Deadline Extended March 20, 2026!
Before entering, make sure you meet all the requirements for the contest!
All entries that meet the requirements are automatically entered into a pool of consideration for the prizes: The winner receives $750, the runner-up gets $250. Additionally, applicants from Tracy/West San Joaquin County are eligible for a separate $500 Community Award. This photo contest is hosted by Tri-Valley CAREs and is funded by California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). It is part of our ongoing efforts to increase environmental awareness, storytelling, and community engagement in West San Joaquin County, including Tracy, and beyond.
Applicants can only win one prize.
Anyone between the ages 10-25 is welcome to enter. If you are under 18, you must have your parent or guardian’s permission to enter.
Guidelines
- Eligibility: Open to ages 10-25. Participants must submit original work they created themselves.
- Topic: Contestants will send an original photo about an environmental issue of their choice. Photos should highlight environmental issues in your community or beyond. This may include pollution, toxic contamination, environmental justice, climate impacts, community action, or the relationship between people and the environment.
- Submission Requirements: Each participant may submit one original photograph. A caption or short essay (UP TO 250 words) should be included to explain the image, its context, or why the issue matters.
- Format: Photos must be submitted in JPEG or PNG format. Basic edits such as cropping or color correction are allowed. AI-generated images are not permitted.
- Collaboration: Multiple contestants may collaborate on one photo. Checks for winning
collaborative videos will be written to one name. - Rights and Use: By submitting, participants grant Tri-Valley CAREs permission to use submitted photos and accompanying text for educational, advocacy, and outreach purposes.
- Deadline: All submissions must be received by March 20 2026.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated based on:
- Relevance to environmental or environmental justice issues
- Storytelling/Caption
- Creativity and originality
- Visual impact and composition
Submissions will be judged with age ranges in mind to ensure fair evaluation across younger and older participants.
To Enter:
Please email anoushka@trivalleycares.org with the following information:
- Name of the contestant(s)
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
- One original photograph attached (JPEG or PNG format)
- Caption or short essay (up to 250 words), included in the email body or as an attachment
- Photo title (optional but encouraged)
- Location where the photo was taken (city/region)
- How did you hear about this contest?
Resources & Inspiration (Optional)
Participants are encouraged, but not required, to explore environmental issues affecting Tracy and the surrounding region. Possible inspiration includes:
- Areas highlighted in Tri-Valley CAREs’ Environmental Contaminant Mapping Project, including neighborhoods impacted by industrial pollution or groundwater contamination
- Photographing publicly accessible locations referenced on the contaminant map
- Recent local environmental events such as the Corral Fire, air quality impacts, or drought and water concerns
- Community-led environmental action, organizing, or resilience efforts in West San Joaquin County
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