SEN Info Bulletin

New Publication: The Sasquatch to be Launched

The Sasquatch focuses on Saskatchewan current events and issues. Learn more about the newspaper and provide feedback on this project at a community meeting near you: Sunday, November 9th at 7 pm at Amigo’s back meeting room in Saskatoon; Sunday, November 23rd at 7 pm at the Cathedral Neighborhood Centre in Regina; and Monday, November 24th at 7 pm at Moose Jaw Public Library, Moose Jaw.

Sponsored by Briarpatch (306) 525-2949.

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Regina Landfill Hydrogen Project Delayed

REGINA - The construction of an innovative new plant that will turn Regina's landfill gas into hydrogen is temporarily delayed. Terry Stott, chief operating officer for Saskatoon-based SHEC Energy, said the solar hydrogen production station that is to be constructed just north of the landfill likely won't be up and running until early next summer, roughly a year later than was initially expected. The delay is due to securing funding for the project, which Stott said is nearly complete.

SHEC will purchase the landfill gas collected by the City of Regina and transform it into solar hydrogen energy at the station. However, the landfill gas must first be cleaned before it is processed. Landfill gas results from the degradation of organic waste, such as grass clippings or food waste. The gas is made up of about 50 per cent carbon dioxide and 50 per cent methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas.

The city's landfill gas collection system, which officially opened a year ago, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transforming methane to carbon dioxide through flaring, which will be done until SHEC's gas-cleaning system is in place.

Full article: http://tinyurl.com/5zuqgu

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The Most Potent Unknown Greenhouse Gas Revealed

A gas used in manufacture of flat panel televisions, computer displays, microcircuits, and thin-film solar panels is 17,000 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and it is far more prevalent in the atmosphere than previously estimated. Nitrogen trifluoride, NF3, is at least four times more widespread than scientists had believed, according to new research by a team at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.

The amount of the gas in the atmosphere, which could not be detected using previous techniques, had been estimated at less than 1,200 metric tons in 2006. The new research shows the actual amount was 4,200 metric tons.

Full story at ENS News: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/oct2008/2008-10-24-01.asp.

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All-new Gardening Show First of its Kind

Coleen Rajotte of the 100% Aboriginal owned and operated Rajotte Productions Inc. is breaking new ground this fall, producing the first-ever gardening program from an Indigenous perspective. Vitality Gardening Debuts on November 1st on APTN at 2:30 pm.

The all-new series is hosted by the award-winning journalist Coleen Rajotte herself. There is a sense of journey as she unravels the clues in the living history of the food we eat. Her discoveries take her to places such as Inuvik, NWT, the West Coast, to the Mayan Territory of Mexico, meeting aboriginal communities who are experimenting with various types of gardening in every type of climate.

Responding to growing trends towards living more healthful and balanced lives, the show maintains its practical mandate. “Whether you live in an isolated northern community or an urban centre, it’s a hands on, how-to show” says Rajotte, whose background is Cree and Métis. The program provides practical information on starting your own garden, and traditional medicines made from wild plants. For example, Coleen invites Caroline Chartrand, founder of the Métis Horticulture & Heritage Society, to guide the transformation of her front yard from barren ground to a woodland garden of local indigenous and naturalized species having food, medicinal and ecological uses.

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Input on Designing a Process for Selecting Nuclear Waste Storage Site

Over the next few months the Nuclear Waste Management Organization wants to hear from interested Canadians about their expectations and preferences for an appropriate and fair siting process. It is important that this process be designed, from the beginning, not only to address technical considerations required to ensure the safety of any site, but also to address the objectives and concerns of Canadians.

Details here: http://www.nwmo.ca/designingasitingprocess

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One Million Acts of Green

CBC’s The Hour, hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos, are teaming up with Internet solutions provider Cisco to launch the new national environmental campaign One Million Acts of Green (OMAoG) to get Canadians to think and act “green” from October through to June 2009.

The campaign is calling on all Canadians to commit eco-friendly acts, such as recycling cell phones or building a green roof area, which can be entered on OMAoG’s interactive website to see an immediate impact using GreenNexxus’ green calculator. Aside from providing details about the campaign, the site will also house educational materials on green efforts. http://www.onemillionactsofgreen.com

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Great Sand Hills Regional Environmental Study: Comments Invited

"The Great Sand Hills Regional Environmental Study: Final Report" (May 2007) examines the implications of development within the Great Sand Hills and proposes a strategic land development and management plan focused on the long-term sustainability of this region of Saskatchewan. It seeks to provide insight into the social, cultural, economic and biophysical constraints for future development and suggests ways in which development could occur without adversely impacting the ecological integrity of this "globally significant regional ecosystem".

Public comments are due by December 16th, 2008. Details on the Environmental Assessment Branch web site at: http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=154ece89-5388-4ab0-8aab-d2a9ac509b02.

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Native Plant Workshop

This is the last native plant workshop for the year, but they will be back in the spring. This workshop will be held inside and will include benefits of planting native species, how to plan, design and prepare a native plant garden, what plants to plant and where to find them. The workshop is free of charge, Classroom 1011 (bottom floor. For more information: malin.hansen@uregina.ca.

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Lecture: Joel Salatin, co-owner of Polyface Organic Farm

Joel Salatin, is a full-time farmer in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. A third generation alternative farmer, he returned to the farm full-time in 1982 and continued refining and adding to his parents' ideas. The farm services more than 1,500 families, 10 retail outlets, and 30 restaurants through on-farm sales and metropolitan buying clubs.

A sought-after conference speaker, he addresses a wide range of issues, from "creating the farm your children will want" to "making a white collar salary from a pleasant life in the country." A wordsmith, he describes his occupation as "mob-stocking hervbivorous solar conversion lignified carbon sequestration fertilization." His humorous and conviction-based speeches are akin to theatrical performances, often receiving standing ovations.

Lecture followed by book signing. Tickets: $10.

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Green Living Expo Event with Mike Holmes

Mike Holmes from HGTV Holmes on Holmes will be at TCU Place to see "How Green can you Go" on Green Renovations, plus an impressive tradeshow of local businesses in a festival-like atmosphere and an opportunity to network with others interested in the future of the Saskatchewan environment. Entertainment provided by Carrie Catherine.

Advance Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for students, At the Door: $20 for adults and students.

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Building Sask Green Conference

Building Saskatchewan Green Conference and Expo. How do we go green, in our developments and our lifestyles? Building Saskatchewan Green will answer this questions at its fifth annual conference and sustainable living expo. Delegate Registration: members and non-members $350.00, Student $175.00. Includes Thursday & Friday Green Expo, Friday breakfast & lunch, and Friday Conference Workshops.

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The Role of Co-operatives in Health Care: National and International Perspectives

The Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, University of Saskatchewan, and the Community Health Co-operative Federation are pleased to invite you to attend this day-long conference. This event will be of particular interest to researchers, health care administrators, practitioners, policy makers, elected officials and students. Details at http://www.usaskstudies.coop/. For more information, call (306) 966-8509 or email coop.studies@usask.ca.

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Not for Sale Trade Show

End Slavery Now! There are as many as 27 million human beings enslaved this second. It is time to do something. Join the generation that stands against injustice, and come to the Not for Sale Trade Show with guest speaker James Pond. Admission is free. Sponsored by the Canadian Religious Conference and STM Campus Ministry. For more information call 966-8931.

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To Zimbabwe with Love

This special fundraising variety night includes a songwriter-in-the-round session featuring Ricasso (Greg Hargarten) & Brent Taylor, Brenda Baker and Sheldon Corbett, and Eileen Laverty, and more entertainment with Come Full Circle, and The Saskatoon Soaps.

All proceeds are in support of Sylvia Cholodnuik’s Zimbabwe project: http://www.tshelanyemba.net.

Tickets are $25, available at: Caffe Sola, Carriage House Florists and the Residence Office on the U of S campus.

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Slide Talk: Uranium Shape-Shifter

Presenter Robert Del Tredici teaches photography, drawing, and the history of animated film at Vanier College in Montreal. During the Clinton administration Del Tredici became principal photographer and designer for three US government reports on the present, past, and future of the radioactive cleanup of the US nuclear weapons complex. 100 of Del Tredici’s photographs were on view at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, as part of an exhibition called Environments Here and Now. A duplicate show was displayed in Japan for the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Free admission. Sponsored by Inter-Church Uranium Committee Educational Cooperative http://www.icucec.org. For more information phone Karen at 653-1686 or 966-4483 days.

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A Night for Rights

CUPE Saskatchewan will host A Night for Rights with acclaimed speaker, broadcaster, author and filmmaker: Irshad Manji. The event celebrates the approaching 60th anniversary of the United Nations International Declaration of Human Rights: a document which set a standard of treatment for all people.

Manji will join CUPE Saskatchewan to address the friends and allies of human rights, and follow a question-and-answer forum with a book-signing reception. The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

For more information, visit http://www.cupe.sk.ca.

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Stop Poverty and Racism

The Saskatchewan Intercultural Association invites you to participate in an event to recognize the global epidemic of racism and poverty and how this is in violation of the international human rights code. The event will consist of a tribunal that will aim to give a sense of how serious this problem is and a focus group to help uncover steps that need to be taken nationally and locally to help eradicate the problem. Dinner, dancing and entertainment will complete the event.

RSVP to 978-1818 by November 5th or manager.sia@sasktel.net.

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Eco-Explorations in Saskatchewan's Back Country

A presentation on adventure tourism in Saskatchewan, illustrated by inspiring images of some of the province's wilderness destinations. Presented by Cliff Speer, who has owned and operated CanoeSki since 1990.

Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Environmental Society and the Saskatoon Public Library.

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Organic Connections Conference

This is Western Canada’s largest organic agriculture conference and tradeshow. The line up includes workshops on farming organically, plenary sessions, breakout sessions, tradeshow floor area, and organic incubator. Details at http://www.organicconnections.ca/.

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39th Annual Convention of the National Farmers Union

“Food and Community: Local to International” is the theme of the National Farmers Union (NFU) 39th annual national convention, which takes place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, November 20-22, 2008. The convention will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Saskatoon. Full details of the convention agenda are available at http://www.nfu.ca.

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A Provincial Women's Symposium

The newly-formed Prairie Lily Feminist Society is hosting its first provincial event, A Women's Symposium, December 6 and 7 in Saskatoon. Details and brochure at http://prairielilies.wordpress.com/symposium/. You can also reach the Lilies at prairielilies@gmail.com.

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The Council of Canadians 23rd Annual General Meeting

We hope you can join us for a free public forum on Friday night to look at who is really benefiting from the rapid pace of tar sands development - and at what price. Join us on Saturday, November 1 for a day of workshops and panel discussions on the future of Canada's water and energy resources, the environment and the impacts of increased economic ties between Canada and the U.S. This event is open to everyone. You don't have to be a Council member to attend. It's all happening at the Crowne Plaza-Chateau Lacombe Hotel, 10111 Bellamy Hill in Edmonton.

Registration required for Saturday. Discounted rate for students, seniors and fixed income. For more information or to register for Saturday workshops, visit http://www.canadians.org/about/AGM or call toll-free 1-800-387-7177 ext. 333. Open to everyone.

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Free Energy Information Day

Find out more about and see our wind power generator, solar water heating, and solar air heating installations. Learn about applications and generous government rebates for independent, environment friendly renewable systems for homes, farms and businesses. Sponsored by Nexus Solar Corporation. For more information, contact us at 262-5960 or forinfo@nexussolar.com.

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Project Porchlight

Climate change is a critical trans-national, non-partisan issue. And making it possible for people to change light bulbs is just the start of the process of broad public mobilization. Get involved! For more information or to volunteer in your area visit: http://www.projectporchlight.com.

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Abstracts at the 5th World Environmental Education Congress in Montreal

The 5th World Environmental Education Congress will be hosted in Montreal, 10-14 May 2009. We now have more than 1000 abstracts submitted from over 100 countries. This is shaping up as an event that environmental educators will not want to miss. You will be able to submit your proposal until midnight - Eastern Daylight Time. Types of submissions include: oral presentations, poster presentations, roundtable presentations, workshops, and NGO/NPO forums.

Detailed instructions are available at the Congress site: http://www.5weec.uqam.ca/APPEL/index.asp under "Call for Papers."

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EcoAction Community Funding Program

Funding is available through the EcoAction Community Funding Program for projects that address Environment Canada’s priority issues of Clean Air and Climate Change, Clean Water, and Nature. At this time, funding priority may be given to eligible projects that address Clean Air and Climate Change issues. The maximum amount available per project is $100,000. Applicants must ensure that at least 50 percent of the total value of their project comes from sources other than the federal government.

EcoAction Community Funding Program has moved to one deadline per year, November 1st of each year. Please make sure your proposal for projects starting in 2009 are submitted on, or before, November 1st.

More information at http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction/what_is_e.html.

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