WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Wildlife Federation invites all photographers and outdoor lovers to participate in the third annual Garden for Wildlife™ Photo Contest. Everyone is welcome to participate by submitting photos that illustrate the positive impact that gardening has on wildlife, in the following five categories:

• People in the Wildlife Garden
• Close-up Native Plants and their Wildlife Visitors
• Wildlife Observed where People Live, Work, Play, Learn and Worship
• Certified Wildlife Habitat® Landscapes
• Young Habitat Photographers

“Summer is a great time to capture the beautiful and colorful wildlife-friendly flowers growing in your backyard, porch, patio, or even your windowsills. The Garden for Wildlife™ Photo Contest is the perfect opportunity to share native plants and the wildlife visitors we are seeing on a daily basis,” said Mary Phillips, senior director of the Garden for Wildlife program. “We look forward to highlighting examples from an unprecedented response to planting habitat gardens at home this spring and summer, with more than 15,000 people creating new Certified Wildlife Habitat® gardens since this time last year. By submitting your photos of these and other similar beautiful spaces, you will help demonstrate the potential of planting with purpose. All are invited to show how you, your family, and friends continue to safely support pollinators and wildlife.”

The winners will be announced in early 2021. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and will be featured in the spring edition of National Wildlife Magazine. The Runner Up Prize recipient will receive a $500 cash prize, and will also be featured in the spring edition. Additionally, one winner from each category will receive a $100 Botanical Interests gift certificate, a bird feeder, a copy of Wildlife Gardening: Tips for Four Seasons, and a copy of Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition, written by TV host and National Wildlife Federation’s naturalist David Mizejewski. This year’s contest will also recognize one Runner Up winner for each category, which will take home a $40 Botanical Interests gift certificate, and one honorable mention prize from each state, which will receive a $20 Botanical Interests gift certificate.

The contest offers three package options for those interested in submitting their photos:

• $15 for 10 photos
• $20 for 15 photos 
• $25 for 20 photos (includes a free one-year digital subscription to National Wildlife Magazine)

Judging considerations include composition, image clarity, and how well the photos tell the story or show the results of planting with a purpose, for wildlife. Take a look at the 2019 contest winners by visiting our Garden for Wildlife™ Photo Contest website.