If you’ve ever dreamed of celebrating the beauty of the Great Lakes and having your creativity immortalized on a beer coaster (who hasn’t?), here’s your chance. Biodiversity Project’s Great Lakes Forever program has again partnered with Budweiser to sponsor the 7th annual photography and art contest that celebrates the beauty of the Great Lakes through the talent of local photographers and artists. Great Lakes Forever is a nonprofit education and activism campaign designed to raise awareness about the vulnerability and value of the Great Lakes. The grand prize winner in both the photography and art categories will be featured on the 2011 Great Lakes Forever/Budweiser beer coasters. These coasters will be distributed to bars and restaurants throughout the Great Lakes region. Over 120,000 coasters were distributed last year.

In addition to being featured on the 2011 beer coasters, the top three vote-getters in each category will also receive Budweiser prizes. The entry deadline is Aug. 14. See www.greatlakesforever.org for contest rules and submission details.