The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has selected the winners of the 2026 MoDNR Photo Contest.
Each year, the department invites amateur photographers to get outside and capture the beauty of Missouri’s natural resources. Photographers can submit images showcasing the state’s natural resources, state parks, wildlife, scenic landscapes, weather, outdoor recreation, natural phenomena and people enjoying the outdoors.
Nearly 400 photos were submitted to this year’s contest, highlighting the beauty and diversity of Missouri’s great outdoors.
The winning photographs are:
Natural Resources Category:
First Place: “Where Eagles Raise Tomorrow” by Manny Deida of Raytown, Mo.
Second Place: “Beauty in the Fog” by Mitchell Cobb of Ste. Genevieve, Mo.
Third Place: “Lon Sanders Old Canyon Mill Ruins” by Gene Speed of St. Louis, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Migration Sunrise” by David Turner of Omaha, Neb.
People Enjoying Missouri’s Outdoors Category:
First Place: “Together on the Water” by Calvin Clemente of University City, Mo.
Second Place: “Celebrating Life Together” by Mary Pisoni of Eureka, Mo.
Third Place: “Moments of Reflection” by Emily Libbert of Meta, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Family Hike” by Nancy VanDover of Wildwood, Mo.
Unique Places Category:
First Place: “Pathway in the Park” by Robert C. Craig of Lenexa, Ks.
Second Place: “Doorway to the Past” by Lori Vaughn of Rolla, Mo.
Third Place: “Red Moon, Red Mill-Unique Places” by Dan Zarlenga of Florissant, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Barred Owl on National Forestry Sign” by Andrea Crews-Martin of Dora, Mo.
The winning photos are available to view on the department’s photo contest website at Missouri DNR Photo Contest. Amateur photographers of all ages may enter the 2027 MoDNR Photo Contest, which will open on April 1, 2027.
###