2026 Adventures in Nature Student Photo Contest
Photograph by Max Tuttle
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona, in partnership with Arizona Highways Magazine, presents the 13th annual “Adventures in Nature” student photo contest! Students aged 13-18 are invited to enter up to two photos that capture Arizona’s beauty and wildlife for a chance to win cash prizes. The contest is open for submissions between March 1st and March 31st, 2026, and the top 10 winners will be announced on a virtual awards ceremony on April 16th, 2026. All contestants will receive a Zoom invitation by email. See last year’s winners here.
Prizes:
1st place — $5,000
2nd place — $2,500
3rd place — $1,000
7 honorable mentions — $250 each
Please view the updated OFFICIAL RULES before submitting entries.
GALLERY
Displaying 13 - 24 of 451
Photo by Phoenix Montenegro
A Great Egret kneels to its reflection, with dried leaves acting as a barrier to its self-perception.
The picture displays a patterned contrast between the leaf-strewn water and the green foliage surrounding the egret, which kneels in notice of the leaves while its cloud-like appearance is matched to the scene above."
Location: Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, Arizona
Photo by Violette Maillard
Stood at the edge of Horseshoe Bend as the sun broke through the clouds and lit the whole canyon on fire. No photo does it justice, but this one comes close.
Location: Sedona
Photo by Brayden Zeuner
Doe Mountain Range under wispy white clouds
Location: Sedona, AZ
Photo by Finley Stutenroth
A mountainous terrain stands tall as the camera gazes up at it
Location: Peoria, Arizona. Mountain by Pleasant Valley neighborhood.
Photo by Violette Maillard
This photo was taken at cathedral rock. I picked my way through the red boulders and looked up to find this. Sedona has a way of stopping you in your tracks.
Location: Sedona
Photo by Finley Stutenroth
The American flag can be seen shot from a low angle with lots of underbrush below it.
Location: Peoria, Arizona. Mountain by Pleasant Valley neighborhood.
Photo by Brayden Zeuner
Part of the Doe Mountain Range
Location: Sedona, AZ
Photo by Thomas Lehmann
A Bullet Beatle on a Purple flower a found near a hiking trail on Mt Lemmon.
Location: Mt Lemmon
Photo by Miles Dillon
A Desert Kingsnake looking out behind a rock in Tucson Arizona
Location: Tucson Arizona
Photo by Diego Garcia
This photo shows a majority of greenery everywhere with only one purple flower in the middle.
Location: Sedona
Photo by Luis Leal
Location: My neighborhood
Photo by Lauren Roldan
Location: Sedona- Doe Mountain Trail