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 1 - 12 of 257
Photo by Jake Riel | A picture of yellow flowers growing through a garden bridge at mid-day.

Photo by Jake Riel

A picture of yellow flowers growing through a garden bridge at mid-day.

Location: South-east Tucson, near Vail

Photo by Jake Riel | An up-close picture of a Calliandra californica plant, mid-day.

Photo by Jake Riel

An up-close picture of a Calliandra californica plant, mid-day.

Location: South-East Tucson, near Vail

Photo by Ethan Van Devender | A macro shot of a Prickly Pear Cactus in early morning light. The orange from the sky highlights the tiny orange/yellow spines.

Photo by Ethan Van Devender

A macro shot of a Prickly Pear Cactus in early morning light. The orange from the sky highlights the tiny orange/yellow spines.

Location: Westwood Ranch, Seligman, AZ

Photo by Ella Ishya | The setting sun casted a warm glow across the desert, catching on my brother's pair of glasseses

Photo by Ella Ishya

The setting sun casted a warm glow across the desert, catching on my brother's pair of glasseses

Location: Saguaro National Park

Photo by Melydee anderson-meza | A close up of a plant with some of the photo blurred out and other in really well focus.

Photo by Melydee anderson-meza

A close up of a plant with some of the photo blurred out and other in really well focus.

Location: flowing wells high school Tucson, Arizona

Photo by Charlette Davis | Owl nesting

Photo by Charlette Davis

Owl nesting

Location: Andrada Polytechnic High School Parking Lot

Photo by Hailee Stangl | 1st picture- a butterfly sitting on a flower 2nd picture- purple flowers

Photo by Hailee Stangl

1st picture- a butterfly sitting on a flower
2nd picture- purple flowers

Location: 12960 S Houghton Rd, Tucson, AZ 85747

Photo by Samantha R. Capas | Just a simple photo of a flower, with a bug on it.

Photo by Samantha R. Capas

Just a simple photo of a flower, with a bug on it.

Location: Andrada Polytechnic High School

Photo by Shawn Brewton | I saw this beautiful flower and I knew I just had to take a picture.

Photo by Shawn Brewton

I saw this beautiful flower and I knew I just had to take a picture.

Location: On my school campus

Photo by Katelyn Divjak | Two baby hummingbirds sat in the nest of a tree.

Photo by Katelyn Divjak

Two baby hummingbirds sat in the nest of a tree.

Location: Vail, Arizona

Photo by Chloe Zimbelman | Two otters cuddling and cooling off together.

Photo by Chloe Zimbelman

Two otters cuddling and cooling off together.

Location: Tucson, AZ

Photo by Valentina Cheno | I was outside of Pantano High school campus and there was a field of flowers so as I was wondering around taking pictures this flower caught my eye and the small bug was perfectly still siting on the flower and I knew it was the perfect opportunity to take this picture.

Photo by Valentina Cheno

I was outside of Pantano High school campus and there was a field of flowers so as I was wondering around taking pictures this flower caught my eye and the small bug was perfectly still siting on the flower and I knew it was the perfect opportunity to take this picture.

Location: Tucson