Wednesday 30 December 2020

Barry Lopez, 1945-2020

Mexican gray wolf

“We cannot, of course, save the World because we do not have authority over its parts. We can serve the world though. That is everyone's calling, to lead a life that helps.” (Barry Lopez) 

“Barry Lopez, a lyrical writer who steeped himself in Arctic wildernesses, the habitats of wolves and exotic landscapes around the world for award-winning books that explored the kinship of nature and human culture, died on Friday at his home in Eugene, Ore. He was 75.” (The New York Times

“The cold view to take of our future is that we are therefore headed for extinction in a universe of impersonal chemical, physical, and biological laws. A more productive, certainly more engaging view, is that we have the intelligence to grasp what is happening, the composure not to be intimidated by its complexity, and the courage to take steps that may bear no fruit in our lifetimes.” (Barry Lopez) 

“My goal that day was intimacy—the tactile, olfactory, visual, and sonic details of what, to most people in my culture, would appear to be a wasteland. This simple technique of awareness had long been my way to open a conversation with any unfamiliar landscape. Who are you? I would ask. How do I say your name? May I sit down? . . . . It seems to me you must find some way in a new place—or with a new person—to break free of the notion that you can be certain of what or whom you’ve actually encountered. You must, at the very least, establish a truce with realities not your own, whether you’re speaking about the innate truth and aura of a landscape or a person.” (Barry Lopez, Love in a Time of Terror

“To put your hands in a river is to feel the chords that bind the earth together.” (Barry Lopez)

Monday 28 December 2020

A New Year's Chorus of Birds

Hooded Oriole (male and female)

Songs, snacks, glamour, and games – welcome in 2021 with a bevy of birds. 

The carol of the birds is performed by Nancy Rumbel and friends, including black-capped chickadees, red-winged blackbird, song sparrow, house finch, pine siskins, and mourning dove. 


Bird Bingo features 64 species of birds from around the world – mark them off on your card and bingo! 

“The ravens of Mount Seymour are well known for their lunch and snack stealing prowess. On almost every hiking or snowshoeing trip there we’ve witnessed a skilful heist of one sort or another, with prizes ranging from sandwiches to chocolate bars to full party-sized bags of chips.”
 
raven

Just eat one chip when there are three? Not a chance, said the crow! 

The strangest bird I’ve ever seen is called the Bokhara Trumpeter. Such a mass of feathers crowns its head that it looks disturbingly faceless, like a living tassel. Long plumes jut out from its ankles, like a second pair of wings. But for all its gaudiness, the Bokhara Trumpeter is, in fact, just a specialized breed of pigeon. It’s a frou-frou version of the same bird you might see choking down an entire Pop-Tart on the streets of any major city. 


“The Bokhara Trumpeter is one end-point of humanity’s long entanglement with pigeons, a relationship that began when the birds were first domesticated at least five thousand years ago. Since that time, pigeons have carried love-letters and military dispatches, assisted fortune-tellers, and inspired cutthroat bird-racing subcultures.” 


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Did you know? Evening Grosbeak's thick, cone-shaped beak is very strong and can crush large seeds, such as cherries and olives.

Tuesday 22 December 2020

Santa Goes Green: Games, Books & Magazines

Monarch butterfly

We've found some fun stuff to amuse you over the holidays. Enjoy!

Magazine 
Biographic, an online photography magazine, shares images and stories of some amazing species from around the world. There’s a female flying fox who carries her nursing pup under her wings as she moves from foraging grounds to roost, a sinuous comb jelly that resembles an underwater strip of the Northern Lights, and a video of the sacred salamanders of Mexico City. 

Books 
Based on the popular webcomic, Bird and Moon, Birding is my Favorite Video Game by Rosemary Mosco “is a collection of fun, quasi-educational comics combining weird science, cute visuals, sweet wit, and a strong environmental message.” 


Looking for more environmental cartoons? Check out Green Humour by Rohan Chakravarty. 

All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson is an anthology of women’s art, poetry, and prose on climate change. “My heart is moved by all I cannot save: So much has been destroyed/I have to cast my lot with those who age after age, perversely/with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world.” (Adrienne Rich) 

Kids’ Books for All to Enjoy 
Wild Symphony by Dan Brown takes you on a world tour to meet a wide variety of creatures. As you can expect from this author, there are clues and coded messages. Plus you can play related songs by hovering your smart phone’s camera over each page. 


Get your kids hooked on astronomy when they’re still toddlers with the Animals in the Sky board book by Sara Gillingham. (The 10 Best Children's Books of 2020, Smithsonian Magazine)

Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals explains how to use a few simple shapes, letters, numbers, and symbols to draw almost any animal. 

Games 
Create your own nature reserve, follow monarch butterflies on their migration, try your hand at evolution with these natural history board games

You can also rethink orthodox economic theories with a tactical card game

 
You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 


Did you know? Birds and other predators know that Monarchs taste horrible and stay away.

Tuesday 15 December 2020

EcoSask News, December 15, 2020

Bald Eagle

Upcoming Events 
Christmas Bird Count for Kids, Jan. 2 (Regina) 
Nature Saskatchewan is hosting a Christmas Bird Count for Kids at 1 pm, Jan. 2, in Regina. 

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
Dec. 20 – Qu’Appelle Dam (Elbow, Douglas Park) Christmas Bird Count 
Dec. 26, 9 am-5 pm – Saskatoon Boxing Day Bird Count 
Dec. 28 – Borden/Radisson Christmas Bird Count 
Jan. 2, 9 am-4 pm – Pike Lake/Whitecap Christmas Bird Count 
Jan. 10, 2-3:30 pm – Sanatorium Site Bird Walk 
Field trips are currently for members only, so sign up now

A full list of upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Local News 
SaskPower/Natural Resources Canada are offering no-cost virtual energy efficiency training for small and medium businesses between now and Mar. 31

A look at the missing pieces in Alberta’s Geothermal Resource Development Act reveals issues that may need addressing in Saskatchewan.

20201123-OMD03314

From Information to Action 
Part of pandemic preparedness is acknowledging that human, wildlife, and ecological health are inseparable

The Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources’ Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Planning Toolkit provides user-friendly tools, resources, and key considerations to support Indigenous individuals and communities interested in undertaking climate change adaptation planning. 

Changing what our clothes are made of can make a big difference in cutting climate pollution. 

Wall Street has begun trading water futures, putting "a basic human right into the hands of financial institutions and investors, a dangerous arrangement as climate change alters precipitation patterns and increases water scarcity.”
 

Thin coatings of this material could soak up sun in summer months and provide heat to buildings in winter, all without using fuel or electricity

Natural Wonders 
Ferocious chompers, elephant birds, and a spike-covered turtle tail – Lost Animals: Extinct, Endangered, and Rediscovered Species [book review]. 

From snow-tunnelling ptarmigans to cheery robins and jingle shells – celebrating the season with Canadian nature

This is the last issue of EcoSask News for 2020, but we’ll be posting holiday specials over the next two weeks to keep you entertained. 

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 


Check out EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces

Tuesday 8 December 2020

EcoSask News, December 8, 2020

Chickadee

Upcoming Events 
Fish & Water Boatman, Dec. 10 (online) 
Stephen Srayko will discuss fish predation on migratory water boatman at the 7:30 pm, Dec. 10, online meeting of the Saskatoon Nature Society. Join the Society to participate

Members’ Slides, Dec. 14 (Regina) 
Members of Nature Regina will share their photographs from 7-8:30 pm, Dec. 14. 

For Our Kids SK, Dec. 14 (online) 
For Our Kids Saskatchewan will be meeting online at 7 pm, Dec. 14. 

Backyard Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 14-Jan. 5 (Regina) 
Nature Regina is inviting as many members as possible to record the number of birds at their feeders between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5. 

STEAM Powered New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 (online) 
Join the Saskatchewan Science Centre in celebrating an out-of-the box New Year’s celebration full of STEAM experiments and activities. Order your kit before Dec. 14 to ensure a timely delivery. 

A full list of upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Local News 
Shanon Zachidniak, founder of Regina’ EnviroCollective and now a city councillor, says she isn’t interested in arguing with people. Instead, she wants to build relationships and hopefully expand each other’s perspectives. 

From Information to Action 
The average car loses ¼- 2 kg of tire fragments annually, making car tires one of the top 7 contributors of plastic in the world’s oceans

The US Department of Transportation has released its first Pedestrian Safety Action Plan in an effort to reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries. 

North Dakota’s water supplies are at risk from contaminants from fracking wastewater, but residents are fighting back. 

Next-generation solar cells promise to be cheaper and more efficient

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. 

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 


Check out EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces

Thursday 3 December 2020

All About Fungi

mushroom

Numbers & Diversity 
“When a stinkhorn mushroom crunches through an asphalt road, it produces enough force to lift an object weighing 130 kilograms.” (Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life) 

There are an estimated 2.2 to 3.8 million species of fungi worldwide. We use them to make wine and bread (yeast), cure infections (penicillin), and break down waste (rotting fruit and leaves). They’re responsible for both causing and curing plant diseases, providing hallucinogenic compounds for religious and recreational use, and producing enzymes used industrially and in detergents. And yet, they go almost unnoticed. You may notice a few mushrooms in the grass after it rains, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. 

A mushroom is the small fruiting portion of a much larger entity. Below ground spreads the mycelium, a lacy network of thin, thread-like structures called hyphae. Water, nutrients, and electrical activity pass through the mycelium as they entangle themselves in tree roots and plants forming a complicated pattern of interrelationships. 

When the fungus is ready to reproduce or is under stress, hyphae felt together, rapidly inflating with water to form a mushroom. Mushrooms can vary in shape and size (bracket fungi jut out from trees like a shelf, completely different from the fairy-tale red and white-spotted fly agaric or the shaggy lion’s mane), but they all have the same purpose – to release their spores. 

Fungi have developed an amazing variety of methods for dispersing their spores. Jacey Bell is the founder of the Saskatchewan Mycological Working Group. She explains that some mushrooms have gills on the underside of their cap that are designed so that air can blow between them, dispersing the spores on the wind. Other mushrooms, such as the shaggy mane, are white when they first emerge but turn black and the cap curls up and out as they mature. The spores drip down as inky black drops that can be dispersed by the rain or, when they dry out, by the wind. Puff balls are entirely enclosed except for a small hole on the top that releases a tiny cloud of spores when hit by a raindrop. One of Jacey’s favorites is the earth star: “A thick outer layer protects a sac full of spores as it comes out of the ground. As it dries, the outer layer flips open, the whole unit detaches from the ground, releasing its spores as it tumbles across the ground.”

Complex Relationships 
“Most plants . . . depend on fungi to provide them with nutrients from the soil, such as phosphorus or nitrogen, in exchange for energy-giving sugars and lipids produced in photosynthesis.” (Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life) 

Plants, animals, and humans rely on mycorrhizal fungi to survive. More than 90 percent of all plant species collaborate with fungi, exchanging food from the air for food from the soil. Deep in their underground caverns, leafcutter ants cultivate a fungus, feeding it with tiny pieces of leaves, removing contaminants, and producing amino acids to help the fungus thrive. The fungus is then harvested to feed the ant larvae. Fungi in the soil affect the quality of agricultural crops. Yeast live on our skin, in our lungs, and in our gastrointestinal tract. 

Researchers have more questions than answers about the ways in which fungi interact with plants and animals. We know that vast, complex fungal webs connect with the trees in a forest, allowing them to share resources and messages. Nutrients appear to flow from areas of plenty to areas of scarcity. Originally, it was thought that the trees were “talking” to each other. But it may be the fungi that are monitoring the situation, shifting resources from one tree to another.
 
mushrooms

Functional Diversity 
“As you read these words, fungi are changing the way that life happens, as they have done for more than a billion years. They are eating rock, making soil, digesting pollutants, nourishing and killing plants, surviving in space, inducing visions, producing food, making medicines, manipulating animal behavior, and influencing the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere.” (Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life) 

Fungi have one primary purpose – to consume. And they’re not too fussy about what they consume. Researchers have found that one mycelium can produce edible oyster mushrooms on a diet of used diapers. Others degrade pesticides, dyes, explosives, and plastics. 

Fungi can also be used to create. Researchers are experimenting with employing the outer layers of portobello mushrooms to replace graphite in lithium batteries. Other species can be used as a substitute for skin, helping wounds to heal. Companies are making furniture with fungal leather, using fungi to replace plastic packaging, and even growing temporary housing. 

Citizen Science in Action 
“Only fifty-six species of fungi have had their conservation status evaluated, compared with more than twenty-five thousand plants and sixty-eight thousand animals.” (Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life) 

As a botanist and university instructor, Jacey Bell has a particular interest in taxonomy, “the science of naming, describing and classifying organisms,” so she was concerned to discover that there were no complete, up-to-date lists of Saskatchewan fungi. She reached out to acquaintances and was pleased to discover that they shared her interest, and the Saskatchewan Mycological Working Group was established under the auspices of the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan. A beginner mushroom ID webinar was a first step in helping people to identify mushrooms and Jacey hopes that the group will eventually host mushrooms forays where knowledgeable people can team up with beginners to identify the species they find. Jacey has also established an iNaturalist list to log observations that can be accessed by the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre. 

Note: This article relies extensively on information in Martin Sheldrake’s book, Entangled Life as well as an interview with Jacey Bell and material provided in her Beginner Mushroom ID webinar
 
Mushrooms

Facebook Groups 
Saskatchewan Mycological Working Group (fungi enthusiasts interested in documenting fungi and sharing information) 
Saskatchewan Mushroom Picking (dedicated to mushroom picking and cultivation) 

Resources – Identification 
Beginner Mushroom ID webinar, Jacey Bell, Saskatchewan Mycological Working Group
Glossary, U of S (with pictures) 
Mushrooms of Western Canada, Helene Schalkwijk-Barendsen, Elaine Butler (comprehensive guide to the mushrooms of the Northwest) 
All That the Rain Promises and More & Mushrooms Demystified, David Arora (a fun guide with anecdotes, recipes, and more) 
The Fifth Kingdom, Bryce Kendrick (textbook, portions available free online) 

Resources – Expanding Your Knowledge 
Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake (the world from a fungal point of view) 
Fantastic Fungi, Paul Stamets (how mushrooms can heal, shift consciousness & save the planet) (book and film
The Mushroom Fan Club, Elise Gravel (children’s book about mushroom hunting)
 
Shaggy Mane mushrooms

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 

EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion is a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces



Tuesday 1 December 2020

EcoSask News, December 1, 2020

frost

Upcoming Events 
TRC, Climate Action & Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Dec. 2 (online) 
The University of Regina is hosting an online town hall regarding TRC, climate action, and Indigenous ways of knowing from 10:30-11:30 am, Dec. 2. 

Lake Winnipeg Data Stream, Dec. 10 (online) 
Find out about Lake Winnipeg’s open access platform for sharing water data at noon, Dec. 10. This is an online webinar organized by Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin. 

Sustainable YXE, Dec. 3 (online) 
Find out what teens can do to make Saskatoon more sustainable at the Saskatoon Public Library event from 6-7 pm, Dec. 3. 

Farmland Drainage & the Environment, Dec. 7-11 & Jan. 11-15 (online) 
The Citizens Environmental Alliance is hosting an online conference on farmland drainage and the environment from Dec. 7-11 and Jan. 11-15. Registration is by individual daily session. 

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
Saskatoon Young Naturalists 
Dec. 29 (tentative) – Christmas Bird Count for Kids
 
Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
Dec. 5, 9 am-5 pm – Gardiner Dam Birding 
Dec. 19, 9 am-5 pm – Clark’s Crossing/Warman/Osler/Martensville Christmas Bird Count 
Field trips are currently for members only, so sign up now

A full list of upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Local News 
Privilege and climate justice – a new post from the YXE Youth Climate Committee.
 
frost and ice

From Information to Action 
Done right, online shopping can have a lower carbon footprint than brick-and-mortar stores. This benefit can be eroded when consumers opt for fast delivery options, especially same-day or next-day options. 

By dragging its feet on specific measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the Trudeau government is shoehorning Canadians into expensive, unproven and unreliable technologies


Bottom-up biodiversity restoration projects are making a difference

Now That’s Interesting 

A wooden cargo ship powered by sail and electric battery is already accepting shipment bookings. 

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. 

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 


Balsam Fir's thick branches provide winter cover for wildlife. The seeds, twigs, and bark provide food for mice and squirrels as well as bears and moose. Find out more in Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s 4 western provinces.

Thursday 26 November 2020

Everybody Has a Watershed: Lower Qu'Appelle Watershed Stewards


“In recognizing that there is only a finite amount of water in the world, we realize that the water we drink today is the same water we will drink tomorrow and our grandchildren will drink generations from now. This necessitates the promotion of an ethic of water usage and a realization that water is simply too valuable not to manage properly.” 
(Right Hon. Jean Chrétien) 

“Everybody lives in a watershed,” says Alice Davis, Watershed Manager for the Lower Qu’Appelle Watershed Stewards. “We’re all responsible for protecting the water that drains out of our region into nearby lakes, rivers, and streams. It would be sad if we didn’t feel safe to swim or fish because of septic tank leakage or other forms of pollution.” 

In 2001, 700 people became ill after drinking contaminated tap water in North Battleford. Fortunately, no one died, but it was a warning that care needed to be taken to protect our water sources. In 2003, the provincial government implemented Source Water Protection Planning, a process specific to a defined watershed or aquifer, in which stakeholders and local residents collaborate to develop a plan to prevent the pollution of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, and groundwater that serve as sources of drinking water. The province currently has 11 non-profit watershed stewardship groups that receive an annual grant from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, which is supplemented by membership fees and grants. 

The Lower Qu’Appelle Watershed Stewards (LQWS) is committed to protecting the water in the Lower Qu’Appelle River watershed, which stretches from close to the town of Craven to the Manitoba border. “We’re slightly different from other watersheds as we include 6 recreational lakes,” explains Alice Davis. In addition, 16 First Nations own land surrounding the river and are significant stakeholders. The LQWS supports the First Nations Water Association, the personnel responsible for operating the First Nations water treatment plants. Their goal is to build capacity at the community level for the care and control of water on reserve. 


Alice Davis says that the organization keeps its eyes and ears open regarding issues that could affect the health of the watershed. “We’re very fortunate,” Alice says, “as the Qu’Appelle River is a favorite of many people. We have a huge volume of volunteers and advocacy groups who are more than willing to jump in and help. Without those people, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” The river has also been the basis for many different university research projects with professors more than willing to lend a hand. “The river is Peter Leavitt’s love and joy,” Alice says. 

When a potash company wanted to set up a mine within the watershed, LQWS learned that it had very limited time to read 3 huge binders of information and provide feedback as part of the environmental assessment. “We put a call out to university people who had an interest and asked them to review the material and give their opinion,” Alice explains. “Within a week we had about 8 people providing opinions and strategies. It feels good; we’re all working towards a common goal.” 

Volunteers play a valuable role in sharing information with locals. “We’re trying to educate everyone on beneficial management practices,” Alice says. “We can’t direct information to just certain people. Everyone should know it.” One of the pressing issues at the moment is blue-green algae. The heavy algal blooms are caused by excess phosphorus and nitrogen and can harm humans and animals as well as damaging the ecosystem. Alice says that farm runoff is one source of excess nutrients, but it’s a delicate issue with local farmers as none of us likes to be told what to do or how to do it. The association works with its partners on education-based approaches to try and reduce the impact of agricultural practices in the watershed and supports the financial incentives currently available from the Ministry of Agriculture. 


We all manage a piece of land. Whether it’s a backyard garden, a local business, or a farm, each of us uses water and needs to consider our impact on our watershed. Alice and her husband stopped weeding along the shoreline this year and have noticed that they have far more wildlife – beavers, killdeer, and turtles. “If we protect our watersheds, we protect our lakes and rivers and the water we rely on for drinking, agriculture, recreation, and wildlife,” Alice says. 

See Also 
Farmland Drainage and the Environment Virtual Conference - Dec. 7-11 & Jan. 11-15 

Photo credits: Lower Qu’Appelle Watershed Stewards

Tuesday 24 November 2020

EcoSask News, November 24, 2020

sunrise

"Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky." Kahlil Gibran

Upcoming Events 
Droughtproofing, Dec. 1 (online) 
Rob Gardner will talk about droughtproofing your land at noon, Dec. 1, as part of the Native Prairie Speaker Series. 

Waste to Energy, Dec. 3 (online) 
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council is offering a full-day workshop on waste to energy technologies on Dec. 3. 

Canadian Bat Project, Dec. 4 (online) 
Learn about the work done by the Canadian Bat Project at the WildEcol Seminar at 3:30 pm, Dec. 4. 

Guided Hike, Dec. 5 (Regina) 
Nature Regina is offering a guided hike of A E Wilson Park starting at 10:15, 10:30, 10:45, and 11 am, Dec. 5. RSVP as registration is limited. 

A full list of upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Local News 
For Our Kids Saskatchewan (formerly Parent Climate Challenge) is part of a national network of parents and grandparents working on climate issues. They held an initial meeting on Nov. 23. 

Nature Regina has published its first winter edition of the Wandering Wednesdays outdoor adventure guides. All the guides are available and can be downloaded from their website. 

Over 500 people have joined a Facebook group opposing a proposed peat moss harvesting operation in northern Saskatchewan. 

Energy Bites 
An Indigenous-owned solar farm will supply a quarter of Fort Chipewyan’s electricity needs, helping to reduce the need for almost a million litres of diesel each year


The transition to renewable energy relies on mining. Can it be done responsibly? 

From Information to Action 
A new paper by Miistakis Institute shows a multi-species approach to prioritizing road mitigation efforts across an 84,000 square kilometer region. 

A French court ruling holds the national government accountable for insufficient action in addressing climate change targets.

An international research study determines that greener farming methods don’t compromise yields

Passive and net-zero housing can cut carbon emissions and energy bills

Plants provide a cheaper, more environmentally sustainable way to clean contaminated industrial sites and bodies of water.

“The great thing about natural restoration of forests is that it often requires nothing more than human inaction.” And it’s more effective than tree planting

Renewable energy from rotting vegetables – a prize-winning invention. 

We were given so much – it’s our duty to protect Mother Nature [award-winning 4-minute film]
 

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. 

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 


Bushes play such an important role in winter by providing shelter and food for small birds and animals (Nature Companion - a free nature app for the 4 western provinces

Tuesday 17 November 2020

EcoSask News, November 17, 2020

Bald Eagle

Upcoming Events 
LEED Green Associate Training, Nov. 19 (online) 
USask students are invited to attend a LEED Green Associate training from 4-8:30 pm, Nov. 19. Check the CPAWS announcement for a discount code. 

Ministry Research, Nov. 20 (online) 
Learn about current wildlife research at the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment at the Wild Ecol Seminar at 3:30 pm, Nov. 20. 

Oil, Noise & Songbirds, Nov. 24 (online) 
There will be a discussion about the effects of oil development and anthropogenic noise on grassland songbirds at noon, Nov. 24, as part of SK PCAP’s Native Prairie Speaker Series. 

Natural Ecosystems, Nov. 24 (online) 
Branimir Gjetvaj will offer insights into ways to increase resilience of natural ecosystems in an online Sustainable Speakers series presentation from 7-8:30 pm, Nov. 24. 

Winter Cycling 101, Nov. 24 (online) 
Bridge City Bicycle Co-op and Saskatoon Cycles are offering tips and tricks on winter cycling at 7 pm, Nov. 24. 

Arthropod Enthusiasts, Nov. 27 (online) 
Arthropodata is offering a series of monthly webinars for arthropod and insect enthusiasts. The first webinar is from 1-2 pm, Nov. 27; register online. Follow Arhropodata on Twitter to stay up to date on speakers and seminars. 

Looking Ahead 
Teaching Outside in Cold Weather, Dec. 2 (online) 
Presented by Green Teacher, 4 Saskatchewan-based teachers from different age groups will answer questions about practical approaches to teaching outside in cold weather at 6:30 pm, Dec. 2.

A full list of upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Organizational Updates 
The Prince Albert Parkland Permaculture Guild is looking for volunteers to help replenish and organize the seed library (Covid protocols will be observed). 

The Saskatchewan Chapter of the Wildlife Society is encouraging wildlife and conservation professionals to purchase a membership to help keep the organization viable in a difficult period. Follow them on Facebook for the latest wildlife conservation news and events. 

SOS Trees Coalition is looking for volunteers to join their planning committee for the 2021 Arbor Week celebration. If you’re interested, email trees@sostrees.ca

In place of the traditional NatureCity Festival, Wild About Saskatoon will be launching the NatureCity Experience with adventure guides to local natural areas, a podcast, a potential speaker series, as well as contests, prizes, and posts to help build community. 

Campus Corps, an offshoot of The Climate Reality Project Canada, offers university students an opportunity to lead climate action and raise ambitions on their campuses. Complete information is available on the Campus Corps website.

Local News 
FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear says, “Not only in our region but throughout Canada, throughout North America, water is a resource that is so at risk right now because of industry.” 

Fields with “messy” stuff – wetlands, wooded areas, fence rows, pastures – are more productive. 

bald eagle

From Information to Action 
The shipping of goods around the world produces more CO2 than the aviation industry. The industry must set a net-zero target for 2050 and a realistic plan to meet it


For the Young (and the Young at Heart) 
Kids can explore sailing, coastal communities, and marine conservation virtually with Outdoor Council of Canada’s Ships2Shores

Imaginative program adaptations – an online summer camp, streets for kids, and a park scavenger hunt. 

Save the Earth with a Sketch - looks like fun and you could win a contest and get published as well. 

Just for Fun 
From a hippo herd to graceful seals, photographs remind us why conservation matters

Dutch students have built a two-seater electric car made entirely from waste

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. 

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 


Did you know? The bald eagle’s wings are flat as a board when they fly.

Tuesday 10 November 2020

EcoSask News, November 10, 2020

rabbit

Upcoming Events 
Beaver Creek Tour, Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 (Saskatoon) 
Enjoy a one-hour guided family or couples tour at Beaver Creek Conservation Area on Saturdays in November (fee ranges from $79-114). 

Beyond Pesticides, Nov. 10 (online) 
Christy Morrissey will discuss Beyond Pesticides: Challenging the Paradox of Agriculture and Environment in an online event from 3-4 pm, Nov. 10. 

Saskatoon Cycles AGM, Nov. 10 (online) 
Saskatoon Cycles is holding its annual general meeting at 7 pm, Nov. 10, on Zoom. 

Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, Nov. 11 (online) 
The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas are holding an online annual general meeting at 7 pm, Nov. 11. 

Invasive Species in Sask River System, Nov. 12 (online) 

Train the Trainer, Nov. 14 (Regina) 
Nature Regina members are invited to learn about birds, native plants, and wildlife from 10-11 am or 11 am-noon, Nov. 14, so that they can then help with the Get Outside! Kids Club and other upcoming events. 

rabbit

Birding at City Park, Nov. 15 (Saskatoon) 
Saskatoon Nature Society will be birding at City Park from 2-3 pm, Nov. 15. Field trips are currently for members only, so sign up now

Contemporary Art & Climate Change, Nov. 16 (online) 
Adrian Stimson and Laurier St. Pierre will discuss The Black Snake & Secret Gardens: Contemporary Art and Climate Change online from 6-7:30 pm, Nov. 16. 

Discard Twitter Conference, Nov. 16 & 17 (online) 
If you’re concerned about waste, check out the Discard Studies Twitter conference schedule for Nov. 16 & 17. 

Climate Change & Forests, Nov. 17 (online) 
Mark Johnson will discuss Climate Change and its Impact on Canada’s Forests: How are we Adapting? in an online Café Sci presentation from 7:30-8:30 pm, Nov. 17. 

Recording Bird Sounds, Nov. 19 (online) 
John Patterson will discuss recording bird sounds and behaviours at the 7:30 pm, Nov. 19 online meeting of the Saskatoon Nature Society. Join the Society to participate. 

Looking Ahead 
Below Zero, Nov. 26 & Dec. 3 (online) 
SaskOutdoors is offering a virtual Below Zero workshop with classroom resources for teaching about wildlife in winter from 7-9 pm, November 26 and December 3.
 
Restoration & Reclamation in a Changing Environment, Feb. 1-5 (online) 
Registration is now open for the online Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop from Feb. 1-5. 

A full list of upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Local News 
Wild about Saskatoon invites you to come and explore the Northeast Swale.
 
 

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has established a new conservation site in the Milk River Basin Natural Area in southwestern Saskatchewan. 

Energy 

Gaining Steam: A Regulatory and Policy Framework for Geothermal Energy Development in Alberta (Environmental Law Centre) could prove useful in Saskatchewan when considering issues such as licensing and environmental assessment. 

Urban Life 
Fencing is an effective and realistic way to reduce roadkill. A step-by-step plan helps transportation managers decide on length and where to place them. 

“It’s past time to accept that lethal methods and relocation are neither effective, sustainable nor humane approaches to human-wildlife conflicts.” There are alternatives

Book Review 
“Narratives of eternal technological progress obscure the alternative of making do with what we already have. It closes our imagination to the possibility of choosing smaller and simpler over bigger and better.” [The Age of Low Tech: Towards a Technologically Sustainable Civilization

Thank you for reading EcoSask News. If you enjoyed it, please share it with someone – or many someones! 

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Check out EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces

Tuesday 3 November 2020

EcoSask News, November 3, 2020

sparrow

Upcoming Events 
Water Docs Film Festival, Nov. 4-15 (online) 
Water Docs, an environmental documentary film festival celebrating all things water, is screening 20 films digitally from Nov. 4-8 while a full pass gives you access until Nov. 15. 

Library of Things, Nov. 7 & 21 (Saskatoon) 
Saskatoon’s Library of Things is open on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. Items are reserved online.

Home Energy Loans, Nov. 10 (online) 
Hilary Carlson, City of Saskatoon, will collect feedback on recommended program options for the Home Energy Loan Program at the Nov. 10 online meeting of the Energy Management Task Force. 

Looking Ahead 
Winter Camp, Dec. 5 & 6 (PANP) 
Whatever your skill level, you’re invited to join SaskOutdoors for their annual winter camp on Dec. 5 and 6 in Prince Albert National Park. 

A full list of upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

From Information to Action 
Environmental destruction such as land clearing, deforestation, climate change, intense agriculture and the wildlife trade is leading humans into a pandemic era


A BC conservation association is buying up the hunting rights in the Great Bear Rainforest to prevent trophy kills

A wildlife crossing over the busiest freeway in North America is scheduled to break ground next year. 

Vancouver’s ambitious climate action plan incorporates economic, social, and environmental goals

The new EcoLogistics Principles provide specific guidance to local governments for creating more resource-efficient urban goods distribution systems. 

Cat-faced Orbweaver

Nature’s Wonders 
A time-lapse video of mushrooms evolving in slow motion

Nature's weirder side - the sex life of spiders.

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. 

 You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 


Check out EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces

Sunday 1 November 2020

Have Fun Outdoors This Winter

prairies in winter

Winter is on its way, but that’s no reason to stay indoors. We’ve updated our list of outdoor winter activities in Saskatchewan with everything from downhill skiing to pishing. We’ve tried to keep in mind current Covid-19 restrictions, but do check with local organizers for the most up-to-date information. 


Did we miss anything? Let us know and we’ll be happy to add it to the list. 

PS SaskOutdoors is hosting a Winter Camp, December 5 and 6. A great way to start off the season 


Take EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces, with you when you head outdoors

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner).

Upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar

Tuesday 27 October 2020

EcoSask News, October 27, 2020

Swainson's Hawk (?)

Upcoming Events 
Outdoor Kids’ Club, Oct. 27 (online) 
Get the inside scoop on how to organize an outdoor kids’ club at 7 pm, Oct. 27. 

Candid Canada, Oct. 28 (online) 
Nature Conservancy of Canada is offering tips on how to capture nature on camera at 11:30 am, Oct. 28. 

Household Hazardous Waste, Nov. 1(Saskatoon) 
You can dispose of household hazardous waste at City of Saskatoon’s Civic Operations Centre from 9 am-3:30 pm, Nov. 1. 

Advancing Water Resiliency, Nov. 3 (online) 
There will be an online panel discussion on advancing water resiliency: nature’s contribution to people and agriculture from 10-11:30 am, Nov. 3. 

Grassland Bird Research, Nov. 6 (online) 
Learn about grassland bird research in Arkansas at the WildEcol Seminar at 3:30 pm, Nov. 6.
 
lichen

“Lichens encrust as much as eight percent of the planet’s surface, an area larger than that covered by tropical rainforests.” Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake 

A full list of upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

From Information to Action 
It’s time for conservationists to start investigating the ways in which fences shape ecosystems— so that we can make better decisions about where (and whether) to build them

Owning an electric vehicle isn’t a silver bullet in the fight against climate change. What we should also be focused on is whether anyone should use a private vehicle at all

If all wastepaper was recycled, emissions could increase by 10%. That’s because recycling paper uses more fossil fuel electricity than making new paper

Bottle-fed babies swallow millions of microplastics a day – the problem and a partial solution


The Bird-Friendly City by Timothy Beatley takes readers on a global tour of cities that are reducing the risks birds face in urban areas [paperback and ebook] 

Did you know that bats make up 21% of all mammals? Nature nerd bat trivia. 

“For nocturnal species the night has become a fearscape: a matrix of glow and glare that makes natural behaviour and navigation all but impossible.” 

 
lizard

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. 

You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 

Check out EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces