This photo contest is intended to showcase the natural environment and diversity in Grassy Waters Preserve (Preserve). All entries must be taken in or of the Preserve property by amateur photographers. There are four adult categories and a youth category. Images can be taken in 2026 or any time in the past with any photographic device (traditional camera, smartphone, iPad, etc.).
Solid Waste Authority lands and trails (shown on some Grassy Waters maps) to the east of the Preserve are
not part of the Preserve. The Preserve is defined in the following map:
click here.
Reminder: If an entry contains the image of a person(s), the person(s) should not be able to be identified.
For the complete 2026 rules
click here.
The youth category is open to photographers under the the age of 18. The first 3 entries by each photographer in the youth category are free. After that, there will be the normal donation of $10 per entry.
Again this year, we will offer a "People's Choice" winner. This winner will be selected from all the entries based on votes by you made through the contest website. The "People's Choice" winner will be the entry with the most votes. There is no limit to how many times you can vote for an entry. Each $1 vote is a tax-deductible contribution to the the Grassy Waters Conservancy (GWC). Voting ends on March 6th.
The other winners will be judged by a professional photographer and the Preserve and GWC staff. All of the awarded photographs will be revealed at an opening evening reception at the Nature Center on March 27, 2026. Photos will remain on display for a year with occasional pauses for other events or exhibits.
As in pervious years, the photographers of an awarded photo will have the opportunity to take their mounted and matted prints after the exhibition is over. GWC is asking photographers who do not claim their prints to allow the Conservancy to offer them to the public for donations to the Conservancy. There are check boxes on the entry form specifically asking for permission to offer the entry for a donation.
About Grassy Waters Conservancy
Our Mission
To support, promote, and protect Grassy Waters Preserve for environmental education research and nature-based experiences while ensuring its ecological integrity and in concert with its role as a regional water supply.
Our Vision
The Preserve creates a sense of place and is recognized for sustaining a unique regional public water supply while supporting a diverse natural and cultural heritage. These resources shall be maintained for future generations while providing appropriate high quality environmental education and research opportunities and enhancing residents' and visitors' connection to and stewardship of The Preserve, the regional water supply, and the greater Everglades ecosystem.
Learn more at
grassywaters.org →