About Ripple Effects

Ripple Effects Morecambe Bay is a collaboration between Ripple Effects International, Global Link, The Ernest Cook Trust (Blue Influencers), local libraries and Morecambe Bay Curriculum. Together, we believe in the importance and power in elevating the voices of young people whilst we care for the environment, where we live and the future sustainability of the nature around us. By understanding our local area, we can connect better with the wider world.

The photo competition has been inspired by a sister competition in Louisville, Kentucky where the library encourages young people to explore their local waterways and the things they care about. This project has been replicated in South Africa, Australia and now here in Morecambe Bay. Professor Mary Brydon-Miller and Professor Bronwyn Williams, from the University of Louisville officially launched Ripple Effects Morecambe Bay whilst visiting the Morecambe Bay Curriculum Conference in the summer of 2024.

In 2024, our competition invited young people from across Morecambe Bay to:

1. Photograph water in your local area and
2. Produce a short written reflection on what these spaces mean to you (100 words or less! It could just be a sentence.)

Winning images were chosen by a panel of young people and formed a travelling exhibition that has so far been displayed at Lancaster University Library and Lancaster Central Library.

First Place Winner, Harlem

Taken in the early hours of the morning along the mist shrouded canal, the photo in my eyes gives off a very moody feeling, staying true to the hauntingly beautiful atmosphere I myself felt at the time of photographing this image. In my opinion, the photo shows a darker side of the lancaster canal, which the average dog walker or cyclist wouldn't typically see.

Second Place Winner, Ishaaq

In the future I see water being clean, keeping the world hydrated and healthy. My picture is of a window on a canal boat with a bunch of flowers peeking out. Seeing this reminded me that if flowers are plucked, they die.

Third Place Winner, Molly

I like the absence of artificial sound when I am on water, and sometimes lose track of time being enveloped by nature. I enjoy seeing the broad spectrum of colours on the water. It makes me feel calm and at peace. It also makes me feel fragile and very present in the moment.

Do you want to try take your own photos?

If you are keen to get outside and take photos of your local surroundings, check out our Ripple Effects Guidance , written to support you:

• Think about the equipment you might need (hint: a phone will do the trick!)
• Consider what makes a good photo
• Explore what you could include in your written reflection