Earth Day Photo Contest 2026

Date(s): Photo Submittal Due on Earth Day, April 22, 2026

Time(s): Midnight

Location: Cache Creek Nature Preserve (see map)

Sponsored by: Cache Creek Conservancy

Cost: Free

Dust off your lenses and step into the wild! As the landscape shifts from the quiet introspection of winter to the vibrant awakening of spring, the Cache Creek Nature Preserve invites you to document its seasonal transformation.

Our Earth Day Amateur Photo Contest is more than just a competition; it’s an invitation to reconnect with the local environment. Whether you are a smartphone enthusiast or a hobbyist with a DSLR, we want to see the world through your eyes. From the frost-tipped tule reeds in January to the sudden burst of wildflowers in April, the Preserve serves as an ever-changing gallery waiting to be captured.

Download and Share Our Flier!

Earth Day Photo Contest: Official Rules

1. Contest Period

The contest is officially open! All entries must be captured and submitted between [Insert Start Date] and Midnight on Earth Day, April 22, 2026.

2. Eligibility & Categories

Participants may submit one (1) photograph in one of the following three categories. Please select the category that best describes you:

Youth: Photographers aged 17 and under.
Adult: Amateur photographers aged 18 and older.
Professional: Anyone who earns a significant portion of their income from photography or sells their work commercially.

3. Subject Matter & Location

Location: All photos must be taken within the physical boundaries of the Cache Creek Nature Preserve.
Content: We welcome images of natural landscapes, local wildlife, or “lifestyle” shots of people and families enjoying the Preserve’s amenities.
Consent: If your photo features identifiable faces, please ensure you have the subject’s (or guardian’s) permission to share their likeness.

4. Technical Requirements

Format: Digital entries only (JPEG or PNG preferred).
File Size: Maximum file size is 50 MB.
Authenticity: To preserve the “wild and natural” spirit of the contest, no digital heavy-handed editing or AI generation is allowed. This includes adding or removing objects. Standard cropping and minor color/exposure adjustments are acceptable.

5. Permissions & Usage

By completing the Entry Form, all participants grant the Cache Creek Conservancy a non-exclusive, perpetual license to use the submitted photograph in future promotional materials, social media, and educational publications, regardless of whether the entry wins a prize.

Contest Judging & Winner Selection

The Selection Process

All eligible entries will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of Cache Creek Conservancy Board members and one community volunteer. Each photograph will be evaluated on:

Originality and Creativity: A unique perspective on the Preserve.
Technical Quality: Focus, lighting, and composition.
Adherence to Theme: How well the photo captures the “wild and natural beauty” of the area.

In the event of a tie within a category, an independent guest judge will be brought in to cast the deciding vote.

Important Dates

Public Announcement: Results will be officially published in our May newsletter and showcased on our website and social media channels shortly thereafter.

Judging Period: April 23 – May 10, 2026.

Winner Notification: Winners will be contacted personally via email or phone by May 15, 2026.

Contest Prizes

Vulcan Materials Company has donated a $100 VISA Gift Card for each category’s first prize winner.

Winner Recognition & Exposure: Each category winner will receive a $100 gift card, a featured showcase on the Cache Creek Conservancy website, and a physical exhibition at our Visitor Center. In addition to these dedicated displays, winning photographers will: