PHOTO CONTEST
Virginia’s Annual Conservation Photo Contest
Want to have your photo featured on the cover of a book? Want to win cash? Now’s your chance! The Virginia Conservation Network is calling for all photographers to submit their best conservation-minded photos from Virginia for a chance to be featured as the cover photo of Our 2027 Common Agenda Briefing Book.
To be eligible for the contest, the photo must have been shot by the entrant in Virginia. Each photo must have the location and photographer’s name in the file title. Landscape (horizontal) photos are preferred over vertical shots in order to fit the layout of the Our Common Agenda Briefing Book.
Photographers can submit an unlimited number of photos from June 1st – July 17th, 2026. VCN staff will select the top photos that will be voted on by the public from July 20th – July 31st, 2026. Photo contest winners will be announced during the week of August 8th.

Photo Contest Prizes
The Grand Prize winner will receive $150 and have their photo featured as the full cover of the Our 2027 Common Agenda Briefing Book.
We will also present $100 awards for the best photo representing 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 (ex. King Street in Old Town Alexandria). 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.
Photo entries will be judged based on creativity, quality, originality, and overall impact. Landscape (horizontal) photographs are preferred. Public voting begins July 20th. Winners will be announced at the beginning of August.











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