News
Saskatchewan Government and University of Saskatchewan Get Together to Pursue Medical Isotope Reactor
REGINA – The provincial government and the University of Saskatchewan have struck a partnership on a plan to bring to Saskatoon a nuclear reactor that will produce medical isotopes, Premier Brad Wall said Wednesday. Meanwhile, work continues apace on a proposal that will be submitted by the end of the month to the federal government as it considers how Canada can secure a long-term supply of isotopes, Wall said.
A small reactor focused on nuclear material science and isotope production could cost somewhere in the range of $500 million, the premier said outside a meeting of the Saskatchewan Party cabinet at the legislature.
Wall has attracted criticism for his pursuit of a nuclear research reactor before public consultations are completed on the findings of the government-appointed Uranium Development Partnership, which aims to “add value” to Saskatchewan’s world-leading supply of uranium.
He said again Wednesday that the government is working against tight federal timelines and it will listen closely if it is found there is strong public opposition to a research reactor.
Full story: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/health/Reactor+partnership+reached/1773364/story.html
Share your Favourite Prairie Places
The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan is undertaking a very ambitious project and needs your help! They’re compiling a list of publicly-accessible native prairie areas in Saskatchewan that people can visit and publishing it all in a guide called Saskatchewan’s Prairie Places. If you know of any native prairie that the public would be able to visit (including private land, with owner’s permission) please send them the information (name, nearest town, driving directions, other important info). Tell them as much as you can about these prairie areas, such as if camping is allowed and if there are designated camp sites, or if there are any trails or points of interest to enhance the experience. Other information that they’re looking for are GPS coordinates for native prairie places, plant species/communities that occupy them and photos and map images of them. Everyone who contributes will be credited in the guide.
Please send all information to info@npss.sk.ca or call (306) 668-3940.
Weed-Whacking Herbicide Proves Deadly to Human Cells
Used in yards, farms and parks throughout the world, Roundup has long been a top-selling weed killer. But now researchers have found that one of Roundup’s inert ingredients can kill human cells, particularly embryonic, placental and umbilical cord cells.
The new findings intensify a debate about so-called “inerts” — the solvents, preservatives, surfactants and other substances that manufacturers add to pesticides. Nearly 4,000 inert ingredients are approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Glyphosate, Roundup’s active ingredient, is the most widely used herbicide in the United States. About 100 million pounds are applied to U.S. farms and lawns every year, according to the EPA.
Until now, most health studies have focused on the safety of glyphosate, rather than the mixture of ingredients found in Roundup. But in the new study, scientists found that Roundup’s inert ingredients amplified the toxic effect on human cells—even at concentrations much more diluted than those used on farms and lawns. One specific inert ingredient, polyethoxylated tallowamine, or POEA, was more deadly to human embryonic, placental and umbilical cord cells than the herbicide itself – a finding the researchers call “astonishing.”
Read the full article from the Scientific American: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=weed-whacking-herbicide-p.
Free Fishing Weekend
The weekend of July 11th and 12th is Saskatchewan's annual free fishing weekend. That means everyone, including visitors from outside the province, can fish in Saskatchewan without having to purchase a licence.
Anyone planning to take advantage of the Free Fishing Weekend is reminded that all other fishing regulations, including possession limits and reduced limits on some lakes and rivers, remain in effect. Free Fishing Weekend does not apply in national parks and anyone planning to take fish out of the province must purchase a licence. Anglers on Lac La Ronge must have a free endorsement, available at local merchants. This endorsement helps to conserve and enhance the lake trout population and to gather data on angling pressure and harvest on Lac La Ronge.
The public is also reminded that seniors 65 and older, who reside in Saskatchewan, are no longer required to obtain an angling licence. All that is now required is proof of residency and age, such as their provincial driver's licence, which must be shown to conservation offers or RCMP officers upon request.
More information about fishing in Saskatchewan can be found in the 2009 Anglers' Guide, available wherever fishing licences are sold, or online at http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca.
Action Alerts
Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan Public Consultation
The Uranium Development Partnership’s consultation website http://www.saskuranium.ca contains the full UDP report, presentation materials, online input opportunities, and ultimately, the results of the public input. Individuals and stakeholders can still send written submissions through regular mail to: "The Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan" P.O. Box 7, Regina, SK, S4P 2Z5. Individuals and stakeholders can call toll-free (1-877-791-4667) to request a copy of the Uranium Development Partnership Report or Executive Summary. Individuals and stakeholders can send written submissions either on-line, by email or by regular mail until July 31st, 2009.
For further information on the subject visit http://www.environmentalsociety.ca/issues/energy/index.html or http://www.cleangreensask.ca.
In Need of Recycled Paper
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is looking for a business or institution that would be interested in donating large quantities of clean, one sided, 8 1/2 x 11" paper to our office. We re-use this paper for printing. Supplier must be in Saskatoon. For more information, please contact the SES office at 306-665-1915.
Resources
Report: The State of the Saskatchewan River Basin
Released in June 2009, From the Mountains to the Sea: The State of the Saskatchewan River Basin is aimed at satisfying, at least in part, the goal that persons who are making decisions and recommendations concerning the waters and associated resources within the Saskatchewan River Basin do so with an understanding of and an appreciation for the entire basin. One of the objectives is to examine the overall condition of the basin by assembling existing information so that it can be reviewed by groups throughout the basin. This will contribute to integrated water resources management in the basin.
The report can be downloaded from the Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin's website at http://www.saskriverbasin.ca/page.php?page_id=70.
Coming Events
Regina
Eastern Qu’Appelle Valley Nature Walk
July 12th, 8 am - evening, meet at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum parking lotJoin members of Nature Regina for a day long exploration of the Eastern Qu’Appelle Valley. We will look at the river and springs, including the Crooked Lake fen (a Nature Sask sanctuary) where we hope to find yellow monkey flower. We will also visit both the forested and grassy slopes as well as the prairie at the valley edge. We expect to see a wide variety of wildflowers and much wildlife. Our leaders spent several days exploring this area a couple of years ago and will lead you to some of the more interesting places. Bring lunch and lots to drink. We will do some walking so wear good shoes. We plan to explore the valley until late afternoon. Each group can then decide whether to go directly home, stop for supper some place, or proceed elsewhere. Share of gas $8-10. For more information contact 949-2505.
Human Rights Radio
Fridays at 12 noon, CJRT RadioAmnesty International is very pleased to announce "Human Rights Radio" a weekly, half hour, program hosted by Amnesty International volunteers in Regina. Everyone is invited to tune in starting Friday, July 3rd at 12:30pm (noon). This program will air on CJTR Community Radio at 91.3 FM and you can also listen live over the internet at http://www.cjtr.ca.
Saskatoon
Nuclear Reactors, Conservation and Renewable Energy
Thursday July 9th, 7 pm, Aberdeen Community Hall, 202 - 2nd Ave, AberdeenMark Bigland-Pritchard, Peter Prebble and Sandra Finley will be speaking. There will be ample time for questions and answers from everyone assembled. Please come join us for discussion about our electricity options. Everyone welcome. Need Info? call Cindy at 253-4676
Aberdeen is 20 minutes northeast of Saskatoon, in the valley that runs between the North and the South Saskatchewan Rivers.
Water Conservation Presentation
July 12th, 2 pm, Meewasin Valley CentreAlina Siegfried, Saskatchewan Environmental Society's Water Issues Coordinator, is doing a presentation on water conservation this Sunday at 2pm. The presentation will be followed by a kids activity water relay that emphasizes how small actions in reducing water use add up to giant water savings.
This public presentation is free, so everyone is welcome, and bring kids!For more information contact 665-1915.
Organic Gardening Class
July 21st, 1-4 pm, University of SaskatchewanInstructor Paule Hjertaas, President of the Saskatchewan Network for Alternatives to Pesticides (SNAP)
Finally, a common sense approach to sustainable gardening! Filled with practical advice, Paule outlines alternative solutions to typical gardening problems and arms students with the knowledge and resources to build their own environmentally responsible gardens.
Fee $36.75. Registration information is available on the HortWeek page: http://ccde.usask.ca/mastergardener/hortweek. To register, call 306.966.5539.
Yoga and WAM Day In The Park FUNdraising Event
July 25th, 1-10 pm Saskatoon Friendship ParkEvents and entertainment are lined up all day, including musicians Wade Morissette and Carrie Catherine, We are Many (WAM) gardening workshops, a fair updating Saskatoon residents and volunteers on WAM projects that they can dig into, and of course, you don’t want to miss the yoga sessions all day long with Broadway's popular One Yoga studio! Come out for some food, fun, entertainment, environmentalism and inner-peace building.
Admission is by donation, and there will be a fundraising raffle and a 50/50 draw, with proceeds going to WAM and the new non-profit program 'yoga for youth,' so come out to support your community! We are also asking attendees to bring their own plates for food if possible. This event is sponsored by the We Are Many (WAM) Collective.
Rare Plant Survey Techniques - 3 Day Course
July 29th – 31st, SaskatoonWho should take this course? Professionals who conduct, contract, or supervise rare plant survey projects, and any individual seeking professional development in rare plant survey project planning, execution, and reporting. Government, NGO, industry, and consulting sectors will find value in this course. A degree or diploma in natural sciences, with some botany or plant taxonomy is a pre-requisite, while knowledge of ecology and statistics would also help.
Details on the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan's website at http://www.npss.sk.ca/events.php.
4th Annual Sustainable Gourmet Fundraiser
September 26th, 2009Tickets are now available for the 4th Annual Sustainable Gourmet. Support the Saskatchewan Environmental Society by purchasing your ticket now: Tickets are $65 with a portion tax-deductible. Tickets available at the SES office 306-665-1915. Only 150 tickets will be sold to this unique event in which all the primary ingredients for the meal will be grown or made locally. This helps our environment, strengthens our community and provides a showcase for local sustainable entreprises.
Risk Management Training Conference
October 6th - 7th, TCU PlaceVolunteer Saskatoon & the United Way of Saskatoon & Area presents Imagine Canada’s Insurance & Liability Resource Centre for Non-Profits Risk Management Conference Presented for the first time in Western Canada, this training conference will: Motivate participants to undertake or improve risk management policy and procedures and will give you the skills and resources to do so; Learn about the key risks facing nonprofit organizations in Canada and how to manage these risks; Provide you with a comprehensive 350 page Resource Binder; Give you an opportunity to examine the challenges and options specific to the non-profit sector and interact with other leaders in the sector.
Visit: http://www.volunteersaskatoon.com/events/ Need help with costs? Check out the training grant/bursary available through The Muttart Foundation http://www.muttart.org/training.htm.
Other
Speaker: Patrick Moore
July 13th, 7 pm, Don Ross Centre, North BattlefordPatrick Moore is coming to the Battlefords to speak about nuclear power and other sources of energy. The topic will be In search of a sustainable energy future. Moore's speech will be hosted by the City of North Battleford and presented by the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
Admission is free. Moore will speak for one hour. A question and answer period will follow.
2009 Ness Creek Music Festival
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.
Youth for International Do-It-Yourself Media Training
July 21 - 25, Calling Lakes Centre, Fort Qu’AppelleFor young people 12 - 18, this Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation program involves 4 days of training for youth on issues and activism. The training builds the skills of participating youth to produce their own creative media on global issues. After the training youth are encouraged to continue their work and will be provided with ongoing opportunities.
Registration is $100. Registration forms can be found online at http://www.youthbeat.org. You can also receive registration forms and more information by contacting scicyouth@earthbeat.sk.ca or (306)757-4669. Registration deadline is July 10th.
Forget Native Prairie Tour
July 25th, 9 am and 1 pm, Forget, SKIf you live near the Moose Mountain area or plan to visit in July, please consider taking in the Forget Arts Festival, where NPSS member Nora Stewart and her daughter, Laura, will be leading a native prairie tour. Nora and Laura are very knowledgeable regarding native plants, as Nora and her husband owned a native plant nursery.
Saturday, July 25th, 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., meeting just outside the main gate at the Forget Summer Arts Festival in Forget, SK. We will carpool out to a native pasture just a few miles south of Forget. The tour will introduce characteristics of a few important plant families, so participants can begin to recognize hundreds of Saskatchewan plants as members of these few families.
For more info, contact: Laura Stewart (306) 455-2180 Cell: (306) 577-7860.
Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly 2009
July 30th - August 2nd, 2009, Edmonton, ABGlobal Youth Assembly is an awesome social forum for youth (16-28) from Canada and around the world to move from awareness to action. Express yourself. Connect with like-minded youth, artists and global citizens from around the world. Make new friends and partnerships.
Delegate registration for the Assembly is available on their website at http://www.youthassembly.ca. Space is limited so be sure to register early!
Keepers of the Water IV Conference
August 20th - 24th, Hatchett Lake, SKFor more information, contact Brandy Smart at 306-981-4661 http://www.keepersofthewater.ca.
Opportunities/Calls for Delegates/Proposals
Announcing the Pan-Canadian Biodiversity Best Practices/Case Studies Contest
In advance of the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010, the RCEN is launching a “Best Practices/Case Studies Contest” to gather innovative and effective examples of environmental NGOs’ work related to the conservation, sustainable use, and awareness of biodiversity.
The “winning” case studies and best practices will be featured in a 20-page handbook to be included as an annex to Canada’s 4th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. If your best practice or case study is selected, you will receive $200 to write a 1-2 page summary to be included in the handbook.
Send your submission by email to sarah@cen-rce.org. The contest ends July 31, 2009. Details are on the RCEN website at http://www.cen-rce.org/eng/index.html
Discover Nicaragua Without Leaving Home
Canada World Youth is currently looking for families interested in providing accommodation to a young Canadian and a Nicaraguan youth who are participating in an international educational program.
Saskatoon has been selected to host a group of eighteen youth, aged 17 to 25 from December 4, 2009 to March 4, 2010. Half the group will be made up of young people who come from all regions of Canada, and the other half are youth from Nicaragua. During their stay in Saskatoon, the young people will take part in various volunteer projects in the community.
You can get involved by becoming a host family! We invite all types of households—retirees, singles, single parents, etc.—to share their daily activities with Canada World Youth participants. You won’t have to alter your lifestyle in any way: one goal of the program is to integrate participants into everyday family life. By hosting two participants, you will also discover a new culture! In addition, host families receive a weekly allowance of $168. Arrival of Canadian and Nicaraguan youth volunteers in Saskatoon: December 4, 2009. Begin living with families: December 4, 2009 to March 4, 2010. If this experience interests you or you would like more information, please contact Ben Chung at (306)241-5433 or email bchung@cwy-jcm.org.
Canada World Youth (CWY) offers international educational programs to young people aged 17 to 24. Since 1971, close to 32,000 youth from Canada and around the world have participated in CWY programs in 67 countries. Website: http://www.canadaworldyouth.org.Requests for Proposals: Go Green Fund
The Go Green Fund is a financial commitment from the Government of Saskatchewan to assist Saskatchewan's people, communities, non-government organizations and businesses address the province's most important environmental issues. A Request for Proposal system will be the primary process used to solicit competitive bids for projects that achieve these objectives. A clearly-defined business plan outlining your proposal must be submitted by midnight September 1, 2009.
For more information, or to provide suggestions on possible areas for investment, please contact: Go Green Fund Manager, 5th Floor - 3211 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 5W6, email gogreenfund@gov.sk.ca or see their website at http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/fund.
Opportunity: Visit or Live and Work in an Off-grid Home in Craik
We are accepting letters of interest (or phone calls) from a few good people who would like the opportunity to visit or live and work in an off-grid home. Our place, in Craik, SK is straw bale wrapped, equipped with solar electricity, low tech solar hot water, wood stove for when it gets chilly (hopefully we’re done with that til fall), has nice soil and an organic garden. Details at http://boilingfrog.ca/?p=127
Volunteer Opportunities
Countdown to Copenhagen: Pedaling For the Planet
Pedal for the Planet is a chance for individuals, organizations and communities to join together, to ensure that Canada does its fair share to tackle the climate crisis. As of July 3rd, people across the country have been joining rides and walks leaving the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Using bikes, trains and other modes of green transport, they are demonstrating their personal commitment to change, and relaying their expectations for a Copenhagen climate treaty on to Ottawa. Local Pedal for the Planet events are planned across the country this summer as riders reach different cities on their way to Ottawa.
The Saskatchewan portion of the trip will be taking place from July 28 to August 13. Volunteers are needed every step of the way. We need: cyclists and walkers to join rides and walks; tour leaders who have experience with long-distance cycling trips; people to drive our hybrid electric support vehicle; help finding organic farms and campgrounds where people can stay; donations to ensure that this is a successful event across the country; people to help get the word out - postering, phoning, blogging, facebooking. Contact Lisa Faye, Oxfam Canada, Saskatoon, lisaf -at- oxfam.ca, (306) 242-4097.
Pedal for the Planet is a KYOTOplus initiative. Partner organizations include Climate Action Network, Sierra Club Canada, Sierra Youth Coalition, Oxfam Canada and other organizations across the country. Visit http://kyotoplus.ca/pedal/ for more information and to participate in the campaign!