Ville de Saint-Lazare is encouraging its residents to use their creativity and imagination to create ecological landscapes that are better adapted to natural conditions and require less water and maintenance in general.

To this end, it has launched an ecological landscaping contest that could earn participants a total value of $600 in prizes. 

The aim is to reduce the number of grassed areas and increase the number of vegetated areas, which will benefit pollinators and biodiversity. The initiative runs until August 31 and is open to all Saint-Lazare residents. 

Here are the other criteria to be met: 

- The landscaping must be located on private property within Ville de Saint-Lazare;

- The landscaping must be visible from the street;

- Only one landscape per participant; 

- The landscaping must be composed of plants planted directly in the ground and include diversified, indigenous and perennial species;

- No chemical fertilizers or pesticides may be used;

- Complete the entry form and submit 1 to 3 photos highlighting the landscaping;

- Accept that the City may use the photos of the landscaping and their names for any purpose related to the contest, without compensation or mention.

The evaluation criteria are as follows: 

Ecological landscaping must include : 

- Native and perennial plants;

- A wide variety of species (more than 7 species);

- Several types of plants, including ground cover, herbaceous plants, fruit trees or shrubs, melliferous plants or plants for pollinating insects, trees, plants with an edible component;

- Water-saving features and ecological management practices. Examples: watering with recuperated rainwater, compost, natural mulch, wildlife-friendly environment, on-site composting of garden waste.

Entrants must submit a short supporting text (200 words maximum) explaining how the landscaping contributes to the area's biodiversity, provides nectar and pollen for pollinating insects, and reduces water consumption and maintenance.

Three prizes to be won 

Finally, gift cards redeemable at local merchants will be awarded to participants with the highest scores as follows: 

- 200 (first place);  

- 150 (second place); 

- 100 (third place). 

Three (3) $50 gift cards will be drawn at random from among the participants.