Contest to Continue this Spring
The first installment of the St. Lawrence River Seasonal Photography Contest brought nature lovers and photographers together. The showcased what they love about the environment in Akwesasne and Massena. “The first contest for the winter season ran for two weeks from March 8 to 22, 2013,” said Mary LaFrance, Environmental Health Educator and contest organizer. “A total of seven photographs were submitted with themes ranging from landscapes to animals and recreational activities.”
Judging for the contest took place on March 28, 2013 and consisted of representatives from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s (SRMT) Public Information Office, Indian Time newspaper, the Massena Courier Observer and the tribe’s Environment Division. Colby Bowman’s “Northern Saw-whet Owl,” took first place honors and a $25 gift certificate donated by Twin Leaf. Mary Lisa Whitton took second place and recipient of a ‘Better Bird Watching,’ DVD for her photograph, “Refuge.” Elizabeth F. Scott won third place with her photo, “Crystals,” and received a Friends of the RMSP Nature Center T-shirt. “Working in the environment is what I do and I like to share that with others,” said first place winner and outdoorsman Mr. Bowman of his experience.
Along with the nature enthusiasts, others submitted photographs to gain exposure as budding photographers. “I wanted to get my own work out there and nature is my focus,” said third place winner Ms. Scott, who wants to get into photography professionally.
The St. Lawrence River Seasonal Photography Contest started as a partnership between the St. Lawrence River Area of Concern (AOC) program at the SRMT and the Friends of the Robert Moses State Park (RMSP) Nature Center. The goal was to promote appreciation and environmental awareness of the St. Lawrence River AOC at Massena/Akwesasne. The AOC begins at the Massena Village Drinking Water Intake and stretches down to Akwesasne to the International border at the mouth of Lake St. Francois.
Photographs are also displayed at the St. Lawrence Centre Mall, on the SRMT Environment Division website www.srmtenv.org and Friends of the RMSP Nature Center website www.massenanaturecenter.org.
The next contest is scheduled for spring will begin on May 10, 2013 and will continue until May 24, 2013. Entry submission forms are available online at www.srmtenv.org and at www.massenanaturecenter.org. For more information please contact Mary La France at the SRMT Environment Division or Mary Danboise at the Friends of the RMSP Nature Center.
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For more information contact the Public Information Office at 518-358-2272.