Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
Wiki Loves Earth Ireland 2026 is a nationwide photography competition that encourages participants to document Ireland’s protected natural areas and upload freely licensed images to Wikimedia Commons. Running from 1 June to 31 July 2026, it focuses on national parks, conservation sites, and biodiversity documentation while promoting open educational use through Wikipedia and other Wikimedia platforms.
What Is Wiki Loves Earth Ireland 2026?
Wiki Loves Earth Ireland 2026 is the Irish national edition of the global Wiki Loves Earth photography campaign. It invites participants to photograph and document Ireland’s protected natural heritage and share their images under a Creative Commons BY-SA license on Wikimedia Commons.
The initiative aims to create a freely accessible visual archive of Ireland’s ecosystems, landscapes, flora, and fauna. These images are later used in Wikipedia articles and other educational and research-based platforms worldwide.
Objectives of the Initiative
The competition is structured around environmental documentation and open knowledge sharing. Its main objectives include:
- Documenting Ireland’s protected natural areas through photography
- Recording landscapes, wildlife, and habitats across ecological regions
- Promoting awareness of biodiversity and conservation areas
- Supporting open access educational content on Wikimedia platforms
- Encouraging public participation in nature documentation
- Expanding the global repository of freely licensed environmental images
- Showcasing Ireland’s natural ecosystems to an international audience
Geographic Scope of the Competition
Participants are encouraged to explore protected areas across all regions of Ireland, including:
- Leinster
- Munster
- Ulster
- Connacht
Eligible sites include:
- National parks
- Special Areas of Conservation
- Ramsar wetlands
- Protected ecological reserves
- Other officially recognized natural heritage sites
These locations represent Ireland’s ecological diversity and conservation importance.
What Participants Are Expected to Do
Participants are encouraged to actively explore and document natural environments by:
- Visiting eligible protected areas
- Capturing high-quality photographs of landscapes and species
- Documenting flora, fauna, and habitats responsibly
- Avoiding disturbance to wildlife or ecosystems
- Respecting environmental rules and local conservation guidelines
The emphasis is on ethical photography that does not harm or disrupt natural habitats.
Participation Process
To take part in Wiki Loves Earth Ireland 2026, participants typically follow these steps:
- Create a Wikimedia Commons account
- Select eligible protected natural sites using official lists or maps
- Visit locations during the competition period
- Capture original photographs of natural features
- Ensure images are high quality and properly composed
- Upload files to Wikimedia Commons
- Add detailed metadata such as site name and description
- Include optional geographic coordinates for better categorization
- Apply the CC BY-SA license during upload
Competition Period
- Start date: 1 June 2026
- End date: 31 July 2026
Only images uploaded within this timeframe are eligible for evaluation.
Submission Requirements
All submissions must meet the following criteria:
- Images must be self-taken by the participant
- Photographs must relate to eligible protected natural areas in Ireland
- Files must be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons
- Images must be released under CC BY-SA (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike) license
- Content must comply with Wikimedia Commons guidelines
- Both new and previously taken eligible images may be accepted if they meet rules
Metadata Requirements
Each submission should include accurate and useful metadata, such as:
- Name of the protected site
- Description of the subject or landscape
- Location details
- Optional geographic coordinates
- Relevant contextual information
Proper metadata improves educational value and discoverability on Wikimedia platforms.
Prize Structure
The competition includes recognition through vouchers and special awards:
- First Prize: €250 voucher
- Second Prize: €125 voucher
- Third Prize: €75 voucher
- Special Mentions: 7 awards of €40 each
- Wiki Muir Award: €30 special recognition prize
These awards recognize excellence in:
- Technical quality
- Originality
- Educational value
- Strong representation of Ireland’s natural heritage
Jury Evaluation Criteria
Submitted images are evaluated by a jury based on:
Technical Quality
- Sharpness and focus
- Lighting and exposure
- Composition and framing
- Overall image clarity
Content Value
- Representation of protected natural areas
- Ecological and educational relevance
- Accuracy of location and description
- Usefulness for encyclopedic content
Creativity and Originality
- Unique perspective of natural subjects
- Strong visual storytelling
- Non-generic and meaningful composition
Importance of the Competition
Wiki Loves Earth Ireland 2026 plays a key role in:
- Preserving visual records of Ireland’s natural heritage
- Supporting Wikipedia and open educational content
- Promoting environmental awareness and conservation
- Encouraging public engagement with biodiversity
- Creating a global freely licensed image database
- Showcasing Ireland’s ecosystems internationally
Ethical Photography Guidelines
Participants are expected to follow ethical practices, including:
- Avoiding disturbance to wildlife
- Not damaging plants or habitats
- Respecting protected area regulations
- Following local conservation guidelines
- Prioritizing environmental responsibility over photography
Conclusion
Wiki Loves Earth Ireland 2026 is a structured national initiative that combines photography, environmental awareness, and open knowledge sharing. By documenting Ireland’s protected natural areas and uploading freely licensed images to Wikimedia Commons, participants contribute to a global educational resource while showcasing the country’s rich biodiversity and ecological heritage to an international audience.
For more information, visit Wikimedia Commons.