Nature lovers from across the world are invited to submit photos for a photography competition to showcase the beauty and importance of national parks.

Environment Minister Rob Stokes said the competition is a celebration of national parks and the crucial role they play in sustaining the health of our planet. The photos will be on exhibition during the World Parks Congress in Sydney during November.

"The Saved photography competition encourages professional and amateur photographers, as well as Instagram lovers, to get out and about in our national parks and start snapping,” Rob Stokes said.

“NSW has some of the most diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes in the world. We are surrounded by beaches, wilderness and world heritage areas.

"We want to see what places you love to visit, the places you value and the vistas, animals or people living or working in the parks that inspire you.”

“National parks not only conserve many threatened species but contribute to global food and water supplies and provide clean air, medicine and jobs for millions of people around the world.”

The competition categories are:

• Parks: images and stories about national parks of the world;
• People: images and stories about the interaction between people and nature; and
• Planet: images and stories about the sustainable use of natural resources in protected areas including the conservation of habitats and species.

Entries must be received by 30 September and the winning pictures will be displayed at the World Parks Congress to be held from 12 - 19 November in Sydney.

Fondly referred to as "Nature's Olympics" the event will bring together 160 countries and global experts from organisations including UNESCO, the United Nations Environment Program and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

You can submit photos via the competition website www.wpcsaved.com.