News
Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan Public Consultation
Dan Perrins, Chair of the Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan public consultation process has announced the dates and locations for community consultations and stakeholder meetings. Perrins' mandate is to conduct public consultations on the key findings and recommendations of the Uranium Development Partnership report and then draft a report on what he heard from Saskatchewan people, stakeholders and communities by August 31, 2009.
"The opening Stakeholder Conference will take place on May 26 in Saskatoon followed by two full days of stakeholder meetings in Saskatoon on May 27 and May 28 and two more full days of stakeholder meetings on June 22 and 23 in Regina," Perrins said. "I am also planning a number of First Nations and Métis consultation meetings; however, the locations and dates of those meetings have not yet been confirmed." Perrins also announced that the first of ten community consultation meetings will take place starting on June 1st in Yorkton.
Dates and locations of all community consultations and stakeholder meetings are available on the Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan Consultation website at http://www.saskuranium.ca.
Perrins also reminded the public about opportunities to get informed and get involved now:
- The consultation website contains the full UDP report, presentation materials, online input opportunities, and ultimately, the results of the public input; Individuals and stakeholders who want to provide input but don't want to attend a meeting or don't have Internet access can send written submissions through regular mail to: "The Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan" P.O. Box 7, Regina, SK, S4P 2Z5; and
- Individuals and stakeholders can call toll-free (1-877-791-4667) to request a copy of the Uranium Development Partnership Report or Executive Summary; and Stakeholders can call the same toll-free number to register for a one-on-one presentation to the Consultation Chair at one of the stakeholder meetings in May and June.
Individuals and stakeholders can send written submissions either on-line, by email or by regular mail until July 31st, 2009.
Court Victory Forces Canada to Report Pollution Data for Mines
MiningWatch Canada and Ecojustice are hailing a landmark decision from the Federal Court of Canada that will force the federal government to stop withholding data on one of Canada’s largest sources of pollution – millions of tonnes of toxic mine tailings and waste rock from mining operations throughout the country.
The Federal Court sided with the groups and issued an Order demanding that the federal government immediately begin publicly reporting mining pollution data from 2006 onward to the National Pollutant Release Inventory. The strongly worded decision describes the government’s pace as “glacial” and chastises the government for turning a “blind eye” to the issue and dragging its feet for “more than 16 years”.
“This is a huge decision for environmental justice in Canada,” said Ecojustice lawyer Justin Duncan. Fellow lawyer Marlene Cashin added, “The court has unequivocally upheld the right of Canadians to know when the health of their communities and the environment is under threat from one of the country’s largest sources of toxic pollution.”
Full story: http://www.miningwatch.ca/index.php?/npri/npri_victory_federal_court.
Saskatchewan Environmental Society Calls for Reinstatement of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is calling on Saskatchewan Environment Minister Nancy Heppner and Premier Brad Wall to reconsider their decision to “water down” Saskatchewan’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.
The Saskatchewan Party Government promised in the November 2007 election to lead a process that would see Saskatchewan’s greenhouse gas emissions reduced to 32% below 2004 levels by 2020. Earlier this week, Minister Heppner announced those plans are being dropped. Instead, she is proposing a 20% reduction from 2006 levels by 2020. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society calculates that in practical terms this will mean that Saskatchewan will only seek to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions to 14 million tonnes below 2006 levels, by 2020, instead of the originally promised 25 million tonnes.
Peter Prebble, Director of Energy and Water Policy with the Saskatchewan Environmental Society noted that the decision by the Saskatchewan government to weaken its plans for emission reductions comes at the same time as the United Nations is urging governments around the world to plan for much deeper emission cuts in order to avoid a global climate crisis.
“Regrettably, the Saskatchewan government is heading in the opposite direction from that being recommended by the scientific community. Moreover, with provincial emissions now sitting at 72 tonnes per person, Saskatchewan has the second highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the world. This makes our government’s decision to scale back action on climate change quite indefensible” Mr. Prebble stated.
Full press release: http://www.environmentalsociety.ca.
Action Alerts
Shut Down the Tar Sands - Pilgrimage
Friday, June 5th to Monday June 8, 2009Join us on a Pilgrimage to the Alberta Tar Sands! Resistance to the tar sands "gigaproject" is based on ecological, economic, social, gender, and indigenous critiques. The pilgrimage will be a form of education-in-action for the participants, community building, strengthening of conviction, making connections with local people already engaged in resistance, and networking with other anti-tar sands groups. It is also one moment in a longer-term struggle to shut the development down.
For more information please contact Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck sanfordbeck@hotmail.com 653-2544 http://ecosophian.wordpress.com. Sponsored by St. Thomas Wesley United Church, Saskatoon, SK. (306) 244 7676. Cost: $225 (financial support available). Application deadline is May 8th, 2009.
Crown Lands Campaign
Last fall the Government of Saskatchewan announced a program to sell 1.6 million acres of Crown land (an area equal in size to PEI) to current leasees at a price of 10% below market value. While lessees are not required to purchase their leases they have been told in writing from the Government that they should know that it is the government's intention to see saleable land in the hands of private ownership.
These sales are not reviewed by the ministry of Environment prior to sale and there is well over 1 million acres of native grasslands, aspen parkland and wetlands to be sold. These native public lands are critical in preserving our native flora and fauna in Saskatchewan. The lack of concern being expressed by Saskatchewan residents is being interpreted as support for the sales program.
For information on what you can do on, go to the Nature Saskatchewan website at http://www.naturesask.ca/?s=news&p=news&id=397.
Ask the Prime Minister to support Bill C-353 "Terminator Seed Ban Act"
Terminator Technology genetically engineers plants to produce sterile seeds at harvest. It was developed by the multinational seed/agrochemical industry and the US government to prevent farmers from re-planting harvested seed and force farmers to buy seed each season instead. Terminator seeds have not yet been field- tested or commercialized. In 2006, Monsanto bought the company (Delta & Pine Land) that owned Terminator. Terminator is sometimes called Genetic Use Restriction Technology (GURTs) - the broad term that refers to the use of an external chemical inducer to control the expression of a plant’s genetic traits.
Member of Parliament Alex Atamanenko has reintroduced his Private Members Bill (C-343) to ban the release, sale, importation and use of Terminator technology. Support this bill by acting now. Information at http://www.banterminator.org/.
Clear Air Foundation’s Mow Down Pollution Event
Until May 3rd, the Clean Air Foundation invites you to bring your working or non-working gas-powered mower or trimmer to any Home Depot location across Canada during this event and receive up to a $100 instant rebate on the purchase of a new push-reel, electric, rechargeable or low-emission alternative mower or trimmer. Old equipment is recycled for free! Since 2001, the Clean Air Foundation and The Home Depot have recycled over 26,800 mowers and trimmers and reduced over 748 tonnes of smog forming and greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, please visit http://www.cleanairfoundation.org.
Focus on Our Members
Clean Green Coalition has New Website
The Coalition for a Clean Green Saskatchewan is a growing network of diverse, grass-roots organizations across rural, northern and urban Saskatchewan that supports us quickly moving towards a sustainable society. We now have a website (http://www.cleangreensask.ca) where you can find information about the nuclear issue and about renewable energy. There are sections for each community that has an organized group, as well as downloadable literature, upcoming events, and useful links. We recently set up a list-serve to share information by email. If you would like to join, go to http://groups.google.ca/group/cleangreensask.
FUTURail Joins Eco-network
FUTURail is a Saskatchewan based passenger and freight transportation consultancy, with particular emphasis on rail transportation. Members of the group have authored feasibility and business plan studies for projects in the prairie provinces and British Columbia. The initial impetus for creating the organization was the skills and knowledge that the members were able to bring to the table with the successful campaign to save the rail infrastructure from Davidson to Regina from being abandoned.
FUTURail is interested in acting as a catalyst to stimulate interest in Saskatoon at municipal, local business and environmental organization levels in LRT as a cost effective and environmentally friendly future solution to the congestion factors that prevail in Saskatoon. The Ottawa "O" train model is considered to be a relevant first step in the process of creating a future system. At April's Roadmap 2020 Annual Forum they advocated that the planning process for a future Saskatoon Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system be initiated immediately using the opportunity provided by the existing rail network within the city area.
For more information about FUTURail, contact Martin Wooldridge at (306) 771-4669.
New member: ROOTED (Reaching Out: an Organization Towards Ecological Development)
Contributed by Jessie BestROOTED's mission is "to initiate a grassroots movement that focuses on uniting our community in an effort to respect our interrelationship with the Earth, and, through action, give a voice to all who wish to express their own intuitive environmental ethic." Practically speaking, we are looking to network with other community members, create a common vision for Saskatoon, and expand our rooftop gardens project.
Our target group is anyone and everyone! We are mostly university students, and Rooted is definitely a campus club, but we want to include all of Saskatoon in our vision! As part of the "reaching out" of our group, we are particularly interested in working with pre-existing organizations and groups, and sharing tools and knowledge with them for our mutual benefit.
This summer, we are hopefully expanding our rooftop gardens on Broadway, Calories, Louis', and possibly downtown. We are also looking into a joint container gardens project with CNYC (Core Neighborhood Youth Coop) and WAM (We are Many).
One of our long-term goals is to raise awareness about permaculture, a practical design system that is a possible solution to some of the problems that are occurring within our environment. When enough interest is peaked, we would like to implement some of the principles of permaculture within Saskatoon. See our website at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6843469253.
Coming Events
Regina
Green Drinks Regina
May 1st 5:30 pm, The Roof Top, 1845 Victoria Ave.Jennipher Karst of The Nature Conservancy of Canada will host for Green Drinks Regina in May. Jennipher will discuss the background of the NCC, with a focus on programs in Saskatchewan including conservation easements and stewardship. She will also discuss the upcoming Conservation Volunteers Programs and how you can become involved. Come out to Green Drinks for lively conversations, and new connections. For more information on Green Drinks Regina, to be added to our e-mail list or to RSVP to this event (allowing venue to staff accordingly) e-mail us at: greendrinksregina@gmail.com or join our Green Drinks Regina group on facebook.
Cement Plant Slough, Condie, and Brown’s Slough
May 3rd, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm, meet in the Royal Saskatchewan Museum parking lotJoin Nature Regina members for a day trip. The variety of migrant water birds peaks at this time and a good showing of hawks, waterfowl, and shorebirds should be seen as well as some songbirds. At Condie, we will walk some of the nature trails which take you through three prairie habitats. The Hillside Trail goes on the south side of Boggy Creek; the prairie hiking area is on the north side. If there is time, we may also check out the area north of the reservoir. For more information call 949-2505.
May Day! May Day!
May 3rd, 6 - 11 pm, The ExchangeBriarpatch presents its second annual May Day radical volunteer fair and social mixer, featuring Rah Rah, the Continos, and over a dozen local groups working for social justice and environmental sanity. Come celebrate May Day (aka International Workers' Day) with Briarpatch Magazine. There will be information tables for groups working for social justice and environmental sanity, live music by Rah Rah and The Continos, pizza for sale and a big hairy surprise!
Kick off a summer of environmental and social justice activism, meet people working for change. Connect with local activist groups! Shake off the long winter and dive into action. There will be pizza and snacks for sale, so come hungry, wear your dancing shoes and help change the world!Cover is $5-$15 dollars (pay what you can) and pizza slices will be $3 each, or 2 for $5. Vegetarian/vegan options available.
If you have a group that is interested in tabling at this event please call Allyson at the Briarpatch office @ 525-2949. This event is sponsored by the Regina & District Labour Council and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.
Wings Over Wascana (WOW) Nature Festival
May 7th - 9th, Wascana MarshWOW is an outdoor nature festival at Wascana Marsh offering free wetland and wildlife activities, entertainment and guided hikes for people of all ages. This annual festival occurs on the second Saturday in May to coincide with International Migratory Bird Day. Preceding this public event is a fundraising dinner on Thursday evening to raise monies for interpretive components at the marsh, followed by an interactive and educational day for school students on Friday. Public programming begins on Friday evening and continues all day Saturday. Please join us in our celebration of wetlands and wildlife! Details at http://www.wascanamarsh.ca/events.htm
Commuter Cycling Workshop 1: Bike Commuting 101
May 7th, 5:30 PM, City Hall ForumLearn how to cycle to work safely! Get a personal fitting for your bike and helmet, learn proper bike maintenance, keep your bike secure at work, and discover better routes for cycling. Light supper will be provided. Pre-registration required: Call 777-7062 or Email greenreport@regina.ca
Commuter Cycling Workshop 2: Cycling On (Practical)
May 9th, 9 am, SIAST Wascana CampusLearn how to cycle to work safely! Get a personal fitting for your bike and helmet, learn proper bike maintenance, keep your bike secure at work, and discover better routes for cycling. Bikes and Helmets Required (Pre-requisite: Workshop 1). Pre-registration required: Call 777-7062 or Email greenreport@regina.ca
Bike 2 Work Week
May 11-17, 2009The 2009 Bike to Work Week is supported by a large number of sponsors. Regina inmotion, our event sponsor, has contributed the funding necessary to get this event off the ground. We enthusiastically thank them and hope that our success will underline their impressive mandate to get people engaged in physical activity. For more information visit http://www.bike2workregina.ca/joomla/.
Nature Saskatchewan Spring Meet
May 29th - May 31stNature Saskatchewan is celebrating its 60 anniversary this year. The Spring Meet will be hosted by Nature Regina. The keynote speaker at the gala dinner will be Robert Bateman, and a major field trip to the Last Mountain Lake Bird Observatory is planned. Details can be found on the Nature Saskatchewan web site http://www.naturesask.ca/?s=about&p=springmeet.
Saskatoon
Maude Barlow: Canada & the Global Water Crisis
April 30th, 7:30– 8:30 pm, TCU Place, Salon DMaude Barlow, Senior Advisor on Water to the United Nations will be the speaker for the 2009 Mary Donaldson Memorial Public Lecture entitled The Myth of Abundance: Canada and the Global Water Crisis. Canada faces serious issues ahead with its water resources, not the least of which is the myth that we can never run out. In her lecture, Maude Barlow will reveal the depth of the global water crisis and outline the crucial role Canada must play in creating a water-secure future for the world.
Admission is free to the public.
The Mary Donaldson Memorial Lecture Series was established by the Saskatchewan Library Association in 1967 to honour the memory of Mary Donaldson, who served Saskatchewan as an outstanding Provincial Librarian from 1951 until her death in 1966.
Ness Creek Fundraiser for Jack Millikin Centre
May 2nd, 6:30 pm, Cosmo Centre, 614 - 11th St. E.Ness Creek organizers hope to raise the roof on a new eco-friendly, multi-use facility called the Jack Millikin Centre. The design includes the salvaged horsehair dance floor from the Saskatoon Legion, one of only two remaining in Saskatchewan. Organizers are planning a fundraising art auction and dance for Saturday with music by Alberta band Back Porch Swing, featuring former Saskatoon fiddler Cam Neufeld.
Doors open at 6:30 pm, dance at 9 pm. Tickets $20, available at the Ness Creek and Saskatchewan Craft Council offices. For more information: Cathy Sproule at 220-2640, cathysproule@sasktel.net.
Mike Wilson Memorial and Concert
Saturday May 2nd, Unitarian Congregation of Saskatoon, 213 2nd St. E.A memorial service will be held at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Unitarian Congregation of Saskatoon or the Saskatchewan Environmental Society.
Evening Fundraiser: "Eclectic Circus", with music performed by friends of Mike Wilson. All donations at the door go to supporting the UCS. Saturday May 2nd, 7:30 pm at the Unitarian Congregation of Saskatoon.
Backyard Composting Workshops
May 5th and May 7thMay 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.).
Green Homes
May 13th 7 pm, J.S Wood LibraryLooking for information on how to “green” your home? Join guest speakers Michael Molaro from the Saskatchewan Green Building Council who will present on the new LEED for homes and can answer your questions on building or renovating your home to be more environmentally sustainable. For more information contact 665-1915.
Co-sponsored by the Saskatchewan Environmental Society and J. S. Wood Library.
We Are Many Action Summit
May 19th, 1 – 4pm (reception at 12:30pm), TCU PlaceWAM 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 ahead of time. We hope to see you there!
Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op Dinner and Auction
May 28th, Louis', U. of S. CampusThe Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op is holding their annual dinner and auction next month. 5:30 pm Cocktails and silent auction; 6:30 pm Supper; 8:30 Live Auction. Tickets are $40. Please contact Kayla Hrynewich at 306.665.3889 http://www.cnyc.ca.
2009 North American Indigenous Food Symposium
June 4th - 6th, Muskoday First Nation and Travelodge HotelWhether you're interested in knowing more about issues of food safety/sovereignty or just want to connect and create change, then this symposium is for you. Join community leaders, farmers, teachers, policy makers and working groups for a three day gathering to advance efforts in support of the revitalization and protection of traditional and local food system. For more information contact: Alex 966-2027. To register contact: 966-5539.
Registration Fee (includes all meals and travel to Muskoday). After May 6th: 400.00. Early Bird April 8th-May 6th: 325.00. Students/seniors/low income: 125.00.
Forest Insect & Disease Conference
June 18 - 19, 2009, SaskatoonThe Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council is presenting the Forest Insect & Disease Conference held in Saskatoon on June 18th - 19th. May 15th is the deadline to register. For the registration form and more info, visit http://www.saskinvasives.ca/.
Other
Learning Gone Wild Conference
May 1st - 2nd, Hitchcock’s Hideaway, southeast of Birsay, SKSaskatchewan 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.
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.
Sask. Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre Fundraiser
May 9th, 5:30 pm, Convention Centre, Moose JawThe Ninth Annual Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre Fundraiser will be held at the Convention Centre on the Moose Jaw Exhibition grounds. Tickets are $15 each and corporate tables are available for $120/table of eight. Cocktails are at 5:30 pm, Supper at 6:30 pm.
The event will include a meal, silent and live auctions, and of course, an owl or two! If you might have an item to donate to the silent auction, please contact us and we would be happy to make arrangements to pick it up. Please contact the SBOIC office (692-8710) for more information.
Prairie Wilderness First Aid Course
June 12 - 14, Val Marie, SKThe 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.
RCEN AGA 2009: Cities and Biodiversity
June 12th - 14th, Edmonton, ABUnder the theme of Cities and Biodiversity, speakers at the 2009 RCEN Annual General Assembly (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. Members of the RCEN can register at a discounted rate. Spaces are limited, please register before May 8th.
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability World Congress
June 14th - 18th, Edmonton, ABThe 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.
3rd Annual Solar Fair: Seminars, Workshops & Trade Show
June 20th & 21nd, Craik Eco-Centre, Craik, SKJoin 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.
Discovering the Missouri Coteau
June 23rd - 25th, Moose Jaw, SKWorkshop/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.
2009 Ness Creek Music Festival - Call for Eco-Village Participants
July 16th - 19th, near Big RiverThe 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.
SOEEA’s Boreal Forest Ecotour
July 31st - August 2nd, Ness Creek siteCome 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.
Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly 2009
July 30th - August 2nd, 2009, Edmonton, ABThe 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!
Opportunities/Calls for Delegates/Proposals
Community Supported Agriculture in Saskatchewan
Organic farmer Keith Neu started the "Eco-Farm" Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project in Saskatchewan in 2007 after being an organic farmer since 1989.
Community Supported Agriculture projects like Keith's promote local, healthy food sources. Members become shareholders in the farm by signing year-long contracts to receive orders of food once a month in the winter and twice a month in the summer.
The Eco-Farm CSA, which currently has about 60 members in Regina and Saskatoon, is welcoming new members for 2009. One of them could be you! Etomami Organics has a wide range of food available, so do not miss this opportunity to get organic Saskatchewan grown vegetables, eggs and meat delivered to your neighbourhood. Contact Keith Nue for more information at km.neu@sasktel.net or visit http://www.reginaecoliving.ca to download a contract.
Conservation Volunteers Needed
The Nature Conservancy of Canada's 2009 Conservation Volunteers events are planned for the upcoming season. Imagine yourself planting trees next to a babbling brook in the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley, upgrading a bison handling facility amid the vast grasslands of the Old Man on his Back Prairie Heritage and Conservation Area, or pulling weeds in the eastern part of the province where unique assemblages of habitats and species exist and are found nowhere else in the province. The events are designed to engage participants with the natural world and Saskatchewan's native plant and animal species as well as accomplish necessary Stewardship work on NCC's conservation sites across the province. Visit the Conservation Volunteers website (http://www.conservationvolunteers.ca) to see the 2009 Saskatchewan Conservation Volunteer events and where you can register online, or contact Jennipher Karst, directly at (306) 347-0447 ext. 229 or toll free at 1 866-622-7275 ext. 229 to register.
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.
Environmental Photographer of the Year Competition
The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management runs the Environmental Photographer of the Year, a serious competition that seeks to celebrate photographers who use their ability to raise awareness of environmental and social issues. It is open to all professional and amateur international photographers of any ages. This year’s categories are Changing Climates; A World of Difference; Quality of Life; The Natural World; and the Young Environmental Photographer of the Year. Entries that are contemporary, creative, experimental, resonant, original and beautiful are encouraged. For more information about participation in this competition, please visit http://www.ciwem.org. The competition is open until July 31st, 2009.