News
Walter Murray Grad Tackles World's Climate Woes
December 11, 2008A former Saskatoon woman and internationally recognized environmental advocate is one of 26 youth delegates from Canada in Poland this week for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Rosa Kouri, 25, a graduate of Walter Murray Collegiate, is in her final few days at the 10-day conference being held in Poznan, Poland. The UN conference sets the agenda for international efforts to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. More than 10,000 delegates are trying to hammer out an international treaty to cut greenhouse gases. It is intended to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
So far, Kouri said she's been disappointed with government action at the conference. Canada, for instance, has been criticized for not signing on to hard emission cut targets, she said. Kouri said the Canadian government has been regressing in its promises at the climate-change talks, focusing on reducing greenhouse gases through intensity-based targets rather than absolute reduction targets.
On Wednesday, the group met with Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner. She said she was taken aback by Renner's denial of the environmental and health effects of the Alberta oilsands.
The group will meet with federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice today to address the Conservative government's stance on emission reductions. Prentice is expected to formally lay out Canada's position.
Full article at http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Walter+Murray+grad+tackles+world+climate+woes/1060456/story.htmlSaskatchewan Joins Trees In Trust
Meewasin Valley Authority and Trees In Trust have just launched a new campaign in Saskatoon to preserve endangered forest in the region. The program allows people to make a small donation and, in return, have a piece of forest dedicated in their name forever. The Trees In Trust program is spreading across the country, it started in PEI and now covers four provinces.
Trees In Trust raises funds to save endangered Canadian forests. In exchange for a donation, a mapped piece of forest is dedicated forever in your name, or as a gift or memorial - and it's all done on the web.
Yorath Island Conservation Area includes 151 acres of unique cottonwood forest situated in the riparian valley of the South Saskatchewan River, one of the largest wooded riparian habitats remaining in the prairie region. With four provinces in the program, we are able to offer donors a choice of seven woodlands, and a further woodland in New Brunswick will be added soon. See http://www.treesintrust.com/information.shtm#woodlands for a list of the woodlands that are now available.
Oil Sands Development Rides Roughshod over Protected Areas
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is calling on the Provincial Government to exempt lands that merit protected status from further oil sands exploration and development.
Allyson Brady, Executive Director of the Society, said today that “valuable lands in northwest Saskatchewan that deserve the protection of the provincial government are being put on the auction block”. These lands have been identified as worthy of protection by the government’s own Parks branch who assessed them in consultation with Mistik Management (a forestry company in northwest Saskatchewan), the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, the World Wildlife Fund and Ducks Unlimited.
Mistik Management has agreed to defer harvesting operations in these candidate protected areas. The next step in the process was to be extensive consultations with northern communities. Now the whole process of protecting these lands is being thrown into disarray by the oil sands auctioning process.
Full story at http://www.environmentalsociety.ca/.
Meewasin Announces Conservation Award
December 4, 2008Sue Barrett is the 2008 winner of the Meewasin Conservation Award presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the resources of the Meewasin Valley.
Sue has been active in numerous heritage organizations for more than 30 years. Her interest in Saskatoon's built heritage has led to involvement with projects that increase public awareness of the rich heritage resources in the city and help ensure their preservation for future generations.
Since its creation in 1995 she has served on the Marr Residence management board, and has been chair for the past 10 years. Sue is a long-term member and past president of the Saskatoon Heritage Society and past president of the Saskatoon Heritage Festival Board. She served eight years on the city's Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee, and was responsible for coordinating articles on built heritage for the Saskatoon Sun. She worked as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Doors Open Saskatoon events in 2006 and 2007, and is a current board member of the Friends of the Forestry Farm House.
Full story http://www.meewasin.com/news_and_events/news/?article_id=355&back=%2F.
boilingfrog’s Work Recognized by United Nations Program
On November 20, 2008, Craik’s Eco-Centre hosted an awards ceremony for the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE Saskatchewan). Twenty seven projects from across the RCE region were recognized for contributing to the United Nations decade of education for sustainable development (2005 - 2014).
Last spring's Earth Day Film Festival, hosted by SEN membergroup boilingfrog.ca, was recognized for attracting people from around the province. Top notch eco-films and dynamic discussions were presented, including an Eat Local workshop with Amy Jo Ehman. Festival goers were also treated to some fabulous food provided by some of Craik and Davidson’s wonderful gardeners, farmers and ranchers. Boilingfrog’s, Bridget Haworth and Kelly Reinhardt accepted this honour, and shared plans with those attending for our own eco-showpiece on Craik’s main street - currently under development. http://boilingfrog.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/plan-1-colour.pdf.
Read the whole article and the RCE Press Release http://boilingfrog.ca/?p=111#more-111.
Green Momentum in Saskatchewan
Green Buildings Growing in Saskatchewan
by Kelly WinderRecognition of the advantages of green buildings for businesses is growing. In markets where green buildings are established, the advantages include lower vacancy rates, higher occupant satisfaction ratings, lower operating costs, fewer change orders during construction and even lower initial capital costs in the more mature markets.
According to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the predominant green building rating system, the design of a green building considers impacts in five broad areas: the site on which the building is situated; its water use; its energy use; the materials from which it is made; and the quality of the indoor environment.
The Fort Battleford Building Visitor Centre has gone off grid entirely, generating its own power from two sources, a wind turbine and solar electric system that also feed power back into the SaskPower grid when building's power consumption results demand falls below actual supply. More significantly, the recently constructed Saskatchewan Forest Centre in Prince Albert was awarded LEED gold certification in 2006, the highest award rating for a building.
Reproduced with permission. published in SaskBusiness Oct-Nov, 2008. Full article is downloadable from the Saskatchewan Research council website: http://www.src.sk.ca/html/publications/news/index.cfm?productID=3916.
Resources
Book: Corrupt to the Core
Memoirs of a Health Canada Whistleblower by Shiv Chopra, a new book dealing with issues about health and food safety. In it is proof that shows how our public servants, education, institutions etc. have slowly but surely been usurped by the industry interests. Details at http://shivchopra.com.
Website: How Does Your Bank Measure Up on Climate Action?
Do your bank accounts finance global warming? If you're banking with one of Canada's top five banks, the unfortunate answer is yes.
The Rain Forest Action Network commissioned a report exposing the financed emissions of Canada’s top five banks. Canada's top banks financed more than $155 billion in fossil fuel extraction in 2007. From the tar sands in Alberta to new coal plants, banks are quietly investing customer deposits - perhaps yours - in a massive global expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure.
By visiting http://climatefriendlybanking.com/coc_cfb/ you can calculate how much your savings is contributing to the human carbon footprint and take control over your investments. The site allows you free tools and useful information about how banks are (or are not) responding to the climate challenge. By understanding the worth of your assets you can speak out and demand that they be spent on climate friendly investments for a healthier, safer world for all of us.
Action Alert
Action: Casino Light Pollution
If you think that SIGA should respect our Land of Living Skies, and TURN OFF the Teepees of Light at casinos in Saskatchewan, please sign our petition and send out our e-card. Our politicians and Sask Tourism are taking notice of our intense lobbying! Let's send them a few thousand postcards to remind them!
We now have Dakota Dunes Casino (south of Saskatoon), Painted Hand (Yorkton), Northern Lights (Prince Albert) and Living Sky (Swift Current) lights on. Golden Eagle (North Battleford) has the lights mounted, but not yet on, Bear Claw (near Kenosee Lake) will be a while. We asked SIGA not to use intense billion-candlepower beams as their symbol more than 3 years before the first casino came on. They ignored us. We don't go away that easily!
E-card: http://www.livingskiescasino.com/Living_Skies/Who_to_Write.html In the blank area of the e-card, you can add your comments, or just send it as is.
Petition: http://www.livingskiescasino.com/Living_Skies/Petition.html There are already more than 700 signatures on it, and that is not enough!
All about light pollution abatement programs in Saskatchewan - most programs are netting POSITIVE results, except for the casinos: http://myotherlife.net/slpac/.
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.
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. Deadline: December 15th, 2008.
Details here: http://www.nwmo.ca/designingasitingprocess
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 are on the Environmental Assessment Branch web site at: http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=154ece89-5388-4ab0-8aab-d2a9ac509b02.
City of Saskatoon Looking for Public Input
The City of Saskatoon is looking for public feedback in two areas: (1) specific land uses issues related to development in residential neighbourhoods and (2) The City is looking at addressing some of their bylaws and processes that may restrict, hinder or in anyway cause hardships for people/ companies starting up green initiatives.
The survey is at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=C8yYEfvUR7ins2dUUhT3uA_3d_3d Or go to: http://www.saskatoon.ca (look under “C” for City Planning). If you do not have access to the Internet and would like to complete the survey, or require more information, please contact Tyson McShane, at 975-7945.
Survey: Transportation Choices in Regina
The City of Regina is conducting a survey on the transportation choices of Regina & area residents. Your response would be appreciated. We encourage you to forward this invitation to participate to all of your Regina & area contacts. The greater the number of respondents, the better the results we will have.
To participate in this survey and help shape the future of transportation in Regina, please go to the following link prior to December 12th: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=rIWfaPGMXIv_2fYpoMBXP9MQ_3d_3d.
Coming Events
Regina
Winter Solstice Candle Night
December 21, The Exchange 2431 8th St.3pm to 6pm Candle Workshop. 7pm Candle Light Unplugged Concert and Storytelling. Doors open at 6pm. Limited seating, come early!
Food booths from Michi and Eat Healthy Food. Information and book tables. Silent Auction. Musicians from Library Voices and more. For more information: Contact Akira Watanabe at: (306) 529-3749.
Details: http://www.econet.sk.ca/events/.
Craven Christmas Bird Count
December 20th, CravenJoin 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.
Regina Christmas Bird Count
December 26th, ReginaJoin 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.
Saskatoon
Green Drinks
December 12th, 5:30, Radisson HotelGreen Drinks this month will be in the Lounge at Aroma Resto Bar, located on the main floor of the Radisson Hotel. Start time will be around 5:30 pm Right now there is no host for this event, but if anyone you are interested please let me know. For those who couldn't make last month, having the host really stirred up some great conversions. As a host you really only have to give a 5 min speil on whatever you want.
1st Ness Generation Christmas Celebration
December 12th, 6 pm, Cosmopolitan Senior Centre, 614 11th St. E.Ness Generation is going to be hosting its First Christmas Celebration! This is a fundraiser so we can continue doing the youth auditions in the new format. Some of the acts include: Paul Tobin & Kuzbik, Little Spoon, Prairie Mountain Sinners, The Swindlers, Karpinka Brothers, Green Bottle Street, Red Hot Buckets, and Malika Sellami - just to name a few! Bring your family and join us for a good time of food, entertainment and dancing.
This is an all ages function with an appetizer pot luck, door prizes, games and music all night long! Doors open @ 5:30pm; music starts @ 6pm. Adults 10$ - Youth 5$ - Under 5 Free. Cash bar will be available all night. This is a members-only function; Memberships will be available at the door!
The Ness Green Dream Team would like to ask you to bring your own cutlery, plates, cups and things to reduce the waste at this event. Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering for this event, there are openings in the kitchen, the bar, setup and teardown and at the door. Contact Tianna at nessgeneration@hotmail.com
Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Conference: Buy Fresh...Buy Local
January 16th - 17th, Heritage InnSaskatchewan 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.
An Evening with Joni Mitchell
January 24th, TCU PlaceIncluding a pre-show reception, grand circle seats to the ballet The Fiddle and The Drum, and dessert and coffee reception with special guests Jean Grand Maître and Joni Mitchell. Only 100 tickets will be sold for this Meewasin fundraiser. tickets $157.50, with a portion towards charitable receipt. Contact Dianne at Meewasin at 665-6887. Order Deadline – January 14, 2009.
Other
Composting Workshop
December 16th, 7 - 8 pm, Craik LibraryLearn how to in-door compost using red wriggler worms. Plus take home kit with bin & worms. Free Event: please register with Crystal at (306) 734-7737 before December 14th.
Webinar: Bringing SmartTrips Home
December 17th, 3 – 4 pm EDTPortland, Oregon's successful SmartTrips program uses Individualized Marketing to change trip behaviour. The Transportation Options Division of the Portland Office of Transportation initially targeted the downtown district and employers. Portland has since applied the model to a high crash area, modifying the name to SafeTrips in that setting.
Register at http://www.bikewalk.org/webinar.php.
Opportunities/Call for Delegates/Proposals
Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Course
Location: Regina, March 28 - 29, 2009The Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan (WRSOS is hosting a Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Course in March, 2009. The course will be held in Regina. The course was developed by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council and the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (IWRC/NWRA) who will be sending two certified trainers to teach the material.
The course consists of eight hours of lecture and a four-hour lab. There is a homework assignment to complete prior to the start of the weekend, and the class concludes with a one hour, closed-book exam. Topics covered in the course include: introduction to wildlife rehabilitation, basic anatomy and physiology, calculating drug dosages, handling and physical restraint, nutrition, avian neonatal care, zoonoses, housing and criteria for release and euthanasia. Lab topics include: gavage, physical restraint, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, basic physical examination, limb immobilization and weighing.
The registration fee is $169 US dollars and includes a copy of the manual, Principles of Wildlife Rehabilitation: The essential guide for novice & experienced rehabilitators. There will be a lunch option offered for both days. Registration can be either mailed in using the attached form, or by going to the IWRC website and signing up on-line: http://www.iwrc-online.org/training/calendar.cfm.
If you have any questions, please contact WRSOS at info@wrsos.org. For more information about WRSOS, please check our website: http://wrsos.org.
Finance & Administrative Assistant: Heifer International
Location: SaskatoonFinance & Administrative Assistant (term)- provides financial & administrative support and leadership for our Canada Country Program Office. As a key member of Heifer's Canada Country Program Office team you bring a positive attitude and a zest for wanting a job that makes a difference. Your certificate in business administration with a specialization in accounting plus proficiency in QuickBooks, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook will be key to providing the high level of administrative support necessary for this position. This is a 13 month term maternity leave replacement beginning immediately.
If you are looking to gain 13 months of experience in a dynamic organization that offers competitive wages please send or email your cover letter and resume no later than December 12, 2008.Full posting at http://www.heifercanada.org/heifercanada.php#careers.
Otesha Cycling Tours for the Planet
Spring, Summer & Fall 2009 at 7 locations across CanadaThe Otesha Project's 2009 cycling and performing tours have just been launched! The Otesha Project is a youth-run organization that uses theatre to mobilize young people to make local and global change through their everyday consumer choices. The cycling and performing tour offers participants the chance to live in a mobile sustainable community while giving performances to high school students and community groups about how to make sustainability a part of everyday life.
Learning tours, bilingual tours, one month, two months - the possibilities are endless! If you or someone you know is interested in applying to go on a tour, now is the time. Check them out here: http://www.otesha.ca Full time, one or two months. Terms: Fundraise or bursary to cover your expenses.
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.
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.