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.

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 25
Photo by makayla still |

Photo by makayla still

Location: Tucson Arizona Flowing wells High School

Photo by Parke McGuire |

Photo by Parke McGuire

Location: Pinetop, Az

Photo by Thien-AN PHAM | Hike

Photo by Thien-AN PHAM

Hike

Location: Hieroglyphic Trail @Supersition Mountain

Photo by Malakai Liska-McDonald | It was a cool way for a tree to grow, and it looked like a cool place to take it.

Photo by Malakai Liska-McDonald

It was a cool way for a tree to grow, and it looked like a cool place to take it.

Location: Down Town Tucson

Photo by Sophya.Rchardson |

Photo by Sophya.Rchardson

Location: Flowing wells highschool

Photo by Matthew Haggerty | View from the south rim of the Grand Canyon

Photo by Matthew Haggerty

View from the south rim of the Grand Canyon

Location: Grand Canyon

Photo by Matthew Haggerty | View from Highest tee box in Phoenix,

Photo by Matthew Haggerty

View from Highest tee box in Phoenix,

Location: Lookout Mountain Golf Club, Phoenix AZ

Photo by Kamerynn Davis |

Photo by Kamerynn Davis

Location: Flowing wells high school

Photo by Alden Pakulis-Upatnieks | A photograph of a couple of mallard ducks snacking from the shores of Agua Caliente Park near Tucson. You can see that these lovebirds had just enjoyed a swim because of the water droplets shining off of their feathers and beaks.

Photo by Alden Pakulis-Upatnieks

A photograph of a couple of mallard ducks snacking from the shores of Agua Caliente Park near Tucson. You can see that these lovebirds had just enjoyed a swim because of the water droplets shining off of their feathers and beaks.

Location: Agua Caliente Park

Photo by Kaylani Kaye | Afternoon stroll to Baboquivari Mountain and took this photo of our sacred mountain on the reservation.

Photo by Kaylani Kaye

Afternoon stroll to Baboquivari Mountain and took this photo of our sacred mountain on the reservation.

Location: Tohono O'odham Nation

Photo by Kaylani Kaye | I was sitting outside with my camera looking at pictures I had took before. While I was doing that the birds were flying around me chirping and I managed to catch this photo.

Photo by Kaylani Kaye

I was sitting outside with my camera looking at pictures I had took before. While I was doing that the birds were flying around me chirping and I managed to catch this photo.

Location: Tohono O'odham Nation

Photo by Jayson Siego | Beautiful tree branch showing expressions of emotions

Photo by Jayson Siego

Beautiful tree branch showing expressions of emotions

Location: Flowing Wells High school