SEN Info Bulletin

SEN Seeks Environmental Activist Award Nominees

Do you know someone who should be recognized for their work on behalf of the environment?

The Saskatchewan Eco-Network invites you to nominate an outstanding individual or group for the Annual Environmental Activist Awards. Please submit your nomination(s) indicating the name of the individual or group you are nominating, plus a short bio on their achievements.

Nominations should be received by November 30th, 2008 at the SEN Office at 203 115 2nd Ave. N. Saskatoon, SK S7K 2B1 or by email at sen@link.ca. For more information please call 652-1275.

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Lead in Tap Water Worries Residents

Saskatoon - November 26, 2008. Recent tests have found potentially unsafe levels of lead in the tap water flowing into homes in Saskatoon's oldest neighbourhoods and aging municipal infrastructure is the likely cause.

"With something like this, there's a public health issue," says Caswell Hill homeowner Ryan Walker. Walker recently learned he has to run his cold water tap at full blast for 10 minutes every morning in order to bring the concentration of lead down to the maximum level considered safe for drinking by Health Canada standards.

Like thousands of others in the city, the university professor's home is connected to the city's water supply with lead pipes that date back more than five decades. If the water sits in those pipes for hours at a time - overnight, for example - the level of lead contamination builds up.

Full article: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=ca35d428-0206-4925-8ee5-e6b407740a1a.

More news on this issue: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/story.html?id=9a45ac7b-cce1-4bbf-b2b3-c67a775cd34f

There is a background FAQ sheet located at the city of Saskatoon website: http://www.saskatoon.ca/org/water_treatment/water_treatment/lead_pipes.asp.

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2008 Dutch Elm Disease Survey Results

Dutch elm disease was not found in any new communities this year. While the disease continued to spread in areas where it is already established, several communities, including the city of Regina, experienced a decline over last year in the number of infected trees.

Communities confirming the presence of infected elms include Regina (5), Lumsden (9), Regina Beach (13), Fort Qu'Appelle (33), Katepwa (39), Estevan (7), Carnduff (2), Indian Head (9), Echo Valley Provincial Park (86), Radville (5), Odessa (1), Wolseley (2), Francis (1), Grenfell (2) and Carlyle (3). The city of Moose Jaw found no infected trees this year, despite infections in previous years. The communities of Saskatoon, Swift Current, Prince Albert, North Battleford and Yorkton remain Dutch elm disease-free.

"These results indicate that overall, the disease is holding steady in the province, which is positive," provincial Dutch elm disease program administrator Jeffery Gooliaff said.

For more information about disease prevention, call Saskatchewan Environment's toll-free Dutch elm disease information line at 1-800-SASK ELM (1-800-727-5356).

Read the press release: http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=dbdfe6df-5a16-4239-8612-ef92e6733499.

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Nuclear Fallout!

The spectre of Saskatchewan on the cusp of entering the 'nuclear age' has many citizens across the province asking serious questions of its representatives and the provincial government.

Despite their best pronouncements on the subject coupled with public opinion polls commissioned in early fall by industry and government both finding that half of the survey population favour construction of a reactor in province, and Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce endorsement, there appears to be an information/knowledge gap owing to the somewhat one-sided perspective provided to the public.

Hence environmentalists in the province have gone to no small expense to expand the dialogue on nuclear during the past few months in forums where some notable authorities both pro and anti nuke have debated some of the hot button issues.

And it should come as no surprise that with some local communities' councils courting the idea of having the power plant constructed in their own back yard, people are starting to ask questions about the associated safety concerns and health risks to population against the projected economic dividend that would ensue once same was operational.

The Saskatchewan Eco-network believes that a balanced forum or discussion on the issue would not only be beneficial but is warranted given the unprecedented nature and scope of the project as well as the profound and serious impacts that it will have on the local and provincial economy and the safety and health of both the environment and its inhabitants potentially, were such project to proceed at this time.

In order to afford citizens on both sides of the debate a suitable opportunity to develop a better understanding and awareness of implications, impacts and outcomes, SEN wishes to invite any of its affiliates, interested or concerned parties or groups in the province to contact SEN's office by email sen@link.ca or telephone 306-652-1275.

Clean Green Saskatchewan, a coalition of local environmental groups/organizations instrumental in mobilizing public opinion around the nuclear issue, seek your input so that as many of Saskatchewan's citizens as possible will be able to add to the discussion and debate.

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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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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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Rising Energy Costs a Concern for Your Facility?

Learn energy conservation principles, new technologies and potential facility retrofits to help reduce energy consumption and cost. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society presents: The first in a series: Lighting and Electrical Equipment. Ideal for any building operator, custodian or facility personnel.

$100 per session (includes an 80 page manual for use at work and at home). For details, see http://www.environmentalsociety.ca . Registration deadline: November 24th, 2008.

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Craven Christmas Bird Count

Join members of Nature Regina for the Christmas Bird Count that is centered on Craven, and includes Lumsden, Valeport, and part of the Qu’Appelle Valley. Count leader is Trevor Herriot; contact him at 777-2395 (office)/ 585-1674 (home) for details and to be assigned to a count team.

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Regina Christmas Bird Count

Join members of Nature Regina for the annual census of bird life count in the Regina area. It is centered on Regina, and includes areas both within and outside the city. You may participate for all or part of the day. Count coordinator is Dale Hjertaas; call him at 584-2835 or email at Hjertaas@sasktel.net for details and to be assigned to a count team.

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Tar Sands Showdown

Tar Sands Showdown: Canada and the New Politics of Oil In An Age Of Climate Change - Book Launch and Discussion with Tony Clark

Canada’s oil patch is booming. The Alberta tar sands have become the number one foreign oil source for the United States, replacing Saudi Arabia. Within the next 15 years, Canada will be pumping four to five times more crude than today from the tar pits of northern Alberta into the US market. The tar sands are key to the claim that Canada is the new “energy superpower”. As the new backbone of Canada’s economy, the tar sands are bound to define and shape Canada’s role and destiny as a nation in the twenty-first century. What is lacking is independent, reliable information on the host of questions raised by the tar sands – and thoughtful analysis of the issues they raise. What is the real cost to Albertans and to Canadians? How far are we willing to go to fuel America’s oil addiction? What will the ecological and social impacts be? What can be done to build an alternative energy future in an age of global warming. Tar Sands Showdown provides a tool for stimulating public discussion and debate about these important issues. For more information contact: Phone: 955-3070 email: jeh@sierraclub.ca. Admission free; wheelchair accessible.

Presented by: Saskatchewan Environmental Society, Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, Polaris Institute, Sierra Club Canada, Council of Canadians, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Canadian Youth Climate Coalition.

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Saskatchewan’s Great Sand Hills

Formed by the wind and packed with thousands of years of fascinating history, Saskatchewan’s Great Sand Hills are a treasure chest of native prairie plants and animals. Rebecca L. Grambo, author of The Great Sand Hills: A Prairie Oasis, presents stories of the area’s past and present, accompanied by stunning images.

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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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Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Conference: Buy Fresh...Buy Local

Saskatchewan fruit production is staggering. We live in an environment that is pristine relative to other places. Although I hate to remind you that minus 40 degrees is coming, for fruit growers that eliminates most pests and diseases. Many growers use little chemical intervention. The University of Saskatchewan has the last remaining funded fruit development program in Canada.

The SFGA has put together an impressive array of talented presenters. Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Director of McGill University's Office for Science & Society is offering his unique insight into the food we eat. Throughout the two days we move through global distributors and processing to just around the corner at your local grower.

Details at http://www.saskrce.ca/?q=node/777.

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Nuclear Myth Busting

Presentation by Dr. Jim Harding, author the recent book, Canada's Deadly Secret: Saskatchewan Uranium and the Global Nuclear System. There will be time for questions and answers. Refreshments will be provided. Silver collection to help cover Dr. Harding’s expenses.

Location: Wynyard Unitarian Church, corner of Bosworth (Main) Street & Avenue D, Basement – Back Entrance.

For more information, contact: Bill Curry 306-554-2985 or Elaine Hughes 306-323-4938.

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Craik Community Potluck Supper

The supper will be followed by a Special Presentation of two episodes from the new television series on SCN, Green Life: Learning to Live With The World: “Craik - building a green community” & “Personal Power - the art of living off-grid”.

Some people from the episodes will be on hand, as will others from the Craik Sustainable Living Project. we're also hoping the producers of the program will be on hand and we'll all have a great time and fabulous discussion. Presented by the Craik Sustainable Living Project, boilingfrog.ca and LASA Media Arts.

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Program Assistant: Heifer International

Heifer International, a progressive, sustainable community development organization with more than 60 years of grassroots success seeks a Program Assistant to provide coordination and accountability for all programmatic work for the Canada Country Program based in Saskatoon, SK.

The Program Assistant is a 12 month term to begin in mid-January 2009 (with the possibility of extension). If you are looking for a challenging position in a dynamic organization that offers competitive wages, please send or email your cover letter, resume and names of three references no later than November 30, 2008 to: Attn: Finance & Adminstrative Officer, Heifer International, Canada Country Program Office, 600 45th Street West, Saskatoon SK S7L 5W9. Email: info@heifercanada.org Phone: 306.665.2108.

Full posting at http://www.heifercanada.org/heifercanada.php#careers.

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Echoing Green Fellowship

Each year, Echoing Green awards 20 two-year fellowships to social entrepreneurs. Fellows receive up to $90,000 in seed funding and technical support to turn their innovative ideas into sustainable social change organizations.

Echoing Green seeks individuals or partnerships (organizations led by two people) with: innovative solutions to significant social problems; strategies to create high-impact, sustainable change in people’s lives; and, the ability to grow and lead a new organization. The application process is open to citizens of all nationalities, working in any country.

Our application deadline is December 1, 2008. For full details, see their website at http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellowship.

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TD Canada Trust $100,000 Go Green Challenge

TD Canada Trust $100,000 Go Green Challenge provides university students with a fantastic opportunity to win 1 of 4 $25,000 cash prizes for submitting a proposal for positive environmental change in their communities.

All you need is a team of two or more students (both undergrads and graduate)and a faculty sponsor (someone to sign off on your proposal). Then complete and submit an entry form and submit an essay of no more than 4,000 words or 20 pages outlining your idea.

The proposals should be focused on making your community more sustainable. Some examples: public transit, water quality, energy conservation, waste reduction,and naturalizing urban spaces. The homepage for the contest is at http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/gogreen. The deadline for proposal submissions is January 16, 2009.

If you have any questions or would like more information on the contest please contact Dave at daveespeseth@gmail.com.

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Toyota Earth Day Scholarship for Young Environmental Leaders

Every day, in communities across Canada, young people are actively demonstrating their passion for the environment through the important work they accomplish. These dedicated young Canadians are emerging as tomorrow's environmental leaders and advocates.

Toyota Canada Inc. and Earth Day Canada established the Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program to help cultivate and nurture this environmental leadership. The Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program encourages and rewards graduating Canadian high school students who have distinguished themselves through environmental community service, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and academic excellence.

The deadline for applications is January 31, 2009. Details at http://www.earthday.ca/scholarship/ or phone 1.888.283.2784 ext. 108.

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