In all, 1,227 photos by 285 photographers were submitted to the competition that was launched on World Environment Day and Russia's Ecologists' Day. Over 200,000 users of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment website voted for the best pictures in seven categories: Landscapes in Nature Reserves; Animals in Specially Protected Areas; The Flora of Nature Reserves; Preserving Nature; For You, Tourists; Seasons; Captured.

“A Snow Leopard” by Gennady Kiselyov, director of the Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve, won the Captured category, which comprised images taken by trail cameras.

The winners will be awarded certificates and illustrated books published for the Year of Specially Protected Areas. The best works will be displayed at an exhibition at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.