Upcoming Events
Climate Justice Primer, May 25 (Saskatoon)
Climate Justice Saskatoon is hosting a primer discussion before Saskatoon's Climate Change Town Hall Wednesday, May 25th, from 6:20-7:30pm. This is an opportunity to learn more about the People’s Climate Plan and get comfortable before the official Town Hall meeting.
Perma Potluck Goes Wild, May 28 (Saskatoon)
As part of the Wild About Saskatoon NatureCity Festival, PermaSask is hosting its May 28 monthly gathering in the backyard of one of its 2015 permablitz hosts.
Energy Efficiency at Retail Co-ops, June 1 (Saskatoon)
Terry Nelson, Saskatoon Co-op, will discuss energy-efficiency initiatives at retail co-operatives in Western Canada at the June 1 breakfast meeting of the SK Energy Management Task Force.
See also: Federated Co-operatives Limited: Sustainable Business Practices
Alberta Saskatchewan Renewable Energy Finance Summit, June 2-3 (Calgary)
The two-day Renewable Energy Finance Summit will discuss realizing renewable energy project success under the Alberta and Saskatchewan competitive bids.
Grasslands National Park Volunteer Event, June 2-5 (Val Marie)
Help species at risk such as the Greater Sage-Grouse at Grasslands National Park’s volunteer event, June 2-5.
Petroglyph and Butterfly Habitat Tours, June 3-4 (St. Victor)
The Friends of St. Victor Petroglyphs are offering tours of the petroglyphs and Butterfly Habitat on June 3 and 4.
Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Golden Eagles
June 3-5 – Shorebirds, Shorebirds, Shorebirds
June 9, 7:30 am – ‘Mara’, Eagle Creek Acreage
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate in Golden Eagle field trips.
A full list of upcoming events can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar
Photographer’s Guide to Saskatchewan
Robin and Arlene Karpan have just released their latest book, Photographer’s Guide To Saskatchewan. It includes the couple’s favourite photogenic haunts throughout the province as well as how-to details and 250 images.
Saskatchewan Snakes
Snakes Alive: Snakes of Saskatchewan is the latest exhibit at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. Stephen Whitworth, Prairie Dog magazine, says:
“It promises to be an amazing exhibit, with interactive stations and informational displays. Poulin [Ray Poulin, the museum’s curator of zoology] sees it as a chance to get away from the sensationalism and macho posturing that often surrounds these reptiles. Instead of circus-sideshow shenanigans, museum visitors will learn about these misunderstood creatures through captive specimens and close-up photography that reveals an under-appreciated beauty.”
Urban Wonders
Meewasin Resource Management staff have discovered a Sharp-tailed Grouse lek on the Northeast Swale. A lek is the species’ ritual mating dancing grounds. The males dance in the centre of the lek while the females watch from the outside. The males puff out their tails, open their wings, and stomp the ground to attract the females: it’s an impressive sight. Meewasin staff have counted up to 26 males on the lek and a total of 40 birds in the area.
Here’s a video taken at the lek from a remote camera purchased by private donations from members of the Northeast Swale Watchers.
Sharp-tailed Grouse are an endangered species in Canada. Let’s hope that Meewasin Valley Authority and the City of Saskatoon do all in their power to protect the birds and their lek from encroaching urban development.
EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include.
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