SEN Info Bulletin

Easter Holiday Break

We are sending out the Bulletin one week early in order to take a break over Easter. We will resume our Bulletin in a few weeks.

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Council Weighs in on Renewable Energy Rally

Prince Albert - A gathering in front of City Hall on Monday night rallied a number of thoughts amongst city councillors.

"They (those attending the rally) don't want to be snowed by PR," said Coun. Shawn Williams. "They want real information and that's what they believe in and they are entitled to it."

"I guess it's no surprise really. At this point everybody is talking about it (nuclear power)," said Coun. Ted Zurakowski.

The rally, organized by the group Renewable Power - The Intelligent Choice (RPIC) brought about 150 people out on Monday night to discuss renewable energy resources and express concerns about a potential nuclear power plant built in the province. The group plans to address council at the April 27 council meeting.

Full article: http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=240516&sc=4.

Video on Prince Albert rally: http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?main=broadcast&bcid=10398.

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2008 - Another Banner Year of Growth for Clean Energy

With all the doom and gloom being proclaimed over the last few months, a good news and perhaps a wakeup call has been heard.

Despite the slumping economy, the so-called “clean tech” sector—including solar photovoltaics, wind power and biofuels—continued to grow by leaps and bounds in 2008. According to the research and consulting firm Clean Edge, revenue sector-wide grew by 53 percent from $75.8 billion in 2007 to $115.9 billion in 2008.

While 2009 promises to be challenging for the sector, given credit constraints that have slowed or reversed plans for new manufacturing facilities and development projects, Clean Edge predicts strong growth down the road, anticipating annual revenues topping $325 billion within a decade.

“The clean-energy sector, like the broader economy, faces many challenges,” said Clean Edge’s Ron Pernick. “But while 2009 will be a difficult year, we believe that clean energy will play a central role in any global economic recovery.”

Full article at Act Up in Saskatchewan at: http://www.actupinsask.org/content/view/676/1/.

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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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Route 99 and Valeport Marsh Field Trip

Join members of Nature Regina for a field trip. This is one of our favourite trips of the year. We will drive along Route 99 in the Qu’Appelle Valley from Hwy 6 to Craven, then on to Valeport Marsh to see the spring migration. There should be waterfowl, gulls, hawks, Bald Eagles, Mountain Bluebirds, meadowlarks and more. Crocuses should be blooming. Share of gas about $3. For more information, contact: 949-2505.

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Celebrating Earth Day with an Environmental Film Festival

Featuring screenings of: The Day the Earth Stood Still (A remake of the 1951 classic, this film has an urgent message about humankind's environmental impact on the planet, with the hope that we can change our ways and reverse the damage to planet Earth.This blockbuster features an all star cast including Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, John Cleese and Kathy Bates.) and clips from the Saskatchewan environmental documentary series Green Life: Learning to Live with the World.

Come out and celebrate Earth Day with us! Admission free. Sponsored by the Royal SK Museum and the SK Council for International Cooperation. For more information contact scic@earthbeat.sk.ca.

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Glenn Sutter with Shades-a-Grey: Earth Day Performance (Regina EcoLiving Benefit)

Kick back and take a stand for Earth Day while enjoying Glenn Sutter with Shades-a-Grey (Ray Carlson on bass and Alf Zumpano on percussion) at McNally's Tavern. Cover $5, proceeds will be donated to Regina EcoLiving. Check out: http://www.myspace.com/glennsuttermusic.

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Wascana Marsh Walk

Join members of Nature Regina for a field trip. We will explore the area around the Science Centre from Goose Hill Park to Faraway Place looking for spring migrants. We should see waterfowl, gulls, shorebirds, and some songbirds. For more information, contact: 949-2505.

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Watchdog for Earth! (for 5 – 8 year olds)

Are you age 5 to 8 and looking for fun with art, science, crafts, games and the great outdoors? Are you looking for a great place to get together with friends and also make some new ones? Head to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for a Saturday morning of fun and adventure from 9:30–11:30 a.m. on selected dates throughout the year. Each program consists of educational fun, crafts, experiments, stories, games, gallery visits and snacks. Learn what you can do to better care for the earth. Cost is $10+GST. Register Now at the RSM Gift Shop or call 757-5951 with credit card.

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Earth Day Festival at the Museum

A family fun day featuring: Earth Songs with Don Waite, First Nations demonstrations, Kid-friendly films, Science Centre’s Outreach Program, eBIKE demonstrations, Earth Head crafts, face-painting, organic concession and door prizes. Free. Sponsored by RSM Associates, SaskEnergy, City of Regina and Saturn. For more information contact the RSM at 787-2815.

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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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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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Eat, Live, Dance

This summer 11 multidisciplinary students in Saskatchewan will go to Rwanda to make a documentary. The mission is to carry out an experiential learning project through the perspective of the 11 students. The goal of the project is to understand the opportunities and threats facing youth in Rwanda and how (young Canadians) can help them improve their situation. Room For Improvement Youth Development Inc. www.philanthropyworld.ca Phone:(306)241-3311.

6:30 pm cocktails and jazz music by Dave Fong Quartet; 7:30 pm Presentation of the Rwanda Documentary Project; 8 pm Caribbean Dinner; 9 pm Entertainment including: Argentinean guitarists Rodolfo Pino Robles, African Dance by Khamaria and the Koricancha Salsa band. Prices: $25 adult & $20 for student and youth.

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Transformational Breathing: Promoting Vitality, Mental Clarity, and Self-Healing

The Integrative Health Seminar continues with a presentation on Tuesday, April 14th at Royal University Hospital's Main Mall Lecture Theatre. The session will feature Jeffrey Pufahl, Certified Transformational Breath Facilitator and also professional singer and theatre artist. Everybody welcome! Bring your lunch.

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Invitation to Canadian Nature Escapes Reception

Sturgeon River Ranch, along with some of our nature-based tourism friends and the Saskatchewan Craft Council is holding a reception in Saskatoon on April 16th. We would love to have you if you would like to come out and join us. Come to discover Saskatchewan’s finest experiences in nature throughout the seasons. Feast your eyes on fine craft. Savour food and wine and enjoy engaging conversation.

Questions? 306.982.4478

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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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Peter Prebble: The Climate Crisis and Saskatchewan's Energy Policy

Peter Prebble will address the global climate crisis in a Saskatchewan context. He will examine the implications and risks of proposed oilsands development in northwest Saskatchewan and argue for caution. He will lay out a plan for an alternative energy future in Saskatchewan - one focussed on a conservation ethic and on utilizing Saskatchewan's vast wind, solar and biomass resources. Presented by the Saskatoon Nature Society http://www.saskatoonnaturesociety.sk.ca/program.html.

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Saskatoon’s EcoPass Launch

We Are Many and Saskatoon Transit Services are launching Saskatoon's new EcoPass on April 20th from 3-5 p.m. at City Hall. The price of the EcoPass, an annual transit pass, will fall as more people buy in; it promotes collective action by encouraging people to sign up friends, neighbours, and co-workers to lower the cost for everyone. Since the event at City Hall will be the first of dozens of office parties throughout downtown (and eventually SIAST, the Saskatoon Health Region, etc.), WAM will have signed up thousands of people by the end of the summer! If your office would like to invite WAM to host an EcoPass party please contact WAM by e-mailing: volunteer@wearemanyfestival.com or call 306-221-8146.

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Retire Your Ride Launch

You are cordially invited to the Saskatoon launch of Retire Your Ride, Canada's new voluntary car retirement program on Earth Day - April 22nd - from 12:30 to 1:30pm in Civic Square in front of Saskatoon City Hall. The Saskatoon Environmental Society will be providing information to the media and the public about the program, as well as announcing the incentive partners in Saskatchewan who will be offering rewards to participants who choose to retire their old clunkers.

Retire Your Ride is a national program designed and dedicated to effectively and efficiently retiring 1995 model year or older vehicles in an environmentally responsible manner, in an effort to improve air quality and encourage the use of sustainable transportation. The program is being delivered nationally by the Clear Air Foundation, along with a network of partners, with funding from the Government of Canada.

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Learn, Act, Celebrate! – Women’s Rights and Climate Justice

The Oxfam Saskatoon Community Group is excited to invite you to an Earth Day celebration! Eddie Rooke from the Coalition for a Clean Green Saskatchewan will discuss nuclear and renewable energy and Lisa Faye from Oxfam Canada will explore the intersection between women’s rights and climate change as seen during a flood she experienced during a recent trip to Madagascar. Participants will be offered ideas and invited to take positive action to make change for women’s rights and climate justice!

This event is free and fair trade coffee and finger foods will be served! For more information contact Lisa Faye at: (306) 242-4097.

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Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s AGM

6:30 pm - Wine & Cheese Social, followed at 7 pm by Feature Presentation, Discussion and Annual 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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Backyard Composting Workshops

May 3rd-9th is Compost Awareness Week. Learn how to get started or pick up some hints on how to make your compost pile work better.

Workshops are on Tuesday May 5th, 7 - 8 pm at Mayfair Library (602 33rd St W.), and Thursday May 7th from 7 - 8 pm at J.S. Wood Library (1801 Lansdowne Ave.).

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We Are Many Action Summit

WAM is hosting a WAM Action Summit on May 19th (1-4 p.m., with a reception at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate disparate bus schedules) at TCU Place in downtown Saskatoon (thanks to TCU Place for generously donating space for the event!). We've scheduled the event so that it coincides with gaps in the parliamentary and legislative schedules; we'll be inviting Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Mayor, City Councillors, school board officials, community groups, members of the public, university students and professors, etc. We're also inviting high school teachers to bring students after having discussed the two WAM Action Plans (on transportation and bottled water, respectively) prior to the event. Students will share feedback in an interactive forum and agree upon a plan of action/timeline for the spring and summer of 2009, on both a school-wide and civic level -- and, of course, we'll decide which topics we'd like to cover at our fall summit. RSVP to volunteer@wearemanyfestival.com if you would like a copy of the Action Plans (to be released mid-April) ahead of time. We hope to see you there!

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Learning Gone Wild Conference

Saskatchewan is home to a wide variety of dynamic outdoor programs. Learning Gone Wild will be an opportunity for teachers, educators, interpreters, naturalist and those interested in the outdoors to get together and share their experience, skills, program ideas and knowledge. Keynote speaker Bob Henderson, teaches Outdoor Education at MacMaster University. He is a regular contributor to Kanawa Magazine and the author of Every Trail Has a Story: Heritage Travel in Canada and the co-editor of Nature First: Outdoor Life the Friluftsliv Way. He takes pride in baking a golden brown bannock and leading a spirited campfire singsong.

Registration closes April 27th. For more information, or to register, contact Joe Milligan of the Sask Wildlife Federation by e-mailing: jmilligan@swf.sk.ca or calling 692-8812.

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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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Prairie Wilderness First Aid Course

The Prairie Learning Centre is offering a Prairie Wilderness First Aid course in Grasslands National Park. Participants will receive a Red Cross Advanced Wilderness First Aid Certificate, a wilderness first aid manual, a prairie-focussed first aid manual, a wilderness first aid kit and a "how to poop on the prairie kit".

Cost of the course is $275. Prerequisites include: Standard First Aid, CPR and AED. Come out to learn First Aid and to enjoy the many native flowers in Grasslands National Park. For more information contact the Prairie Learning Centre at: prairie@chinooksd.ca or 306-298-4495.

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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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Discovering the Missouri Coteau

Workshop/tour based out of Moose Jaw in celebration of Native Prairie Appreciation Week. Details at: http://www.pcap-sk.org/pdfs/npawbrochure2009.pdf. For more information, please contact: Daryl Nazar at 306 569-0424 or Trevor Lennox at 306 778-8294.

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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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SOEEA’s Boreal Forest Ecotour

Come along with us as we explore and experience this unique and beautiful ecosystem. We are working with the Boreal Forest Learning Centre to offer an exciting program including local culture, music, storytelling, history, wildlife viewing and ecology.

We will be camping at picturesque Ness Creek - tenting at the Ness Creek site and the use of a communal kitchen is included in your 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! Early Bird Prices until June 1st are $50 members ($75 non-members). Note: the non-member price includes a one year membership; family and student rates are also available. For a registration form, please email: soeea.sk@gmail.com.

For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.soeea.sk.ca.

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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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SCIC Executive Director

The Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation (SCIC) is a non-profit organization serving a coalition of organizations involved in international development and committed to the recognition of dignity of all people and their right to self determination, to the protection of the world’s fragile environment, and to the promotion of global understanding, cooperation, peace, and justice.

SCIC is seeking an energetic, visionary Executive Director committed to leading the organization as it strives to meet the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing the international development community. The Executive Director is responsible for implementing the goals of the strategic plan through the development of a logical, progressive, and timely action plan.

For the full job posting go to http://www.earthbeat.sk.ca. Deadline to apply is April 24, 2009.

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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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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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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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