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 1 - 12 of 451
Photo by Tristan Munchinky
Hiking, I came across this Western Diamondback basking in the sun before retreating into a nearby Hackberry bush, where it began its ascent upwards. While capable climbers, this was the first time I have seen a Western Diamondback exhibit such behavior, stretching from limb to limb, going higher and deeper into the large bush.
Location: Bartlett Lake
Photo by Miles Altschuler
A wide landscape shot of the course of the Cienega Creek, taken from the Arizona Trail.
Location: near the Cienega Bridge Historical Marker, along the Arizona Trail
Photo by Arman Khan
Photo was taken during the sunset on Mt. Lemmon and highlights how the reddish light interacts with both the mountainous foliage as well as the rocky cliffs of the mountain.
Location: Mt. Lemmon
Photo by Arman Khan
This photo was taken coming down from Mt. Lemmon on March 20th at around 8pm.
Location: Mt. Lemmon
Photo by Celia Singer
Each areole comes together to form a constellation together. No matter the size, shape, or color, the groups come together to form a pattern to a squinting eye.
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Photo by Miles Altschuler
The Union Pacific Railroad bridge on the Lordsburg Subdivision through the Cienega Creek watershed, roughly Milepost 1009, in the late morning.
Location: near the Cienega Bridge Historical Marker, along the Arizona Trail
Photo by Celia Singer
Each areole in a new beginning. Starting as a tiny, spiny cushion structure then morphing into a flower bud. As time goes on, it grows into a prickly pear flower. Areoles can used for protection, reproduction, water retention, shade, and more.
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Photo by Garrett Fry
In a small pond, a Sonoran Desert toad pokes its head out of the water to survey its surroundings.
Location: Tucson, AZ
Photo by Parker Berkenpas
The parting of the trees exposes the true beauty of our state
Location: Oak creek canyon
Photo by Parker Berkenpas
Beautiful sunset on one of our Great Lakes
Location: Roosevelt Lake
Photo by Garrett Fry
A temporary rain puddle reflects the saguaros and canyon wall of Agua Caliente Canyon. This image was taken a couple of days after a fall rainstorm, when evening light was illuminating the canyon walls. The light brought out the colors of the rock, and created a beautiful scene.
Location: Ague Caliente Canyon
Photo by Phoenix Montenegro
The Great Egret stands amongst its reflection; golden ripples emit a frequency of balance and energy, in which he stands as the star of the preserve.
The Great Egret is the face of the preserve, scattered across signs, gates, and even the front rock of the main entrance. This image fully captures the bird's idolization. The two copies show a visible 2D plane: the sun's hued light centralizing the Great Egret, ripples circling the body in planet-like ellipses, and bordered plants in the shadows pulled towards the center. The wave-like trace of the back-most trees resembles yet another frequency.
Location: Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, Arizona