This year marks the fourth annual Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Canada Photo Contest, which aims to share the importance of Canada’s natural beauty, and the urgency to protect it.
The contest is based out of BC, but focuses on conservancy in regions all across Canada. The initiative was started as a way to share some lesser-known landscapes, flora and fauna that can be found throughout the country.
KBAs are defined as sites that contribute to the persistence of biodiversity nationally and globally, and that support rare and threatened species and ecosystems, as well as key natural processes.
KBAs range in size and may encompass private or public land, sometimes partially or entirely overlapping legally protected sites.
In Canada, KBAs are identified in consultation with local communities and experts. There are over 400 that have been identified in Canada, with BC containing the most.
“When people think about conservation, their minds often jump to exotic, faraway places, but we have incredible biodiversity right here in Canada,” said Julian Victor, Ontario wildlife filmmaker and KBA Canada Photo Contest judge.
“Key Biodiversity Areas can be found in or around many of our own communities. The KBA Canada Photo Contest is a fantastic opportunity to explore and understand what makes them special.”
According to KBA Canada Photo Contest organizers, this year will bring new opportunities, new judges and a new category for photographers to submit for.
This new category is meant for Indigenous storytellers. Judges will be assessing photographs in the category based on how entrants express Indigenous relationships with wildlife, lands, waters and culture within KBAs, or how they tell a story about KBA sites, species or ecosystems grounded in Indigenous ways of being.
The category is open only to participants who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis.
“Photography is a powerful way to shine a light on the relationship between people, wildlife and the lands and waters central to our collective future on this planet,” said Peter Soroye, Key Biodiversity Areas assessment and outreach coordinator at WCS Canada.
“Through the new Indigenous Storytellers category, we want to create space for First Nations, Inuit and Métis photographers to share those relationships through the lens of their own experience.”
The KBA Canada Photo Contest is open to photographers of all experience levels, and submissions will be open until October 15th. Winners will be announced November 25th.
The only stipulation is that all photos must be taken in a designated KBA, or feature species/ecosystems that are in the process of being recognized through the KBA program.
Find out more specifics about KBAs here.
The contest categories are as follows:
- Fauna — elusive predators to tiny pollinators
- Flora and fungi — showcase the textures, colours and shapes of plants and fungi
- Landscapes and ecosystems — show the character and vastness of Canada’s KBAs
- People and conservation — people connecting with nature or working to protect KBAs
- Indigenous Storyteller — photographs that express Indigenous relationships with KBA ecosystems and/or their inhabitants
To enter the contest, or view the contest details, rules and submission guidelines, click here.
See some examples of past winners below:
💬 Join the conversation
No comments yet — be the first to start the conversation
