Author: Olesia Lukaniuk

On April 19, as part of the Central Asian WikiConference held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the international organizing team of Wiki Loves Earth hosted an online session titled “Wiki Loves Earth: From Central Asia to the World”.

The session highlighted the role of the international photo contest Wiki Loves Earth in promoting and documenting natural heritage through freely licensed photography. It focused on the growing participation of Central Asian countries and the region’s contribution to the global initiative.

• The discussion covered the development of the contest across Central Asia, showcasing standout photographs from the region. It also provided insights into how to organize a local edition and highlighted the impact of submitted photos in enriching Wikipedia and raising awareness about natural heritage sites.

Check the presentation: https://commons.wikimedia.org/…/File:Wiki_Loves_Earth…

Thanks to the organizers and participants for their support and engagement!

Happy Earth Day!
Today, we celebrate the beauty and diversity of our planet — and remind ourselves of the responsibility to protect it.

As part of this year’s Wiki Loves Earth photo competition, we’re proud to feature a special category “Human Rights and Environment”: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Earth_2025/Human_Rights_and_Environment

This nomination highlights the vital connection between a healthy environment and fundamental human rights. Show us how nature and communities interact — from protected areas that sustain local livelihoods to environmental defenders standing up for our planet.

Your photos can make a difference by spreading awareness and contributing to free knowledge on Wikimedia Commons. Join us in capturing the landscapes worth preserving — for all of us, and for future generations!

The last round to apply for funding to organize your local WLE!

Although it is possible to organize a local contest without financial means, having some funding for promotion and prizes would help draw attention to the contest.

If you have such a need, apply in the last relevant round for WLE!

• Cycle 5: 1st May – 27th June 2025, deadline: 01.05.2025.

Make a note: if you apply in this round, the earliest start date for your project will be at the end of June.

If your application was rejected in the previous round, feel free to apply again, taking the provided feedback into account.

Check out the detailed guide on the page: https://w.wiki/Cwd9

Good luck, and let’s showcase the beauty of our nature in 2025 again!

In honor of World Migratory Bird Day, let’s celebrate the beauty and diversity of birds captured through the lens of the Wiki Loves Earth photography competition!

This annual contest invites photographers worldwide to showcase natural heritage, including stunning avian species in their natural habitats.​

Some remarkable examples of the beautiful birds from different parts of the world, captured in the previous edition of the contest:

• White stork, Czech Republic. Author: Lubomír Dajč
• Tern chick, Bangladesh. Author: Asker Ibne Firoz
• Colibri coruscans, Bolivia. Author: Joseloop
• Greater flamingo, Spain. Author: Shelf-full-of-books
• House sparrow, Armenia. Author: Areg1974
• Great grey owl, Ukraine. Author: Olexandr Ghryb
• Lilac-breasted, Tanzania. Author: Giles Laurent
• Red-headed Bunting, Tajikistan. Author: Мухаммадсолех Оев
• Eurasian hoopoe, Italy. Author: Pamyd85
• Osprey, Tunisia. Author: El Golli Mohamed

These photographs exemplify the power of photography to raise awareness about the importance of preserving natural habitats for migratory birds. As we observe World Migratory Bird Day, let’s appreciate and protect the incredible bird species that enrich our planet!

A stunning image of Lake Fusine won 6th place in the Landscapes category of Wiki Loves Earth International last year! Through this photo contest, we continue to explore and celebrate the world’s most breathtaking protected areas.

Let’s discover more about Lake Fusine – A Hidden Gem in the Julian Alps!

Tucked away in northeastern Italy, Lake Fusine is one of the most stunning natural spots in the Julian Alps. This protected area is part of the Fusine Lakes Natural Park, preserving its pristine beauty and diverse wildlife.

The park is home to two glacial lakes, Lago Superiore & Lago Inferiore, with breathtaking turquoise waters that change with the seasons. Surrounded by dense forests and overlooked by Mount Mangart (2,677m), the scenery is simply magical.

Wildlife lovers might spot chamois, lynxes, and golden eagles, while hikers can enjoy scenic trails with panoramic views. Whether you visit in summer or winter, this place offers peace, adventure, and picture-perfect landscapes.

Which site would you like to explore in the next post?

The wide and beautiful natural heritage can be showcased, and Wikipedia articles can be illustrated not only with images but also with videos. In this special nomination, we recognize videos depicting natural monuments worldwide.

If you are a local organizer, you can decide whether to promote and choose the local winning videos for this nomination. However, take your time to think!

Check the main page, and read all the detailed information: https://commons.wikimedia.org/…/Common…/Video_nomination

Find the previous year’s winners: https://bit.ly/49GajBJ

Questions?
Reach out to us at wle-team@wikimedia.org.ua.

Love our Earth, and hurry up to participate!

For the fifth time, Wiki Loves Earth supports the initiative WikiForHumanRights, which partners with the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Its goal is to raise awareness of nature protection and human impacts on nature.

As the previous year, we accept photos from the whole world!

Looking for more details?

Check out the main page: https://commons.wikimedia.org/…/Human_Rights_and…

Find the previous year’s winners: https://bit.ly/3OVETOs

If you have any questions, please contact the international team at wle-team@wikimedia.org.ua.

Promote, participate, and care about our planet!

One of our goals is to raise awareness about threats to nature and environmental disasters, especially those caused by humans.

Today marks three years since the russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and we want to showcase images of Ukraine’s protected areas currently under occupation.

812 sites are still under occupation and in the combat zone, covering nearly 1 million hectares.

Many of these protected areas face devastating consequences — from wildfires and deforestation to habitat destruction and loss of unique biodiversity.

Some of the examples are Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve, Dzharylhach National Nature Park, Kakhovka Dam, and many others.

These pictures of beautiful nature reserves were captured when they were peaceful and accessible and uploaded for Wiki Loves Earth in the past years. (Вікі любить Землю Україна / Wiki Loves Earth Ukraine)

By sharing these images, we not only preserve the memory of these breathtaking landscapes but also highlight the urgent need to protect them!

Wiki Loves Earth has been an incredible journey for so many who took part!

“The contest is in line with my commitment to involve new communities, and with each edition to promote a new understanding of the region through its protected areas,” — shares WLE regional ambassador Georges Fodouop.

Hear more insights from our 2024 international jurors, and share your own experiences with Wiki Loves Earth in the comments!

Although it is possible to organize a local contest without financial means, having some funding for promotion and prizes would help draw attention to the contest.

The international team does not have a budget for financing local contests. You can apply for Rapid Funds from the Wikimedia Foundation for Wiki Loves Earth in your country specifically. The WMF disburses funding for between 500 to 5,000 USD in this program.

See a detailed guide: https://w.wiki/CwdN

When to apply?
For 2025, there are two available cycles for submitting proposals:

• Cycle 4: 15th February – 11th April 2025, deadline: 15.02.2025.
• Cycle 5: 1st May – 27th June 2025, deadline: 01.05.2025.

It is better to apply as soon as possible. Please note that applications take some time to get reviewed and approved, and then there will be some time for the money to be actually transferred to your account.

So, if you are planning to start contest activities in May or June, it is recommended and needed that you submit an application by February 15th, 2025.

Where to apply?
Check the page: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Rapid

As well, consider other possible ways of funding:

• You can develop partnerships and work with sponsors to receive financial and in-kind donations that would fund your local contest.
• If the contest is organized by a Wikimedia chapter or user group that applies for an annual grant from the Wikimedia Foundation or has other sources of funding, you can include Wiki Loves Earth in your budget.

Good luck and we are waiting for your country to take part in 2025!