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 313 - 324 of 451
Photo by Addison Ritchey
Rocky hills and tall grass meet, with Catalina Mountains in the background.
Location: Catalina State Park
Photo by Benny Durazo Laborin
Location: Phoenix zoo
Photo by Matthew Garcia
Creek with colorful trees and a beautiful reflection.
Location: Oak Creek Canyon
Photo by Addison Ritchey
Rocky bolders and cacti in the foreground, and clouds and Catalina mountains in the background.
Location: Catalina State Park
Photo by Jack Scholer
A moment in time that captures the beautiful spring nature that we have here in Arizona.
Location: Flowing Wells High School
Photo by Katelyn Stuckey
Honey bee on white flowers.
Location: Plaza at Mesa City Center
Photo by Raina Hunter
A bullfrog freezes, hoping to remain invisible under a cottonwood leaf.
Location: Sweetwater Wetlands, Arizona
Photo by Matthew Garcia
A warm glistening light shining through the thorns of a tree.
Location: North Sunset Cliff Place
Photo by Maximo Lopez
Planter of flowers and a shrub
Location: Bisbee
Photo by Raina Hunter
A Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) sunbathing in the August heat and showing off his vivid colours.
Location: Sweetwater Wetlands, AZ
Photo by Tanner Robertson
Location: Sedona, Chicken Point Trail
Photo by Justin Caputo
A person standing atop some rocks they climbed looking off into the distance
Location: White Pocket