2026 Adventures in Nature Student Photo Contest

“Reprieve” by Max Tuttle/Honorable Mention in the 2025 student photo contest, is a photo of a green and purple hummingbird against a dark backdrop.

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.

FacebookX
One file only.
5 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png.
Photos must be of locations in Arizona.
Enter short description of photograph
Enter your name (required)
Your Age
Enter Parent/Guardian email address (required)
Enter your phone number
Enter Parent/Guardian phone number (required)
I agree to the contest rules and understand that submitting more than two photos or submitting unoriginal work will result in disqualification.
As the parent or legal guardian of the minor participant listed above, I hereby agree to the above terms individually myself and on the minor participant's behalf. I further agree that I will be responsible for supervising the minor child for all activities relating to this photography. I release, indemnify and hold harmless The Nature Conservancy and its officers, directors, agents and employees from any and all claims that I or the minor participant may now or hereafter have against any of the aforementioned parties arising out of or in connection with this photography event, including without limitation, any and all claims for invasion of privacy, infringement of any right of publicity, defamation, and any other personal, privacy, and/or property rights or any other rights of any kind.  By signing below, I agree to all the terms of this Liability Release and Waiver agreement on behalf of myself and the minor participant listed below.

GALLERY

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Photo by Katelyn Mahnk |

Photo by Katelyn Mahnk

Location: Tucson, AZ

Photo by Katelyn Mahnk |

Photo by Katelyn Mahnk

Location: Mount Lemmon, AZ

Photo by John Mesa | Images I took while walking around the Riparian Preserve.

Photo by John Mesa

Images I took while walking around the Riparian Preserve.

Location: Riparian Preserve

Photo by Hussein Alsaadi | This photo was taken to show a meaning, the bug; a super small living thing vs the world; a big place.

Photo by Hussein Alsaadi

This photo was taken to show a meaning, the bug; a super small living thing vs the world; a big place.

Location: Tucson Arizona

Photo by Zara Storch | While taking senior photos for graduation I stopped to take a photo of the mountain. I wanted to capture the view during a time when I was the one getting captured in the rest of the photograph.

Photo by Zara Storch

While taking senior photos for graduation I stopped to take a photo of the mountain. I wanted to capture the view during a time when I was the one getting captured in the rest of the photograph.

Location: Piestewa Peak

Photo by Serena De Rosa | Two prairie dogs

Photo by Serena De Rosa

Two prairie dogs

Location: Arizona Wildlife World Zoo

Photo by Sarah Quinones | A photograph taken in Sedona, Arizona during the afternoon in autumn season while I was in my school field trip.

Photo by Sarah Quinones

A photograph taken in Sedona, Arizona during the afternoon in autumn season while I was in my school field trip.

Location: Sedona, Arizona

Photo by Hunter Foster | A Mourning dove perched atop a Saguaro.

Photo by Hunter Foster

A Mourning dove perched atop a Saguaro.

Location: Tucson, Az

Photo by Caleb Postgate | A fleeting moment of a black phoebe sitting on a rock while hunting grasshoppers.

Photo by Caleb Postgate

A fleeting moment of a black phoebe sitting on a rock while hunting grasshoppers.

Location: Freestone Park, Gilbert

Photo by Caleb Postgate | Photo of Lookout Studio taken from the South Rim of The Grand Canyon.

Photo by Caleb Postgate

Photo of Lookout Studio taken from the South Rim of The Grand Canyon.

Location: The Grand Canyon

Photo by Lexi Giangiuli | - This old car rests beneath the barn’s shadow, the old barn worn and patient - Its dark planks holding whispers of another time - Rust and vines as its only companions, the autumn leaves scatter across gravel - As the sun shines golden rays through the branches - A corner of the world that was passed by, beautiful in its stillness, graceful in its decay.

Photo by Lexi Giangiuli

- This old car rests beneath the barn’s shadow, the old barn worn and patient
- Its dark planks holding whispers of another time
- Rust and vines as its only companions, the autumn leaves scatter across gravel
- As the sun shines golden rays through the branches
- A corner of the world that was passed by, beautiful in its stillness, graceful in its decay.

Location: Show Low, Az

Photo by Emilia | A picture of a crow standing on a lunch table looking off in the distance.

Photo by Emilia

A picture of a crow standing on a lunch table looking off in the distance.

Location: Camelback High School