November 24, 2025
ABF Photo Contest | Dec 10th Deadline!
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Enter the 20th Anniversary Photo Contest
Anza-Borrego Foundation’s Photo Contest celebrates two decades of photography that helps reveal what most visitors never see. This milestone year honors the images that have captured the Park’s hidden moments—fleeting blooms, rare wildlife, dramatic weather, and the quiet details across 650,000 acres of desert terrain.
Below is a simple overview of what participants can expect this year. For full details and to submit your photos, visit ABF’s website.
Why the Contest Matters
- Showcases what is often missed in the Park’s vast, remote landscapes
- Highlights the biodiversity and resilience of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Helps people connect more deeply with the land through visual storytelling
Why Photography Supports Conservation
- 65% of people are visual learners
- Visual content increases engagement by 94%
- Images are processed 60,000x faster than text—one photo can say what pages cannot
Awards & Recognition
(Full descriptions available on the ABF website)
- Best in Show: Ribbon + resort stay + dinner + ABF program
- Category Winners: Ribbons + ABF membership
- Honorable Mention & People’s Choice: Ribbon + gallery display
- Winning photos will be exhibited at the Borrego Art Institute in early 2026
2026 Categories
- People Enjoying the Park
- Animals of Anza-Borrego Desert
- Black & White
- Landscapes
- Nightscapes
- Plants
- New: Youth Category (high school and younger)
- Cell phone photographs accepted in all categories
How to Enter (Round 1 Overview)
- Submit up to 10 photos
- Upload JPEG files under 5 MB
- Photos from any year are eligible
- All online entries considered for People’s Choice
- Judges select finalists to move to Round 2 (print submission)
Deadline
Submit your photos by December 10, 2025.
Learn more, read the full rules, and enter online:
theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/photo-contest/
Learn more and enter at:
theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/photo-contest/
Learn More About Borrego Springs
A full month of creative workshops, hands-on learning, and holiday projects December at the Borrego Art Institute brings a full schedule of classes for all ages and skill levels—from drawing and sculpture to kids’ art, yarn-making, and an olive oil tasting at the ArtPark Café. Whether you’re a resident, seasonal visitor, or weekend explorer, Studio West offers plenty of ways to create, learn, and enjoy the season.
Gather in Gratitude The Borrego Ministers Association invites everyone to a Thanksgiving Eve Service at Borrego Community United Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM . This ecumenical service welcomes the entire community. You’ll see familiar faces—friends and neighbors—and meet new ones as we come together in gratitude. Join in an evening of readings, hymns, and prayer, giving thanks to the Lord and celebrating the spirit of community togetherness. Location: Borrego Community United Methodist Church Hosted by: Borrego Ministers Association Learn More About Borrego Springs
See alt-country star Sara Petite live at The Springs RV Resort on Nov. 29 at 3 PM. Free outdoor concert with wine, beer, and great desert vibes!
Support Women and Girls in Borrego Springs Raise your glass for a good cause at the 4th Annual Toast to Borrego , happening Saturday, December 13, 2025 , from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at the UCI Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center in Borrego Springs. Get Tickets! Enjoy an afternoon of fine wines, food, and music—all while supporting programs that empower women and girls in Borrego Springs. Event Highlights Six wines selected and introduced by Kimberly Jones Selections Catering by Carlee’s – delicious food and appetizers Live piano music by Steve Hunter Mocktails for non-drinkers One gift basket drawing ticket included Free parking Experiences and Auctions Shop creative themed gift baskets and bid on one-of-a-kind local experiences, including: Coffee Lovers New Grandparents Gourmet Foods Wine Lovers Tea Party And more to come Silent Auction Experiences: Pizza party for six with Wade of the Borrego Art Institute Olive oil tasting for five with Ingrid Tuxhorn of Borrego Olive Oil Co. Bike ride with Sylvia Maas, Kristi Sisson, and Peanut Paint Party for six with Cody from the Borrego Art Institute Tickets $75 Pre-sale until December 5 $100 General Admission Get your tickets early—attendance is limited. Cancellation Policy: All ticket sales are final. Rain or shine event. Details Location: UCI Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center 401 Tilting T Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Time: 1:00–5:00 PM (Pouring 1:00–3:30 PM) Note: Guests must be 21 or older. Children and pets cannot be accommodated (service animals welcome). Learn More About Borrego Springs
The Borrego Springs ArtWalk is held the first Saturday of each month, November through May, from 5–7 PM.
The Miss Borrego Springs Pageant was held at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center and featured six contestants from Borrego Springs High School. All participants are members of the school’s Interact Club, which is connected to the Rotary Club of Borrego Springs and Rotary District 5340. Longtime Community Leadership The program has been organized for more than 30 years by Sylvia Meeks, a member of the Rotary Club of Borrego Springs and a key figure in coordinating the event year after year. Her ongoing involvement has helped maintain continuity, mentorship, and community participation. The master of ceremonies for the evening was longtime community member and friend, Jee. Pageant Program The pageant includes interviews, on-stage questions, and opportunities for contestants to speak about service, leadership, and their role in the community. Judges evaluate communication, confidence, poise, and community engagement. 2025 Titleholder Kayla was selected as Miss Borrego Springs 2025. Previous titleholder Melanie, who served as Miss Borrego Springs Princess, was also present at the event. Community Service After the Pageant A longstanding tradition of the program is that the Miss Borrego Springs titleholder and the court assist at local community events throughout the year. Their involvement includes volunteering at service activities, representing Borrego Springs at public gatherings, and supporting Rotary-related programs. Learn More About Borrego Springs
