WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Wildlife Federation has announced the winners of its 2022 annual National Wildlife® Photo Contest. Thousands of photographers from around the world submitted more than 30,000 photos of wildlife, rich landscapes, and incredible encounters with nature. The winners hail from nine states – Alabama, Alaska, California, Hawaiʻi, Florida, Michigan, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia – as well as from Washington, D.C., China, and Kuwait.

“I am always in awe of the breadth and beauty of the images submitted by photographers from around the world,” says Lisa Moore, editorial director of National Wildlife magazine. “From elegant birds in flight to vulnerable baby animals to the majesty of wilderness, these photos are reminders of what we are working to conserve for the next generation.”

Whether lifelong professionals or avid amateurs, the photographers who enter their images display a love of nature and an appreciation of how photography can inspire people to care about wildlife and wild lands, and work for their protection. By submitting their work, each photographer also supports the National Wildlife Federation’s effort to protect wildlife species and their habitats — a mission that’s more important today than ever before.

In addition to the Grand Prize — called the Nature’s Witness Award — the National Wildlife Federation announced first- and second-place awards in each of eight categories: Mammals, Birds, Baby Animals, Landscapes & Plants, People in Nature, Other Wildlife, Young Nature Photographers and Mobile. A single winner was also chosen in the Portfolio category.