Inspiring youth to explore and connect with nature through photography
Focus on Nature is a registered charity operating in Southern Ontario that inspires young people to explore and connect with nature through photography. We conduct workshops in schools and day camps in the summer and during March Break.
We envision a world where our connections to nature create a healthy, flourishing planet. We see a critical role for the arts in fostering these connections.
The particular value of photography in enhancing the child-nature connection is its relevance to today’s digitally savvy youth, its capacity to enhance the excitement of nature experiences, and the opportunities it allows for sharing both nature appreciation and creative expression with others.
“The beauty of photography is being able to pay attention to the particularity of nature. Noticing nature enriches your life and perhaps motivates you to preserve and protect it. Focus on Nature encourages just this.”
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Fresh Perspective Student Photo Exhibit
Guelph, ON – We are pleased to announce the opening of this year’s Fresh Perspectives, a nature photography exhibit being presented at the Guelph Public Library - East Side Branch. The exhibit features works by 60 young photographers who have participated in Focus on Nature school workshops and camps in Guelph and Wellington County. This year, we will be showcasing 30 photos during September and then another 30 photos in January of 2026.
“We are so lucky to be able to share such incredible art with our community,” said Sarah Fontes, Executive Director of Focus on Nature. “For years, we have showcased Guelph’s amazing naturescapes with photos taken by students between 7 and 17 years of age. This year, they have truly outdone themselves. We got in over 16,000 photographs this year, and having to limit it down to only 60 was a very difficult process, as every picture is beautiful in its own way. We hope that these images can help inspire many others to explore and connect with the natural world.”
Focus on Nature is grateful for the support from the Linamar Corporation and the Guelph Musagetes Foundation. Thanks to their support, each young photographer will be able to take home their professionally mounted photo when the exhibitions are over.
Location: Guelph Public Library - East Side Branch, 1 Starwood Drive, Guelph, ON, N1E 0H5
Dates: September 8 – September 30, 2025
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, Friday – Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Focus on Nature Board of Directors has updated the Focus on Nature Strategic Plan for 2023-2026. It can be reviewed here.
