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Article written by Bukola James —this project received a micro grant from Wikimedia Canada
A walk through a park can become more than a walk when people are encouraged to stop, observe, photograph, and share what they discover.
That was the idea behind Wiki Loves Earth Moncton 2026, a local activity organised by WikiClub Moncton to encourage community members to document New Brunswick’s natural heritage and contribute photographs to Wikimedia Commons.
Wiki Loves Earth is an international photography campaign that encourages people to document natural heritage through photography. Wikimedia Commons is the Wikimedia movement’s free media repository, where photographs and other media can be shared and reused as part of open knowledge projects.
From June to August 2026, the Moncton activity combined three in-person photowalks, three online training sessions, Wikimedia Commons contributions, and a closing and recognition event.
Participants visited Irishtown Nature Park, Hopewell Rocks, Mapleton Park, and Mill Creek Nature Park.
During the photowalks, participants documented a variety of natural subjects, including plants, trees, birds, insects, fungi, water bodies, trails, forests, wetlands, and landscapes.
The activities encouraged participants to look more closely at their surroundings while learning about the natural and historical characteristics of the places they were visiting.
The different locations also provided opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and develop a deeper interest in the environments they were documenting.
A key component of the activity was helping participants understand how their photographs could become part of the Wikimedia knowledge ecosystem.
Three online training sessions introduced participants to Wikimedia Commons and covered image licensing, uploading photographs, categorisation, and writing clear descriptions.
A recorded training session was also made available for participants who could not attend the live sessions or wanted to revisit the material.
This combination of outdoor activities and online learning provided participants with practical support as they moved from taking photographs to contributing them to Wikimedia Commons.
A total of 11 people registered through the campaign’s event page.
By the end of the campaign, participants had uploaded 235 images to Wikimedia Commons, including 204 images related to Wiki Loves Earth Moncton and were organised under the Nature of Moncton.
The resulting collection provides freely licensed visual documentation of New Brunswick’s natural environments. These photographs can support Wikipedia articles, educational resources, research, and other open knowledge uses.
The campaign concluded with a closing and recognition event where participants celebrated their contributions and reflected on the experience.
Three jurors reviewed the submitted photographs using the Montage tool through three rounds and selected four winning images which received prizes with an additional awarded to a participant who attended all three photowalks, recognising sustained participation throughout the activity.
Below are the list of Winning images and their contributors:
The recognition component provided an opportunity to celebrate both the quality of the photographs and the commitment participants brought to the campaign.
One of the most significant outcomes was the opportunity to strengthen WikiClub Moncton as an emerging local Wikimedia community.
Participants came from different backgrounds, including photography, environmental research, volunteering, digital marketing, and other areas. This diversity contributed to conversations about how the club could become more visible and accessible within the wider Moncton community.
Participant feedback identified several priorities for future activities.
These included establishing a dedicated social media presence, working with local organisations and community groups , participating in existing community events, and using banners and other promotional materials to increase visibility.
Participants also identified networking and professional development as important motivations for continued involvement. Suggestions included creating pathways to leadership roles, professional opportunities, scholarships, conferences, and recognition for active members.
These recommendations provide useful direction for the continued development of WikiClub Moncton.
Wiki Loves Earth Moncton 2026 demonstrated the potential of combining local community engagement with Wikimedia’s mission of making knowledge freely accessible.
The activity introduced new participants to Wikimedia Commons, supported practical contribution skills, documented natural heritage, and created opportunities for people to connect through a shared interest in nature and open knowledge.
For WikiClub Moncton, it also provided a foundation for future programming.
The next phase will be about building on these connections, strengthening local partnerships, increasing the club’s visibility, and creating more opportunities for community members to contribute and take on active roles.
The 204 photographs contributed through the campaign are now part of Wikimedia Commons, helping make New Brunswick’s natural heritage more visible and accessible as freely licensed knowledge.
We thank everyone who participated in the photowalks, training sessions, and closing event, as well as the jurors who reviewed the photographs.
We are also grateful to Wikimedia Canada for supporting community-led Wikimedia activities and the continued growth of local open knowledge communities across Canada.
