As part of OMA's This Is Mining centenial campaign, visitors to the 2021 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival got to experience the story of Sudbury's transformation through the lens of two renowned photographers, Don Johnston and Mike Grandmaison.
Sudbury's Re-Greening Story
When we think about the effects humankind has had on our environment, we ask ourselves, “have we gone too far?”
Are the footprints of previous generations to be permanent scars?
While many lose hope, we see where change is possible. Fifty years ago, the people, governments and mining companies in Sudbury recognized that, no matter how afflicted their environment was, it was not beyond repair.
Sudbury, Ontario, is a testament to what we can do to bring a devastated landscape back to beauty and health.
Almost 12 million trees have been planted, achieving a remarkable rebirth. Soils are returning to balance. Wetlands are healthy and flourishing.
Green hills and valleys are being restored, the meadows taking on a painter’s palette of colour. The air is fresh and clean, wildlife returning once again.
As our industries continue to sustain the communities that live in this lush and vibrant land, Sudbury is a beacon of hope and an example to the world that learning from the past can inspire us to do better. We all play a continuing role in caring for our planet. With hard work and hope, Sudbury is re-emerging green and proud. And growing.
Are the footprints of previous generations to be permanent scars?
While many lose hope, we see where change is possible. Fifty years ago, the people, governments and mining companies in Sudbury recognized that, no matter how afflicted their environment was, it was not beyond repair.
Sudbury, Ontario, is a testament to what we can do to bring a devastated landscape back to beauty and health.
Almost 12 million trees have been planted, achieving a remarkable rebirth. Soils are returning to balance. Wetlands are healthy and flourishing.
Green hills and valleys are being restored, the meadows taking on a painter’s palette of colour. The air is fresh and clean, wildlife returning once again.
As our industries continue to sustain the communities that live in this lush and vibrant land, Sudbury is a beacon of hope and an example to the world that learning from the past can inspire us to do better. We all play a continuing role in caring for our planet. With hard work and hope, Sudbury is re-emerging green and proud. And growing.
About our Photographers
Don Johnston
Don Johnston is a Canadian professional outdoor and nature photographer based in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. He has 37 years of experience.
Don was co-photographer for the acclaimed Healing the Landscape coffee table book and self-published his own coffee-table book Close to Home, which was well received by the public. Its first printing sold out. He has published photo books on demand for clients here in Sudbury.
Don is a stock photographer and assignment photographer who has been published in magazines, calendars, books and other media, including advertising. He has licensed images for a Nikon television commercial and has worked with Diamond Schmitt architects on three projects, one of which was the Laurentian University renovation.
Some of Don’s notable publications include cover photos for Canadian Geographic, Cottage Life, Outdoor Photography Canada, Ontario Nature and National Geographic (Explorer Magazine). His work has appeared in National Wildlife, Audubon, World Wildlife Fund and other publications including the prestigious Inner Reflections calendar.
He is an award-winning photographer with a grand prize in the prestigious Sierra Photo Contest (1989).
Don taught high school biology here in Sudbury for thirty years, retiring in 2003. He has an honours degree in Biology from Carleton University.
Don was co-photographer for the acclaimed Healing the Landscape coffee table book and self-published his own coffee-table book Close to Home, which was well received by the public. Its first printing sold out. He has published photo books on demand for clients here in Sudbury.
Don is a stock photographer and assignment photographer who has been published in magazines, calendars, books and other media, including advertising. He has licensed images for a Nikon television commercial and has worked with Diamond Schmitt architects on three projects, one of which was the Laurentian University renovation.
Some of Don’s notable publications include cover photos for Canadian Geographic, Cottage Life, Outdoor Photography Canada, Ontario Nature and National Geographic (Explorer Magazine). His work has appeared in National Wildlife, Audubon, World Wildlife Fund and other publications including the prestigious Inner Reflections calendar.
He is an award-winning photographer with a grand prize in the prestigious Sierra Photo Contest (1989).
Don taught high school biology here in Sudbury for thirty years, retiring in 2003. He has an honours degree in Biology from Carleton University.
Mike Grandmaison
Mike Grandmaison is an acclaimed Canadian photographer and widely recognized as one of Canada’s fine nature photographers. He is passionate about creating exquisite images that reflect the beauty of his beloved country Canada. His award-winning images have been featured in some of the world’s finest publications, as well as in a wide array of books, cards, calendars and postage stamps.
Passionate about photography and the natural world, Mike is known for creating unique images that reflect the natural beauty and diversity of Canada. Growing up on the vast Canadian Shield, a professional background in biology, a decades-long career in biological sciences, and a lifelong curiosity in physical geography have all contributed to the impressive, evocative body of work for which he has become known. With camera in hand, Mike has explored the breadth of his beloved country Canada for 45 years.
Mike's images are represented in a fine collections of coffee table books, 17 to date, and include his latest 'Lake of The Woods - Gem of The Canadian Shield', 'Canada', 'Natural Reflections' (with co-author Robert L. Peters), "The Polar Bear - Lord of the Great North', 'Mike Grandmaison's Ontario', 'Beautiful Alberta', 'Mike Grandmaison's Prairie and Beyond', 'The Canadian Rockies', 'Georgian Bay' and 'Muskoka'. Mike was a regular contributor to 'Outdoor Photography Canada' Magazine for its entirety from 2009 to 2019 for which he wrote and illustrated a feature called 'Discovering Canada'. Mike has lead nature-focused workshops and presented seminars on many different topics to various organizations and focus groups across Canada. Mike has also produced and published two sets of notecards called 'The Manitoba Notecard Series' and 'The Saskatchewan Notecard Series'.
Mike manages a full-service independent stock photography agency in Canada. It houses one of the finest curated collections of thousands of premium quality photos. His extensive collection features images of the natural world, architecture, agriculture, travel and Canadiana. Mike's extensive photo collection is available for use in advertising, annual reports, billboards, books, brochures, calendars, cards, displays, magazines, posters, web sites, as well as fine art prints. Mike's on-location assignment photography spans Canada's geography. He photographs for a broad range of corporate and editorial clients in fields ranging from agriculture to architecture and from forest to factory. His academic knowledge and working experience in the natural sciences, coupled with his passion for photography, technical skills and an artist's eye, make him a sought-after photographer for outdoor work. An uncompromising quality of craftsmanship, together with a signature style, distinguish Mike in this highly competitive field.
Mike's stunning nature photographs are in demand by collectors - as fine art pieces, for corporate decor, and for use as corporate gifts. His fine art photographs are crafted to the specific requirements of individual collectors, and can be matted, framed, and shipped to anywhere in the world. You may view a selection of his fine art photographs at 'The Canadian Gallery'.
Passionate about photography and the natural world, Mike is known for creating unique images that reflect the natural beauty and diversity of Canada. Growing up on the vast Canadian Shield, a professional background in biology, a decades-long career in biological sciences, and a lifelong curiosity in physical geography have all contributed to the impressive, evocative body of work for which he has become known. With camera in hand, Mike has explored the breadth of his beloved country Canada for 45 years.
Mike's images are represented in a fine collections of coffee table books, 17 to date, and include his latest 'Lake of The Woods - Gem of The Canadian Shield', 'Canada', 'Natural Reflections' (with co-author Robert L. Peters), "The Polar Bear - Lord of the Great North', 'Mike Grandmaison's Ontario', 'Beautiful Alberta', 'Mike Grandmaison's Prairie and Beyond', 'The Canadian Rockies', 'Georgian Bay' and 'Muskoka'. Mike was a regular contributor to 'Outdoor Photography Canada' Magazine for its entirety from 2009 to 2019 for which he wrote and illustrated a feature called 'Discovering Canada'. Mike has lead nature-focused workshops and presented seminars on many different topics to various organizations and focus groups across Canada. Mike has also produced and published two sets of notecards called 'The Manitoba Notecard Series' and 'The Saskatchewan Notecard Series'.
Mike manages a full-service independent stock photography agency in Canada. It houses one of the finest curated collections of thousands of premium quality photos. His extensive collection features images of the natural world, architecture, agriculture, travel and Canadiana. Mike's extensive photo collection is available for use in advertising, annual reports, billboards, books, brochures, calendars, cards, displays, magazines, posters, web sites, as well as fine art prints. Mike's on-location assignment photography spans Canada's geography. He photographs for a broad range of corporate and editorial clients in fields ranging from agriculture to architecture and from forest to factory. His academic knowledge and working experience in the natural sciences, coupled with his passion for photography, technical skills and an artist's eye, make him a sought-after photographer for outdoor work. An uncompromising quality of craftsmanship, together with a signature style, distinguish Mike in this highly competitive field.
Mike's stunning nature photographs are in demand by collectors - as fine art pieces, for corporate decor, and for use as corporate gifts. His fine art photographs are crafted to the specific requirements of individual collectors, and can be matted, framed, and shipped to anywhere in the world. You may view a selection of his fine art photographs at 'The Canadian Gallery'.
Watch a recording of a fireside chat with photographers Mike Grandmaison and Don Johnston, where they shared their perspectives on the Sudbury Re-Greening story and their experiences photographing the area.
Thank you to our partners at the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, The Greater City of Sudbury, and tentree.
Did you know that since the Sudbury Re-Greening project began 43 years ago, more than 3,400 hectares of land has been seeded with grass and nearly 12 million trees have been planted?! At the time of our exhibit in 2021, this amounted to about 26 trees planted every hour in Sudbury since the Re-Greening Program launched all the way back in 1978!
Trees make a huge difference not only in the health of an ecosystem, but also to the identity of a community. Our friends over at tentree, who are partners and supporters of the Sudbury Re-Greening Project, helped us give away a $500 gift card to one of our exhibit visitors!