The votes are in, and we are excited to share the winners of the Virginia Conservation Photo Contest!

Thank you to all of the photographers who submitted their best Virginia conservation photographs to be featured as the cover photo of Our 2027 Common Agenda Environmental Briefing Book. Photographers also submitted their work to win one of our conservation themes:

• Outdoor Recreation in Virginia: Show us how Virginians connect with nature and each other through all types of outdoor recreation across the state. Sponsored by Our Virginia Outdoors.
• Close Encounters with Nature: Show us how Virginians and Virginia’s wildlife interact with our protected lands and open spaces. Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy.
• People-Centered Communities: People increasingly want to come together and enjoy walkable communities where they can drive less or live car-free. Show us the best outdoor cafés, public plazas, parks and playgrounds, and streets and sidewalks where people gather. Photos are welcome from both historic and new mixed-use neighborhoods Sponsored by Coalition for Smarter Growth.
• Transitioning to Clean Energy: Show us ways that Virginia is transitioning to a clean energy future through clean energy projects or initiatives, or by using energy more efficiently in their homes, buildings, and communities. Sponsored by Natural Resources Defense Council

The conservation community cast their votes in July for their favorite photos to be used as the Our Common Agenda cover photo. Check out the winners below!

This photo taken by Marina Pierce (@photo_by_the_bay) features an osprey in flight carrying a fish in its talons and will be featured as the cover photo of Our 2027 Common Agenda!

A photo of beachgoers sunbathing and swimming in Yorktown, Virginia taken by Brenna Behel (@brennabehel) won our photo contest’s “Outdoor Recreation in Virginia” category.

A photo by Joshua Rector (@joshuarector.wildlife), featuring a short-eared owl in Upperville, VA, won our photo contest’s “Close Encounters with Nature” category.

An incredible shot of the Flower and Garden Festival in downtown Leesburg, VA was taken by Zan Shah (@zandidoha). This photo won our photo contest’s “People-Centered Communities” category.

“TRANSITIONING TO CLEAN ENERGY” PHOTO WINNER: MACKAY KIER

An up-close shot of a wind turbine at the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project was taken by Mackay Kier (@vb.surfography). This photo won our “Transitioning to Clean Energy” category.

Don’t miss your chance to have your Virginia photography featured to Virginia’s environmental community! Our Virginia Conservation Photo Contest is held every summer. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on the photo contest and conservation happenings around the Commonwealth.