News
A Model for Active Citizenship: Maisie Shiell
Since 1976, Maisie Shiell built up a reputation on both sides of the anti-nuclear debate in Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada as a knowledgeable 'citizen-scientist' who respectfully challenged uranium mining officials at public debates because, in her own words, her goal in life was to leave behind a safe and healthy world for our children.
Sadly, this legendary activist passed away on May 21st at the age of 92. Over the years, she was actively involved with the RCEN and received numerous awards for her tireless work. Maisie led one of SEN's member groups, the Grandmother's Environmental Fund.
Please visit the Saskatchewan Eco-Network's website at http://econet.sk.ca to read more about Maisie Shiell's life and her last letter to the citizens of Saskatchewan.
Protecting Our Water: Upper Souris River Watershed
Regina, June 4, 2008Local people will take the lead in planning and decision-making for the long-term protection of source water in the Upper Souris River Watershed.
The Upper Souris River Watershed is the next region to participate in watershed and aquifer planning, a process facilitated by the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority to help protect source water in the province's watersheds. Since 2003, residents of six watersheds and one aquifer area in Saskatchewan have participated and developed source water protection plans through this process.
In the next few weeks, Watershed Advisory Committees will be established in the Upper Souris River Watershed. Urban, rural and aboriginal governments, agricultural, industrial, environmental and economic development groups have been invited to participate. These committees will work with technical experts to develop a long-term source water protection plan to help ensure present and future safe drinking water needs are met.
Read the release: http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=a0411fc1-4506-4098-aff7-f0f9fa3f6cb6.
First Nation Files Lawsuit Challenging Oilsands Tenure and Regulatory Approval System
Edmonton, June 4, 2008 - Today the Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation ("CPDFN") filed legal action in the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench against the Alberta Government alleging a breach of Alberta's constitutional duty to consult with the First Nation on MEG Energy Corp.'s Christina Lake Regional Project, Phase 3. This Project is planned to be located in the heart of CPDFN's Traditional Territory, between Christina Lake and Winifred Lake, the breadbasket of the First Nation.
"Our lakes, our land and the animals and fish we have relied on for thousands of years to support our way of life and cultural values are being destroyed by out-of-control oilsands developments," said Chief Vern Janvier of CPDFN. "Because our constitutionally-protected rights are at risk in one of the few remaining places in our Traditional Territory where we can exercise them, we've asked the Courts to step in before it's too late."
Full article: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=864715&sourceType=3.
High-level Conference on Food Good First Step
SASKATOON - The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) High-Level Conference on World Food Security taking place in Rome is a good first step, according to the National Farmers Union of Canada. “This type of international meeting was something our organization called for two years ago,” said Stewart Wells, President of Canada’s NFU. “Our letter to the United Nations in May 2006 rang the alarm bells on the impending world food shortage and pointed to very low international food supplies.” That May 2006 letter can be viewed at http://www.nfu.ca.
More than just a supply and price crisis, the world is experiencing a crisis at the core of its food and agricultural systems. “An international agriculture policy dominated by the trade agenda has failed; it is now time to move in a new direction,” said Wells.
Full article: http://www.nfu.ca/press.html.
Resources
E-book: Oil Stains in the Boreal Forest
Stephen Leahy has written a book about environmental impact in the boreal forest, Oil Stains in the Boreal Forest: The Environmental Cost of Canada’s Oil Sands. It is available as an e-book for download. Payment is on a donation basis. For information on the book, and to download, go to: http://stephenleahy.wordpress.com/2007/05/14/destroying-boreal-forest-for-americas-oil-free-ebook/.
Coming Events
Regina
SCIC Kaleidoscope Awards Gala
June 6th, 7 - 10 pm, Language Institute Theatre, U. of ReginaAt this event the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation will screen some of the Saskatchewan Video Challenge entries and award the two winners their $1,000 grand prizes (as well as several smaller prizes for honourable mention!)
This free event is open to the public, and features local artists, food and Oscar-night excitement! Details at http://www.earthbeat.sk.ca.
SCIC Annual General Meeting
June 6 - 7, Language Institute Theatre, University of ReginaAll parts of the AGM are open to the (non-voting) public, including the Friday afternoon skills workshop "Evaluation Made Simple" with Denise Hildebrand, Friday evening Kaleidoscope Video Challenge reception, and Saturday keynote address on the global food crisis by Dr. Annette Desmarais.
Details on the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation website at http://www.earthbeat.sk.ca. For more information contact SCIC at 757-4669 or scic@web.ca.
Echo Creek Property Field Trip/Inventory
June 7, 8 am, meet at Royal Sask. Museum parking lotThis is a combined Nature Conservancy of Canada Conservation Volunteer opportunity/Nature Regina field trip. Join us for a bird and botany extravaganza at NCC’s Echo Creek Property which lies in the Qu’Appelle River Watershed along Echo Creek west of Fort Qu’Appelle.
Enjoy a day helping NCC inventory the property’s biodiversity. If you wish, you may register on-line at http://www.conservationvolunteers.ca. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent. Share of gas about $5.
Big Valley Property Field Trip/Inventory
June 14, 8 am, meet at Royal Sask. Museum parking lotThis is another combined Nature Conservancy of Canada Conservation Volunteer opportunity/Nature Regina field trip. It’s another bird and botany event at one of NCC’s most recently acquired properties. Nestled in the scenic Qu’Appelle River Valley and adjacent to Valeport Marsh near Craven is the Big Valley Property. It consists of 268 acres of native grassland, coulees and valley slope. A haven for shorebirds, ducks, geese and other waterbirds, this property is a naturalist’s wonderland which is home to many rare and endangered species.
Enjoy a day birding and conducting plant surveys in order to help NCC inventory the property’s biodiversity. If you wish, you may register on-line at http://www.conservationvolunteers.ca. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent. Share of gas about $3. For more information, please contact 949-2505.
Discussion on Sustainability and a Way Forward
June 23rd, 7:30 pm, Cathedral Neighborhood CentreMike Nickerson and his wife Donna Dillman are touring with Mike’s latest book, “Life, Money & Illusion: Living on Earth as if we want to stay.” The book details the differing views on how to be successful in our changing times. One, the “Life” perspective, says we need to preserve and enhance ecosystems and communities, the other, the “Money” perspective, says we need to continuously expand production and consumption. The event will be a talk and discussion about how these two approaches differ significantly on how to deal with today’s most serious problems.
Details at: http://boilingfrog.ca/?page_id=78.
Admission free. Information: Denise "Regina EcoLiving" reginaecoliving@gmail.com or Roger Petry roger.petry@uregina.ca.
SCIC Summer Camps
July 20 - 23 Youth 11 to 14, July 24 - 27 Youth 15 to 18YID DIY Training builds skills of participating youth to produce their own creative media on global issues. The program involves a three-day training for youth on creating independent media staffed by professionals. After the training program, youth are encouraged to continue their work and are provided with ongoing opportunities for publication and promotion of their work.
Register before June 15th - $50.00; register after June 15th - $75.00. More details at http://ebeat.sasktelwebhosting.com/youthbeat.
Saskatoon
National Rivers Day Celebrations
June 8th, 7 pm, Meewasin Valley CentreIn celebration of Canadian Rivers Day, Meewasin is planning an evening boat cruise and barbecue along the beautiful South Saskatchewan River. Please call 665-6888 for more information and to pre-register.
Saskatchewan's Lakes At Risk - The Looming Threat Of Alberta Oil Sands Pollution
June 10th, 7:30 pm, Frances Morrison LibrarySES is collaborating with Environmental Defence to present a discussion of the environmental risks faced by Saskatchewan because of Alberta oil sands pollution. A major focus will be acid rain emissions from Alberta and the threat they pose to Saskatchewan's lakes and forests. The presentations will also examine the environmental damage being done by the oil sands to the Athabasca Delta and Lake Athabasca. The current opportunity that exists for Saskatchewan to impact the Government of Canada's air quality standards will be discussed. This topic is very timely as Saskatchewan looks toward development of oil sand resources in our own north-west.
The Speakers:
Peter Dillon, is an internationally respected environmental scientist who has worked extensively on acid rain and water quality issues. He is currently the Director of the Water Quality Centre at Trent University. He is also a Professor in Trent University's Environmental, Resource Studies and Chemistry Departments.
Matt Price is Project Manager at Environmental Defence Canada and a strong national advocate for cleaning up the Alberta oil sands.
After Peak Oil
June 11th, 7 pm, J.S. Wood LibraryJoin Rob Dumont, Ph.D. and Ewen Coxworth, Ph.D as they talk about the implications of peak oil. Many studies are concluding that sometime in the next 10 to 25 years, world oil production will reach a peak and then decline. Ewen and Rob will survey the search for alternatives for fuelling the world’s transportation systems. In addition to greatly improved vehicle energy efficiency and increased use of public and active transportation modes, alternative energy sources are needed. These may include biofuels based on urban wastes and forest products, and renewably-generated electricity to power plug-in hybrids. A vision of a possible Canadian energy system in 2058 will be described.
Presented by the Saskatchewan Environmental Society http://www.environmentalsociety.ca.
The Community Development Society 40th Annual International Conference
June 22 - 25, Delta Bessborough HotelIn order to build healthy, sustainable communities, pursuing a meaningful dialogue with all citizens, including those in our private and public sectors, is vital. We invite you to contribute to our conversation in June of 2008 as we convene those passionate about community—from practitioners to academics, researchers and interested citizens.
Plenary Speakers will be Sandy Heierbacher (Director of the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation) and Paul Born, Co-Founder, President of Tamarack an Institute for Community Engagement.
For more information about the conference and registration please go to http://www.comm-dev.org.
Discussion on Sustainability and a Way Forward
June 24th, 7 pm, Unitarian Centre, 213 - 2nd St. E.Mike Nickerson and his wife Donna Dillman are touring with Mike’s latest book, “Life, Money & Illusion: Living on Earth as if we want to stay.” The book details the differing views on how to be successful in our changing times. One, the “Life” perspective, says we need to preserve and enhance ecosystems and communities, the other, the “Money” perspective, says we need to continuously expand production and consumption. The event will be a talk and discussion about how these two approaches differ significantly on how to deal with today’s most serious problems.
Details at: http://boilingfrog.ca/?page_id=78.
Admission free. Information: Darrin Qualman qualman@nfu.ca.
Nuclear Myth-Busting
June 25, 7:30 pm, Frances Morrison Library AuditoriumPresentation by Dr. Jim Harding retired Professor of Environmental & Justice Studies and author of Canada's Deadly Secret: Saskatchewan Uranium & the Global Nuclear System.
Free admission. Question and answer and discussion period to follow. Sponsored by The Coalition for a Clean Green Saskatchewan. For more information, contact cleangreensask@yahoo.ca.
We Are Many Festival
August 22 - 24, Diefenbaker ParkFrom August 22nd to 24th, Saskatoon will be the site of We Are Many: A Festival, which presents a model of sustainability for mid-sized cities throughout North America. We Are Many (WAM) will use the energy and community spirit of the arts—music, theatre, dance, literature, and visual art—in taking a dramatic step toward becoming an environmentally friendly community. The festival will feature arts exhibits and performances as well as hands-on workshops and symposia on the whats, hows, and whys of sustainability.
More information at http://www.wearemanyfestival.com.
Other
Saskatchewan Eco-Network AGM
June 14th, 11am - 4 pm, Redberry Lake Biosphere ReservePlan to attend SEN's Annual General Meeting: take this opportunity to tell us about your organization's work, to get updates on SEN's activities and to give input into what is essentially your eco-network.
Guest Speaker: Larry Hawrysh, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve, will give a short talk about Biosphere Reserves. (Please note that the Petitions Process seminar has been postponed.)
Details at http://econet.sk.ca/about/2008AGM.html We will be facilitating car-pooling from Saskatoon, and Regina if required. RSVP by phone, 652-1275 or email sen@link.ca.
2nd Annual Solar Fair: Seminars, Workshops, Trade Show
June 21st & 22nd, Craik Eco-CentreJoin engineers, teachers, scientists, home builders, environmentalists and citizens from across the province in a two day Solar Fair. Hosted by the Craik Sustainable Living Project (CSLP) and taking place within the CSLP'S Eco-Centre, renowned for its green design.
Early registration is recommended as space is limited. $200 per person (2 days: includes three meals); $120 per person (1 day: includes meal for that day) or $15 per seminar. The agenda is posted at http://www.craikecovillage.ca/pdf/agenda.pdf. Registration forms available at: http://www.craikecovillage.ca
Discussion on Sustainability and a Way Forward
June 24th, 1 pm, Craik Eco-Centre, Craik, SKMike Nickerson and his wife Donna Dillman are touring with Mike’s latest book, “Life, Money & Illusion: Living on Earth as if we want to stay.” The book details the differing views on how to be successful in our changing times. One, the “Life” perspective, says we need to preserve and enhance ecosystems and communities, the other, the “Money” perspective, says we need to continuously expand production and consumption. The event will be a talk and discussion about how these two approaches differ significantly on how to deal with today’s most serious problems.
Details at: http://boilingfrog.ca/?page_id=78. Contact: Kelly Reinhardt boilingfrog@boilingfrog.ca 306-734-5160.
2008 Ness Creek Music Festival - Call for Eco-Village Participants
July 17th - 20th, near Big RiverThe Ness Creek Music Festival is celebrating its 18th year. It has grown into a major Canadian Festival drawing about 3,000 people per day, over four days. The Festival site is nestled in the boreal forest a few miles from Big River, Saskatchewan and adjacent to the Prince Albert National Park.
Ecological awareness and promotion of alternative ideas and services has always been an important part of the Ness Creek Festival. The Eco-Village provides opportunities for individuals and groups to display, promote, workshop, discuss and sell their ideas and services with Festival goers.
If you're interested in applying to be an Eco-Village participant, please contact Brenda Goldsworthy at 652-2485 bgoldsworthy@sasktel.net or Gary Smith at 664-2330 smithgroenen@sasktel.net.
The Ness Creek Cultural & Recreational Society is a not-for-profit organization that exists primarily to create an annual Festival to celebrate Music, Arts, Community and Ecology in the boreal forest.
Boreal Forest Ecotour
August 22, 23 and 24, 2008, Ness CreekCome along with the Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association as they explore and experience this unique and beautiful ecosystem. They are working with the Boreal Forest Learning Centre to offer an exciting program including local culture, music, storytelling, history, wildlife viewing and ecology.
There will be camping at picturesque Ness Creek; tenting at the Ness Creek site and the use of a communal kitchen is included in the registration. (you may upgrade to cabin accommodations at your own expense). All ages welcome. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience a Northern Saskatchewan adventure!
Early Bird Prices (until June 30th): $50 SOEEA members ($65 non-members, which includes a one year membership). Family and student rates available. Details on the SOEEA website at http://www.soeea.sk.ca.
Straw Bale Building Workshop
August 4 - 8, 2008, Craik Eco CentreDuring this workshop you will have hands-on experience building a straw bale structure from the ground up. Instructor is Dave Dale, and cost is $250 per person. Registration is on a first come basis. Space is limited so if interested register early.
Sponsored by Craik Sustainable Living Project. For information or registration, phone 306-734-2605 or email: eade@sasktel.net.
Job Opportunities/Call for Delegates/Proposals
Youth Action Gathering Coordinator and Youth Action Gathering Logistics Coordinator
The Sierra Youth Coalition is looking to hire two students in the Saskatoon region. The Youth Action Gathering is a free (or very low-cost) 4-6 day workshop and training event for youth ages 14 to 19. The project in Saskatoon is done in cooperation with the We Are Many Festival.Responsibilities: recruit 10-25 participants (outreach to local community groups and schools), create a schedule for the event, fundraising, recruit workshop leaders and facilitators, budgeting and reporting, team building and supervising a group of volunteers.
Preferred Qualifications: background in direct action and community organizing (environment and/or social justice), experience working with youth, ability to multitask and organize an event, project management experience, good communications skills, passion for the cause and the ability to inspire youth.
Deadline: Thursday, June 5th. Contract Duration: 12 weeks. Send a resume and cover letter to: director@syc-cjs.org (Subject Header: Saskatoon - YAG - Application)
Environmental Action Project Grants and Outdoor Experience Grants
The Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association (SOEEA) has funds available to assist community and school groups to carry out environmental action projects for recreational and educational purposes. They also have funding opportunities for school groups taking outdoor education trips.
For more information about Grant Opportunities visit their website at: http://www.soeea.sk.ca.
Prairie Habitat Garden: Volunteers Needed
SaskatoonErin Birns is the project coordinator for the Prairie Habitat Garden (PHG) located on the U of S campus adjacent to the College of Education.
The PHG is a project developed by faculty and students in the College of Education. The goal is to be a source of information for all students about native Saskatchewan plants and ecosystems. They maintain the garden not only with the hope that it is beautiful to look at, but also with the intent that it act as a starting point - a tool - for educating students about the importance of sustaining our province’s native ecosystems.
The garden is BIG and staffed by only two people - maintaining it so that the plants can survive and thrive is quite the undertaking. Erin is asking for your help over the coming summer months! Any volunteers who would be willing to spend a few hours of any week day weeding/planting would be happily welcomed into the garden!
For more information about the garden please follow the link: http://www.usask.ca/education/prairiehabitatgarden/. Please contact Erin at erb738@mail.usask.ca or 381-8076.
Global TV Seeks Green Story Ideas
On June 20th Global television is "Going Green"! This network wide initiative will shine a spotlight on environmental issues across the country. On that day, every Global station and all of their information programming will be focusing on these issues. In Regina the 6:00 Evening News, 10:00 Prime News, and 11:00 News Final will all have local stories related to the environment. Global National and Entertainment Tonight Canada are also participating - even the normally red Global Logo will be green for the day!
They are looking for suggestions: What programs or grants are available? What's around the corner, what are the latest eco trends? What's being done by the business community to clean up the environment? They are also looking to do their 6:00 show live on location, with an exciting backdrop: either an area not normally accessible to the general public or a place full of activity and buzz.
If you have ideas or proposals, please contact Brent Williamson, News Director, Global Regina 306-775-4041 or 306-533-4500.