After more than a decade and thousands of awe-inspiring images, the BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition is drawing to a close. We’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of talented photographers from around the globe, sharing their extraordinary images of the natural world. Together, they helped us celebrate the beauty, complexity and fragility of life, while reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect our planet.

Along the way, BigPicture brought award-winning photography to millions of museum visitors and fans online, published two books, and created new opportunities to elevate the work of women photographers. Thank you all for being a part of BigPicture’s community of photographers, scientists, nature lovers and conservationists united by the power of imagery. Though we will not continue the annual competition, these images will remain an evocative record of our time.