2025 National Meeting Photo Contest

Each year, the CPC National Meeting Photo Contest highlights the beauty of rare plants and inspiring work of plant conservation—and 2025 was no exception. From rare blooms to conservation teams in action, this year’s entries—submitted by conservationists across the CPC network—captured the heart and science of our collective efforts to save plants from extinction. We’re proud to showcase the three winning photos that stood out for their beauty, impact, and storytelling power. Congratulations to this year’s photo contest winners and thank you to everyone who participated!

Michael B. Thomas of the National Herbarium of Rwanda took the first place prize with his inspiring image titled, “Hope in Bloom: The Rescued Rwandan Miniature Water Lily (Nymphaea thermarum) Finds New Life.”

Pascal Sibomana, plant conservationist at the National Herbarium, University of Rwanda - celebrates the first flowering ex situ specimen of Nymphaea thermarum (Nymphaceae), the Rwandan miniature water lily previously believed to be extinct but rediscovered in 2023.

CPC’s 2023 Star Award winner, Steve Blackwell of Desert Botanical Garden, took second prize with his stunning, up-close shot of the flowers of the Ash Meadows ladies’ tresses orchid (Spiranthes infernalis).

Flowers of the Ash Meadows ladies' tresses orchid (Spiranthes infernalis)

The third-place prize went to Kay Hankins of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden for her striking image of Purple-spike Coralroot (Hexalectris warnockii).

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.