Photography Contest

22nd Annual Photography Contest

To celebrate National Wildlife Refuges and the beauty of nature, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge invites all photographers to enter the 22nd Annual Nature Photography Contest. All photos must be captured on federally managed public lands (learn more here). Photos taken on other sites (state managed lands, metroparks, local parks, etc) will not be considered.

Prizes will be awarded! Winners in each category will be included in a 2022 calendar and will receive a complementary copy. (Additional calendars will be available for purchase in September.) The Best of Show will be featured in the Friends Annual Report and will include a private bus tour of the refuge for up to 14 people!

Entries will be accepted July 1 - September 4, 2021 on this webpage.

Download Flyer

This year's contest will be virtual. Participants can submit up to four entries, with a maximum of 1 entry per category. All photos must have a title.

Photos will be judged in early September and winners will be announced on September 20th. The public can then vote for a People's Choice winner. People's Choice will be announced during National Wildlife Refuge Week on October 14, 2021.

Those interested in placing a calendar order may do so from September 20 - October 23. Calendars will ship or be made available for pickup in November.

This photo contest is sponsored by the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Questions? Call Aimee at 419-707-7756.