It's time to start building!
This year we are excited to announce that our competition will span beyond birdhouses. We are calling for homes for all wildlife! With four new categories to explore, you can unite with nature at our 33rd Annual Birdhouse Competition. Sign-up form will be open soon!
Important Dates
- March 16-21, 2026 Entries will be accepted at the Ogden Nature Center's Visitor Center front desk.
- 966 W. 12th St., Ogden, Utah.
- Open Mon.-Fri., 9am - 5pm and Sat., 9am - 4pm.
- April 25, 2026. Please join us during our Earth Day celebration to highlight our Birdhouse Competition!
- April 17 through June 30, 2026 Chosen birdhouses will be on display for the duration of the exhibit. Entries left at the Nature Center after July 1st will be added to the permanent collection or discarded.
Competition Goals
This year, our goal is for this event to be more than a competition. We envision Nature’s Neighborhood as a trail adventure where families explore the property, discover wildlife homes, and learn fun facts along the way
The goals of this competition and exhibit are to:
- Unite people with nature
- Demonstrate ways to attract wildlife by creating unique backyard habitats
- Inspire creativity
- Encourage artistic and hand-crafted approaches to birdhouse and animal habitat design
- Promote the use of environmentally sensitive materials
Entrants are encouraged to visit the Ogden Nature Center to view the installation site and explore examples from past birdhouse competitions.
Competition Categories (5 Total)
1. Feathered Friends
Daytime Birds
This category is for birds you see during the day that live in nests around the Nature Center. These birds sing, fly between trees, and raise their babies in safe places.
Examples: Songbirds, bluebirds, wrens, chickadees
2. Pollinator Pals
Helpful Insects
This category is for small insects that help plants grow by pollinating flowers and keeping nature healthy.
Examples: Bees, butterflies, ladybugs.
3. Night Flyers
Bats & Owls
This category is for animals that are most active at night. These animals help control insects and rodents and are an important part of Utah’s ecosystems.
Examples: Bats, owls
4. Furry Neighbors
Small Mammals
This category is for small, furry animals that live close to the ground and look for cozy places to rest, hide, or stay warm.
Examples: Rabbits, mice, voles, squirrels, chipmunks
5. Cold-Blooded Critters
Reptiles & Amphibians
This category is for animals that use their environment to stay warm or cool. They are often found near rocks, logs, shade, or water.
Examples: Lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders
Helpful Note for Participants
Choose one category and build something inspired by the animals that live there. Be creative and think about what makes each animal feel safe and at home in Nature’s Neighborhood.
Exhibit Guidelines
Each participant/group may submit one entry. All entries must be original works created by the exhibitor. Commercially produced items or assembled kits will not be accepted. The Ogden Nature Center reserves the right to refuse submissions. There is no fee to enter.
Due to space limitations, a limited number of entries will be selected for display. Event judges will determine which wildlife habitats will be included in the exhibit, and which entries may be permanently displayed at the Ogden Nature Center. The Birdhouses will be displayed on Birdhouse Trail, the other 4 categories will be temporarily displayed on Habitat Trail.
Optional Creative Add-On
Participants are encouraged to include a short written piece to accompany their habitat, such as a story, poem, or fun fact about the animal that might live there. These creative additions will help visitors learn more about wildlife and add personality to Nature’s Neighborhood.
Build Limitations
These habitats should be "functional", think about an animal living in your habitat. Where will they enter? What will they do inside?
Click here for Material Guidelines
Materials & Safety
- No propane tanks or hazardous materials are permitted.
- Entries should be designed with durability in mind and must withstand outdoor conditions.
- The Ogden Nature Center encourages the use of recycled, reclaimed, or sustainable building materials. Please consider environmental impact when selecting materials.
Size Limitations
The base of each habitat may not exceed 24 x 24 inches (footprint), and the total height may not exceed 36 inches, not including the post or hanger.
Installation Requirements
All entries must be freestanding and ready for outdoor installation.
Habitats must be mounted on a post or equipped with a sturdy hanger. The Ogden Nature Center will install habitats on posts set approximately 1–2 feet into the ground.
Liability
Ogden Nature Center is a secure facility with chain-link fencing surrounding the property. However, exhibitors should note that birdhouses will be installed outdoors within a nature preserve. Works will be exposed to natural elements such as wind, rain, sun, and other weather conditions, as well as potential interaction with wildlife.
In addition, many birdhouses are displayed within reach of visitors, and the trail area is not continuously monitored. By entering the exhibition, exhibitors acknowledge and accept these conditions. Works are not insured, and the Ogden Nature Center assumes no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage.
Sponsors
Huge thanks to our generous 2026 sponsors who make this competition and exhibit possible:
