What does watershed restoration mean to you? How and why does it inspire you? If you have an idea and a video camera, The Whole Watershed Initiative wants to hear from you.

“Stories From Our Watershed” is a contest offering a total of $3,500 in prize money to digital film makers of all ages for short (10 minutes or less) videos focusing  “on the human, ecological and economic benefits of whole watershed restoration in the Northwest” — Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

There are two categories:  one for film-makers 21 and older and another for those 20 and younger. The deadline for submission is 5 pm July 19.

Special consideration will be given to films that feature restoration happening in priority basins including Oregon’s north and south coasts, John Day, Lower Columbia, Puget Sound and Upper Columbia.

Portland-based Ecotrust is managing the contest for the initiative, a collaborative effort involving with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the Bureau of Land Management and others. The  initiative supports  the restoration of  streams and fish and wildlife habitate in the region’s high-priority basins.

For details about the contest and how to submit your videos, visit the Ecotrust Web site.