- Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club holding its first-ever photo contest -
by Sylene Argent
While Coronavirus regulations slightly loosen as the Province moves through its phased re-opening plan, many residents have taken advantage of natural areas and active transportation routes to get in physical activity and enjoy some time outdoors.
Noticing this, the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club decided to host its first “Love Nature” photo contest, which is open to all residents, any age, of Windsor and Essex County.
Nature lovers are urged to send along a nature-themed photo they have taken anywhere in the Windsor and Essex County region, between March 15 and September 30 of this year, to participate in the contest.
Aileen Petrozzi, a Director of the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club, said the idea of the contest is to showcase photos taken while area individuals and families were out enjoying natural areas during the pandemic, and encourage residents to get out and enjoy those spaces. In addition, the Club is also trying something new during this time of uncertainty to garner some interest in potential members, in addition to enjoying time outdoors.
Petrozzi said she avidly enjoys the trails at Ojibway, and has noticed an increase in those enjoying those trails as well, since the pandemic started.
Contest photos can be of anything nature-related – from flowers, to wildlife, to waterways. With their photo submissions, participants need to indicate when they took the photo and what category they are entering. The photo contest is offering three age divisions for fairness, including Junior Egrets (Under 12), teens (12-17), and adult (18 and over).
The Club’s Membership Committee will pick the top five submissions in each of the three age divisions, and the Board members will then select the top three in each category.
The winners of each category will receive bragging rights and prizes, including a 2021 family membership to the Club.
The Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club has received some submissions of photos to date, and members are looking forward to getting more in the coming weeks. Submissions will be shared on its website and social media outlet.
Because of the pandemic, members of the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club are currently not able to meet in person at the Ojibway Nature Centre as they typically do, however, the Board members have been meeting online.
More information about the club of the photo contest can be found at www.essexcountynature.com
The Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club is a non-profit, open-to-the-public volunteer organization that focuses on promoting the conservation and restoration of the diverse natural heritage of Essex County and the surrounding region, its website notes.