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.

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The contest will begin accepting submissions on March 1st, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

GALLERY

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Photo by Alan Cruz | Serene shot of deep, fresh green leaves topped with rain droplets from Arizona's seemingly random rainfall. Both warm and cool, the photo emphasizes the tones and shades of the leaves with gentle edges, as well as the water itself.

Photo by Alan Cruz

Serene shot of deep, fresh green leaves topped with rain droplets from Arizona's seemingly random rainfall. Both warm and cool, the photo emphasizes the tones and shades of the leaves with gentle edges, as well as the water itself.

Location: Flowing Wells High School

Photo by Ethan Stedman | Taken in Greer, AZ at the 3 Lake reserves in the evening hours.

Photo by Ethan Stedman

Taken in Greer, AZ at the 3 Lake reserves in the evening hours.

Location: Greer, Arizona Lakes

Photo by Ethan Stedman | Taken in Greer Arizona at Government Springs Trailhead in the evening hours before sunset

Photo by Ethan Stedman

Taken in Greer Arizona at Government Springs Trailhead in the evening hours before sunset

Location: Greer, Arizona Government Springs Trailhead

Photo by Marlon Sczesny | A sunset overlooking hikers at mount lemmon

Photo by Marlon Sczesny

A sunset overlooking hikers at mount lemmon

Location: Mount Lemmon

Photo by Avangeline Holmes |

Photo by Avangeline Holmes

Location: Sedona, Arizona

Photo by Braxton Brewer | This coyote was in my neighborhood in Queen Creek one morning so I snapped a pic.

Photo by Braxton Brewer

This coyote was in my neighborhood in Queen Creek one morning so I snapped a pic.

Location: Queen Creek

Photo by Mikayla Montaño | I was walking through the flowers and looked down to see this purple flower. I took shots and left satisfied. Once I got back to edit is when I noticed the bug on the flower in perfect focus with his bright orange detail

Photo by Mikayla Montaño

I was walking through the flowers and looked down to see this purple flower. I took shots and left satisfied. Once I got back to edit is when I noticed the bug on the flower in perfect focus with his bright orange detail

Location: Andrada Polytechnic Highschool

Photo by Zac Pritchert | A close up picture of leaves on a hot day in Arizona

Photo by Zac Pritchert

A close up picture of leaves on a hot day in Arizona

Location: Gilbert, AZ

Photo by Annaleah Baird |

Photo by Annaleah Baird

Location: Allen Ranch

Photo by Braxton Brewer | Every time I say roadrunner I think of my uncle who passed away a few years ago. I saw this one at my house one day and he caught a lizard. It was like he was showing it to me.

Photo by Braxton Brewer

Every time I say roadrunner I think of my uncle who passed away a few years ago. I saw this one at my house one day and he caught a lizard. It was like he was showing it to me.

Location: Queen Creek, AZ

Photo by Adelyn Podmanik |

Photo by Adelyn Podmanik

Location: Wildlife World Zoo

Photo by Jose villarreal |

Photo by Jose villarreal

Location: Flwoing wells