Nova Scotians to Photograph Wilderness Areas

Nova Scotians' favourite wilderness areas are the subject of a new photo contest.

The Department of Environment and Labour is launching the contest today, April 11, to encourage Nova Scotians to explore and embrace the province's wild places.

"We'd like to see the province's wilderness areas through the eyes of Nova Scotians," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "We'd also like Nova Scotians to be active and enjoy the great outdoors through the network of lands we've protected for them and for future generations."

The contest is open to Nova Scotians of all ages. No entry fee is required. There are two categories: wilderness recreation and wild nature.

The overall winner will receive a mounted poster of a wilderness area, and a one-day photo expedition of a wilderness area guided by Oliver Maass. Mr. Maass is a naturalist and photographer, as well as one of the department's co-ordinators of protected areas.

The winner of each category will receive a mounted poster of a wilderness area. Runners up in each category will receive sets of unmounted posters.

All winners will be invited to post their photos on the department's website.

The deadline for submitting photos is May 31. Winners will be announced on Canada Parks Day, July 16. More contest details are on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/pareas .

The launch of the photo contest is part of the province's celebration of National Wildlife Week, April 10 to 16.

The theme of the week this year is special wild places. More information is available on the Department of Natural Resources website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/nww .