Urban Green Spaces Photo Contest

When we protect ecosystems that birds rely on, we protect ecosystems for us all. From bustling city parks to backyard oases hidden within the urban sprawl, the San Francisoc Bay Bird Observatory’s 2023 Urban Green Spaces Photo Contest invites you to explore and celebrate the vibrant ecosystems thriving amidst the concrete jungle. SFBBO is a nonprofit in Milpitas, CA, that has been protecting birds and habitats for more than 40 years. In honor of their updated mission statement to promote sustainability in the Bay Area and beyond by engaging communities in avian science, habitat conservation, and education, please help tell the story of how native plants, insects, animals, and birds adapt and thrive in urban environments. Let your lens capture the magic within our cities and raise awareness about the beauty and importance of these areas.

The contest is free and runs from Sept. 23rd through Oct. 21st, 2023. One Category Winner and two Honorable Mention Winners will be awarded in each of the following 5 categories:

Nature’s Resilience: Photos showing nature’s ability to thrive in urban spaces (such as a photo of a dandelion growing through a crack in concrete or mushrooms growing on a pile of mulch).

Backyard Biodiversity: Photos of wildlife found in residential backyards, community gardens, etc. (such as a photo of a brush rabbit nibbling on vegetation in someone’s backyard vegetable garden, a squirrel stealing seeds from a backyard bird feeder, or a monarch butterfly on a narrowleaf milkweed plant).

Native Flora: Explore the beauty of native plants (such as a photograph highlighting the intricate details of a wild California poppy or a wider photo that showcases native plants in a habitat restoration site).

Macro Magic: Zoom in on the tiniest urban inhabitants (such as a close-up of a ladybug you spot perched on a leaf growing near a sidewalk, showcasing its vibrant red shell and tiny black spots or a vivid pink rosebud covered in morning dew, the tiny water droplets magnified like gemstones against the petals).

Urban Greenscapes: Wider shots that showcase the greenery amongst the urban landscape are ideal. Overhead/aerial shots that highlight the expanse of urban forests and trails are also welcome. The focus should be on presenting urban green spaces from a zoomed out view.