GLOUCESTERSHIRE Wildlife Trust’s annual wildlife photography competition is back for 2026, now in its 17th year, and this time with a brand-new youth category.

The competition is a chance for people across the county to celebrate the wildlife on their doorstep and share the natural beauty of Gloucestershire through photography.

Entries are open from 1 April to 31 July, with participants able to submit up to three images in each category. Photographs can be taken on a camera or a mobile device, making the competition accessible for photographers of all experience levels.

The categories for 2026 include Species Spotlight, Urban Wildlife, Wild Places, and the new Wild Youth section. The youth category is designed to encourage younger participants to explore the natural world and capture their own vision of the county’s wildlife and landscapes.

Over the years, the competition has produced striking images of barn owls, wrens, dragonflies, wild garlic, and a variety of other species, highlighting the rich diversity of Gloucestershire’s flora and fauna.

Cerys Baker, communications officer at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, said: “Head to your local nature reserve, natural space, or out your front door, and capture the magic of your favourite space or species through your lens. Spring is a fantastic time to be celebrating wildlife, and we’re looking for entries that show how special our local area is for nature.”

All photographs must be taken in Gloucestershire after 1 August 2025. Participants are asked to follow wildlife photography best practices, keeping a safe distance from animals, avoiding the use of flash, and sticking to footpaths to protect habitats and ensure the welfare of wildlife.

Winning images will be selected by a panel of judges, with finalists given the opportunity to see their work displayed at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s exhibition, running from 22 to 30 August 2026.