News

Amateur Photographers Awarded In RWA Recreation Photo Contest

Apr 13, 2018

Five talented photographers took home their first-place prizes at the annual South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) recreation permit holder meeting held on April 11. Nineteen amateur photographers competed in five photo categories. Judges reviewed over 65 photos taken at RWA recreation areas before choosing five first-place photos and 15 runners-up.

“One of the great things about living in south central Connecticut is that we have access to beautiful, natural properties for hiking and fishing only a few miles away from New Haven and surrounding communities, and nothing helps capture that better than these photos,” said Jeff Yale, RWA’s Recreation Program Specialist.

Photographers entered their pictures into one of five categories: Plants, Wildlife, Water, General Scenes and the Youth category for photographers under 18 years of age. The winner in each category took home a $100 gift card to their choice of Stop & Shop, Home Depot, Cabela’s or L.L. Bean.

Ron Guerucci of Stratford won first place in both the Plants and Wildlife categories for his photos taken at the Maltby Lakes and Lake Bethany. Betsy Laflamme of Derby won first place in the Water category for a photo of a mossy stream at Lake Chamberlain. Lois Main of East Haven won in the General Scenes category for a photo taken at Lake Hammonasset. Most eyes were on the Youth Photography category, where North Haven sisters Natalie and Nicole Brown were competing for first place with their photos taken at Lake Saltonstall. Natalie’s photo of water rushing down a rocky stream won first-place, but her sister was not far behind and received the second-place prize.

The RWA’s Recreation Program oversees more than 50 miles of trails and five reservoirs in nine recreation areas spread across 13 communities in Greater New Haven. Individual permits cost $25. Family permits cost $35. Discounts are available for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and students. Buying an RWA Recreation permit is like contributing to a conservation organization. It helps the RWA preserve, protect and maintain watershed lands. To learn more, visit rwater.com or call 203-401-2654.