View this Joint Press Release as a PDF
February 28, 2025 – Sonoma, CA – The City of Sonoma, in partnership with the Sonoma Community Center, is excited to announce the 5th Annual Earth Day Photo Contest, inviting photographers of all ages to celebrate the hidden natural beauty of Sonoma Valley. The theme for 2025 is, “Hidden Gems,” encouraging participants to explore and capture lesser-known or overlooked outdoor spaces—those special places that often go unnoticed but m
ake Sonoma Valley such a unique and beautiful place to live and visit.
New this year, the Sonoma Community Center is joining as a partner, bringing its deep connection to the local arts community and commitment to environmental awareness. “This collaboration allows us to highlight the intersection of art and nature in a meaningful way,” said Vanessa Rognlien, Executive Director of the Sonoma Community Center. “By encouraging people to look closer at the world around them, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for our environment and our role in protecting it.”
Contest Details
- Submission Period: March 1 – March 31, 2025
- Online Voting: April 11 – April 18, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 22, 2025 (Earth Day)
In addition to prizes, all submitted photos will be displayed in Sonoma’s City Council Chambers as part of the Rotating Chamber Art Program, another initiative the Sonoma Community Center is now helping to manage. This temporary exhibition offers participants a unique opportunity to have their work showcased in a public setting.
“As we celebrate 2025 as the Year of Climate Smart Sonoma, this contest is a reminder that nature’s beauty isn’t just found in well-known landmarks—it’s everywhere, if we take the time to look,” said Patricia Farrar-Rivas, Mayor of Sonoma. “We hope this inspires our community to explore and appreciate these hidden natural treasures.”
How to Enter
- Submit one photo per participant in one of the following age categories:
- 12 and under
- 13 – 20
- 21 and over
- Photos must be original and taken within Sonoma Valley
- Submit entries online at sonomacity.org/earth-day-photo-contest by March 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
- Minimal editing/filters, please.
Prizes & Recognition
Winners in each category will receive a Sonoma County Regional Parks Membership Voucher or a local business gift certificate and will be recognized during the Opening Ceremony for the first Tuesday Night Market of the season on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Join us in celebrating Earth Day by sharing your vision of Sonoma Valley’s “Hidden Gems.” Get outside, explore, and capture your Hidden Gem!
For more information, visit sonomacity.org/earth-day-photo-contest or contact Sarah Tracy at stracy@sonomacity.org.
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Media Contacts:
City of Sonoma
Sarah Tracy
Public Information Officer
Email: stracy@sonomacity.org
Phone: (707) 933-2215
Website: www.sonomacity.org
Sonoma Community Center
Vanessa Rognlien
Executive Director, Sonoma Community Center
Email: vanessa@sonomacommunitycenter.org
Phone: (707) 938-4626 x829
Website: www.sonomacommunitycenter.org