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 Sol Escarriga |

Photo by Sol Escarriga

Location: Bisbee Arizona

Photo by Carred Skinner |

Photo by Carred Skinner

Location: Tucson

Photo by Aubrey Bowe | a bunny rummaging through branch's an undergrowth of the Riparian Preserve

Photo by Aubrey Bowe

a bunny rummaging through branch's an undergrowth of the Riparian Preserve

Location: Riparian Preserve

Photo by Sophia Padilla | False Cuban Chameleon sitting on his branch.

Photo by Sophia Padilla

False Cuban Chameleon sitting on his branch.

Location: Gilbert

Photo by Zara Storch |

Photo by Zara Storch

Location: Piestewa Peak

Photo by Aaron Minton | Red-tailed hawk overlooking superstition mountains with a Navajo art influenced background.

Photo by Aaron Minton

Red-tailed hawk overlooking superstition mountains with a Navajo art influenced background.

Location: Silly Mountain Park

Photo by Betsabel Arcos | An adorable orange cat is watching this orange tree; remembering his past wildlife in Arizona... The beauty of Arizona. :)

Photo by Betsabel Arcos

An adorable orange cat is watching this orange tree; remembering his past wildlife in Arizona... The beauty of Arizona. :)

Location: Flowing Wells High School

Photo by Alan Cruz |

Photo by Alan Cruz

Location: Flowing Wells High School

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