Photographers and nature enthusiasts across Southern Maryland have until noon on August 1, 2026, to enter the Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2026 Photo Contest.
Winning images will appear in the 2027 Maryland DNR nature calendar, published in late fall. All winners receive free copies of the calendar. The contest divides entries by season — winter, spring, summer and fall — with first, second and third place selected in each category. A grand prize winner is chosen from the first-place images.
Cash prizes include $700 for the grand prize winner and $100 for each seasonal first-place winner. All first-place winners also receive a one-year Maryland State Park and Trail Passport.
Entries must fit one of these subject subcategories within each season: Birds, Insects, Flora, Recreation, Landscapes, Weather and Wonder, or Wildlife. DNR experts in wildlife, outdoor recreation and nature photography judge entries on technical quality and how well they represent the subject.
Selected photos may also appear on DNR “hard cards” sold with hunting and fishing licenses. No additional prizes are awarded for hard-card selections, but the collectible cards give photographers wider exposure. Runners-up advance to a Fan Favorite contest decided by public voting on Facebook. The photo with the most likes earns a spot in the calendar plus free copies and a State Park Passport.
Southern Maryland offers rich opportunities for contest-worthy images. St. Marys, Charles and Calvert counties feature diverse habitats from Chesapeake Bay shorelines and Patuxent River marshes to wooded trails in state parks and wildlife management areas. Local photographers frequently capture ospreys, bald eagles, waterfowl, blooming wildflowers, autumn foliage and dramatic weather along the tidal rivers and bay.
Contest rules require original photographs. AI-generated submissions will be disqualified. Entrants pay a $10 fee for up to three photos and $3 for each additional image through the DNR online store. A six-digit code from payment unlocks the submission form. Full rules and entry details are available on the official DNR website.
The contest builds on past success. In previous years Southern Maryland images have placed well, highlighting the region’s natural assets. Winners gain recognition while supporting DNR efforts to showcase Maryland’s flora, fauna and outdoor spaces.
The 2027 calendar will reach households and visitors statewide, promoting the beauty of places like Point Lookout State Park, Calvert Cliffs and Charles County riverfronts. Past calendars have featured local scenes that draw attention to conservation and recreation in the tri-county area.
Residents interested in entering should prepare images taken in Maryland that best represent seasonal beauty and wildlife. Judges look for strong composition, clarity and authentic representation of the state’s natural heritage.
This annual event encourages everyone from amateur smartphone users to experienced wildlife photographers to explore and document Southern Maryland’s outdoors. With submission deadlines approaching in early August, participants have spring and summer months to capture fresh images. Winners will be announced in early fall.
