Friends of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest 2026

The Friends of Blackwater (FOB) are hosting a digital photo contest from May 1, 2026 through June 14, 2026 to showcase Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and raise funds for refuge projects. Visitors are invited to submit photos taken between January 1, 2025 and May 29, 2026 in refuge areas open to the public. These areas include: Wildlife Drive, Marsh Edge Trail, Key Wallace Drive (bridge area), Woods Trail, Tubman Road Trail, paddling trails, the Visitor Center butterfly garden, and Refuge property along Maple Dam Road, as well as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center Legacy Garden.

A panel of expert photographers will judge the digital submissions. Winners and honorable mentions will be announced. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive monetary awards and will be invited to exhibit framed prints of the winning submissions at the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center. We urge the winners to take advantage of this. Anyone expressing an interest in purchasing prints displayed at Blackwater NWR Visitors Center are referred directly to the photographer. Additionally, winners will receive a one-year Friends of Blackwater membership.