25th Anniversary Photography Contest

We are extending our second annual Nature Photography Contest until the end of the year. We received incredible photos close to our original deadline, and decided that we would love to see more. Pictures may be submitted until December 1st, 2025. Winners will be announced on December 15th, decided by community voting based on likes. The first place winner will receive a small prize pack. The first, second, and third places winners will all receive framed prints of their pictures. 

Photography Contest Rules:

1. Wildlife first – the welfare of wildlife subjects is always the top priority. No use of playback, bait, etc. to attract wildlife. No cutting or removing vegetation. Do not pick any plants or fungi. Any photos of wildlife that appear to be distressed or taken in unethical circumstances will be disqualified. No owls.

2. Photos must be taken on or near the Oak Ridges Moraine.

3. Photos must have been taken by the person entering the contest. You can have help with camera settings, but you must be the one who took the photo.

4. All types of cameras are allowed, including cellphone cameras.

5. No captive, pet, or domestic animals, and no cultivated, house, or garden plants are permitted.

6. No AI or photo manipulation. The use of processing software like Lightroom is permitted.

7. All animals and plants must be alive and in the wild.

8. Photos must be taken from locations where there was no trespassing involved.

9. No sharing the location of species at risk, i.e. the Blanding’s Turtle, Jefferson Salamander, or Least Bittern (see a full list here)

10. No photographs of active nests or young animals while they are still in the care of their parents.

To enter, please submit photos to outreach@oakridgesmoraine.org. All contest rules must be respected. We look forward to seeing incredible images of plants, wildlife, and landscapes across the moraine!