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You’re Invited to Capture the Desert’s Story

State of California – Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy 2025 Photo Contest: Protecting Public Lands

Since 1991, the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy has worked to protect our region’s mountains, desert landscapes, and irreplaceable natural communities. Now, we’re inviting photographers of all ages to share the beauty of our public lands — and the reasons they deserve to be protected.

Show us the Coachella Valley through your lens — golden sunlight over the Santa Rosa Mountains, a rare desert bloom, a tortoise making its journey across the sand. Every photo has a story, and this is your opportunity to help tell it.

Contest Opens December 1, 2025

Contest Closes December 31, 2025

Submit your images on Instagram by tagging @cvmountainsconservancy and using #CVMCphotocontest2025. Include a caption that shares the story behind your photo. Up to three entries per participant are welcome.

All photos must be captured within the Conservancy boundary between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Landscapes, wildlife, and native species are eligible categories. If people appear in your photo, ensure you have their full permission. Please respect nature, stay safe, and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Prizes

The Grand Prize winner’s photograph will be featured as the cover image of CVMC’s 2025 Year in Review, plus the winner will enjoy a four-person guided tour with Big Wheel Tours. Second Place will receive a private tour of the Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, a UC Natural Reserve System facility in Palm Desert. Third Place will receive a bike rental experience from Pedego Electric Bikes in La Quinta.

Grand Prize: Photo will be featured on CVMC's 2025 Year in Review and a four-person guided tour by Big Wheels Tour.

2nd Place: A private tour of the Boyd Deep Canyon Research Center, a UC Natural Reserve System located in Palm Desert, CA.

3rd Place: Bike Rental at PEDEGO Electric Bikes in La Quinta

Finalists will be announced in mid-January 2026 and contest winners will be celebrated in February 2026.

To review complete rules, mapping details, and eligibility requirements, visit cvmc.ca.gov or the link in our Instagram bio.

Join us in celebrating the land we love — and help protect it for generations to come.

Contest Guidelines

Eligibility: Open to all ages. Participants under 18 must have the permission of a parent/legal guardian.

Photo Dates: Photos must be taken between January 1, 2025, and December

31, 2025.

Photo Location: Photos must be taken within the Conservancy boundary (see map or visit mshcg-cvag.hub.arcgis. com.

Photo Category: Landscapes, wildlife,

and native species of the Coachella Valley

Multiple Entries: Up to 3 entries per person.

Respect for Nature - Follow Leave No Trace principles and stay safe.

For photos that include identifiable people, please make sure you have their full permission before submitting them.

Visit www.cvmc.ca.gov or click the link in Bio for the full contest rules and guidelines.

How to Enter

Post your photo on Instagram between December 1 and December 31, 2025.

Use the hashtag

#CVMCphotocontest2025.

Tag @cvmountainsconservancy.

4Include a caption that captures the story behind the photo.

Be sure to review and follow the Contest Rules below.

Key Dates

Contest Opens on December 1, 2025

Contest Closes on December 31, 2025 Finalist announced mid-January 2026 Winners announced in February 2026