
“This is just the beginning,” HDNR professor and SNV creator David Knight said. “Our long-term vision is for Colorado State University and the Fort Collins community to inspire sustainability on a global scale. Science and the arts are both needed for that. The planet needs student voices and their creativity, more than ever. This event and competition is like Tik Tok meets Banff – an epic film festival event showcasing student creativity and love for nature with the mission of inspiring environmental good through short videos.”
Article written with the help of Natural Resource Tourism student Robert Shehan.
The Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department is committed to engaging diverse communities in natural resource decision-making and education. With over 90 years of collaborative research in parks and protected areas, HDNR facilitates informed decision-making and fosters a comprehensive understanding of human interactions with the environment. HDNR offers cutting-edge education in natural resource conservation and tourism, providing students with dynamic coursework, experiential learning, and real-world opportunities to shape their future impact.
For more information on HDNR, see https://warnercnr.colostate.edu/hdnr/. For more information on Student Nature Vids, see https://warnercnr.colostate.edu/hdnr/snvs/.
