2026 Campus Wild
Location: OSU Corvallis Campus
Campus Wild: A celebration of the more-than-human life that surrounds us on the OSU Corvallis campus
Every day, thousands of lives unfold across Oregon State University’s campus. A hawk circles above the quad. Moss spreads slowly along a shaded wall. Pollinators move between blossoms in campus gardens. Campus Wild invites us to notice these neighbors — to slow down, look closely, and creatively respond to the more-than-human world that shares our campus ecosystems.
How to Participate
Choose a living being on OSU’s Corvallis campus — a tree, bird, insect, fungus, flower, moss, mammal, or other organism. Spend time observing it.
Then, create a response inspired by your encounter. Your submission may take the form of:
- Poetry (up to 40 lines)
- Prose (up to 250 words)
- Field guide entry (up to 250 words)
- Visual art (one original painting, drawing, etc.)
- Photography
- Video or audio work (2 minutes max)
Your work might explore attention, coexistence, ecological change, beauty, curiosity, or imagination. There is no single right approach — only the invitation to look closely and respond. Note: Please submit only original work. Any submission generated by publicly available AI tools is not accepted.
Who Can Participate
Everyone is welcome to participate: students, faculty, staff and community members. No prior experience in art or science is required — only curiosity, attention, and willingness to experiment.
Submissions Due May 4
Entries are due via Submittable on Monday, May 4. Registration for Submittable is free. You will complete a brief form and upload your submission in one of the six categories (see list above).
A $100 prize will be awarded to one OSU student in each category.
Winning works will be selected by a small review panel based on creativity, engagement with the campus ecosystem, and the depth of observation reflected in the work.
Honorable mentions will be awarded in each category for student and non-student submissions.
Celebrate Our Wild Campus
Join us on June 3 at 5:30 p.m. at PRAx to celebrate our wild campus. Student awardees and additional selected works will be honored at the Campus Wild Celebration.