Hey Canadians! Show Your Love of Forests – Enter the Nature Canada Hug a Tree Photo Contest

October 6, 2011 (Ottawa) –Nature Canada is excited to announce the launch of our national Hug a Tree photo contest, in celebration of the International Year of Forests. The contest is part of an effort to promote dialogue about trees and forest conservation – and it’s simple. Help us show how much Canadians love our forests by uploading your photo of the best tree hug you have, and you could win one of several prizes, including an Apple iPad. With the peak of the fall colours coinciding with the Thanksgiving long weekend, this is the perfect time for Canadians to embrace the outdoors.

Photos of tree hugs can be submitted online at www.NatureExplorers.ca/Win in several categories, including best group hug and most amazing hug.

“The world’s forests are essential to life on this planet, and home to the majority of the earth’s biodiversity,” said Chris Sutton, Nature Canada’s director of communications. “Since Canada is home to 10% of the world’s forests, and forests cover half the Canadian landscape, we have a key role to play in the global effort to conserve and sustainably manage forests. The Hug a Tree Photo Contest is a fun way to get us thinking about all we owe to forests.”

Nature Canada is passionate about connecting Canadians with nature and building a nature ethic across the country. Nature Canada’s NatureExplorers.ca is Canada’s online destination for youth and their families to discover new ways to connect with nature and share their experiences.

Entries for the Hug a Tree contest will be accepted through January 8, 2012. Winners will be announced in early 2012 and all the entries will be showcased in a photo gallery on the Nature Explorers website.

For more information, contact:

Chris Sutton
Communications Director
Nature Canada
T: (613) 562-3447 ext. 248
Cell: (613) 323-3331