Students from across Arizona dazzled professional photographers in The Nature Conservancy of Arizona’s 2025 “Adventures in Nature” student photo contest, in partnership with Arizona Highways magazine.
“Arizona Highways has been showcasing the beauty of our state for over a century,” said Robert Stieve, the magazine’s editor. “The ‘Adventures in Nature’ student photo contest is a great way to continue that legacy while highlighting the work of young and talented photographers within our state. Seeing all the photos submitted by these students is among the highlights of our year.”
The photo contest started in Tucson in 2013 but has since expanded across the state. This year, more than 310 talented Arizonans, ages 13-18, entered nearly 470 photos taken right here in Arizona.
“Whether it's out on a long hike or just in their backyards, our hope is to get students outside to experience and enjoy the nature Arizona has to offer,” said Arizona State Director Daniel Stellar. “A picture is worth a thousand words, and each year the students showcase some of Arizona’s remarkable plants and animals with their amazing photos. This photo contest helps inspire the next generation of environmental stewards in Arizona.”
This year, Jessica Finnie of Peoria took first for the second year in a row, this time for a photo titled “Reunited.”
In her submission, Jessica Finnie wrote, “Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes migrate annually to Southern Arizona at Whitewater Draw, a haven for winter wildlife. This photo captures a flock of migratory Snow Geese in flight across the wetlands of Whitewater Draw. The last light of day casts the scene in a golden glow as Snow Geese fly above the still water that mirrors a sentinel Cottonwood tree. Sandhill Cranes peacefully roost on the shoreline in the distance. The birds have reunited with their roosting and nesting grounds in Southern Arizona, connecting with the desert environment once again.”
Second place was awarded to an untitled photo by Katelyn Mahnk of Tucson, taken in Bisbee. The image beautifully captures fallen leaves scattered across an asphalt road.
"Nature often creates interesting compositions that make for beautiful photographs,” said John Schaefer, one of the judges of the photo contest. “This photo reminds us to look, not just up, but also down to notice that nature is all around us. There's beauty everywhere; you don't have to go far to find a good picture.”
The third-place was awarded to Presley Gyuro of Tucson, with her photo “A Winter’s Embrace.”
In her submission, Presley said “A stunning, frozen Mt. Lemmon after an ice storm, with a fleeting glimpse of the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness through the clouds.”
The top ten winners split a cash prize of over $10,000. First place receives $5,000, second place receives $2,500, and third place receives $1,000. Seven additional Honorable Mentions receive $250 each.
Honorable Mentions
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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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