Harrison Burton
Pine Grove, Nova Scotia
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Telling stories about freshwater ecosystems has been something I’ve always been passionate about. In 2020, I started scouting lakes across the entire Atlantic region, with the goal of conducting a scuba diving expedition and filming the experience to inspire others to explore and care for fresh water. When I found Nictau Lake, it spoke to me in a way I still struggle to articulate.
Some of these lakes and rivers are steeped in history while simultaneously hiding secrets about their biodiversity. It’s my belief that visual storytelling and dive exploration like the work we conducted in Nictau Lake are key steps in inspiring people to both care about and act on protecting these natural spaces.
Freshwater ecosystems are abundant in Canada, yet we largely neglect and take for granted their health and importance. My long-term hope is to inspire our government through film and photography to develop a branch that actively studies and protects freshwater ecosystems in Canada. Currently there are very few resources dedicated to fresh water.
Robert Bateman Award
In a salute to an extraordinary artist and nature lover, this award recognizes those who, through artistic expression, deepen our awareness and appreciation for the conservation of Canada’s wildlife and their habitats.