A 13-year-old's photograph of Cornish heather won the Young People's prize in the Eden Project's first Wildflower Photographer of the Year contest, which marked the National Wildflower Centre's 25th anniversary. Hundreds of entries came from across the UK, from the Shetlands to Sark. Judges praised the images for showcasing the colour and diversity of British wildflowers, while organisers said the competition aims to raise awareness about biodiversity loss and the importance of wildflower habitats.
13-Year-Old's Golden Cornish Heather Photo Wins Young People's Prize at Eden Project Wildflower Competition
A 13-year-old's photograph of Cornish heather won the Young People's prize in the Eden Project's first Wildflower Photographer of the Year contest, which marked the National Wildflower Centre's 25th anniversary. Hundreds of entries came from across the UK, from the Shetlands to Sark. Judges praised the images for showcasing the colour and diversity of British wildflowers, while organisers said the competition aims to raise awareness about biodiversity loss and the importance of wildflower habitats.
02:43 PM, 11/15/2025Environment
Teenager's glowing photo of Cornish heather wins young photographers' top prize
A photograph of Cornish heather taken by 13-year-old M. Stanway has won the Young People's category in the Eden Project's inaugural Wildflower Photographer of the Year competition.
The contest, held to mark the 25th anniversary of the National Wildflower Centre (NWC), drew hundreds of entries from across the UK — from the Shetlands to Sark — showcasing the diversity and beauty of British wildflowers.
Describing how the image was captured, the winner said the late-evening light transformed an ordinary scene into something "extraordinary and magical."
"I am so happy and proud to have won, I still can't believe it," M. Stanway said. "While we were out on an evening family dog walk I was amazed at how the light had turned golden and was shining through the wildflowers — it made something a bit ordinary into something extraordinary and magical."
Judge and flower photographer Clive Nichols praised the standard of entries and the role of the competition in celebrating the nation's wildflowers.
"The winning photos truly encapsulate the beauty, kaleidoscope of colours and diversity of the wildflowers that we're lucky enough to have growing across our country," Nichols said.
Juliet Rose, head of development at the Eden Project, said the initiative aims to raise public awareness of the ecological importance of wildflowers at a critical time for biodiversity.
"Biodiversity is in crisis and people are less connected with nature than ever," Rose said. "We hope that by marking the NWC's 25th anniversary with this competition, the vital importance of wildflowers will be brought to the public's attention, while also celebrating their remarkable beauty."
The National Wildflower Centre was founded in 2001 and became part of the Eden Project in 2017. Its work focuses on creating new habitats and landscapes that support both people and pollinators.
The competition highlighted how accessible natural beauty can inspire interest in conservation, especially when seen through the eyes of young people with a fresh perspective.