2025 Adventures in Nature Student Photo Contest

A white horse chases a brown horse at top speed through a green and scrubby setting, getting close enough to bite. By Jessica Finnie

2024 First Place photograph by Jessica Finnie

The Nature Conservancy in Arizona, in partnership with Arizona Highways and Arizona's Family,

presents the

12th 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 1-31, 2025,  and the top 10 winners will be announced on a virtual awards ceremony on April 17th, 2025. All contestants will receive a Zoom invitation by email.

See last year’s winners here.

Prizes:
First place - $5,000
Second place - $2,500
Third place - $1,000
7 Honorable Mentions - $250 each

Please view OFFICIAL RULES before submitting entries. 

Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, Arizona's Family TV and Arizona Highways
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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 your phone number
Enter backup phone number
I hereby certify that this submission follows all contest rules and attempting to submit more than two (2) photographs will result in my immediate 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 checking this box, I agree to all the terms of this Liability Release and Waiver agreement on behalf of myself and the minor participant listed.

GALLERY

Displaying 25 - 36 of 232
Photo by Lilly Barnes | This photo, was taken on a lake trip moments after we discovered a squirrel who was getting quite close, just for him to deviously consume our almonds.

Photo by Lilly Barnes

This photo, was taken on a lake trip moments after we discovered a squirrel who was getting quite close, just for him to deviously consume our almonds.

Location: Payson Arizona at Bear Canyon Lake

Photo by Ashtyn McGowen | A muddy river winds through the valley, passing by a natural rock arch, in the background rolling mountains stretch under a bright blue sky filled with clouds.

Photo by Ashtyn McGowen

A muddy river winds through the valley, passing by a natural rock arch, in the background rolling mountains stretch under a bright blue sky filled with clouds.

Location: Globe, Arizona

Photo by Tanner Marsh | A western Sandpiper flying across a pond in search for a group.

Photo by Tanner Marsh

A western Sandpiper flying across a pond in search for a group.

Location: Riparian Preserve

Photo by Jayson Myette-Ashworth |

Photo by Jayson Myette-Ashworth

Location: Tuscon

Photo by Daniel Robles | this photo was tooken on a moutain top

Photo by Daniel Robles

this photo was tooken on a moutain top

Location: A moutian

Photo by sergio chavira | flowers in flowing wells high school

Photo by sergio chavira

flowers in flowing wells high school

Location: flowing wells high school

Photo by Destiny Sanchez | These trees used to have brown leaves due to fall time, now there green color has finally returned.

Photo by Destiny Sanchez

These trees used to have brown leaves due to fall time, now there green color has finally returned.

Location: Tucson 85707

Photo by Jhonata Teros |

Photo by Jhonata Teros

Location: Tucson Arizona

Photo by Elizabeth Gomez |

Photo by Elizabeth Gomez

Location: Flowing Wells High School

Photo by Wilhelm Huber | This icy tree on Mt. Lemmon stands strong against the elements, its branches coated in ice and sculpted by the elements. The soft colors of the evening sky create a peaceful contrast to the rough, frozen bark. This moment captures the quiet beauty of winter in Arizona’s high country.

Photo by Wilhelm Huber

This icy tree on Mt. Lemmon stands strong against the elements, its branches coated in ice and sculpted by the elements. The soft colors of the evening sky create a peaceful contrast to the rough, frozen bark. This moment captures the quiet beauty of winter in Arizona’s high country.

Location: Mt. Lemmon, Tucson

Photo by Sophie Jarvis | I was swimming in the Phon D Sutton recreation area with my uncle when my aunt came up to us and said, "hurry! there's a horse and your mom doesn't know how to work the camera!" I ran out of the water, snatched my camera and 500mm lens and started walking through the river towards the horse. I got so cold, and my shoes became absolutely disgusting as I trudged through the algae to get a good picture of this magnificent creature. Once I had a good view, I stood there in the cold river, numbing my legs for a half hour trying to get this magnificent creature perfectly captured in a great photo. I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

Photo by Sophie Jarvis

I was swimming in the Phon D Sutton recreation area with my uncle when my aunt came up to us and said, "hurry! there's a horse and your mom doesn't know how to work the camera!" I ran out of the water, snatched my camera and 500mm lens and started walking through the river towards the horse. I got so cold, and my shoes became absolutely disgusting as I trudged through the algae to get a good picture of this magnificent creature. Once I had a good view, I stood there in the cold river, numbing my legs for a half hour trying to get this magnificent creature perfectly captured in a great photo. I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

Location: Phon D Sutton Recreation Area

Photo by Sophie Jarvis | I was hiking with my family in the Phon D Sutton recreation area when my little cousin stopped and said, "Look! A lizard!" I centered the camera on this beautiful creature and waited for quite a while to get this shot. I was so pleased with how it turned out and offered to show my cousin since he was so excited, his reaction; "Wow!" Hopefully this photo is as good as I thought it was, and I can get all of you to react the way my cousin did.

Photo by Sophie Jarvis

I was hiking with my family in the Phon D Sutton recreation area when my little cousin stopped and said, "Look! A lizard!" I centered the camera on this beautiful creature and waited for quite a while to get this shot. I was so pleased with how it turned out and offered to show my cousin since he was so excited, his reaction; "Wow!" Hopefully this photo is as good as I thought it was, and I can get all of you to react the way my cousin did.

Location: Phon D Sutton Recreation Area