FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 3, 2026
Contact: Midpen Public Affairs Specialist Ryan McCauley
650-691-1200, rmccauley@openspace.org
Los Altos, CA — The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has announced the winners of its annual photography contest. Each year, nature enthusiasts of all ages and abilities are invited to submit images taken in Midpen’s 25 publicly accessible open space preserves throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region.
“These moments representing the wonder of our natural world are part of why, more than half a century after being created by local voters, Midpen remains steadfast in implementing our mission of land preservation, environmental restoration and ecologically sensitive public access and education for the benefit of all,” said Midpen General Manager Ana María Ruiz.
Six winners were chosen by Midpen staff, and public voting on social media to determine the “people’s choice” winner, from 125 entries submitted. Categories included wildlife, plant life, landscapes, people in nature, the trail less traveled and aspiring photographers for students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. The first-place winner in each category received an REI gift card.
See contest details and learn more about the photographers and what their winning images mean to them at openspace.org/photo-contest.