News
Nanomaterials Could Pose Health Risks
Not enough is known about the health and environmental effects of nanomaterials and nanoproducts, says a new report released Thursday, and more must be done to regulate items that contain them. The report, released by the Council of Canadian Academies, a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to provide independent, expert assessment of the science underlying matters of public interest, identified major gaps in knowledge about the safety of nanomaterials. The council's reports are commissioned by the Canadian government.
Nanoparticles are microscopic, engineered particles that are measured by the nanometre, or a billionth of a metre. They have a variety of commercial applications: they're used in skincare products like anti-aging creams and sunscreens, as delivery mechanisms for drugs and to improve such things as the functioning of car exhaust systems.
Because nanoparticles are so small, they have the potential to migrate beyond the products in which they are used, such as into the human body or the environment — and that is where their effects are unknown, says the report.
Full story: http://www.scienceadvice.ca/nanotechnology.html.
Beat Global Heat Local Concerts Across Canada
On Saturday, July 26th, Beat Global Heat, a series of small scale concerts independently organized by citizens across Canada will be held to inspire people to become actively involved in solutions to climate change through fun events. By uniting neighbours and friends across Canada together in backyards and other outdoor spaces to listen to live music, Beat Global Heat will connect with people of like-mind and help them express their support for action on climate change. For more information, or to get involved as a host, performer or attendee, please visit http://www.beatglobalheat.org.
Kaleidoscope Video Challenge: Online Voting for National
Vote for your favourite video from the pool of Kaleidoscope Real World Video Challenge regional winners. The video with the most votes will receive the Public Vote Award at the Kaleidoscope National Gala in Ottawa this September. All regional first place winners' videos are included at http://www.videochallenge.ca.
A national jury of three youth will also be choosing winners in each age category. All winners will be announced at the National Gala in Ottawa.
There are two finalists from Saskatchewan: We Still Have a Dream by Mr. Wagner's Class at St. Angela School (Saskatchewan 8-12), exploring the issue of racism, and Love to Love You Landfills. a musical rap on over-consumption by Joel Entwistle & Maxim Gertier-Jaffe (Saskatchewan 13-18).Action Alerts
Sign on to ENGO Response to Proposed Changes in Navigable Waters Protection Act
In response to proposed changes in the Navigable Waters Protection Act, the Steering Committee of the RCEN Water, Fisheries and Oceans Caucus has drafted an ENGO response for your review and sign-on. If your organization would like to sign on to this statement, please email leela@cen-rce.org with your organization’s name by Friday, July 11, 2008. The letter will be submitted to Transport Canada next week. Read the ENGO response at http://www.cen-rce.org/ebulletin/aalertb.html
Public Consultation on the Requirement for Comprehensive Studies of Municipal Drinking Water Projects
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is launching a 45-day consultation on a proposal to amend the Comprehensive Study List Regulations (CSLR) to remove municipal/community drinking water (MDW) projects from the comprehensive study list. The outcome of this amendment would be that municipal/community drinking water projects that require a federal environmental assessment would be subject to a screening instead of a comprehensive study.
The Agency would like to invite you to review and provide comments on the proposal. A consultation document containing the details of this initiative is available on the Agency’s website at http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/013/pn080612_e.htm.
Please submit your comments, questions and/or suggestions in the official language of your choice by July 28, 2008, to John Smith Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, 160 Elgin Street, 22nd floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3. Tel.: 1-866-582-1884 Fax: 613-957-0897 E-mail: John.Smith@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.
Invitation to Comment on Draft Process Improvement Initiatives for Screening Environmental Assessments at the CNSC
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is proposing improvements to its screening Environmental Assessment (EA) process to standardize and streamline the process, and to ensure that the complexity of the EA is appropriate for the level of risk or complexity of the project.
Send your comments about the draft document before July 18, 2008. Details are at: http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/ea/participate/invitation.cfm?CFID=246033&CFTOKEN=98903175.Coming Events
Regina
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.
This year's sessions include: Comic Creation, Zines and Blogs, Figure Drawing, and Graphic Design Basics. Registration fee is $75.00. Deadline for registration is July 10th. More details at http://ebeat.sasktelwebhosting.com/youthbeat.
Rare Plant Identification Workshop
August 12th, Rm. LB 411.2, Dept. of Biology, U. of R.This is a workshop for anyone who wishes to be able to identify rare plants. The content of the course ranges from general botany for those not familiar with plant identification to basic surveying techniques and rare plant identification. The goal of these workshops is to get anyone interested in rare plants, regardless of skill level, to go out and look for them. The cost of this course is $25 which is fully refunded upon the completion of a rare plant survey form. Contact Chet at 668-3940 to register. Hosted by the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan.
Missing Indigenous Women Conference
August 14th - 17th, ReginaAn International Conference on "Missing Women: Decolonization, Third Wave Feminisms, and Indigenous People of Canada and Mexico" will be held August 14-17, 2008 in Regina, Saskatchewan, presented by Luther College in conjunction with the Women's Studies Department and the University of Regina.
For more information, visit their website at: http://www.missingwomenregina.com.Saskatoon
Seminar: Mel Luetkens of Elevance Renewable Sciences
July 16th, 2:30 - 4 pm, Atrium, Innovation PlaceAg-West Bio presents a seminar with Mel Luetkens of Elevance Renewable Sciences. Based in Lisle, Illinois, Elevance Renewable Sciences Inc. creates a wide range of specialty chemicals from natural oils. Using a Nobel Prize winning technology called olefin metathesis, the company creates high performance waxes, functional oils, anti-microbials, lubricants, additives and other chemicals. To learn more about the company, visit http://www.elevance.com. RSVP to Kristen at 306-975-1939 or kristen.dube@agwest.sk.ca by Monday, July 14th. Details at http://www.agwest.sk.ca/events/Elevance-July16-08/Elevance-seminar-promo.html.
2008 International FlaxBast Conference
July 21st - 23th, Hilton Garden HotelThe Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission and international collaborators have been working hard to ensure an exciting, informative program for the 2008 Conference, including agronomy, processing, grading, and end uses of flax, hemp and other bast fiber plants. It will be the first time this conference has ever been held in North America. From inspiring keynote addresses to information-filled sessions, this Conference promises to offer presentations on the latest innovations and an opportunity to exchange ideas with others in our field from around the world.
Details at http://www.flaxbast2008.com/index.html.
Rare Plant Identification Workshop
July 25th, Rm. 2C61, Dept. of Agriculture, U. of S.This is a workshop for anyone who wishes to be able to identify rare plants. The content of the course ranges from general botany for those not familiar with plant identification to basic surveying techniques and rare plant identification. The goal of these workshops is to get anyone interested in rare plants, regardless of skill level, to go out and look for them. The cost of this course is $25 which is fully refunded upon the completion of a rare plant survey form. Contact Chet at 668-3940 to register. Hosted by the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan.
Enviro 911 Art Show Reception
July 25th, 7 - 10 pm, Gordon Snelgrove Gallery, U. of S.We are a non profit group called Enviro 911 operating under guidance of the Sierra Club. We are a volunteer research group that answers questions via email at enviro911@gmail.com. We answer questions ranging from where to recycle mattresses to how to stop chemical spraying or create a petition. More at the website: http://www.sierraclub.ca/prairie/enviro911/.
We are having a launch of the group to get the word out in the form of an art show closing reception July 25th. The show runs from July 14th-25th at the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery on campus. More than 30 local artists are showing their works and will be in attendance. Some of the artists include Don Kossick, Alicia Popoff, Leslie Potter, Jan Jonnson, Richard Popoff and many more.
Saskatoon Women's Community Coalition AGM
July 28th, 2008, 4:30 pm. YWCA Community Service VillageYou are invited to attend the Saskatoon Women's Community Coalition Annual General Meeting. SWCC has organized, supported and empowered the women's movement in Saskatoon for over 15 years. We look forward to seeing you on the 28th of July to celebrate another fabulous year making change and empowering the women in our community. Memberships have always been on a sliding scale basis: Individual - $5, Organization/community group - $20, Under/unemployed - Free.
If you are interested in joining the SWCC board of directors, or individual committees of the SWCC, please come along to our AGM and sign up! Some of the committees include: Take Back the Night, December 6th, International Women's Day, to name just a few.
Rare Plant Survey Techniques
August 6 - 8, SaskatoonThis two and a half day short course is for environmental consultants who wish to learn about the new rare plant survey methodologies and guidelines developed by Environment Canada. It will cover planning for and designing field surveys (taught in the lab) as well as conducting surveys (done in the field on a federally-listed rare plant population). The cost is $200 per person. Contact Chet at 668-3940 to register. Details at http://www.npss.sk.ca.
Youth Action Gathering
August 8th - 11thThe Sierra Youth Coalition (SYC) is pleased to announce Saskatoon’s first ever Youth Action Gathering (YAG), happening August 8-11, 2008. Youth from around Saskatoon ages 14-18 are invited to attend this day camp, which will feature workshops, speakers, and activities centered around issues of environmental sustainability and social justice.
The purpose of this gathering is to inform and educate youth on environmentalism, international development, and social justice issues and give them tools to create positive, proactive change in their communities. By training participants in leadership, organization, fundraising, and public relations, we can empower youth to organize their own initiatives, creating a force for long-term change in Saskatoon. This program will bring together a diverse and committed group of young people, to make lasting connections, friendships, and peer support to draw from when launching their own projects.
Topics we will cover include racism, sexism, homophobia, fair trade, war and conflict, water conservation, biking and bike repair, waste reduction, and more. We will also advise participants on ways they can become involved in local movements and projects, involving them in existing activism in Saskatoon. This YAG is organized by youth for youth, with the belief that when youth are armed with awareness, knowledge, and motivation, they can create positive change in our schools, city, country, and our world.
If you are interested, please contact saskatoonyag@gmail.com to request a registration form or an information package, or join our facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22702302494 to receive updates and further information.
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
2008 Ness Creek Music Festival
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. Details at http://www.nesscreek.com/
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.
Native Plant Society of Sask. Annual Summer Field Tour
July 19 - 20th, South of Indian HeadThe Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan (NPSS) invites you to participate in their annual summer field tour on July 19-20, 2008. We will be spending the weekend exploring the native grasslands, riparian forest and wetlands of a lovely natural area 15 km south of Indian Head.
Please contact NPSS at 668-3940 or info@npss.sk.ca to register (free) or if you have any questions. Deadline is July 1, 2008.
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.
Summer Workshops at Last Mountain Bird Observatory
August 9th and August 16th, 2008In August, 2008, Nature Saskatchewan is offering 1-day workshops at Last Mountain Bird Observatory – at new initiative for LMBO! The Last Mountain Bird Observatory is located at Last Mountain Regional Park, about 10 km west of Govan, SK. Both workshops will provide an opportunity to see how birds are caught in mist nets, handled as they are weighed, measured and banded, and then released. Alan Smith, Manager at LMBO, will demonstrate and speak about banding and the monitoring programs at LMBO.
To Register: contact the Nature Saskatchewan office at (306) 780-9273 or 1-800-667-4668 (SK only), or email: info@naturesask.ca. Please provide your name(s), phone number, mailing address and email address. There is NO COST to attend, but please register. Details at http://www.naturesask.ca/
Young Birder Workshop (ages 8-13), August 9th
This workshop, tailored for children ages 8+ along with a parent/grandparent, will stimulate and develop interest in the world of birds at an early age through hands-on activities. Children will be introduced to birds, their habits and how they can enjoy birds. Leader: Kim Epp (Chickadee Nature Tours, Moose Jaw) on Saturday, August 9th, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm with a BBQ lunch provided. Limit: 10 Young Birders, along with their parent/grandparent.
Teen & Adult Birding Workshop (ages 13+), August 16th
This workshop will introduce older youth and adults to birding, including identification, monitoring techniques and ways that individuals can get involved in monitoring programs such as Breeding Bird Surveys and Christmas Bird Counts. Leader: Angela Pfeiffer (First Nations Agricultural Council of SK, Melville) on Saturday, Aug 16th, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm with a BBQ lunch provided. Limit: 15 teens/ adults.
SOEEA's 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!
Prices: $70 SOEEA members ($85 non-members, which includes a one year membership). Family and student rates available. To receive a registration form, please send an email to Tina Krupski at soeea.sk@gmail.com.
Job Opportunities/Call for Delegates/Proposals
Call for Delegates: Environmental Assessment Working Group on Substances in Products Regulated under the Foods and Drugs Act: Natural Health Products Subcommittee
The EAWG is in the process of establishing a new Subcommittee on Natural Health Products and has invited the RCEN to select three ENGO nominees. It is anticipated that members of the Natural Health Products Sub-Committee will meet quarterly for one to two years. The EAWG is a multi-stakeholder working group that provides advice to Health Canada and Environment Canada regarding the development of appropriate regulations for the assessment of new substances contained in products regulated under the Food & Drugs Act. The deadline for applications is July 23, 2008. Details at http://www.cen-rce.org/eng/consultations/delegate_calls/0807_nathealth.html.
Canadian Environmental Network: Office and Events Administrator
Location: OttawaThe RCEN is currently seeking an Office and Events Administrator to work from our office in Ottawa, Ontario. Starting in early August, the Administrator will assist in performing multiple duties related to the administration of the RCEN office, will organize the logistics for the Annual General Assembly (AGA) and will assist the Executive Director. Candidates should have excellent verbal and written skills in French and English, a university or college diploma and prior experience in office administration and event coordination. The deadline for applications is July 21, 2008. For more information, please visit the RCEN’s employment webpage at http://www.cen-rce.org/eng/jobs.html.
World Rivers Day: Join the Celebration!
Preparations are being made for World Rivers Day, set for September 28th this year. We encourage you to join in, or organize a Rivers Day event of your own, which might range from a stream cleanup to a community riverside celebration. To find out more about water issues, and how to get involved with World Rivers Day, visit their Web Site at: http://www.worldriversday.bcit.ca to find out more about World Rivers Day, and to register your own event with them.
TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup: September 20-28, 2008
Every September, tens of thousands of Canadians from every province and territory take part in our national cleanup week, and work together to ensure that Canada’s shorelines are kept clean and healthy. The 2008 cleanup week of September 20th – 28th, 2008 is approaching and we would like to invite you to join us this year by hosting a shoreline cleanup. Hosting a shoreline cleanup is easy, it’s fun, and it’s a great way to engage staff, volunteers, community members and students in an environmental stewardship project. Cleanup supplies, instructions and educational materials are all provided free of charge. To get involved, all it takes is one interested individual to choose a location, pick a date during our national cleanup week and register the details online at http://www.vanaqua.org/cleanup.