Campus Sustainability

Animal Photography Contest

Bees on a yarrow flower

Hosted by the Sustainability Offices of UW Bothell and Cascadia College, we invite the campus community to participate and share their photography of all forms of animal life! See contest guidelines and participation information below, or open the PDF version here.

Contest Goals 

This contest aligns with the mission of the Sustainability Office to engage students and the campus community in sustainability. Through this contest, we invite campus to reconnect with and appreciate the more-than-human (natural) world.  

The intended impacts of this contest are to: 

  • Inspire creativity and artistic expression through photography. 
  • Encourage the campus community to practice the skill of observation. 
  • Reveal connections between human activities and the natural world.  

Eligible participants 

This contest is open to: 

  • Currently enrolled UW Bothell students, both undergraduate and graduate 
  • Currently enrolled Cascadia College students 
  • Staff and faculty from UW Bothell and Cascadia College* 

*Staff and faculty from both institutions are encouraged to participate for recognition. Gift cards will only be awarded to students.  

Submission Criteria 

Participants may submit one photo per contest cycle. Each submission must include a(n):  

  • Photo that clearly features animal life (wild or domesticated) 
  • Caption or name for the photo 
  • Artist’s statement addressing the artist’s and/or the photo’s connection to sustainability, climate change, or human relationship to the natural world (up to 300 words). 

Photos must be taken within 365 days prior to the date of submission. Photos may be taken anywhere. 

Academic Honesty 

For the sake of academic integrity and honesty, photos, captions, and artist’s statements must be the submitter’s original work. The use of AI or computer-generated work is prohibited. If this policy is violated, the submission will be disqualified. 

Red tailed hawk on a tree
Red Tailed Hawk, photographed by Dr. Ursula Valdez

Awards 

$25 Visa gift cards will be awarded to each of the top 3 UW Bothell student participants and the top 3 Cascadia student participants. Top faculty and staff participants will earn bragging rights! 

Photos may also be featured on the UW Bothell Sustainability webpage.  

Timeline  

Submissions will open on April 22nd (Earth Day) and will close May 13th at 11:59pm. Winners will be contacted and announced before the end of Spring quarter. 

Judging Criteria  

Submissions (photograph, caption, and artist’s statement) will be judged based on the following criteria: 

  • Application of basic photography principles and artistic expression. 
  • Quality of animal life moment captured. 
  • Ecological or cultural relevance of the photographed species (endangered, vulnerable, indicator species, culturally significant species, etc.). 
  • Connection to themes of sustainability, climate change, and human impacts.   

The judging panel will be composed of campus representatives with photography, ecology, and arts experience. Submissions will be anonymized prior to judging.  

How to Participate 

Email uwbsust@uw.edu and attach your photo and this questionnaire filled out. Enter the following in the subject line: “2025 Animal Photography Submission – [your full name].” 

Accessibility and Accommodations 

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and accommodation in its services, programs, and activities. To make a request connected to a disability or health condition contact UWBsust@uw.edu.