SEN Info Bulletin

SEN Environmental Film Festival: See the Change, Be the Change

Our Annual Environmental Film Festival in Saskatoon is scheduled for March 5th - 7th. It will be taking place at two locations: at the Neatby-Timlin Theatre (241 Arts) on March 5th for a feature film and presentation of SEN's Environmental Activist Awards, and at the beautifully restored Roxy Theatre on March 6th and 7th.

The preliminary schedule is posted on our website at http://econet.sk.ca/filmfest/films2010.html.

We are also coordinating with the communities of Regina and Craik to present Environmental Film Festivals around Earth Day in late April. Details will be posted soon!

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Shutting Off the Tap - A Water Conservation Challenge

What do we want to be thinking about in March? World Water Day is March 22nd and we want to think about where are water comes from, where it's going and how we can conserve it! We want to ask the question: "In a country like Canada, where we each use an average of 329 litres of water per day, is it possible to stay healthy and hygienic using only 25 litres per day for all basic water needs?"

Alina Siegfried of Saskatoon, supported by the Saskatchewan Environmental Society and Oxfam Canada, is planning to find out during the month of March. In order to raise awareness of how much most of us take water for granted and in order to illustrate the practical ways in which people can conserve water Alina will spend the month surviving on a small allotment of water each day. All basic water needs including cooking, cleaning, bathing, laundry and toilet flushing will be met with no more than 25 litres of water per day.

Globally, 1.1 billion people do not have access to any type of clean drinking water. Even right here in Canada, 1 in 6 people living on First Nations reserve communities do not have access to clean drinking water. Here in our own province, Saskatchewan’s freshwater supply will be threatened in the future as the glaciers which feed the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers continue to shrink. The large majority of the scientific community predict water supply problems in the Prairies associated with climate change, as demand increases and supply dwindles.

Please join the Facebook group to follow Alina's progress throughout the month of March and to pledge litres of water that you yourself will save! http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?v=info&ref=nf&gid=501453855104.

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Work Crews Re-enter Flooded Cigar Lake Mine

Uranium giant, Cameco Corporation has announced work crews have re-entered the Cigar Lake mine. The mine initially flooded in 2006 and flooded again in August 2008. Since then, the company has been working to get it back under construction. Yesterday, crews entered the main working area, 480 metres underground. Cameco says water has been pumped out of the mine and electrical and mechanical equipment has been replaced. Now, the company will be working to ensure underground areas are safe. If all goes well, construction will resume in October. A Cameco spokesman says, at this point, there is no firm date on when the mine can start production. Cigar Lake is one of the richest uranium deposits in the world.

Full story: http://bit.ly/bsfEXe.

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Introduction to what Transition is, and how to get it going in your community

This two day workshop is intended to introduce and allow for practice of skills required to initiate the very successful “Transition Town” model of local response to global challenges. Learn how to: initiate a transition group in your community; build awareness of peak oil, climate change and economic instability; and engage citizens from all walks of life in neighbourhood or community projects. This is a very full two days of learning. From the practical (organizing Open Space sessions and planning awareness activities) to the theoretical (principles of resilience and theories of change), you will leave the session better equipped to offer transition leadership in the place you call home.

Workshop details are on our website at: http://www.econet.sk.ca/Transition-Training-May-2010-Flyer.pdf.

Rooted is pleased to be hosting this workshop as part of a series of events and activities beginning this spring. There is space available for 40 people. The cost breakdown is: $25 for students and low-income; $50 for medium-income or $100 for high-income. Please let me know as soon as you can if you're planning on coming (and what payment category you fall under). Contact Jessie Best at rooted.uofs@gmail.com.

If you'd like more details,see: http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/TransitionTraining.

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Sentinel Hotspots Launch: Western Canadian Environmental Issues

The Watershed Sentinel has launched Sentinel Hotspots, a web site for mapping environmental issues in western Canada. Please have a look at it, at http://www.sentinelhotspots.ca.

Very briefly, for inclusion on the Sentinel Hotspots site, a hotspot has two necessary characteristics:

• it is a project or a site where adverse environmental impacts are taking place, or could take place
• there is local concern about the issue

The basic intent is to provide a quick overview of issues, for media, government, funders and especially the public, and to promote links to local and regional organisations working on those issues where more detailed information about the issues is available. As an environmental news magazine, we are alarmed at the number of issues in western Canada, and hope that Sentinel Hotspots will be an eye-opener, as well as a useful service.

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EnerGuide and ecoENERGY Retrofit

Is winter causing your energy costs to soar! Meet a SaskEnergy representative who will explain the Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Houses and federal ecoENERGY Retrofit programs being offered by the Government of Saskatchewan and Natural Resources Canada. Also, there will be tips on what you can do to make your home more energy efficient. Pre-register by calling 777-6080.

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Peruvians Before Profit: Solidarity Benefit for Indigenous People of the Peruvian Amazon

In June 2009 the Peruvian government signed a free trade agreement with Canada. Shortly after this signing, members of an Indigenous tribe working to prevent mining on their traditional land were massacred by their government. Many of the mining companies invested in this area are Canadian and their continued interest in foreign resources is negatively impacting the safety and livelihoods of many Indigenous people. To learn more about this issue and to support the people of the Peruvian Amazon please join us on February 27!

Doors open at 5 pm, Supper at 6. Speakers: Diogenes Ampam Wejin - An Awajun Leader, and Mike Mercredi - Tarsands Activist. Musical Entertainment by John C Cook and Oye. Cost: $20 for advanced tickets (before February 20th); $25.00 for tickets at the door; $100.00 for a corporate table (seats 6). For tickets or more information call 525-1714 or email lisaf@oxfam.ca. Please consider purchasing tickets for this event or volunteering to help set up or clean up at the event.

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Sustainability Fair

Come learn how to live a more sustainable life at the Sustainability Fair. For more information, email Katherine Arbuthnott, Katherine.Arbuthnott@uregina.ca

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Green Drinks Regina

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 e-mail us at: greendrinksregina@gmail.com.

This month’s host is Check-It Monitoring Solutions Inc. which is based in Regina and focused on providing complete end to end technology solutions for customers across North America. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.check-it.ca.

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Workshop: Sustainable Urban Development in Cities/Regions

The one day workshop (improvement of poverty in western cities or international slum areas) features Dr. Glenn Smith, Executive Director of Christian Direction, Montreal, Quebec. CHAKAM will provide certification for 100% attendance of this 5 hour course. Mail registration fee with name, address and other contact information to: CHAKAM, 1026 First Avenue West, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, S6V 4Y4. For more information call 306-922-0100 or 306-522-7600.

Cost: $ 20.00 per person (includes instruction, certification, light lunch, refreshments. Chakam’s Regina Campus at the Rocit International Training Centre, Highway # 6 South (just over the viaduct outside of the City of Regina on right hand side).

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International Women's Day - Into the Breech: Our Indigenous and African Grandmothers

This event includes screening of the film For the Next 7 Generations, Speaker Margaret Akan (All Nations Hope AIDS Network), and Panel: Sheila Fahlman from Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers; Doreen Topp from Aboriginal Grandmothers Caring for Grandchildren; and Muna DeCiman from the Daughters of Africa. This will be followed by lunch, and Speaker Dr. Dale Dewar (Past SCIC Global Citizen Award winner, Physicians for Global Survival).

Lunch- $10 or $5 for students and limited income. Please RSVP by March 3rd by emailing scic@earthbeat.sk.ca or calling 757-4669. Parking available in Lot 3 area M.

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Dessert/Bridge Fundraising Event for Save the Children

Register by Tuesday, March 2 by calling 545-4011 or 545-6693. Cost is $5.00. Featuring dessert and refreshments as well as prizes at each table. Sponsored by Save the Children Canada. Donations will be accepted for their programs in Haiti.

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Hop on Board!

Saskatchewan Environmental Society invites you to an information night. Find out what SES is all about and how you can be involved! For more information contact 665-1915.

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Lunch and Learn: Solar Technology in Building

Location: U. of S. School of Education, studio A (downstairs) and University of Regina School of Education, Rm. 158 (sites connected by videoconference facilities).

Speakers are Dr. Rob Dumont, Ken Kelln (Kelln Solar), Kelly Winder (SRC): Solar design for buildings - design principles, good practice, available grants. Green bag lunch & learn (free): 12:15pm to 1 pm (short presentations from all 3 speakers: bring your own lunch). Afternoon teaching session: 1 pm to 3 pm (more detailed presentations, opportunities for questions: non-members $30, members $20, students $10).

Register at http://www.picatic.com/ticket/event691560.

For more information go to http://www.cagbc.org/chapters/saskatchewan/events/index.php Sponsored by the Canada Green Building Council SK Chapter.

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Carbon Footprint Symposium: How Changes to the Marketplace Could Affect Exports and Value Chains

For more information and registration see: http://www.seda.sk.ca/2010-carbon-footprint-info.html or phone 306.384.5817. Registration is $100, including GST and luncheon).

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Sustainable Saskatchewan Conference, Saskatoon

Hosted by SEDA (Saskatchewan Economic Development Association) and the SFPA. Details at http://www.seda.sk.ca/.

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Environmental Film Festival: See the Change, Be the Change

Friday, March 5th, 7 pm, at Timlin Neatby Theatre, Room 241, Arts Building U. of S: Presentation of the Environmental Activist Awards, followed by the Film “No Impact Man" and Green Un-Gala.

Saturday, March 6th, 12 - 9 pm, Roxy Theatre, 320 - 20th St West, Featuring film screenings: "In Transition", "Taking Root" and "Black Gold", workshops and international shorts.

Sunday, March 7th, 12 - 6 pm, Roxy Theatre. Featuring film screenings: "End of the Line" and ”H2Oil", and Saskatchewan Film Makers' Panel.

Suggested Donation $10 waged, $5 students/low income. Call our office at 652-1275 for more programme information or see http://econet.sk.ca/filmfest/films2010.html.

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Native Plants of Saskatchewan

Chet Neufeld, Executive Director of the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, will talk about gardening with native plants. Gardening with native plants requires no pesticides or fertilizer and many require very little water. Learn what plants are adapted to our climate and attract birds, butterflies and bees. For more information phone 665-1915.

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Seedy Saturday

Join us for Saskatoon's 12th Seedy Saturday on Saturday March 13th at Princess Alexandra School, 210 Avenue H South, from noon - 4:30 pm. Admission is $2.00. Seedy Saturday is a family-friendly eco-fair promoting open pollinated and heirloom seed saving, biodiversity and sustainable living. It's the perfect time to celebrate spring with garden speakers, like-minded exhibitors, a children's area and refreshments. More information can be found at http://www.chep.org.

To book a table, call Ruth Anne Rudack at 655-5322.

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6th Annual Road Map Saskatoon Forum

This year's forum will focus on the theme Sustainability = Good Business $ence. The 2010 Forum is designed to help business and organizations in Saskatoon recognize that making workplace changes that incorporate sustainable principles and design can have significant positive effects on their bottom line. Road Map Saskatoon is excited to welcome Matt McCulloch, director of the Pembina Institute's Corporate Consulting Services, as Keynote speaker on Thursday, March 25th.

Registration now open. Early Bird registration closes March 1st! Details at: http://bit.ly/c622qu.

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9th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference

In February of 2010, Winnipeg will host one of the most important gatherings devoted to landscape and wildlife conservation in western Canada. The 9th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference will bring together decision-makers, researchers and community and grass-roots groups along with farmers, ranchers, Aboriginal groups and other private citizens who have an abiding interest in sustaining prairie land, water, plants and animals.

The conference theme, Patterns of Change, reflects the goal of this event to give divergent prairie interest groups the chance to explore ideas and approaches to sustain land owners and users as well as the rich natural heritage that is the endowment of all prairie landscape dwellers.

For the most complete and up-to-date conference information, please visit http://www.pcesc.ca.

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ENGO Participation in International Biodiversity Day Activities

The RCEN has been invited by Environment Canada to select thirteen lead environmental NGO groups in each province and territory to carry out outreach and education activities for the International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) on May 22, 2010. This year’s IDB theme is “Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation”; however, activities are not limited to this theme. Selected ENGOs will collaborate with the RCEN Biodiversity Caucus and Environment Canada’s Ecosystems and Biodiversity Priorities Division to: prepare IDB Outreach plans; carry out outreach and education activities based on outreach plans; write a final report on completed outreach and education activities. The ENGO delegates will be compensated $1250 for participation in two teleconferences and the development and implementation of the Outreach Plans, and $200 to write the final report. The deadline for applications is February 22, 2010.

More information at http://www.cen-rce.org/eng/consultations/delegate_calls/10_02_IDB.html.

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Research Grants: Royal Canadian Geographical Society

The Royal Canadian Geographical Society supports geographic research projects on Canadian topics through its research grants program. The Research Grants Committee has funding opportunities for both students and the public: individual grants (up to $3,000) and group grants (up to $5,000).

The RCGS also awards Studentships in Human Geography and Northern Geography: the Maxwell Studentship in Human Geography for Master’s students ($5,000); the Bourque Studentship in Northern Geography for PhD students ($5,000); and the RCGS Studentship in Northern Geography for Masters students ($5,000).

Deadline for applications: February 28th of each year. Deatails at: http://www.rcgs.org/programs/research_grants/.

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Earth Day Canada Environmental Scholarship Opportunity

Earth Day Canada has launched the 2010 Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program. Twenty $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to students across Canada who have distinguished themselves through environmental community service, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and academic excellence. One exceptional student will also be presented with the Toyota Earth Day Scholarship National Award and a Panasonic notebook computer.

The deadline to apply is February 28, 2010. Application material and information is available online at http://www.earthday.ca/scholarship. For program information, please contact Jo Anne Tacorda at 416 599-1991 ext. 109.

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Environment Canada’s “Nature Matters! Contest”

Part of Environment Canada’s celebration of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) is the national Nature Matters! Contest. Until February 28th, Canadians between the ages of 9 and 35 are invited to submit written or video essays that answer the following question: “Why is nature important to you?” Six grand-prize winners will be invited to Ottawa to attend the Grand Reopening Event of the Canadian Museum of Nature, on International Biodiversity Day, May 22. All grand-prize winning essays will be displayed at the Biosphere in Montreal during 2010, while grand-prize winning and runner-up essays will be published on the website of the Canadian Biodiversity Information Network. Also, these essays will be announced through Environment Canada's network of national education and environment organizations, reaching well over one million people. For full contest details, please visit: http://www.cbin.ec.gc.ca.

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ENGO Participation in the Food Regulatory Advisory Committee

Health Canada has invited the RCEN to select one ENGO delegate to participate in the Food Regulatory Advisory Committee (FRAC). This multi-stakeholder committee will provide Health Canada’s Food Directorate (FD) with broad expert strategic policy advice on the safety of food products. The FRAC will also provide advice on matters relating to strategic planning, priority-setting and environmental scanning of issues related to food safety, nutritional quality or other issues related to the FD’s mandate. It is anticipated that the committee will meet twice a year and that the first meeting will occur in May 2010.

The deadline for applications is March 3, 2010. More information at http://www.cen-rce.org/eng/consultations/delegate_calls/10_02_frac.html.

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Earth Day Canada: Every Day Heroes Film Competition

All filmmakers, young and old, established and aspiring, are invited to submit 90-second silent videos to the Every Day Heroes Film Competition. Finalists will have their videos screened in Ivanhoe Cambridge Shopping Malls across Canada, on the Onestop Network of 270 monitors on the subway platforms of the Toronto Transit Commission, as well as hosted on Earth Day Canada’s website and YouTube channel.

Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Best of ‘Under 18’ years of age — MacBook Pro; Best of ‘Over 18’ years of age — MacBook Pro; Best of Competition — Two economy airline tickets to any destination in North America with two nights hotel accommodation AND two tickets to the Earth Day Canada Gala, including travel to Toronto and hotel accommodation for the nights of June 8th and 9th, 2010.

Inspire Canada this Earth Day. Tell the story of your every day environmental hero and their dedication to support of a healthier environment.

The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2010. Submissions received prior to February 15, 2010 will be entered into a raffle to win a Panasonic 60GB HDD/SD Camcorder. Visit http://www.earthday.ca/film for more details and submission form.

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Volunteers Needed: Caring For Our Watersheds

Caring For Our Watersheds is a program presented by Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin and Agrium that encourages environmental stewardship by students. It asks students to think about their watersheds and how they can protect this most essential asset. The program encourages creativity and rewards students for the solutions they identify. Students entered in the program can win cash rewards for themselves and their school! For more information on the competition, please go to http://www.CaringForOurWatersheds.com

Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin are looking for volunteers to assist with the judging portion of the competition. There are three different dates available to volunteer: two undetermined dates in the middle of March and the final competition on April 3rd, 2010. Training will be provided.

The first judging day will require individuals to assist with the initial screening of the written/prepared presentations. A full day is scheduled for this and lunch will be provided. The second judging day is the semi-finals. Again, a full day is scheduled for this and lunch will be provided. The final judging day will be the actual event itself, the verbal competition finals, which is held on April 3, 2010. This is a half day (afternoon) event and dinner is provided at the awards presentation.

If this competition is something that you would be interested in volunteering for, please contact Lis Mack at lmack@meewasin.com and she would be delighted to send you some additional information on the competition and the duties required of a judge. They need a number of judges, so the more the merrier!

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Important Bird Area Caretakers Needed

Nature Saskatchewan is currently setting up an Important Bird Areas Caretakers Network in Saskatchewan. The Important Bird Areas program is an international effort to identify, conserve, and monitor a network of sites that provide essential habitat for bird populations. The goal for the Caretakers Network is to have a volunteer caretaker assigned to each Important Bird Area to watch for changes in bird populations or conservation threats, conduct outreach and raise awareness about their site, and undertake on-the-ground stewardship if needed.

We are seeking volunteer caretakers to be the eyes, ears and hands on the ground for the 53 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Saskatchewan.

For more information about Important Bird Areas visit http://www.ibacanada.ca. This site lists the names of the 53 Important Bird Areas we are seeking caretakers for (look under “Explore IBAs” and “IBA site directory”).

Please contact Karen McIver, Conservation and Education Manager, for more details or to express interest in becoming a caretaker: kmciver@naturesask.ca or phone: 306-780-9481.

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Editor/Publisher: Briarpatch Magazine

Are you passionate about independent media and progressive/radical politics? Are you a talented communicator with an entrepreneurial spirit, ready to take the reins of a respected Canadian magazine? Do you want to work for a grassroots organization that enables you to put your politics into practice? As part of a shift into participatory economics and balanced job complexes, Briarpatch seeks a crackerjack Editor/Publisher to jointly oversee all aspects of producing a bi-monthly magazine.

As one of two full-time staff in a horizontal workplace, the successful candidate will share equal responsibility for core editorial, organizational and administrative tasks, and will report directly to a volunteer board of directors. This is a full-time, unionized position; wage and benefits as per the collective agreement.

Application deadline: March 1, 2010. Full details at Good Work Canada http://www.goodworkcanada.ca/gwd.php?id=10234.

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National Farmers Union: 2 Positions: Executive Director & Director of Policy & Research

The National Farmers Union (NFU) seeks two individuals to enhance our policy and advocacy work for Canadian farm families. NFU staff work in a team environment with the elected officials and membership to develop and advance policies for the betterment of Canadian farmers and for a sustainable future for all Canadians.

Executive Director (ED): The ED will work with the Board and Executive of the NFU to successfully implement the policy directives of the membership. The ED will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the National Office of the NFU and work in a management role with the Director of Finance and Director of Policy and Research. The ED will take a leadership role in identifying emerging issues, setting priorities and maximizing the effectiveness of the resources of the NFU.

Director of Policy and Research: The Director of Policy and Research will take the lead role within the NFU in researching and communicating the issues that affect Canadian farm families.

Interested parties please respond by March 1, 2010. Details at Good Work Canada: http://www.goodworkcanada.ca/gwd.php?id=10292

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