News
‘Habitat in Focus’ photo contest

August 2, 2016 - Photographers have two months to capture that ‘winning’ shot of on-farm wildlife habitat. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) has launched a province wide photo contest, with $2,000 in prizes up for grabs.

Farms are patchwork landscapes that provide valuable plant, fish and wildlife habitat. The Habitat in Focus Farm Photography Contest aims to highlight and promote habitat for species at risk (SAR) created, protected or enhanced by farms across Ontario.

While SAR may be elusive to capture on camera, their habitat is not. Grasslands, pastures, retired fields, stream banks, wetlands, shorelines and woodlands are important environmentally sensitive areas that serve as habitat to SAR on farms.Photos must have been taken on a farm, be digital and be submitted electronically. There is a limit of three photos per category, and there are three categories: tree habitat, water habitat and grasslands habitat.

The first place winner will receive a Canon EOS 70D DSLR Camera and EF-S lens kit (valued at $1,700). Second prize is a GoPro Hero3 Waterproof HD Sports and Helmet Camera (valued at $300), and third prize is a $150 Henry's gift card.

Judging will consist of three rounds of evaluation based on creativity, photographic quality and overall subject matter relevance to the contest.

Looking for photo ideas and inspiration?
The contest is modeled after the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP). The Best Management Practices (BMPs) supported through SARFIP, as outlined in the Program Guide are a good reference for subject matter ideas in this contest.

The contest will be open until September 30th, 2016. Contestants can visit http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/habitat-in-focus/ for complete contest rules and regulations, and to submit their photographs.

August 2, 2016  By Top Crop Manager