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.

GALLERY

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Photo by Karima Ahmed | This picture of a lemon tree was taken in the garden of Campo Verde High School. The yellow color of these lemons are being emphasized.

Photo by Karima Ahmed

This picture of a lemon tree was taken in the garden of Campo Verde High School. The yellow color of these lemons are being emphasized.

Location: Camp Verde High School

Photo by Saul Valenzuela Arreola |

Photo by Saul Valenzuela Arreola

Location: Flowing Wells High School

Photo by Ariel Joyner |

Photo by Ariel Joyner

Location: Flowing Wells High School

Photo by Ariel Joyner |

Photo by Ariel Joyner

Location: Flowing Wells High School

Photo by Yadiel Ruiz |

Photo by Yadiel Ruiz

Location: Three Points, AZ

Photo by Melina Martinez | I took this photo of a tree that I have been having my eye on since coming back from Spring Break. It had blossomed while we were gone, it has these beautiful yellow flow. You can see some of this fall. I wanted to take a photo of how pretty it looked after school with the sun.

Photo by Melina Martinez

I took this photo of a tree that I have been having my eye on since coming back from Spring Break. It had blossomed while we were gone, it has these beautiful yellow flow. You can see some of this fall. I wanted to take a photo of how pretty it looked after school with the sun.

Location: Tucson

Photo by Nikolas Hart |

Photo by Nikolas Hart

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Photo by Giana | Taken after a rainy day in Tucson, this photo highlights vivid flowers against fresh greenery, showing a rare side of the desert landscape.

Photo by Giana

Taken after a rainy day in Tucson, this photo highlights vivid flowers against fresh greenery, showing a rare side of the desert landscape.

Location: Flowing wells High School

Photo by AARON MINTON |

Photo by AARON MINTON

Location: Silly mountains

Photo by Jhonatan Felix |

Photo by Jhonatan Felix

Location: Tucson

Photo by Mitzya Luna | A detailed close-up of vibrant pink flowers clustered along a thin branch, with soft green leaves including a blurred background, which makes the vivid flowers stand out as the main focus.

Photo by Mitzya Luna

A detailed close-up of vibrant pink flowers clustered along a thin branch, with soft green leaves including a blurred background, which makes the vivid flowers stand out as the main focus.

Location: Flowing Wells High school

Photo by Savana James |

Photo by Savana James

Location: Flowing Wells High School