The Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year, now in its 47th year, has a top prize of £10,000 and a total prize fund of £24,500. The award, run by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine, has set out to create "an international showcase for the very best nature photography".

Last year, more than 31,000 entries where submitted and were judged by a panel chaired by Mark Cawardine, who returns for the 2011 edition.

Submissions open from today and images can be entered by visiting www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto.

The British Wildlife Awards will be opening its doors for entries from 12 February. The award, which is now in its third year, promises a first prize of £5000, a place in a touring exhibition and in a book by AA Publishing. The award, that aims to show the diversity of British wildlife, is open to residents of all nationalities, amateurs and professionals alike.

This year the competition will be judged by wildlife and landscape photographer Ben Osborne; photographic and film manager Greg Armfield; National Trust Magazine editor Sue Herdman; and head of art at Getty images Tom Hind.

Categories include animal portraits and behaviour, hidden Britain and wildlife in the backyard. Poul Christensen, chair of Natural England commented on last year's entries: "The amazing images that have been captured for the British Wildlife Photography Awards are a great showcase of the wildlife wonders that exist in this country. I'd like to congratulate all of the entrants for the exceptionally high quality of their images - extraordinary pictures of our rarest animals sit alongside uniquely beautiful shots of the wildlife on our doorstep."

For more information, visit www.bwpawards.co.uk.