The Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Nature Photography Contest is an international photography competition dedicated exclusively to nature photography. Organized by the Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC), this contest invites photographers worldwide to showcase their best nature images and compete for prizes totaling $1,600. With two age divisions—Youth (ages 8–18) and Adult (ages 19 and up)—the competition provides separate awards to ensure fairness and encourage participation from all age groups. Participants compete in three distinct categories judged by experts, as well as a unique Community Choice category, where winners are selected through public voting.
This year’s categories—Birds, Waterscapes, and Single Blooms—highlight the beauty and diversity of the natural world. Entrants in the Birds category must submit images of wild birds (no captive animals allowed). Waterscapes entries include captivating photos of natural water bodies, from oceans and lakes to rivers and streams. The Single Blooms category focuses on detailed, artistic photographs of individual flowers, whether cultivated or wild. Additionally, the Community Choice category allows photographers to engage directly with the public, who can vote online for their favorite images by contributing $1 per vote, supporting ACNC’s nature-focused mission.
Each category winner, both youth and adult, receives a $200 cash prize, and Community Choice winners also receive $200. Entries cost $15 per photo, and submissions are accepted from March 1 until June 30, 2025. Finalists and winners will be announced in early September 2025, after a thorough judging process conducted by esteemed photographers Sandra Rothenberg and Mark Evans. The true value of participating lies in the potential exposure, professional recognition, and meaningful support of ACNC’s environmental initiatives.
The Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Nature Photography Contest Prizes
The contest combines financial rewards with meaningful exposure, celebrating both technical mastery and public appeal.
- Category Winners ($200 Each)
- Birds, Waterscapes, and Single Blooms each award $200 to one Youth and one Adult photographer.
- Winning images are exhibited at ACNC and promoted in media releases, offering regional and national visibility.
- Community Choice Award ($200 Each for Youth/Adult)
- Determined by public voting ($1 per vote), this prize engages friends, family, and nature enthusiasts to support their favorite submissions.
- All voting proceeds fund ACNC’s educational programs, adding purpose to participation.
- Finalist Recognition
- 24 finalists (3 per category in each division) gain online exposure via the contest website, broadening their audience.
These prizes emphasize community impact and professional growth, making the contest a standout among photography challenges and contests.
The Categories of the Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Nature Photography Contest
The Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Nature Photography Contest features three primary judged categories plus a separate Community Choice category:
Birds: Photographers should submit compelling, natural images of wild birds in their habitats. Captive or zoo birds are not allowed.
Waterscapes: Participants are expected to capture the beauty and tranquility of natural water scenes—lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, or any water-related natural environment.
Single Blooms: This category is reserved for close-up, detailed, and artistic portrayals of single flowers, highlighting their delicate beauty.
Community Choice: Photos entered into this category will be voted on by the public through online donations, adding a unique interactive component.
Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
| Key Dates | Details |
|---|---|
| Submission Period | March 1 – June 30, 2025 |
| Deadline | June 30, 2025, 11:59:59 PM ET |
| Judging Period | Early August 2025 |
| Winners Announced | Week of September 1, 2025 |
Entry Fees:
- $15 per photo submission.
- Unlimited entries allowed (each photo requires a separate fee).
- Voting in Community Choice category costs $1 per vote (minimum $5).
About the Jury
The jury for the Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Nature Photography Contest comprises two respected nature photographers:
Sandra Rothenberg – Known for detailed, artistic, and dream-like nature photography, Sandra has won awards from the National Audubon Society and NANPA. She brings her deep emotional and artistic connection with nature to the judging process.
Mark Evans – A skilled wildlife photographer with extensive experience capturing wildlife and natural landscapes. Mark emphasizes technical quality, natural authenticity, and emotional resonance in images.
The judges seek photographs that evoke emotion, showcase technical skill, and capture moments that resonate deeply with viewers.
Why enter Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Nature Photography Contest?
The Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Nature Photography Contest offers photographers a valuable opportunity to test their skills, gain recognition, and contribute meaningfully to nature conservation efforts. Whether participants are seasoned professionals or enthusiastic hobbyists, the contest provides a fair platform to measure their work against peers while receiving feedback from expert judges.
Participating in the Audubon Community Nature Center contest also supports environmental education and conservation initiatives directly through the Community Choice category. Each community vote raises funds that benefit the center’s nature-focused educational programs, making the competition meaningful beyond personal achievements. Additionally, winners gain valuable local and international exposure as their work is exhibited publicly and promoted online.
Although the Audubon Community Nature Center contest may not have as high level recognition as other larger international nature photography competitions, it is still an accessible and well-organized event. A perfect opportunity for photographers seeking visibility, community engagement, and the chance to have their work critically evaluated by expert judges.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Audubon Community Nature Center 2025 Nature Photography Contest has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest, we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Contest Rules Highlights
- Entrants must be aged eight or older.
- Photos must depict natural scenes; human-made objects must not be the main focus.
- Predators cannot be baited; captive animals are disallowed.
- Minimal photo editing permitted—no significant alterations.
- Entries submitted online only.
Image Rights
- Photographers retain full copyright.
- Submission grants ACNC rights to use images for promotional purposes with appropriate credit.
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
