Vote in the 2026 Habitat at Home Photo Contest
Here are the five finalists in our spring Habitat at Home contest! Cast your vote for the grand prize winner!
In our annual Habitat at Home photo contest, we asked you to show us the wild things you see at home (or other places with gardens or landscaping, like a workplace, church, or school). Because nature isn’t just for nature preserves. Pollinators, birds, and wild critters need a lot more habitat and you can provide that right where you live. It’s a hopeful, hands-on way to care for our natural world. And you get to see beautiful and amazing things, as you can tell from these photos!
A panel of judges chose these five finalists in the contest and now it’s up to you to choose the grand prize winner. Vote for your favorite in this Google form. You can only vote once, so choose carefully. The last day to vote is Friday, June 12 at 5:00 PM. Feel free to share this contest with others!
Here Are the 5 Finalists
1. Pileated Woodpeckers – by Chris Dauster
2. Hummingbird – by Barbara Gill
3. White Squirrel – by Chuck Darnell
4. Bumble Bee – by Joshua Davenport
5. Turkeys – by Courtland White
Cast Your Vote!
Here’s the link to the Google form to cast your vote. You can only vote once and voting ends on Friday, June 12 at 5:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to vote, so feel free to share this contest widely!
Here is the Youth Winner!
Ringneck Snake – by Ambrose Baity
Here is the Youth Runner Up!
2. Barred Owl – by Norah Swann
Thank You to Our Judges
These finalists were chosen by a panel of three judges, with expertise in both photography and gardening for habitat. We are deeply grateful to Leila Husain, Mary Miller, and Kiko Salazar for judging the contest this year.
- Leila Husain is an accomplished bikepacker, avid outdoor enthusiast, graphic designer, and photographer – as well as Program Manager for Conserving Carolina.
- Mary Miller is a talented Master Gardener in Transylvania County, an enthusiast of all things native plants – as well as Volunteer Coordinator for Conserving Carolina.
- Kiko Salazar is a hiker, backpacker, and photographer – as well as Communications Manager for Conserving Carolina.
Prizes in This Year’s Contest
The grand prize winner will be chosen through online voting, and will win a two-hour consultation donated by noted local landscape architect, Mark Byington of Byington Landscape Architects, known for his emphasis on sustainable landscapes. Mark will explore solutions for any site-related issues at your home or another place that you are involved with, such as a school, church, community garden, or neighborhood green space.
The other four finalists will each receive a $25 gift certificate to the business of their choice from this list of places to get native plants.
Youth Prize
Additionally, we’ve added a youth category prize this year! We received so many fantastic submissions from young photographers who shared great photos showing their appreciation of nature, that we’ve included an additional $25 gift certificate to the business of their choice from this list of places to get native plants.