Creating a celebration of conservation
Help us celebrate over 30 years of conservation in North Carolina. Conservation Trust for North Carolina was established in 1991 to advance the pace of land conservation in the state. The Blue Ridge Parkway launched our conservation journey and today is the backbone of our work to achieve a resilient future statewide.
Since then, through the generosity of our supporters, the land protection team has stitched together a quilt of conserved land, one property at a time. We’ve protected more than 35,000 acres along the Parkway in partnership with local land trusts, private landowners, and public agencies.
To celebrate these milestones and energize the road ahead, we’re asking you to be creative.
2025-26 Conservation Art Contest
This year, we’re launching our first ever digital art contest, in celebration of the species, landscapes, and vistas found along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina. Open to both professional and amateur artists (16+) statewide, your art has a voice in our story. To enter, create a unique original design celebrating a native species, landscape, or trail in Western North Carolina.
Choose your own art adventure, channel your creativity into telling a conservation success story or highlight a threatened or endangered species that needs our help. Winners will receive an honorarium for their submission and will be promoted to our universe of supporters. Your art will be shared with over 20,000 people through our social media, as well as in our web gallery, and in external communications, all with full attribution for your work. You may also see your design on a limited edition gift for our Conservation Celebration sponsors in 2026. No entry fees are required.
Contest Timeline
Launching in November 2025, the submission period will close on March 15, 2026. Judges from our universe of supporters and from North Carolina’s thriving art community will begin reviewing submissions in April, contestants will be notified by May 15, 2026.
Artwork Requirements
All designs must be original and must focus on native species, landscapes, or trails found in Western North Carolina. All designs must be digital. Preference will be given to designs that feature endangered or threatened species. Designs that utilize artificial intelligence will be automatically disqualified.
Please submit your design in a vector format. High-quality PDFs and PNG files may also be accepted.
Share Your Art
To enter the contest, please complete this form. Afterwards, you’ll receive an email from art@ctnc.org with a link to share your design.
Interested in participating as a judge? Let us know by emailing art@ctnc.org.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Is there a fee to enter?
No. There are no fees required to enter this art contest.
Can I submit a scan of a physical piece of art? Or does it have to be digital art?
While we will accept high-resolution PNGs and PDFs of non-digital artwork, preference will be given to digital art submitted in a vector format. Though we may focus the contest on non-digital artwork in future years, this year we’re focusing on digital artwork as part of our pilot process.
What format should the artwork be in?
For digital artwork, the preferred format is a vector file (for example, .SVG). High-quality PDF or PNG files are also accepted. Art pieces generated with artificial intelligence (AI) are not eligible.
Who is eligible to enter the contest?
Participants must be 16 years or older and reside in North Carolina. Both amateur and professional artists are welcome.
What are the submission dates and the timeline?
- The submission period closes on March 15, 2026.
- Judging will occur in April.
- Winners will be notified by May 15, 2026.
What will the winners receive?
We believe artists should be compensated for their creativity. Winning entries will receive an honorarium, exposure to CTNC’s universe of supporters, and an opportunity to appear on limited edition CTNC gear with full attribution. Winning artists will also be invited to celebrate their work with our community at the 2026 Conservation Celebration. We will only retain rights for winning entries.
Who will judge the contest?
Judging will be conducted by supporters of CTNC and members of NC’s art community.
Can I submit more than one design?
Yes, you can submit more than one design. Please keep your submission to three individual designs if you would like to submit multiple.
How do I submit my design?
First, complete the online entry form. After submitting the form, you will receive an email from art@ctnc.org with instructions and a link to upload your design.
For any additional questions, please reach out to art@ctnc.org.