Media Contacts
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Lena Rueck
Media Relations Manager
Phone: 801-822-7990
Email: lena.rueck@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona (TNC Arizona), Arizona Highways Magazine and Arizona's Family are excited to announce the 2025 Adventures in Nature student photo contest, inviting Arizona students aged 13-18 to submit their best nature photography.
The first-place winner will receive $5,000, second place will receive $2,500 and third place will receive $1,000. Seven honorable mentions will receive $250 each, for a total of $10,000 in prizes. Since 2016, $80,000 in cash prizes have been awarded.
“We hope to inspire people to get outdoors and explore the beautiful nature that Arizona has to offer,” said Daniel Stellar, the state director for TNC Arizona. “By encouraging students to connect with nature and capture our state’s unique landscapes and wildlife, we are helping create the next generation of stewards dedicated to protecting our precious environment.”
The judges are looking for creativity and emotional impact in the photos. Participants are challenged to go beyond just pointing and shooting and are encouraged to capture the unique character of their subjects, whether it's a close-up of an insect or a scenic desert landscape.
"Arizona Highways has a long tradition of highlighting the state's natural wonders," said Robert Stieve, editor of Arizona Highways. "As a founding partner of the Adventures in Nature student photo contest, we have seen the value of showcasing the incredible talent of young photographers across Arizona. It's a joy to offer professional feedback and guidance, and to see their unique perspectives on our beautiful landscapes and wildlife."
The judges for this year’s photo contest bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. John Schaefer, who served as the president of the University of Arizona in 1971, currently holds the Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences at the same institution. He is joined by Suzanne Mathia and Mark Skalny, both accomplished professional photographers. Additionally, Jeff Kida, the photo editor at Arizona Highways Magazine, will lend his expertise in selecting this year’s contest winners.
Last year, 400 talented Arizonans, ages 13-18, entered nearly 700 photos, all taken in the state. Find submissions and contest rules at arizonahighways.com/photography/photo-contest.
See photos from last year’s top ten winners here.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.
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