Since its inception Moira McCreesh has seen spectacular photography emerge from the competition, preserving parts of the Territory, which may never be seen by the next generation.

Over the past couple of years, however, the competition has attracted less and less entries, as the 'pre-digital' committee has failed to cultivate hype.

In its hey-day more than 120 images of the Territory's unique scenery would be submitted by amateur photographers, but at the opening of the exhibition in Katherine, last Friday night, there were just 25.

"Perhaps [the competition] is not relevant," Ms McCreesh said, "but the content and the aim definitely is."

Growing up with a love for nature, Ms McCreesh, who moved to the Territory in 1986, saw there was a lack of environmental awareness in the NT, despite the outdoors lifestyle.

"I always did a lot of camping and bush walking, I was always out and about, so it was hard not to be aware of the environment," she said.

"But a lot of people, even here in Katherine, work in offices and then go straight home and they are missing all of this beauty around them."

Wanting to entice people outside to make a connection with their surroundings, she set up the Green Snaps competition.

"It was simple, I wanted people more involved in the environment. I wanted them to know why there were not as many birds around at a certain time of year, or where milk comes from - when I went to school in inner city Melbourne there were kids who didn't know where milk or eggs came from."

"To take photos it means you have to go outside and be among it all."

Over time the photographs of nature have served a bigger purpose in the town, getting people to think about climate change, and capturing and preserving parts of the Territory which may one day be lost.

"Back then we thought of the environment on a smaller national scale rather than world wide, as well the science wasn't well agreed on," Ms McCreesh said.

While not the main point, she said it would be difficult to run a nature competition in today's climate without drawing attention to the world-wide issue.

According to the recently released UN global assessment report, which involved the world's leading scientists, the natural world is dying out at an unprecedented rate.

About 1 million species face extinction, the report states.

"Without action there will be a further acceleration in the global rate of species extinction, which is already at least tens to hundreds of times higher than it has averaged over the past 10 million years."

Seventy five per cent of the world's surface has already been altered, from bleached coral reefs, deforestation and over-exploitation of animals, largely a result of human action.

Ms McCreesh said she would like to see the competition continue now more than ever.

"All these things have a cycle, it is good to pass on and have them be rejuvenated.

"It offers an opportunity for all Territorians to become aware of the environment and cherish it."

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