SEN Info Bulletin

Sixth Annual Environmental Activist Awards

The Saskatchewan Eco Network held its 6th Annual Environmental Activist Awards at the Timlin Neatby Theatre last Friday as part of SEN's Environmental Film Festival, See the Change Be the Change. This year a number of fine individuals and groups received awards:

Almost every week, for the last twenty five years songwriter David Greenfield has taken the bus up to Broadway to record folksongs based on local environmental and political issues. Dave is legally blind, but he educates himself through the media and through the internet and then educates others by writing and performing his music.

Last summer a group of young people held a very ambitious environmental festival. Excitement was brewing all over the city of Saskatoon for We Are Many (WAM). Over 9,000 people came out to a first time event. WAM received our first ever Youth Award.

The Congregation of St. Thomas Wesley was nominated by one of their parishioners and the Board of SEN found that they were a worthy group that lived and practiced environmentalism. They have been active in the in-depth study of numerous environmental issues and are sponsoring a pilgrimage to the tar sands in 2009.

Montgomery School "Green Team" teachers and students have implemented a very consistent approach to recycling and awareness of personal responsibility in protecting the environment.

Jim and Marion Penna have devoted their lives to environmental and social justice. They have been educating people on the hazards or uranium mining and nuclear energy for more than thirty years.

Judy Montgomery has been volunteering for the Saskatchewan Environmental Society for over twenty years. She has played a leadership role in activities such as Hike, Bike and Bus Week and the Annual South Nutana Park Community Re-Use Fair at Prince Philip School.

Bill Adamson was awarded a lifetime achievement award. Bill has been raising the issue of Alpha radiation on the health of uranium miners in Saskatchewan. He has been monitoring the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission reports and has been making submissions to CNSC for decades.

Congratulations to all of the recipients!

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An African Garden Comes Full Circle

Sara Williams says “I will have come full circle from that first school garden I planted in Tanzania in 1963, to the one in Katesh, almost half a century later. As we all know gardens are good, for body and soul, our own and those of others.”

When prairie horticulturist and author Sara Williams was presented with the Prairie Garden Award for Excellence in Winnipeg in September of 2008, there was no doubt in her mind as to where the accompanying cheque for $1,000 would go. Sara was a volunteer teacher in Tanzania from 1963 to 1965. In January, 2008, Sara returned to Tanzania for the first time to the small town of Katesh. Most needed was a hostel for girls whose families lived in remote villages, far from schools. Their “in-town” accommodation was often substandard, meals scanty, and in the worst-case scenario, they were subject to abuse. In April, 2008, construction of the Katesh hostel began. Also in the plan is a large fenced vegetable and fruit garden, which will ensure a healthier diet for the girls and will be self-sustaining in that heritage varieties will be planted so seeds can be re-used each year. Excess produce can be sold to provide for other needs.

You can help with her dormitory project by making a charitable donation to the Canadian Harambee Education Society, 446 Kelly Street, New Westminster, B.C., V3L 3T9. Information can be found at http://www.canadianharambee.ca (mark your donation for the Sara Williams dormitory project), or contact Sara directly for more information at sara.williams@usask.ca.

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Call for Participation: Survey on Environmental Assessment

The Environmental Planning and Assessment (EPA) Caucus of the RCEN is carrying out a survey of people who have been involved in federal environmental assessment. The information will be helpful in giving a clear picture of the problems participants have been experiencing across the country. Please take 20-30 minutes to improve environmental assessment in Canada. Feel free to forward the survey out to any individuals that have experience in environmental assessment.

The survey and further information is on the RCEN website at http://www.cen-rce.org/eng/consultations/comment_calls/09_02_EAsurvey.html

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Protect Rivers and Public Navigation Rights

The Canadian Rivers Network (CRN), a network of organizations devoted to protecting Canadian Navigation Rights, is urging you to take action now to demand that the Government withdraw its proposed amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act that are currently contained in the Budget Implementation Act.

The proposed amendments threaten the longstanding public right to navigation, including the right to recreational navigation. According to the CRN, these changes will grant the Transport Minister an unprecedented discretion to define “classes” of projects on waterways that do not require government approval or environmental assessment.

Furthermore, this discretion would not be checked or balanced by any public consultation, transparent disclosure or Parliamentary review.

Visit http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.com for more information and to take action now.

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Boiling Frog has New Podcasts Online

Sacred Space is a video that documents the ceremony designating a Sacred Space in an area by the Eco-Centre and over looking the Arm River Valley. Multi-Faith Saskatchewan and the Craik Sustainable Living Project (CSLP) are main contributors to this project. They produced this little video to commemorate the event. http://boilingfrog.ca/?p=117.

Why Craik: A conversation with Shirley Eade, founding member of the Craik Sustainable Living Project and organizer of the annual Solar Fair. Download the mp3 at http://rabble.ca/audio/download/63983/Why+Craik.mp3.

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Greening the Grid

Lecture by expert Tim Weis, Director of Renewable Energy at the Pembina Institute, to discuss Saskatchewan's potentials for a non-nuclear future. The scenarios use conservative estimates of adoption rates for existing technologies that have been proven in Alberta or elsewhere. Under the Pale Green scenario, investments in a diversity of cleaner options, mainly efficiency, wind and natural gas cogeneration, could meet Alberta’s anticipated demand without having to resort to building new coal or nuclear plants. The Green scenario showed that if Albertans set their sights higher, the province could generate so much energy from renewable and transitional technologies that it could begin to phase out existing coal generation.

Free admission: Q&A to follow presentation. This event sponsored in part by the Regina Public Interest Research Group. Visit http://www.rpirg.org.

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Film Screening: Myths for Profit

‘Myths for Profit' is a dramatic, exposé documentary which explores 'Canada’s role in Industries of War and Peace’. Through diverse interviews and case studies this documentary unveils the specific interests and profits that are made by certain corporation, individuals and agency within Canada. By examining these myths we seek to find out what are the possible motives that hide behind these stories, and if there are certain people who stand to gain and maintain these misconceptions. Only by breaking down these myths can we hope to understand how these systems of power operate, and help empower people across Canada to change them.

Free admission, Cookies and fair trade organic coffee (bring your own mug!). This event sponsored in part by the Regina Public Interest Research Group. Visit http://www.rpirg.org.

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Campbell Collegiate Eco-fair

Campbell Collegiate Environmental Club is hosting our second annual ‘Eco-Fair’ for local students and community on April 24, 2009. Our goal is to provide information and motivation to encourage the community to rethink the way they individually impact the environment and to make changes in their lives to collectively make a difference.

Students from Campbell and other high schools, the local elementary schools, as well as members from the community will be coming to tour the booths and to hear speakers during the day. Several students are working on science projects related to environmental issues to present at the Eco-Fair. The Fair will be held in Campbell’s main hallway and gym and will encompass a number of different environmental themes such as energy consumption, water, waste reduction, transportation, ‘greener’ products, etc.

We would like to invite you to participate in this event! Let us know before March 27th if you’re interested in coming and setting up a booth. If so, please specify if you will be coming all day or for part of the day, if you will need electricity, and if you will be attending our volunteer lunch. In addition, we plan to include door prizes and awards to the participants in the science fair. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated.

To contact us for more information please e-mail campbell_environ_club@hotmail.com or call our school at (306) 523-3250 and ask for Deborah Teece-Nieblas.

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5th Annual Road Map 2020 Forum: Revisioning Transportation; Redesigning Communities

This year's Forum is all about sustainable and active transportation! Keynote speaker Gordon Price, Director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University will speak on "Re-Imagining Motordom" -- why we gave the automobile the right-of-way and how it changed the way we designed our cities. Today we are looking for balance: keeping the advantages of car-based mobility while accommodating alternative modes of transportation and their users.

Early Bird registration closes March 29th! Full details at http://www.roadmap2020.ca/.

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Green Drinks Saskatoon

To tie in the Road Map 2020 Forum that is happening this week, Green Drinks will be one week earlier than usual.

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Astronomy Weekend

April 3rd -8 - 10 pm, sidewalk Astronomy at the Lakewood Civic Centre.

April 4th, Public Star Night: 8 pm Astronomy Talk; Telescope viewing 8:30 to midnight at Beaver Creek Conservation Area.

Events are free and open to the public. Dress warm! Presented by The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Saskatoon Centre, in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy http://www.rasc.ca/education/iya/.

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Think Global Eat LocaL: CHEP Fundraiser

Delicious meal featuring unique international cuisine, live music, student entertainment, door prizes and Silent Auction. 6 pm reception/cash bar; 7 pm dinner/wine bar; 8 pm program/music/dancing. Music and dance provided by students at the College of Medicine, U. of S. Dress code: creative international or business casual - Prize for best dressed.

Tickets: $50 per person or $400 per table of 8; U. of S. student price $35. Income tax receipts for a portion of the ticket price To order tickets or for more information, call (306) 655-4575 or visit http://www.chep.org. This is an important fundraiser for CHEP's food security initatives.

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REEL Paddling Film Festival

CPAWS-Saskatchewan is very happy to host the best paddling films of the year at the REEL Paddling Film Festival. Tickets are available in advance for $10 (CPAWS members) and $12 (non-members), or at the door for $15. Advance tickets are available for purchase at the Broadway Theatre, Eb’s Source for Adventure, Outter Limits or from your CPAWS Saskatchewan Board Members.

General Reel Paddling Information can be found at http://www.reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com.

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The State of the Saskatchewan River Basin

Join guest speaker Robert Halliday to talk about his examination of the state of the Saskatchewan River basin. He will provide background on hydrology, water use, water quality, and ecosystems with emphasis on the South Saskatchewan River. The talk will review the key vulnerabilities and issues facing the basin, including water availability, water quality and natural hazards.

Event co-sponsored by the J.S. Wood Library and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. For more information, contact 665-1915.

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Maintaining Whole Systems on Earth's Crown: Ecosystem-based Conservation Planning for the Boreal Forest

Join McNally Robinson & CPAWS to launch Herb Hammond's latest book, Maintaining Whole Systems On Earth's Crown: Ecosystem-based Conservation Planning for the Boreal Forest. The evening will include a visually beautiful and informative slideshow presentation with the author, Herb Hammond, who is a forest ecologist, pioneer of ecosystem-based conservation planning and author of the 1992 award-winning book, Seeing the Forest Among the Trees.

For more information visit http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/product/isbn/9780973477900/bkm/true/. Co-sponsored by CPWAS Saskatchewan and McNally Robinson Booksellers.

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Ecosystem-Based Conservation Planning: An Evening with Herb Hammond

Turning The Tide Books is hosting an evening discussion with Herb Hammond to discuss ecosystem-based conservation planning (EBCP) as both a means to achieving ecologically responsible land management and as a broader approach to tackling the many environmental challenges facing us today. EBCP provides a blueprint that combines scientific knowledge, Indigenous knowledge, and intuition to maintain and restore the ecosystems that sustain all life.

This is a follow up event to Herb’s presentation at McNally Robinson on April 8th and will provide an opportunity for a more in-depth look at EBCP, what it is and how it can be applied to conservation campaigns. Everyone interested in attending this event is encouraged to attend Herb’s general presentation as well. Herb Hammond is a forest ecologist, pioneer of ecosystem-based conservation planning and author of the 1992 award-winning book, Seeing the Forest Among the Trees.

For more information contact Peter at 955-3070 or inquiry@turning.ca.

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Reclaiming the Abandoned Uranium Tailings at Gunnar Mines, Uranium City, Saskatchewan

Public Talk by Dr. Dennis W. Lawson (P.Geo., P.Eng.) Environmental Mining Specialist, Environment Canada (Retired).

The Gunnar uranium mine operated near the shore of Lake Athabasca from 1955 to 1964, with the mill tailings being contained in a nearby small lake, Mudford Lake, until the control structure at the lake outlet failed catastrophically (and was never replaced or fully repaired). At failure, and thereafter at a diminishing rate up to the present, tailings and tailings runoff flowed into a shallow bay of Lake Athabasca, Langley Bay, and beyond the Bay into the deeper Lake.

The situation is currently undergoing a Canada/Saskatchewan environmental impact assessment as part of a proposed joint federal/provincial reclamation of the site. The difficult issues to resolve appear to be (1) how to best use the flooded, open-pit mine to dispose of the most radioactive tailings, (2) how to optimally dispose of the contaminated waste rock, (3) how to adequately cover the residual tailings in Mudford Lake and (4) if and how to rehabilitate the tailings covered bottom of Langley Bay.

Dr. Lawson, now retired, had responsibilities with Environment Canada for research and investigations at and near the abandoned Gunnar uranium tailings for close to 20 years.More at http://www.environmentalsociety.ca/upcoming/index.html#tailings.

Event sponsored by the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. Free and open to the Public. For more information, please call 306-665-1915.

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Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s AGM

6:30 pm - Wine & Cheese Social, followed at 7 pm by Feature Presentation, Discussion and AAnnual General Meeting.

Brian Sawatzky, owner of the Confederation Inn in Saskatoon, will give his presentation Greening the Confederation Inn and talk about his journey to reduce its carbon footprint since he took ownership.

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5th World Environmental Education Congress

There are 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. Information about Congress themes can be found at: http://www.5weec.uqam.ca/EN/presentation_themes.asp.

Information about this Congress and registration can be found on the Congress site: http://www.5weec.uqam.ca.

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RCEN AGA 2009: Cities and Biodiversity

This year’s Annual General Assembly will take place from June 12-14 in Edmonton, Alberta. Under the theme of Cities and Biodiversity, speakers at the 2009 AGA will explore the relationship between urban areas and biodiversity: from the impact of their demand for resources, to the possibilities of growing more food locally and the benefits of natural areas within cities. The last day of the Assembly will dovetail with the opening of the ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability World Congress. Visit the RCEN's AGA 2009 webpage at http://www.rcen.ca/AGA/2009/index.html.

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ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability World Congress

The ICLEI World Congress 2009, June 14-18 in Edmonton, Alberta, will showcase ICLEI members’ vast work on advancing sustainability, for and about local governments. The five-day event will be an opportunity to learn about the achievements of the most advanced cities and towns in the world, and to build upon past successes to advance local action for sustainability. Join mayors, local governments, and colleagues, as more than 800 delegates worldwide come together in Edmonton. The program will be enriched by global strategists sharing their vision on the opportunities and challenges for local governments in the coming decade. Visit http://www.iclei.org/worldcongress2009 for registration details.

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3rd Annual Solar Fair: Seminars, Workshops & Trade Show

Join 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. $150 per person (2 days), $75 per person (1 day),or $15 per seminar.

Apply now for a booth at the Trade Show. Email: eade@sasktel.net Registration forms available at: http://www.craikecovillage.ca.

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2009 Ness Creek Music Festival - Call for Eco-Village Participants

The Ness Creek Music Festival is celebrating its 19th 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.

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Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly 2009

The John Humphrey Centre is excited to let you know that the second Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly is set. Sol Guy along with other partners such as Rights and Democracy will be joining us once again in Edmonton to keep it real and inspiring.

Delegate registration for the Assembly is available on their website at http://www.youthassembly.ca. Space is limited so be sure to register early!

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SES Summer Student: Pesticide Reduction Eco-Advisor

The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is a non-profit, registered charity whose mandate is to work towards a world in which all needs can be met in sustainable ways.

This summer student position will work along with the Pesticide Reduction Coordinator in implementing the 2009 Pesticide Reduction Project. The Project objectives are to: inform the public about the health and environmental risks involved in using cosmetic pesticides; provide information on low toxic alternatives to pesticides; to achieve a reduction in the use of pesticides among urban residents.

Term: 35 hours per week. Compensation: $12/hr. Dates: May 4, 2009 - August 28, 2009. Qualified candidates are invited to e-mail resumes to: allysonb@environmentalsociety.ca by April 5, 2009. Details at the SES website at http://www.environmentalsociety.ca.

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SCIC Global Education Assistant

The Global Education Assistant will be responsible for the development and oversight of the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation's youth and educational programming during the summer months. This will include working on the Worldbeat Global Education Project (promoting global education among Saskatchewan teachers) and the planning and implementation of the Youth for International Development Do-it-Yourself Summer Program (DIY). Additionally, it will require working on other youth and educational activities as they emerge, and maintaining and staffing the office. SCIC is Saskatchewan's umbrella organization for a number of international development groups. Application Deadline: Friday, April 10th by 4 pm. For more information see http://www.earthbeat.sk.ca.

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Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre: Summer Students

The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC) is an Interpretive Centre committed to the conservation and education of the endangered burrowing owl. The SBOIC is currently looking for enthusiastic, creative and innovative individuals to assist in running the Interpretive Centre located in Moose Jaw, SK from May to August. Weekend work will be required. Duties will be as follows:

Educational Programming: Provide Interpretive tours in-house to individuals and school groups, including handling imprinted owls; Develop and deliver summer programs like day camps and family activities; Deliver Owls on Tour outreach programs and attend trade fairs as required outside of Moose Jaw (majority of work will occur in-house over the summer).

Facility Development and Maintenance: Assist in the care and feeding of the captive and imprinted owls; Assist the Director in providing daily care/rehabilitation for the owls housed at the facility; Clean and maintain the owl enclosures as needed; Clean and maintain the Interpretive Centre as needed, including gardening duties as required.

You will have some knowledge of: Burrowing owl biology, conservation, research and recovery programs and general knowledge of species at risk in Saskatchewan, interpretive programming and display development.

You must currently be a student (post secondary or high school) and plan on returning to school in September, or have finished school within 6 months to be eligible for this position. Member of a visible minority and Aboriginal peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Please apply by email (preferred), fax or mail by April 17, 2009.Please send your resume, accompanied by a cover letter to: Janet Ng, SBOIC Director, 250 Thatcher Drive East, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1L7. E-mail: sboic@sasktel.net Web: www.sboic.ca

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The Wild Rockies Field Institute: Wild Rockies Summer Semester

The Wild Rockies Field Institute is inviting Canadian students to study conservation issues on a spectacular backpacking course with them this summer. The exploration will begin in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem of south-central Montana, and finish in the Canadian Rockies. From June 19 to August 19, the course will examine conservation at a broad regional perspective, a Native American perspective, and at the local landscape level, with the goal of finding a comprehensive understanding of these issues. Subjects addressed will include conservation biology, community-based conservation, regional environmental policy, restoration ecology, and traditional ecological knowledge. The enrollment deadline is April 20th, 2009. For more information on this field course, visit http://www.wrfi.net.

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Plantwatch Volunteers Needed

PlantWatch Saskatchewan, delivered through Nature Saskatchewan, is looking for volunteer plantwatchers to watch selected plants bloom in the spring and report the data. This data is used for climate change research, and to see what is happening to plants in our changing world. The PlantWatch program enables "citizen scientists" of all ages and skill levels to get involved by recording flowering times for selected plant species and reporting these dates to researchers through the Internet or by mail. Individuals, classrooms and groups of all types are encouraged to participate. Even one observation of one plant is a great contribution! Check out http://www.plantwatch.ca for more information on plantwatching, or call Deanna to get involved at no charge at 780-9273 or 1-800-667-4668, or by e-mail at plantwatch@naturesask.ca.

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Deepening Roots Summer Internship

The Art of Living Foundation is offering a 4 week environmental summer internship in Quebec called Deepening Roots June 1st - June 29th and July 31st - August 28th. Deepening Roots is an intensive multi-disciplinary summer internship that focuses on community-oriented sustainable agriculture together with leadership development, meditation and nutrition. The purpose of this internship is to cultivate a cadre of leaders that will influence policy, implement practical solutions and inspire their generation towards a sustainable future. Application deadline is April 20, 2009. To learn more please visit http://www.deepeningroots.org.

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Internship Opportunity: HELP International

Position: Forestry, Logistics, Zero-Waste Technology Interns (room, board & stipend) Organization: HELP International Inc http://www.help-international.com

We're accepting serious volunteer interns able to commit 1 - 4 months to be a part of our 2009 Canadian Programming Season at our headquarters in Weyburn, SK. Interns will have a chance of a lifetime opportunity to be a part of a Prairie Forestry Team, gain hands-on training in circa 30 Appropriate Technologies, and work directly with the CEO of HELP International in the development of Zero-Waste Technologies for Canada and Africa.

Deadline: Immediately and Hiring until positions are filled. Job details posted at Good Work Canada http://www.planetfriendly.net/gwd.php?id=8273.

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Earth Day Canada’s Hometown Heroes Award Program

The Hometown Heroes Award Program, established by Earth Day Canada in 2004, recognizes and celebrates environmental leaders who foster meaningful, long-term community awareness and action. Become Canada’s 2009 environmental hero and receive a cash–prize of $10,000 - $5,000 to keep and $5,000 to donate to the environmental cause of your choice. Earth Day Canada will consider candidates who: demonstrate outstanding environmental leadership, commitment and achievements in their communities; and carry out not-for-profit environmental efforts, with notable accomplishments in the past two years or a single outstanding environmental initiative in 2008. Nominate yourself, an individual or group from your community by April 22nd (Earth Day 2009). For more information about the program, visit http://www.earthday.ca/hometown/index.php.

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