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

Displaying 181 - 192 of 240
Photo by Katrina long | A picture from Boulder Creek, high school track-and-field of the sun setting

Photo by Katrina long

A picture from Boulder Creek, high school track-and-field of the sun setting

Location: Bolder Creek High School

Photo by Colton Moore | Sunset with trees in it!

Photo by Colton Moore

Sunset with trees in it!

Location: Mayer

Photo by Gabriel Melson | Why do we idolize the concept of flight? We use it to express the most amazing feelings. We see human attainment of flight as the pinnacle of our achievement. We follow our technological advancements in flight from the Wright Brothers' first aircraft to the F-35. Maybe we care so deeply about flight because it allows us to aspire towards unmitigated freedom. The problem with the freedom analysis is that we still seem to appreciate birds that fly socially and in flocks. People will even travel days to see great murmurations. If a bird is so free, why does it need to stay within a flock? The freedom theory for our appreciation of flight has some merit, but it can't fully explain our infatuation. Maybe there is something about ascending and aspiring towards the stars and sky that resonates with us. Maybe having the drive to overcome gravity and defy limits, to attempt things thought impossible, and to maintain the ambition to reach for something higher is what attracts us to flight.

Photo by Gabriel Melson

Why do we idolize the concept of flight? We use it to express the most amazing feelings. We see human attainment of flight as the pinnacle of our achievement. We follow our technological advancements in flight from the Wright Brothers' first aircraft to the F-35.

Maybe we care so deeply about flight because it allows us to aspire towards unmitigated freedom. The problem with the freedom analysis is that we still seem to appreciate birds that fly socially and in flocks. People will even travel days to see great murmurations. If a bird is so free, why does it need to stay within a flock? The freedom theory for our appreciation of flight has some merit, but it can't fully explain our infatuation.

Maybe there is something about ascending and aspiring towards the stars and sky that resonates with us. Maybe having the drive to overcome gravity and defy limits, to attempt things thought impossible, and to maintain the ambition to reach for something higher is what attracts us to flight.

Location: Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Tucson AZ

Photo by Gabriel Melson | There is honor in standing alone. To be unmoved by the elements and unshaken by external factors is powerful. To have the frost spread across your ground, the snow blanket your fields, and the cold seep into your hooves while standing, with your best facade, trying to seem unaffected, is strong. To be alone, to do without, to suffer, and to be proud through it all is an honor. There is honor in standing alone. Let us hope it is an honor we will never receive.

Photo by Gabriel Melson

There is honor in standing alone. To be unmoved by the elements and unshaken by external factors is powerful. To have the frost spread across your ground, the snow blanket your fields, and the cold seep into your hooves while standing, with your best facade, trying to seem unaffected, is strong. To be alone, to do without, to suffer, and to be proud through it all is an honor.

There is honor in standing alone.
Let us hope it is an honor we will never receive.

Location: The White Mountains

Photo by Matthew Capaldi | A scenic view of rugged highlands showcases layered mountain ridges with rocky outcrops and sparse greenery. The foreground features a mix of shrubs and small trees, some tinged with warm, earthy tones, suggesting seasonal change or dry conditions. In the distance, the mountains rise with textured slopes and jagged peaks, while above them stretches a wide sky filled with light, wispy clouds, creating a peaceful and expansive natural scene.

Photo by Matthew Capaldi

A scenic view of rugged highlands showcases layered mountain ridges with rocky outcrops and sparse greenery. The foreground features a mix of shrubs and small trees, some tinged with warm, earthy tones, suggesting seasonal change or dry conditions. In the distance, the mountains rise with textured slopes and jagged peaks, while above them stretches a wide sky filled with light, wispy clouds, creating a peaceful and expansive natural scene.

Location: Finger Rock Canyon

Photo by Matthew Capaldi | A rugged mountain landscape stretches across the horizon, featuring rocky ridges and sparse vegetation typical of a desert or semi-arid region. In the foreground, a mix of green and rust-colored shrubs adds texture and contrast, while the distant peaks rise in layered formations. Above, a wide expanse of blue sky is streaked with soft, wispy clouds, creating a calm and open atmosphere.

Photo by Matthew Capaldi

A rugged mountain landscape stretches across the horizon, featuring rocky ridges and sparse vegetation typical of a desert or semi-arid region. In the foreground, a mix of green and rust-colored shrubs adds texture and contrast, while the distant peaks rise in layered formations. Above, a wide expanse of blue sky is streaked with soft, wispy clouds, creating a calm and open atmosphere.

Location: Finger Rock Canyon

Photo by Ian Polec | The vivd contrast and upward perpectice evoke a quiet sense of wonder. It feels as if you'er standing beneath a hidden tree tops, letting everything beyond this point disappear.

Photo by Ian Polec

The vivd contrast and upward perpectice evoke a quiet sense of wonder. It feels as if you'er standing beneath a hidden tree tops, letting everything beyond this point disappear.

Location: Flagstaff

Photo by Aniyah Azel Moore | My camping trip with my sophomore class.

Photo by Aniyah Azel Moore

My camping trip with my sophomore class.

Location: Woods Canyon Lake

Photo by Khyla Brookins | A rippling stream of blue with vivid pine trees surrounding the clearing

Photo by Khyla Brookins

A rippling stream of blue with vivid pine trees surrounding the clearing

Location: Woods Canyon Lake

Photo by Hunter Foster | Picture of a yellow eyed Junco taken on Mt. Lemmon in March of 2026

Photo by Hunter Foster

Picture of a yellow eyed Junco taken on Mt. Lemmon in March of 2026

Location: Mount Lemmon, Arizona

Photo by Orlando Gastelo | Captures the orange and yellow as the green slowly fades away in the distance showcasing flagstaffs iconic beauty of mountain and forest with the chairlifts floating above

Photo by Orlando Gastelo

Captures the orange and yellow as the green slowly fades away in the distance showcasing flagstaffs iconic beauty of mountain and forest with the chairlifts floating above

Location: SnowBowl

Photo by Orlando Gastelo | A BobCat in a tree with very dramatic lighting capturing the expression and details aswell as the background isolating the subject

Photo by Orlando Gastelo

A BobCat in a tree with very dramatic lighting capturing the expression and details aswell as the background isolating the subject

Location: Bearizona