The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) has announced the winners of its 2026 Amateur Photo Contest, part of the Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative. Launched earlier this year, the contest challenged amateur photographers of all skill levels to capture the natural beauty and ecological heritage of the Choctawhatchee Bay and the surrounding Northwest Florida region.
Twelve winning images, one for each month, will appear in the 2026 Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Photo Contest Calendar, offering a year-long look at the Basin through the eyes of local photographers:
January: Bill Horn
February: David Bailey
March: David Bailey
April: Sarah Brock
May: John Cooper
June: Jessica Temple
July: Jennifer Pawlik
August: Anna Brotzman
September: Whitney Walker – 3rd Place Winner
October: Richard S. Ives
November: Richard S. Ives – 1st Place Winner
December: Randal R. Ketchem – 2nd Place Winner
“These images are a reminder that people are paying attention to this watershed, and that connection is exactly what keeps it protected,” said Alison McDowell, Executive Director of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance.
Winning photos, along with more on CBA’s ongoing programs, can be found at basinalliance.org.
Mark Your Calendar: Family Bay Day Returns in September
Community members will have another chance to celebrate the Bay this fall at the annual Mattie Kelly Family Bay Day, set for Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. The free, family-friendly event features exploration stations, hands-on learning activities, and the always-popular fish printing, giving kids and adults alike the chance to connect with the bay up close. The only cost is the park’s standard $5 per vehicle entrance fee.
