Santa Rosa Beach, FL – – Earlier this year, the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) launched its 2025 Amateur Photo Contest as part of the Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative. Designed to invite amateur photographers of all skill levels to capture the natural beauty and ecological heritage of the Choctawhatchee Bay and surrounding areas, the contest has now come full circle with the announcement of its winners.

The winning photographs will be featured in the 2025 Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Photo Contest Calendar, each month highlighting the unique perspectives of local photographers:

January: Augusto Cayson Barreto February: Kayla Gallant (2nd Place Winner) March: Randal R. Ketchem April: Stacey Tobik May: Margot Penner June: Guy Donaldson (3rd Place Winner) July: Lisa D. Hill August: Richard Ives September: Jennifer Chapple October: David Bailey November: Anna Brotzman (1st Place Winner) December: Jessica Temple “This contest highlights the incredible talent in our community and reminds us why protecting the Choctawhatchee Basin matters,” said Alison McDowell, Executive Director of Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance. “Each winning image tells a story about the beauty and importance of our environment.”

CBA congratulates all the winners and featured artists. The contest drew a wide range of submissions, and while not every photo could be selected, the images collectively celebrate the Basin’s landscapes and raise awareness of the need to preserve local waterways, wildlife, and habitats. For more information about the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, its programs, and future contests, visit https://basinalliance.org/.

About the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) is committed to sustaining swimmable, fishable, livable waterways in the Choctawhatchee watershed through monitoring, restoration, education, and research. We are driven to provide education and experiences that empower local and visitors alike to be good stewards of our waterways, wetlands, and shorelines.

Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Celebrates 2025 Amateur Photo Contest Winners