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
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Photo by Daniel Robles
THIS WAS TAKEN IN THE FOREST OF MT LEMON
Location: MT LEMON
Photo by Simoney Drum
Location: The renissance festaval
Photo by Destiny Baeza
Captured what I thought to be a bee but is more then just a regular bee, captured a Bee fly, part of the family Bombyliidae.
Location: FWHS Tucson
Photo by Daniel Robles
The house is away from everybody in the woods.
Location: MT LEMON
Photo by McKayla Harrell
tiger
Location: wildlife zoo
Photo by Xander Muth
A soft pink water lily glowing with golden light, its petals being kissed with raindrops and floating peacefully on still water.
Location: Desert Breeze Hummingbird Habitat (Small waterfall)
Photo by Carina Xue
The Superstition mountains stand regally, as the dying sun bathes her in a crimson light. The clouds hang low while the foliage bows, all kneeling to her mountain's majesty.
Location: Superstition Mountains
Photo by Kameron Lee
A picture of how beautiful bearded dragon are
Location: Val Vista Academy
Photo by Aya Sitchanoff
Blue, Orange, and Green Parakeet on a tree branch.
Location: Arizona Wildlife Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park
Photo by McKayla Harrell
tiger
Location: Wild life zoo
Photo by Connor Grobels
I caught this shot at Roosevelt Lake right as the sun was dipping toward the horizon. I was really drawn to how the golden hour light hit the boat’s wake, turning the water into a mix of bright, shimmery gold and deep shadows. By focusing on the texture of the moving ripples and the white foam, i wanted to capture the energy of the lake and how the sunset completely changes the look of the water at the end of the day.
Location: Roosevelt Lake
Photo by Hiram Alcantara
Lotus around many water lilies
Location: Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix