Photography Contest

2026 PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Showcase the beauty of Preservation Parks! Capture landscapes, wildlife, or moments that celebrate these protected spaces. Open to all amateur skill levels. Share your vision and help inspire a deeper appreciation for our natural and cultural heritage. Submit this form for each photo entry.

CONTEST CATEGORIES

Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.

Animals – Photos in this category may include only wild animals. No domesticated animals will be permitted. Photos of Gallant Farm livestock should be entered in the Park District Scenes category. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.

General Nature – Photos may capture landscapes, plants, animals, and natural phenomena of nature and the environment such as weather, etc. The human element may be present but should be unobtrusive and only present to enhance the scene. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.

Macro – This category showcases a subject larger than it is in real life, i.e., extreme closeups of something small. Photos can feature closeup aspects of plants, animals, and other natural items. No man-made features please. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.

Park District Scenes – Photos may capture natural or historical features, structures, events, areas, or people found within the parks. Photos may include people but NO portraits will be accepted. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.

Youth – Photos in this category must be related to any of the other contest categories. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site. This category is for ages 17 and under.

Preserving Our Heritage Photo Contest Submission

Showcase the beauty and history of Delaware County’s Preservation Parks! Capture landscapes, wildlife, or moments that celebrate these protected spaces. Open to all skill levels. Share your vision and help inspire a deeper appreciation for our natural and cultural heritage. Submit this form for each photo entry.

Name

First Last

Enter Email Confirm Email

Category of Photo(Required)

All photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.

Animals – Photos in this category may include only wild animals. No domesticated animals will be permitted.

General Nature – Photos may capture landscapes, plants, animals, and natural phenomena of nature and the environment such as weather, etc. The human element may be present but should be unobtrusive and only present to enhance the scene.

Macro – This category showcases a subject larger than it is in real life, i.e., extreme closeups of something small. Photos can feature closeup aspects of plants, animals, and other natural items. No man-made features please.

Park District Scenes – Photos may capture natural or historical features, structures, events, areas, or people found within the parks. Photos may include people but NO portraits will be accepted.

Youth – Photos in this category must be related to any of the other contest categories. This category is for ages 17 and under.

Location of Photo(Required)

Preservation Parks locations can be found at https://preservationparks.com/parks/.

Photo Submission(Required)

Max. file size: 10 MB.

Photo Release Form

Only applicable if people are pictured in your photo entry. You may fill out this online or submit your completed form here in PDF format.

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 10 MB.

Congratulations 2025 Winners!
View all entries on our Facebook page.

2025 Preserving Our Heritage Photography Contest Winners

raccoon leaning on dead tree branch — 1st Place Animals – Jesse Ross

squirrel hanging sideways on tree trunk — 1st Place Animals – Jesse Ross

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Programs

details of braille on sounds of the forest sign

Braille Trail

Nestled within the heart of Hogback Ridge Park, the Braille Trail offers a unique, multi-sensory experience for all visitors. This thoughtfully designed trail provides an accessible way to explore the natural world through touch, sound, and detailed interpretive signage. Whether you navigate by sight, feel, or hearing, this trail is a pathway to deeper connection with nature.

Delaware County Bird Club

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, enjoy a relaxing time watching birds at the feeders and discussing a new ornithology topic each month. Meet fellow bird enthusiasts, share sightings, and deepen your appreciation for our feathered friends.

Delaware County Model Railroad Open House

Stop by the model railroad open houses this season! Members of the model railway group will share the history of railroads in America.

FLEX Trails (Free Local EXercise)

FLEX Trails are established along the trails at Char-Mar Ridge Preserve. Stations set up along the trails include signs that explain how to do various exercises, right there, with no equipment

Gallant Farm Literary & Cowpie Society

Join us for a lively discussion of each month’s featured book. We typically read titles that were popular during the Great Depression and WWII years, or books focusing on those time periods.

Geocaching in Preservation Parks

Geocaching and letterboxing are fun hobbies that provide a great reason to enjoy the outdoors. Preservation Parks does allow geocaches and letterboxes to be placed in the parks, as long as Park District guidelines are followed.

Group Hikes

Embark on a journey with fellow enthusiasts or enrich your knowledge on the go! We’ve got your hiking experience sorted. Explore our curated group hike programs, each with unique themes that cater to diverse interests.

Honeysuckle Hackfest

The 2nd Annual Honeysuckle Hack Festival is coming — and this year, it’s another showdown between our living goats (yes, real ones who LOVE to eat honeysuckle) and our human GOATs (Greatest of All Time volunteers, arborists, and supporters like you).

Mindfulness Trail

This 1 mile walk invites you to several stations that will provide different ways to practice mindfulness along the trail.

Photography Contest

School & Community Outreach

Looking for a fun and engaging learning experience for your school classroom or community group? From night hikes to live animal programs and farm tours to agricultural heritage programs, the Preservation Parks Outdoor Connections Department offers field trip programs covering a variety of natural and cultural history topics. Most are free for Delaware County groups and organizations only, and a great way to introduce your group to our county’s cultural and natural heritage. Scout groups can check out our Scout Badge Days, offered throughout the year.

Seasonal Program Guide

The program guide is published 4x per year and includes all of the wonderful programs offered throughout the parks.

Step Into Fall: Hike Them All

Hike all the Preservation Parks’ nature trails, including two new paths, this season with our Step Into Fall Challenge. Sign up for free and receive a Preservation Parks nature trail checklist to mark your journey OR register for $15 and receive a special hiking staff and custom challenge medallion (while supplies last) that you can add yourself. Add a new Hike Them All Challenge medallion to your hiking staff each year.

The Bee’s Knees Stitching Circle

The Bee’s Knees Stitching Circle Gallant Farm, Ages 12Join us for a modern twist

Trick or Treat Trail

Bring the kids in costume to gather treats from characters along the enchanted nature trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, meet some creepy critters, vote for your favorite scarecrow, and visit Gallant Farm across the road. It’s all free! Drop in any time between 1 – 4 p.m. Program ends at 4 p.m.