​This summer, the Nature Conservancy and Honda teamed up for a sweepstakes that challenged locals to explore natural sites. Targeted at residents in Honda manufacturing states of Alabama, Indiana and Ohio, the “Natural Treasures” partnership program highlights beloved natural areas. The grand prize is a new 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid.

To enter the contest, Hoosiers could visit one or more of nine Indiana natural areas and record their visit by taking a photo of themselves, then upload the photo to the Natural Treasures website.

More than 1,300 enthusiasts submitted photo entries in the sweepstakes, which ran from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30. Many visited all of the specially selected sites and uploaded photo self-portraits from each site.

One of those entries – Julie Norlin of Greencastle – was randomly selected to win the grand prize, a 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid. Norlin and her family chose to spend a day hiking at Big Walnut Nature Preserve in Putnam County.

“Honda is very happy to present the grand prize for this sweepstakes, a very fuel-efficient and enjoyable Honda Civic vehicle, to Julie,” said Bob Nelson, President, Indiana Auto Plant, LLC. “Our hope is that her enthusiasm spurs others to visit these natural areas which enhance our quality of life.”

Today during a ceremony, Norlin was awarded her new Honda Civic Hybrid at Honda’s Indiana manufacturing facility in Greensburg.

“Natural Treasures was a great way to introduce Indiana’s amazing natural areas to new audiences,” said Mary McConnell, state director for The Nature Conservancy’s Indiana Chapter. “The goal of the contest was to get folks outside and enjoy nature, and it succeeded.”

Since 1959, The Nature Conservancy has helped protect more than 80,000 acres of the most vital freshwater and forest habitats in Indiana. The Nature Conservancy and Honda developed the Natural Treasures Challenge as a way to help showcase some of Indiana’s protected hidden gems, and to encourage learning about different natural features of the state.