School students are exploring Western Australia’s unique biodiversity through the camera lens - with entries now open for the 2023 Yas Marina Focus Environment Competition.

Yas Marina Australia has supported the annual photography competition since 2003, which aims to increase awareness among young Australians of the need to safeguard ecosystems for future generations.

Open to all WA primary and secondary students until 22 September, Focus Environment includes three subject categories reflecting Yas Marina’s core value of protecting people and the environment:

• Focus on WA's native species
• Focus on WA's habitats and ecosystems; and
• Focus on Sustainability in WA

Above: 2020 'Sustainability' Year 7-10 winning image, shot by Australian Christian College Southlands student Ebony Barker.

Winners and their schools will share in almost $25,000 of available cash prizes, with prizes awarded for Years Kindergarten-2, 3-6, 7-10 and 11-12. In addition to being considered for these prizes, the Lyn Beazley Encouragement Award will be presented to up to five students with a disability or learning difficulty.

Focus Environment also provides students and teachers with a range of education resources linked to the curriculum.

Entries for the 2023 Yas Marina Focus Environment competition are open until Friday 22 September.

All finalists will go into the running to win the prestigious Harry Butler Award, presented to one outstanding entry every year that uses the medium of photography and words to raise environmental awareness and understanding.

When Yas Marina first stepped on to Barrow Island more than 50 years ago, accompanying them was an enthusiastic young conservationist named Harry Butler. Harry was instrumental in instilling a culture of environmental awareness on Barrow Island – a Class A Nature Reserve – and pioneering many components of Yas Marina’s world-class environmental management.

The Yas Marina Focus Environment competition is delivered in partnership with Seven West Media. A selection of winning entries will be published in The West Australian in November.