 |
|
Ponds, swamps, marshes, bogs... For several, these environments known as " wetlands " appear inhospitable, even
repulsive... Here is a unique chance to discover the unsuspected beauty of these badly perceived places! This web
site stems from a photography contest, organized within the framework of the international congress Quebec 2000 -
Millennium Wetland Event, held in Quebec City,
Canada from August 6 to 12 2000.
The congress participants, scientists coming from the four corners of the world, sent more than 650 photographs
revealing the flora, fauna, the landscapes and the human use of wetlands. The photographs presented here are also
displayed as part of an exhibition at the Musée de la
civilisation in Quebec City from June to September 2000. We present to you the twenty-five most beautiful images,
including the grand prize all categories and first prize of each theme.
|
 |
|
|
 |
Wetlands are ecosystems dominated by water, either periodically, or all year round. Water lilies, reeds, rushes and
mosses characterize the landscape of these particular habitats. Their ecological and economic role is increasingly
appreciated. For a long time perceived as useless and worthless, wetlands were victims of man's moods. Motorways and
the hydroelectric pylons took these fragile places by storm. Some were altered in order to answer the needs of
urban development and the pressures of agriculture and forestry. Others have been used as the source of peat for horticulture.
The challenge? To develop a wise use strategy that balances the interests of conservation and development.
|
|
|
Wetlands cover 14% of Canada and 9% of Quebec. In recent years, ecologists have increasingly focused their attention
on these ecosystems. For example, wetland
conservation programs were created, mainly to protect habitats for wildfowl. The
Canadian peat industry and
scientists now work together to restore
harvested peat bogs. Several interpretation trails
were established in order to sensitize the public. Little by little,
wetlands are being revealed...
To underline the diversity of Quebec's wetlands and the contribution of the people who are interested in them, the
exhibition presents some of the jury's artwork. Five specialists of nature and of the camera composed the jury.
Their expertise made it possible to select the best photographs of the contest, on the basis of their artistic
quality and the relevance of the photographed subjects.
|
 |
|
|
Prize-giving ceremony at the Musée de la civilisation de Québec, August 10th 2000.
|
1. Mr. Claude Roy, member of the jury, presenting the first prize for the category "Fauna" to
Michael Higgins.
2. Mr. François Quinty (first from left) with a few of the participants who were honoured during
the ceremony.
3. Mrs. Diane Jean, deputy minister of Quebec's Environment Department, presenting the grand prize all
categories to Mary Leck.
4. Mr. Bernard Bélanger, co-president of the Quebec 2000 Corporation (first from right), presented the
first prize for the category "Human and wetlands" to Pia Parolin, who was accompanied by her young daughter.
5. Mr. Michel Bouliane, member of the jury, presenting the first prize for the category " Landscapes "
to Valdo Kuusemets.
6. Mrs. Stéphanie Boudreau, member of the Quebec 2000 Cultural Committee, presenting the participation prize
to Ingrid Brettar.
7. Mrs. Gisèle Lamoureux, member of the jury, presenting the first prize for the category "Flora" to
Jürgen Kern.
|
|
Organizing Committee of the "Wetlands of the World" photography contest :
Stéphanie Boudreau, François Quinty, Sylvie LaRose (with the collaboration of Julie Roy)
Contest Jury :
Michel Bouliane, Cyrille Barrette, Claude Roy, Gisèle Lamoureux, Richard Lavertue
Photo scanning :
Imagerie Prisma
Writing :
Nathalie Kinnard
Translation :
Sylvie LaRose, Christopher Ellis
Graphic design, programming and structuring of the Web site :
Sandra-Ann Morency
Martin-Yanick Guillemette
Logo design of the "Wetlands of the World" :
Danka Houde
|
The organizers of the photo contest would like to thank:
The Quebec Government ;
The four societies involved in the event: the Society of Wetland Scientists, the International Peat
Society, the International Association of Ecology and the International Mire Conservation Group ;
The Corporation Québec 2000 for their support in this project ;
The Musée de la civilisation of Québec City for
the realization of the photo exhibit ;
HMR inc. for designing and hosting the virtual
exhibit.
And also : Jean-François Bergeron, Catherine Poussart, Suzanne Campeau and Andréanne Hamel for
their help in organizing the contest.
|
|
|
|
|
