The Bluewater Trails Committee has launched the year-long Seasons of Sarnia Photo Contest, inviting all residents to capture and share the natural beauty, wildlife, and active community life along Sarnia's trail network. The initiative aims to highlight the trails' accessibility and importance to local life across all four seasons. The contest is meant to be […]
The Bluewater Trails Committee has launched the year-long Seasons of Sarnia Photo Contest, inviting all residents to capture and share the natural beauty, wildlife, and active community life along Sarnia's trail network. The initiative aims to highlight the trails' accessibility and importance to local life across all four seasons.
The contest is meant to be a fun and creative way to show how residents experience the trails year-round. Paul Eastman, Chair of the Bluewater Trails Committee, stated that by highlighting the beauty of Sarnia's outdoor spaces, they hope to inspire more people to explore and protect them. Mr. Eastman is also a known co-founder of the nuSarnia Foundation, which advocates for better urban and active transportation networks. The Bluewater Trails Committee itself is a City Council committee dedicated to developing a first-class trail system that promotes the health and safety of Sarnia residents and visitors.
The competition focuses on the trail system, which includes multi-use pathways connecting the Howard Watson Nature Trail, Canatara Park, and the Waterfront Walkway. This system links the city's parks, natural spaces, and waterfront.
Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to submit images reflecting a quiet walk, a scenic viewpoint, or a surprising wildlife encounter. The contest is divided into three main themes:
Activities on the Trails: This includes walking, running, cycling, birdwatching, and waterfront adventures.
Nature on the Trails: Focused on the local environment, this category welcomes photos of birds, wildlife, trees, plants, and natural features.
Scenic Views on the Trails: This category is for landscapes, beaches, waterways, and iconic trail perspectives.
Submissions are accepted across four seasonal windows to capture the full range of Sarnia-Lambton's changing environment. The entry periods are:
Winter: December 14 – February 29
Spring: March 1 – May 24
Summer: June 1 – August 31
Fall: September 1 – November 15
Four winners will be selected each season. First place receives $250, second place $150, and third place $100. An additional People's Choice winner will be awarded $300.
All seasonal winners will have their work featured in a public exhibition, the Seasons of Sarnia Gallery Showcase, in Fall 2026. Grand prizes for the entire contest will be awarded during this showcase event.
Residents can find the submission form, guidelines, and rules by visiting bluewatertrails.ca/photo-contest/ or by scanning a QR code posted along the Sarnia trail system.
