Guardians of the Mangroves – Winner– Olivier Clement, Bahamas
Extending Our Reach: A Multi-Rooted Approach to Mangrove Conservation
Alongside our on-the-ground programs for restorationists, our enduring outreach initiatives strengthen MAP’s efforts to promote mangrove conservation and inspire global awareness.
2026 marks 12 years of impactful storytelling through MAP’s Mangrove Photography Awards, capturing the beauty and importance of mangroves from thousands of perspectives around the world.
Winners of the 2026 Awards have now been announced. This year’s entries spanned mangrove wildlife, landscapes, underwater scenes, threats, people, and conservation stories, alongside a youth category and regional awards for the Emirates, Arabian Gulf, and UNESCO.
Together, these images highlight the vital role mangroves play and why their protection matters.
Credit: Tangled glow: When life meets the ruins – Overall Winner 2026, Gaurav Patil, India
Entries nearly doubled year over year
The competition drew 5,258 entries in 2026, up from 3,303 entries in 2025 — a huge jump in global participation.
Garnered more media attention
than any previous competition, with coverage from major outlets such as The Guardian, Mongabay, and CNN.
New countries joined the competition
Photographers from 87 countries entered this year, up from 78 in 2025, reflecting the growing global reach of mangrove storytelling.
Read more about Ghost Nets and Glowing Truths: 2026 MPAs Read more about The 2026 Mangrove Photography Awards Are Now Open! Read more about The 2025 Mangrove Photography Awards Are Now Open! Read more about Meet the winners of the Mangrove Photography Awards 2024 Read more about Mangrove Photography Awards 2024 – NOW OPEN Read more about Meet the winners of the Mangrove Photography Awards 2023
For 25 years, this contest has raised awareness and provided youth with a platform to highlight the importance of mangrove forests and the challenges they face. Last year, we received 512 remarkable pieces from 40 countries, each representing the artist’s personal exploration of mangroves through field trips, classroom lessons, or independent study.
This year, MAP invites children around the world to participate in our 26th Annual Children’s Mangrove Art Contest! Through this contest, we aim to cultivate a lifelong appreciation and respect for the environment in the next generation of decision-makers. We will be accepting submissions until August 31st 2026, for more details please click the link below.
Selected winning artworks will be showcased in our 2027 art calendar, helping to spread the message of mangrove conservation and highlight the powerful voices of young creatives around the globe.
Credit: Emrul Kayes Rafsan, Bangladesh, Age 13, Cover Winner from the 2025 contest
Read more about Open For Submissions: Children’s Mangrove Art Contest 2026! Read more about Our 2025 Children’s Mangrove Art Calendar Is Here! Read more about Open For Submissions: Children’s Mangrove Art Contest 2025! Read more about Winners of the 2024 Children’s Mangrove Art Contest Revealed Read more about Children’s Mangrove Art Calendar 2024 & Art Gallery Read more about Open For Submissions: Children’s Mangrove Art Contest 2024!
