| | “Grab your camera and hit us with your best shots,” challenges Roger Bryan, AESA Program Marketing and Communication Specialist. “We’re excited to announce the third annual Alberta Environmental Stewardship Calendar Photo Contest.” Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) Program is once again a major contributor to the planning, development and promotion of the 2006 Environmental Stewardship Desk Calendar.
“The camera is a very powerful tool to transfer awareness and knowledge of good management practices from an environmental perspective,” says Bryan. “The photo contest is a great way to encourage people to take more pictures of all the good work they are and others are doing out in the field.” The contest is open to all amateur photographers. Contestants can enter as many photos as they want and in any of the 10 subject categories, which range from various good environmental practices to wildlife and habitat conservation and rural landscapes.
Last year over 400 entries were received, with 52 winning images selected and featured in the calendar. “There were lots of great photographs, and the judges were challenged with trying to select the winning photos, and the winners of the various categories,” says Bryan. The photos were judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality and how they best expressed the theme of the subject category.
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Last year’s winner of the water category was Claudette Lacombe, who creatively captured a large wetlandsmall irrigation lateral framed by an old irrigation lateral culvert. “I work a lot with the irrigation industry in Alberta and have come to appreciate how integrated the irrigation infrastructure is with our natural habitat. It compliments and enhances sustainable development in southern Alberta. Many wetlands and wildlife habitats rely on irrigation infrastructure for sustainability, such as the one across the road from that lateral. This was one of those days when I took a recreational drive with my camera and my kids.” |
Lacombe encourages others to enter the contest, and to consider the goals and messages of the publication when selecting photos. However, she believes that photography as an art form dictates you have to take the photos that grab your eye, not necessarily to meet contest requirements. ”I find the prairie agricultural landscape rich in brilliant photos. There’s something about the light that just screams ‘take my picture’.”
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Lois Gilchrist’s beautiful landscape photo capturing a double rainbow in front of the mountain range south of Cardston was the winner in the rural landscape category. “This was one of those magical moments that happens sometimes. I was driving along, and like most good photos, they just happen.” Gilchrist takes her camera with her most of the time, and enjoys photographing flowers, birds, landscapes and other images of Alberta. Gilchrist and her husband ranched for many years near Milk River, and their son is now managing the operation. |
Gilchrist and Lacombe both agree that the photographs, and projects like the calendar are a great way to present an environmental stewardship message. Lacombe adds, “Environmental stewardship is all about respecting and appreciating the natural landscape and how land management practices can fit and/or enhance that landscape. Because a picture is worth a thousand words and can evoke an emotional response, it can have a deeper impact immediately and leave a lasting impression. Sometimes it's easier to envision adopting a practice when you have an image of the finished product. “
This year’s winning photos will once again be published in a day-timer style coil bound desk calendar featuring colour photos, tips, facts, and information promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture and the conservation of soil, water, air, and biodiversity. “We feel the calendar is a real success because of all the partners involved, and we continue to encourage other commodity groups to participate,” says Bryan. The calendar is produced in partnership with 14 different conservation organizations and agencies who distribute it to their farmer and rancher clients in Alberta.
“Send us your photos that capture the beauty and diversity of environmental stewardship in Alberta and you could have them published in the 2006 Edition of the Alberta Environmental Stewardship Calendar, and win an 8” by 10” mounted print of your photo and a chance at winning other fabulous prizes.”
The deadline for entry is July 15, 2005. |
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