"America's public lands and waters mean the world to me. As a naturalized U.S. citizen, they are among the things that make me most proud to call this country home. For me, their meaning goes beyond the incredible diversity of landscapes and wildlife. 

Every time I share a photo, my hope is that it sparks the same sense of awe in someone else, and that awe turns into appreciation, and appreciation turns into stewardship. These places had captured my imagination before I ever set foot on U.S. soil, through the cartoons and movies of my childhood that made these landscapes feel like something out of a dream. Now, as a self-taught photography enthusiast, I am lucky enough to return to them year after year, chasing the same sense of awe I hope to pass on to friends and family via photographs." - Jonatas Neiva

"I am a physician, mother, and amateur photographer currently living in Colorado with my husband and two young sons. My family and I have always been fierce advocates for America’s public lands and waters. Recreating responsibly in these unique locations is the lens through which we view our family’s past, present, and future. We hope that by sharing our stories and photography, we can inspire others to protect these sacred spaces as well.

As my oldest son, who was 9 years old at the time, started to walk ahead of us on the trail, I was so struck by the view. I quickly snapped this photo, which I’m so grateful for, as I feel like it truly captures his essence. He has the most incredible mind: the way he sees and interacts with the world - with such nuance and wonder - takes my breath away." - Nina Mayer Ritchie

"This photo was taken during a 42-day cross-country road trip my fiancé and I went on after graduating college. We had spent weeks camping, hiking, and exploring National Parks, and by the time we reached the Tetons, it felt like the perfect grand finale to our adventure. What makes this photo so special to me is that it represents a lifelong dream finally becoming reality and reminds me how rewarding it can be to step outside your comfort zone and explore the unknown. Before this trip, I had never been camping or to a National Park! Our entire journey felt like the start of a new chapter in our lives, and this moment perfectly captured the feeling of freedom and adventure we experienced along the way." - Danielle Craig

"The Yosemite Valley Chapel was built in the Yosemite Valley of California in 1879. The chapel was moved to its present location in 1901, as the old Lower Village dwindled. It's beautiful all year around but capturing it in a snowy night is a dream came true for me.

What makes public lands and waters so meaningful to me is that they belong to all of us. They provide places where people from every background can experience nature, reflect, learn, and reconnect with something larger than themselves. They also protect habitats that countless species rely on to survive. Standing quietly beside a wetland, hiking through a forest preserve, or photographing birds at sunrise has given me a greater appreciation for how interconnected these environments are and how important conservation is for future generations." - Jean Zuo

"This photo was taken at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park — the moment Sam, who has cerebral palsy, finally made it to one of the most iconic spots in Utah. Sam's family lives three hours from Arches. They'd been before, but Sam had never made the hike. Years earlier, he and his mom sat in the van at the trailhead while his dad and older brother went without them. 

We didn't have enough people to push Sam's Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair up [the trail] safely. Then a young couple from Oklahoma walked by and asked, 'Do y'all need some help?' Two of us pushed from the back, and two of them pulled ropes from the front. When Sam rounded the corner into the amphitheater and saw the arch for the first time, the crowd started clapping. His mom — who had sat in that van for 36 years — said, 'We've never been able to do anything like this as a family before.'" - Ryan Grassley

"On the eighth and final day of my 93-mile thru-hike of the Wonderland Trail, I started the morning with a steep climb up out of our camp at Indian Bar to the Cowlitz Divide. Once I reached the peak, I stopped to catch my breath. When I turned around, I saw a literal wonderland. Before me lay rolling hills, misty valleys, wildflowers, evergreens, and Rainier bathed in early-morning light. During my week-long trek through Mount Rainier National Park, I saw all the different 'faces' of the legendary mountain, but none were quite as special as this one. I gave myself a few moments to soak it in before pulling out my camera and taking this image." - Matthew Grahovac

"I have loved our national parks since my first visits to Yosemite, Sequoia, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier 45 years ago.  It is my great fortune to live just a few hours from Yosemite and visit the park often.  Most of my fly fishing and landscape photos are taken in the many national forests that California is blessed with.

This spot is near the headwaters of Lamoille Creek with the Ruby Mountains Wilderness in the background. The road up Lamoille Canyon had just been cleared of snow, so a friend and I hit the road for the six-hour drive to Elko.  I took many nice photos of the area, but this was my favorite.  It is truly a gorgeous location." - Phil Reedy

"I took a nursing travel contract to Alaska last summer and my best friend immediately planned a trip to come visit me. One thing we both wanted to do was get out and jet ski or kayak near a glacier, and I found a company that runs out of Seward that does a combined wildlife excursion with kayaking near one of the glaciers in the Kenai Fjords National Park. My winning photo was taken on our way to the glacier as we passed by several sea otters! I visited the park several times that summer, and while I had better whale activity later in the summer (bubble-net feeding!!), this time was my favorite because I got to experience it with my best friend. Winning the contest with a photo from that trip is icing on the cake." - Jaime Wright