Celebrate Sonoma County’s Beauty with the Spring into Parks Photo Contest

February 18, 2025

Santa Rosa, CA – The nonprofit Sonoma County Parks Foundation announces the Spring into Parks Photo Contest, a special seasonal event celebrating the county’s regional parks. This fundraiser invites residents and visitors of all skill levels to capture the beauty of the 60 Sonoma County Regional Parks while also supporting the parks.

Contest Details:

  • Submission Period: March 1 - 31, 2025, at 5 p.m.
  • Who Can Enter: Open to all Sonoma County residents and visitors, regardless of experience.
  • Categories:
    • Park Views and Vistas: Submit scenic landscapes, sunsets, coastlines, wildflowers and other views. (Visit SonomaCountyParks.org for a list of regional parks.) No photos showing people’s faces or off-leash dogs accepted.
    • Park Wildlife: Share your best shots of birds and other wildlife. Please follow ethical photography practices. (See guidelines from the National Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org/photog...)
  • Submission Restrictions: AI-generated, altered or drone-assisted photos are not eligible.

How to Win:

  • People’s Choice Winners: People’s Choice Winners are selected based on the popular vote at gogophotocontest.com/SonomaCountyParksFoundation. Participants are welcome to promote their entries via social media and encourage friends and family members to support their entry. $1 per vote, no minimum required.
  • Judges’ Choice Winners: A panel of photography experts will select winners in this category based on artistic and technical merit.
  • Prizes:
    • Top three winners in each category will be featured in the 2026 Spring into Parks Calendar. This calendar is produced in conjunction with the Spring into Parks photography contest and will be available for purchase online during and following the contest.
    • The first 100 entries will receive one 8-by-10-inch print or 10 4-by-6-inch prints free from sponsor Shutterbug Camera Shops.
    • Additional exciting prizes include gift certificates to Stark’s restaurants, gift packages at local wineries and much more. Visit gogophotocontest.com/SonomaCountyParksFoundation for details.

Reserve a Special Day in the 2026 Calendar!
The Spring into Parks Photography Contest will conclude with a 2026 calendar that features winning photos from the contest, which can be ordered through the contest website. Want a guaranteed spot in the 2026 Spring into Parks Calendar? Individuals can reserve a date for a special photo to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, memorial, or any meaningful occasion. First come, first served—once a date is booked, it’s gone. (Scenery and wildlife photos only; no faces.) Details for the reserve-a-date feature can be found here: https://www.gogophotocontest.c...

Support Our Parks – Help Us Reach Our Goal!
The contest aims to raise $10,000 for Sonoma County Regional Parks and park programs, including youth initiatives, trail renovations and climate action projects. Whether you enter a photo or cast a vote, your participation directly supports the parks and their future.

About Sonoma County Parks Foundation:
The Sonoma County Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Sonoma County Regional Parks, a system of 60 regional parks and trails, along with programs for children, adults, seniors, and underserved communities.

Sponsored by:
EBA Engineering, Shutterbug Camera Shops, The Hot Tub Store, Rob DeVenuto Photography, REI, Viavi, Spring Lake Village, Stark Reality Restaurants, and Toni Wilkes and Greg Randall.