Meadowlark Nature Festival
Photo Contest

2026

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Presented by

About the Contest

Hit us with your best shot!

Step outside, explore, and find your wild.

This year’s festival photo contest invites photographers of all ages and skill levels to capture the beauty of the natural world around us. Best of all, entry is completely free.

Categories
Photographs may be submitted in the following categories:

Wildlife
Landscapes

Youth participants (15 & under) are welcome to enter in both categories and will be judged in a separate youth division.

Eligibility
All photos must be taken within the Okanagan Similkameen region between April 15 and May 18, 2026.

Judging & Prizes
A panel of judges will select:

One overall Grand Prize winner
One winner in each category

Winners will be announced at a later date (TBA).

Overall Grand Prize
Win a professionally framed print of your winning image, presented and showcased at the Festival’s Volunteer Appreciation Event on June 4. You’ll also be featured on the Meadowlark Nature Festival website and across our social media channels.

Wildlife & Landscape Category Prizes
Winners receive the 2026 Meadowlark Nature Festival Featured Limited Edition Art Print (signed and numbered), a festival hat, and recognition online and across social media. Plus, you’ll be invited to the June 4 Appreciation Event, where your work will be proudly displayed.

Youth (15 & Under) Wildlife & Landscape
Category Prizes
Young winners will receive an EcoStudies Bird Book, a festival hat, recognition on our website and social channels, and a Saturday All-Access pass to Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest. Winning images will also be showcased at the Festival Appreciation Event.

By submitting your photographs to the Meadowlark Nature Festival Photo Contest which is hosted by the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance, herein referred to as OSCA, you agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions. Please read these terms carefully before submitting your entry.
The contest opens for submissions on April 15th and closes at midnight on May 18th, 2026. The submitted photo(s) must never have been selected as a winner in any other contest.
To be eligible for entry in this contest, photo(s) must meet the following requirements:
Photos are to be submitted as high resolution .jpg or .png files that do not exceed 35MB and must meet the contest requirements.
Photos must have been taken within the Okanagan Similkameen Region, between the dates of April 15-May 18, 2026.
The contest is open to photographers of all skill levels. Minors under the age of 18 must obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian to participate.
Contestants may submit up to 3 photographs total.
The theme for this year's competition is “Find your Wild”. This includes wildlife (birds, mammals, insects) as well as scenic, landscape level photography. Images must not depict wildlife experiencing harm, injury or death, with the exception of showing wildlife partaking in natural feeding and/or predatory behaviours. Or harm to the environment.
Drone Photography is permitted, however the photographer must maintain all relevant drone operation permits.
Any imagery of wildlife taken by drone must be done ethically to avoid disturbing wildlife or their habitat.
Decisions are made by the judging panel and those decisions are final and binding.
Winners will be contacted by May 22, 2026 and have three days to claim the prize.
The use of AI- generated content or digital alterations beyond standard optimization (ie: cropping, exposure, color correction) are not permitted. Entries deemed overly manipulated may be disqualified.
Photos must not contain any watermarks, signatures or other identifying marks.
By submitting your photographs, you grant OSCA, the Meadowlark Nature Festival and Visit Penticton a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display your submitted images for promotional purposes, including but not limited to: Festival marketing materials, Social media platforms, Website content, Printed publications.
Credit will always be given to the photographer whenever their image is used. This license does not transfer ownership of the photograph; the photographer retains all copyright.
OSCA, Meadowlark Nature Festival or Visit Penticton will not sell, license, or use your submitted photographs for any commercial purposes outside the scope of promoting the festival without your prior consent.
OSCA and the Meadowlark Nature Festival are not responsible for any loss, damage, or unauthorized use of submitted photographs. Entrants assume all responsibility for ensuring that their submissions are lawful and do not infringe on the rights of third parties.
OSCA and the Meadowlark Nature Festival organizers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that violates these terms and conditions or is deemed inappropriate, offensive, or harmful to the festival’s reputation.
By entering the contest, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless OSCA, the Meadowlark Nature Festival, Visit Penticton and its organizers, and affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your participation or submission.
OSCA and the Meadowlark Nature Festival reserves the right to modify or terminate the contest at any time without prior notice if circumstances arise that are beyond its control.
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of British Columbia, Canada, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in that province.

Partnered with

Meadowlark Nature Festival
Photo Contest

Read Conditions

About the Contest

info@meadowlarkfestival.ca

1 250 492 5275

Keynote Speakers

Connecting Knowledge with Action – Presentation and Discussion

Featured Artist

Deb Tougas – Whistles from the Meadow

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Meadowlark Nature Festival Photo Contest

Read Conditions

About the Contest

info@meadowlarkfestival.ca

1 250 492 5275

Keynote Speakers

Connecting Knowledge with Action – Presentation and Discussion

Featured Artist

Deb Tougas – Whistles from the Meadow

Meadowlark Nature Festival
Photo Contest