2026 Adventures in Nature Scholar Photograph Contest Winners Introduced

Students from throughout Arizona impressed skilled photographers in The Nature Conservancy in Arizona’s 2026 “Adventures in Nature” scholar photograph contest, in partnership with Arizona Highways journal. 

“Arizona Highways has a long tradition of sharing Arizona’s landscapes and stories through photography,” mentioned Robert Stieve, the journal’s editor. “The student photo contest is an extension of that work, giving young photographers a platform to showcase their creativity and vision.”

The photograph contest began in Tucson in 2013 however has since expanded throughout the state. This yr, greater than 309 gifted Arizonans, ages 13-18, entered almost 451 images taken proper right here in Arizona. 

“Students are the next stewards of Arizona’s landscapes and helping them build a personal connection to the outdoors is critical,” mentioned The Nature Conservancy in Arizona’s State Director Daniel Stellar. “This contest helps inspire these students through encouraging curiosity, creativity, and a deeper sense of responsibility for Arizona’s landscapes.”

The high ten winners break up a money prize of over $10,000. First place receives $5,000, second place receives $2,500, and third place receives $1,000. Seven further Honorable Mentions obtain $250 every. 

“We’re consistently impressed by the level of quality in the photos students submit each year,” mentioned Jeff Kida, photograph editor of Arizona Highways and one of many judges of the competition. “Judging this contest is always a joy. We’re drawn to images that show creativity, evoke emotion, capture a moment of patience or timing, or reflect a unique artistic eye. This year’s winners each demonstrated some of those qualities in powerful ways.”

The winners and explanations of their images, in their very own phrases, are beneath.

1^st place: “Warmth” by Nathan Hoffman of Tucson, AZ