Mangrove Photography Awards 2026

The Mangrove Photography Awards is run by the Mangrove Action Project (MAP), an environmental nonprofit dedicated to conservation of mangrove forests worldwide. The 2026 cycle marks the 12th year of the awards (founded around 2014). Proceeds support MAP's mangrove conservation work — the photo competition functions as both editorial showcase and fundraising mechanism.

Six categories are accepted: Wildlife, People, Landscape, Threats, Underwater, and Conservation Stories (a portfolio category requiring 6 images). The thematic structure runs across the full breadth of mangrove ecology and human interaction with these ecosystems.

Cash awards: the overall Mangrove Photographer of the Year receives $1,000; category winners receive between $250 and $750. There is also a Young Mangrove Photographer of the Year award for entrants aged 23 and under, and a People's Choice Award announced separately in August.

The 2026 jury comprises Karine Aigner (photojournalist, the first female and US winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest), Dhritiman Mukherjee (wildlife photographer), Morgan Heim (wildlife photojournalist), Esther Horvath (Arctic and conservation photographer), Steve Winter (National Geographic), and Pier Nirandara (underwater photographer).

Entry is free, open globally to photographers of all ages and skill levels. Submissions accept up to 12 images. The 2026 cycle opens April 1 and closes June 1; results announced July 24.