TRCA launches 'Capture the Humber' photo contest

In celebration of the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Humber River as a Canadian Heritage River, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) has launched its Capture the Humber photo contest, inviting the public to share their memories and experiences of this historical Canadian landscape.

Contest organizers are looking for images from all seasons that represent the beauty of the Humber River and its watershed. The themes include: plants and animals, culture and heritage, recreation, people, places, events, landscapes and communities.

Awards will be given for best overall photograph and for best photograph in each of the theme categories. Selected photographs will be compiled into a book that will honour this historical river, as well as TRCA's 50th anniversary.

Whether visiting it to enjoy a summer picnic, watching the leaves transform into rich autumn colours, or making snowmen in the park, the Humber River watershed is a unique landscape in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Encompassing more than 903 square kilometres in southern Ontario, its conservation areas offer GTA communities, such as Caledon, Woodbridge, King City and Toronto, with a special opportunity to experience natural beauty and wildlife right in their own backyard.

Rivers designated under the Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS, visit www.chrs.ca), Canada's national river conservation program, have outstanding natural and/or cultural values and showcase the benefits and enjoyment of healthy river environments. Every river in the CHRS system has been designated because it strengthens Canadian identity and enables citizens to better understand, appreciate and celebrate the country's rich river heritage.

In 1999, the Humber River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River based on its unique examples of human heritage. It is the only designated heritage river in the GTA.

"For hundreds of years, Aboriginals and Europeans used the river as a route to transport goods and move inland for settlement purposes," said Gary Wilkins, Humber River watershed expert at TRCA. "Known as 'The Toronto Carrying Place Trail,' it stretches 40 kilometres from the Lake Ontario shoreline to the Holland River in Simcoe County. Today, the area is rich with culture and home to a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. We hope that the contest's photographs will reflect the diversity and range of appreciation for this beautiful Canadian landscape."

Each year, thousands of people enjoy the Humber River and its parkland, wildlife and conservation areas. Easily accessible via major highways, the Humber is the only Canadian Heritage River in Ontario that can be reached by subway.

Many of the conservation areas operated along the river provide access for canoeing and water sports, hiking and nature appreciation.

For contest information, v i s i t www.trca.on.ca/capturethe _humber.