CHADRON, Nebraska -- The sixth annual amateur photo contest, hosted by the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District (NRD), was open from Jan. 1, 2025 to July 1, 2025. The NRD received over 200 natural resources related photos that were sorted into five different categories.

The 2025 categories were adjusted slightly due to the number of photos received in each category. Very few photos were submitted in the “Recreation” category this year so the Board decided to group those photos with the “Other” category and create a “Landscape” category.

“This helped to award a wider range of beautiful photos of our home here in Northwest Nebraska,” commented Dave Kadlecek, Upper Niobrara White NRD Director.

The Upper Niobrara White NRD staff narrowed down photos to find the best candidates in each category, and NRD directors selected the top photos during the last board meeting. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winner in each category and of those five top photos one winning photo will be made into a canvas print and displayed in the Upper Niobrara White NRD Office until the 2026 winners are selected.

2025 Winners:

• Agriculture: Lori Davis, Sheridan County – “In Good Hands” (Overall Winner)
• Nature: Courtney Sherlock, Dawes County – “Bumblebee & Woolly Verbena”
• Wildlife: Kate Casey, Box Butte County – “Surrounded by Blossoms”
• Landscape: Luke Gazak, Dawes County – “The Rainbow Picture”
• Other: Branden Martens, Dawes County – “Bronco Fire”

Jeri Anderson was the 2024 winner with her photo “Roxy the Storm Chaser” taken in Dawes County. Her photo is displayed in the UNWNRD Office until the 2025 winning photo arrives, then it will be hers to keep.

“One exciting change we noticed this year were the number of entries received from children,” noted Nancy Fisher, UNWNRD Information and Education Chairman.

The Directors have decided to add a new category next year specifically to include young local photographers in the contest as well.

The Upper Niobrara White NRD is eager to see many more amazing photos of northwest Nebraska in years to come. Please visit www.unwnrd.org for a slide show of the honorable mention photographs received over the years or stop by the office at 430 East 2nd Street to see the 2025 winning photo.

The 2026 photo contest will open Jan. 1, 2026.

The Upper Niobarara White Photo Contest Overall Winner went to Lori Davis of Sheridan County with her shot “In Good Hands.”