5th Annual National Meeting Photo Contest

Incredible photographs of rare plants, conservationists in the field, and beautiful habitats took center stage for the 5th Annual National Meeting Photo Contest. Entries were received from across the CPC network, with many beautiful photos competing for top prizes. Nathaniel Kingsley of Lyon Arboretum won the top prize with his stunning photo of a Schiedea pentandra seed.

Schiedea pentandra seed. Photo credit: Nathaniel Kingsley.

CPC’s 2023 Star Award winner, Steve Blackwell of Desert Botanical Garden, took second prize with his beautiful photo of San Francisco River Leather-Petal (Graptopetalum rusbyi) flowers.

The third-place prize went to Joe DeWolf of San Diego Botanic Garden for his eye-catching photo of Opuntia lacunae pushing new growth onsite at the garden.

Baja native Opuntia lagunae at San Diego Botanic Garden pushing new spring growth. Notice the true leaves; the small, pointed, fleshy protrusions growing out of the areoles. These true leaves are short lived and will eventually fall off. Photo credit: Joe DeWolf.

Congratulations to this year’s photo contest winners and thank you to everyone who participated!

View even more incredible rare plant photos on the Rare Plant Academy Photo Gallery! Featuring subjects ranging from seed banking and horticulture, to cryopreservation, reintroductions, and more, the Rare Plant Academy Photo Gallery educates, informs, and inspires those who work with, advocate for, and love plants.