‘Hit us with your best shot’: Canada-wide nature photography contest launches

KBA Canada announced today that its second annual photography contest is open for submissions, and welcomes photographers from all across the country to participate. 

The organization that runs this contest was launched in 2019 to help Canada meet protected area targets regarding key biodiversity areas (KBAs). 

KBAs are sites that contribute to the persistence of biodiversity nationally and globally, of which there are 170 recognized sites in Canada. 

On Vancouver Island, there are 16 recognized KBAs—11 of which are located in the Greater Victoria area.  

Some of these include Christmas Hill in Saanich, Cattle Point in Oak Bay and Harling Park in Oak Bay. 

This contest is meant for photographers of all levels living in Canada who wish to showcase the natural beauty and ecological importance of Canada’s KBAs, and the flora and fauna that call them home.  

Luckily for us, Vancouver Island has plenty of unique flora and fauna for photographers to feature in an effort to win this contest! 

This year’s contest categories include: 

• Fauna: This could be any type of fauna, including birds, bugs, snakes, seas slugs and everything in between
• Flora and Fungi: These could be beautiful flowering orchids, underappreciated grasses and sedges or the intricate beauty of a moss or lichen
• Landscapes and Ecosystems: Photographers are encouraged to highlight the breathtaking landscapes, habitats and scenic views in Canada’s KBAs
• People and Conservation: These photos should focus on people enjoying KBAs or showcase the projects and actions that contribute to their preservation 

“Key Biodiversity Areas contain remarkable concentrations of species and ecosystems that are at risk, not just in Canada, but around the world,” said Ciara Raudsepp-Hearne, Key Biodiversity Areas Director, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada.  

“This photography contest is an opportunity to highlight not just our country’s natural beauty, but its important role in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework agreed at the last CBD COP in Montreal. We had a fantastic response to our first photo contest last year and look forward to reviewing this year’s entries.” 

See some of last year’s winners below:

Photos should be taken from within Canada’s KBAs and submissions close on November 30th.

Winners will be announced on December 17th. 

Find more information about the contest rules and eligibility criteria here.