Join the Saskatoon Nature Society as they survey the birds in the Saskatoon District for their Fall Bird Count on Saturday, September 10. Novice birders will be assigned to an experienced leader. Contact Michael Williams (242-5383) by September 8 for additional information.
Salt Cedar Surveys, September 8 & 15
Help the Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council and the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan search for invasive salt cedar:
Findlater, SK - Thursday, September 8, 10 am to 4 pm (meet at the junction of Highway #2 and #11 just northwest of Findlater)
Cadillac, SK - Thursday, September 15, 10 am to 4 pm (meet at the junction of Highway #4 and #43 just north of Cadillac)
To register for either of these events, please contact Chet Neufeld at (306) 668-3940 or e-mail info@npss.sk.ca
Saskatoon Nature Society, September 15
The Saskatoon Nature Society’s meeting on Thursday, September 15 at 7:30 pm features a presentation by Kathleen and Michael Pitt on their 950 km. canoe journey down the Thelon River from Great Slave Lake to Hudson Bay.All the Society’s meetings are open to the public and are held in Room 106 of the Biology Building, University of Saskatchewan.
Rio+20 Workshop
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is hosting one of ten Rio+20 Summit Civil Society Workshops on Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 1-4 pm in Room 45, Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan.
The workshops will influence the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, which will focus on two themes: (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development.
If you would like to attend, send an email to pesticidefree@environmentalsociety.ca.
Background reading:
A Green Economy for Canada: Consulting with Canadians
Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to sustainable development and poverty eradication - a synthesis for policy makers
Sustainable Development: Governance towards Rio+20: Framing the debate
The Western Mining Action Network (WMAN) supports a network to protect communities, land, water, air, and wildlife by reforming mining practices and holding government and corporations accountable. Their eighth biennial gathering, Working Together as One: Sustainable Water, Culture and Healthy Communities, will be held in Prince Albert from September 23-25.
Topics will include uranium mining, protecting water resources, and indigenous/cultural issues associated with mineral resource extraction. There will be a special activities track for young people and other newcomers to mining issues. WMAN prioritizes applicants who are directly affected by mining, who live in communities dealing with mining-related issues, or who work on issues related to mining.
Net Metering Program Extended
The provincial Net Metering Program provides rebates of up to $35,000 to people who wish to install small wind, solar or other green power generation equipment and connect to the province’s electricity system (excess electricity is fed back into the grid, and the customer receives a credit on their power bill).
The province’s Go Green Fund has committed an additional $2 million to extend the program for another year to March 30, 2012. Additional information and a list of vendors is available from Saskatchewan’s Green Directory.
Contact the Saskatchewan Research Council to apply.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Saskatoon Neighbourhood Carshare, go to their Facebook event page and indicate that you plan to attend. The project is a joint initiative of the University of Saskatoon and We Are Many and is currently in the feasibility stage.
The Saskatoon car sharing co-op would operate as an extension of the Regina Car Share (RCS), which has successfully provided the service over the past four years. Joining with the RCS would allow Saskatoon residents to begin carsharing as soon as possible and would provide Saskatoon members with access to the vehicles in Regina.
For more information, contact Rebecca Anderson at anderson.rebecca.jane@gmail.com
Wascana Creek One of the Most Polluted in Canada
Regina’s Wascana Creek is almost entirely fed by treated sewage, and recent studies show that it is one of the most polluted creeks in the country. Personal care products have been found as far as 60 kilometres away from the city. The studies indicate that residents can help by following proper disposal methods for pharmaceuticals and personal care products, but the city needs to fully upgrade its waste water plant to remove nitrogen completely from the waste stream.
EcoSask News is a weekly Tuesday feature. Email ecofriendlysask@gmail.com if you have news or events that you would like us to include.
Visit EcoFriendly Sask's Calendar page for a more complete list of upcoming events.
You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter or email (top right corner).
