{"id":45537,"date":"2025-09-17T12:54:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T16:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=45537"},"modified":"2025-09-24T15:52:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T19:52:35","slug":"2025-maryland-natural-resource-photo-contest-winners-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2025\/09\/17\/2025-maryland-natural-resource-photo-contest-winners-announced\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest Winners Announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fan Favorite Winner to Be Chosen on Facebook<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has chosen the winners of the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to <\/span>Christopher Michael for his fun photo of a river otter, titled \u201cWaterways Wanderer.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

\"An<\/a><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s contest received more than 1,800 photo submissions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The grand prize package includes $700, a <\/span>Maryland State Park and Trail Passport<\/span><\/a>, free entry into next year\u2019s contest, and five copies of the 2026 calendar with the winning image displayed on the cover. In addition to the overall grand prize winner, the judges selected first through third place winners in four seasonal categories\u2014winter, spring, summer, and fall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

First place winners for the three remaining seasons (other than the grand prize winner) will receive $100, a \u200bMaryland State Park Passport, and five copies of the 2026 calendar. Second place winners for each season will receive five copies of the calendar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still to be determined is the Fan Favorite, which will be chosen by popular opinion on the department\u2019s Facebook page. Followers are encouraged to \u201clike\u201d their pick when the photos are posted on October 1, with votes taken through close of business on October 15. The Fan Favorite wins a one-year Maryland State Park Passport and three copies of the calendar.\u200b\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n

Every winner and the Fan Favorite will have their images published in the department\u2019s 2026 annual calendar, which will be available for sale later in the fall.<\/span><\/p>\n

The winners of the 2025 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest are below; larger images of the photos can be found on this online gallery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Winter:<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n

\"An<\/a><\/p>\n

First Place Winter<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\"Lighthouse<\/a><\/p>\n

Second Place Winter<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\"Ducks<\/a><\/p>\n

Third Place Winter<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n