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 145 - 156 of 451
Photo by Avery Olsen
Flowers on a branch in Ventana Canyon
Location: Ventana Canyon
Photo by Avery Olsen
A dead bush sits in dried-out grey mud
Location: Catalina State Park
Photo by Quinn Christy
Photo of a very small leaf that is often unseen. This photo shows how beautiful the smallest things in life can be.
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Photo by Sydney Segafredo
This picture was taken of an orange flower by the highway. This flower was surrounded by beautiful other orange flowers that made it stand out.
Location: Andrada Polytechnic High School
Photo by Solomon Alpert
This was the view while camping and enjoying a delicious dinner of hot dogs.
Location: Mt. Lemmon
Photo by Mia Hedglin
A cluster of soft pink flowers bloom in gentle light, standing out against a blurred green background. The image captures the delicate beauty and fresh feeling of spring in a simple, peaceful moment.
Location: Gilbert, Arizona
Photo by Solomon Alpert
Along a hiking trail on the Mogollon Rim, I stumbled across this beautiful flower and couldn't help but capture it.
Location: Christopher Creek, Arizona
Photo by Charley Krenzelok
A quiet desert scene at dusk, with a soft pink and blue sky and the moon low in the background. A wire fence runs through the shot, with cacti along it adding texture. The overall mood is calm and still.
Location: Corona De Tucson
Photo by Josephine Marinone-Knight
When I first heard of this contest my first thought was that my grandmas house would be the perfect place to take a photo. She has an amazing backyard with great views. I went a little past her yard into the washes near her house and saw a nest of birds in a cactus. The birds were all swarming around the nest and one decided to sit on top of the cactus. When I was able to get this photo I was thrilled with how the color came out and thought that it captured the golden hour perfectly.
Location: Corona de Tucson
Photo by Sofia Guardi
I was taking photos for the competition and was getting really frustrated and took a break to sit down and watch the sunset. As, I was sitting there watching the sunset I heard a bird's call and I looked over and saw this bird looking at the same sunset as I was; that's when I took the photo. It's a really beautiful thing that this bird gets to see these amazing sunsets every night which is what I think Arizona is most known for.
Location: Vail, AZ
Photo by Mia Hedglin
Three white wild mustangs stand together by the Salt River, one resting while the others watch nearby. The peaceful scene shows their close bond in a quiet desert setting.
Location: Salt River, Arizona
Photo by Isis Moreno
picture taken on Route 66 highway
Location: Superior, Arizona