Tuesday 31 December 2013

EcoSask News, December 31, 2013

half moon over the trees

Events
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek Conservation Area is open year-round. Don’t miss the nature walks each Sunday at 2:30 pm.

Organized groups (schools, churches) can obtain cross-country ski equipment and interpretive resources. Contact Gillian at Meewasin for more information – 306.665.6887.

Birding in January
Join the Saskatoon Nature Society on one of their upcoming walks:
January 12 – Sanatorium and River Bank Bird Walk
January 25 – Weir and City Park Birding

EcoFriendly Action Grant Recipients
Carrot River Valley Watershed Association - $500 to provide area schools with mini watershed models and educational books so that learning continues after the Association’s presentations

Outdoor School, Saskatoon Public Schools - $500 to travel to Yoho National Park and discuss the impacts of climate change on the South Saskatchewan watershed

Take Action
We can make a difference. We just need to take action. Here are a couple of ideas:
Green your classroom

Volunteer your time to care for one of Saskatoon’s naturalized parks

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2013 was a very good year for solar energy in the United States [infographic]

Top 5 stories on the circular economy (mushrooms replace plastic, secret repair manuals, sustainable smart phones)

Native bees – an insurance policy for future food security

Thumbs Down
Fashion: Do we care more about animal rights than the environment?

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Christmas Greetings

Wishing you a very Green Christmas 
and a 
Sustainable New Year

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Andrew, Shelley & Penny McKinlay
EcoFriendly Sask

Thursday 19 December 2013

"We Ride With Pride!" The Garden Patch Acquires a Cargo Bike


The Garden Patch is a community-driven urban agriculture project sponsored by the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre. Four years ago, the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre was granted access to a 1.5 acre vacant city-owned lot on the 900 block of 3rd Avenue North, just south of 33rd Street. Each year this lot is transformed into a vibrant garden. Food is grown by volunteers and all produce is distributed through the Saskatoon Food Bank. In just four years, the Garden Patch has produced approximately 75,000 pounds of food.

One of the logistical issues we face at the Garden Patch is the problem of how to transport the produce from the garden to the Food Bank. For many of the vegetables, it is imperative that they are not kept in the hot sun once harvested. In the past we have had to rely on the Food Bank Hino truck to transport the produce. When the amount of food harvested is significant, the use of the truck is very helpful, but for the most part the amount we need to transport is just one or two garbage bag-sized sacks of produce a couple of times each week. The practice of using the truck to transport such a small amount of food is very inefficient and costly in terms of environmental impact and the staff and monetary resources it requires.

In the spring [2013] we applied to EcoFriendly Sask for funds to purchase a cargo bike to enable us to transport the produce more efficiently. We were thrilled by the quick response and enthusiastic support we received from EcoFriendly Sask! We were pleased to share the news on our website and with social media followers (Facebook and Twitter). We were able to purchase a suitable bike from Escape Sports and work with Core Neighbourhood Youth Coop (CNYC) to retrofit it to suit our purposes.

The Garden Patch cargo bike was used for the transport of fresh produce from the garden to the Food Bank where it could be distributed to the community. It allowed us to eliminate car transport for smaller daily harvests. It also allowed our staff to have quick transport between the Food Bank and the Garden Patch. 

The common reaction from the community is surprise, followed by a smile, and appreciation for the utility of pedal-powered transport. We see bicycle transport playing a critical role in our promotional goals as well as a vegetable transport system for many years. Cargo bike transport continues to be a growing trend among food gardens in cities across the continent, and we are happy to be part of this eco-friendly movement.

It has been an empowering experience to become independently mobile at the Garden Patch. We ride with pride!

Alison Robertson
Director of Community Development
Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre

Further Information 
Fresh Produce: The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre isn’t alone in its desire to provide fresh produce to food bank users:

The Ottawa Food Bank has growing projects on several local farms. They also glean crops that will not be commercially harvested

Calgary volunteers established a vegetable garden to benefit Calgary’s food bank in spring 2013

Cargo Bikes: Cargo bikes are increasingly popular in Europe and North America:

CycleLogistics: flooding EU cities with cargo bike goodness (check out the DHL cargo bike in the photograph!)

The cargo bike – somewhere inbetween the courier and the truck

For cycling families, cargo bikes become the mode of transportation

EcoFriendly Action Grants

Tuesday 17 December 2013

EcoSask News, December 17, 2013


Native Plant Society Conference, Feb. 14-15
The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan will be holding their annual conference on February 14 and 15 in Regina. This year's theme is Creating Linkages and will look at the topic of landscape ecology and how we as a society fit into it.

Golden Eagles 
The Golden Eagles, a sub-group of the Saskatoon Nature Society, invites retirees and partners to join their monthly local winter outings. Participants should be members of the Saskatoon Nature Society and consider becoming members of Nature Saskatchewan.

Take Action 
We can make a difference. We just need to take action. Here are a couple of ideas:

Six surprising ways to lower your energy bill

Buy local – individually or as an institution

Thought-Provoking 
The pros and cons of trying to bring about change by taking small, incremental steps:
‘Every little helps’ is a dangerous mantra for climate change

The power of small: why ‘incremental’ steps can lead to big change

The Canada Pension Plan launched an agricultural investment program last year and recently purchased Assiniboia Farmland. Trevor Herriot wonders if they will be prepared to protect and improve the habitat as part of their investment.

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Tools for sustainable water management on prairie farmlands

Grounds for sustainability: coffee for energy, fuel, and a cleaner world

A solar alternative to gas-powered patio heaters provides a sustainable way to promote year-long outdoor activities

Geese in Winter 
Today’s photograph can be downloaded as a desktop background wallpaper.

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Tuesday 10 December 2013

EcoSask News, December 10, 2013


Environmental Film Fest
What films would you like to see at the Saskatchewan Eco Network’s 2014 Environmental Film Festival? Send in your suggestions by February 4, 2014.

Bert Weichel
Congratulations to Bert Weichel who has received the 2013 Meewasin Conservation Award. Bert is an environmental consultant and has been an active volunteer in the field of environmental sustainability for the past three decades. He was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council and recently built his own straw bale house.

Take Action
We can make a difference. We just need to take action. Here are a couple of ideas:

Throw seed bombs not snow balls (Lumsden High School students collected wildflower seeds in the fall, made seed bombs, and are now launching them. The spring melt will dissolve the dirt and germinate the seeds.)

Plan a Waste-Less Holidays contest

Thought-Provoking
“Let's imagine the rebirth of urban, local economies of maintenance and repair where libraries, community centres, markets, churches, galleries and pubs are used to combat a throw-away culture and fix electronics.”

Thumbs Up
The federal government has taken some initial steps to protect the Greater Sage-Grouse’s habitat but more still needs to be done

Ecosia, a new search engine, donates 80% of its income to a tree-planting program in Brazil

149 UK car parks are switching to LED lighting and anticipate a 65% energy reduction

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“extremely high annual per capita [GHG] emissions of 65 tonnes in Alberta and 70 tonnes in Saskatchewan stem, in part, from oil and gas production, but also from the two provinces’ continued reliance on coal-fired electrical generation

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Tuesday 3 December 2013

EcoSask News, December 3, 2013

sunrise

Events
Rise & Fall of Prairie Wetlands, Dec. 12 
Kevin Shook will discuss the fickle role that wetlands play in directing and redirecting the flow of water across the prairie and the factors that control the water level in sloughs at the Saskatoon Nature Society’s meeting at 7:30 pm, December 12, in Room 106, Biology Building, U of S.

Christmas Bird Counts 
We've posted all the local Christmas Bird Counts, along with contact information, on our Calendar. Here are the dates. (via Saskatoon Nature Society)
December 14 – Clark’s Crossing
December 15 – Elbow
December 16 – Gardiner Dam
December 17 – Radisson/Borden
December 18 - Harris
December 26 – Saskatoon
December 27 – Biggar
January 4 – Pike Lake

Take Action 
We can make a difference. We just need to take action. Here are a couple of ideas:
Show your support for a Wallace Stegner National Wildlife Area

Plan an outdoor winter event: check out Edmonton's Winter City Strategy

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A bicycle ad that’s as sexy as a car ad 

5 solutions for a kinder cellphone

Community energy resilience creates greater local economic opportunities

Thumbs Down 
"Everything we do, everything we use and discard, every action we take [that] results in waste being generated" - it doesn't just go "away"

Oilsands development - even when rules exist, they aren't enforced

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Thursday 28 November 2013

Pine Cree Regional Park


In the Cypress Hills, just 13 kilometres from Eastend, lies Pine Cree Regional Park. It’s a small, natural park featuring “old time quiet starry nights, watchable wildlife, wildflowers galore, fishing, and hiking.” Swift Current Creek runs through the site, providing clear, cold running water all year long.

The park was initially developed by Everett Baker, a Saskatchewan naturalist, historian, and photographer. In 1970, Pine Cree became a regional park, commemorating the memory of Everett Baker and John Macoun, a member of the Canadian Geological Survey who camped in the area in the 1880s.

There are three self-guided trails through the park that can be booked through the park officer. One trail takes you up to the highest point in the park where you will discover teepee rings, while another leads you up above the Hermit’s Cave. All three trails are described in Robin and Arlene Karpan’s book, Saskatchewan’s Best Hikes and Nature Walks.


EcoFriendly Action Grant
In June, the park applied for an EcoFriendly Action Grant to help clean up a portion of the creek. A 1980s fish enhancement project had used long spikes and stems of rebar to attach treated timber and long planks to the banks of the creek. Over time, the timber and planks had worked loose, causing jamming and bank destruction and exposing pointed segments of rebar.

Thanks to a $500 grant from EcoFriendly Sask, the park hired Darcy French to remove the timber. Joan Hodgins, the Parks Officer, says, “The work was arduous manual labour, requiring the use of a chain saw, bow saw, crowbars, sledge hammers, axes and hours of work in the cold waters of the spring-fed creek. The portion that was the focus this year was at the north end of the campground, where the fishing is popular, and had no access to the road, so everything had to be carried out to the truck to be disposed.”

Darcy spent 40 hours on the project and was helped on his last day by Riley, a volunteer, and Ashley, a staff person.

Joan goes on to say, “Thank you so much for allotting us the grant money. The Pine Cree Regional Park Authority truly appreciated it and put it to very good use. This project would not have been done without your contribution. The campers and the wildlife have a safer environment.”


Swift Current Creek
Brittney Hoemsen, TRoutreach Saskatchewan’s Project Coordinator, is very familiar with the park. She says, “It's an amazing park. We started sampling it only because it was so pretty there but what we found kept us coming back! It's a small creek with cold (around 4 degrees average all year), clear running water, which is fairly rare in Saskatchewan. It therefore supports many insects that aren't found anywhere else! We found a new species of midge (Odontomesa fulva) that isn't found anywhere else in Saskatchewan. We also found a caddisfly family, Neophylax splendens, which is new to Saskatchewan.

"These organisms are very sensitive to human pollution so they can only be found in places with excellent water quality and healthy stream banks, such as Pine Cree Creek. It's important that we maintain the pristine areas when we can so I really appreciate you supporting this project!!”

Additional information:
Pine Cree Regional Park website
TRoutreach Saskatchewan’s Facebook page
Friends of Pine Cree Park Facebook page
Everett Baker’s Saskatchewan: Portraits of an Era by Bill Waiser (a compilation of Baker’s photographs of Saskatchewan in the mid-twentieth century)
Eastend Hiking & Driving Tours (Auto Tour #2 takes you through the park)

Photo Credits: First photo provided by TRoutreach Saskatchewan; other photos provided by Pine Cree Regional Park

Tuesday 26 November 2013

EcoSask News, November 26, 2013

Black-capped chickadee

Events & Opportunities
The Human Scale, Dec. 7
Great Places Saskatoon presents the film, The Human Scale, at 7 pm, December 7, at the Roxy Theatre. The film explores the ideas and work of Danish architect, Jan Gehl, and the making and shaping of cities for people.

Winter Birding Contest
Keep a list of all the Saskatchewan birds you see this winter and share it with others through Nature Saskatchewan. The contest runs from December 1 to February 28. Send entries to Boyd Metzler, Box 126, Whitewood, SK S0G 5C0 (boyd.metzler@sasktel.net) by March 15, 2014.

Waste Minimization Awards
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council is inviting nominations for their Waste Minimization Awards in a variety of different categories, including Youth, Small Business, Municipality, and Festival/Event. The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2014.

James L. Baillie Memorial Fund
Individuals and organizations are invited to apply for grants from the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund to support projects that increase understanding, appreciation, and conservation of Canadian birds in their natural environment.

Take Action
It’s easy to become discouraged about climate change. It’s a lot harder to figure out ways in which we, as individuals or small groups, can make a difference. Here are some ideas. If you’re interested, be sure to apply for an EcoFriendly Action Grant.

Create a nature trail and bird sanctuary (Neudorf Trails and Wild Bird Sanctuary)

Organize a hazardous waste collection system for your condo/apartment building

Become an Important Bird Area caretaker (volunteers needed for Big Muddy Lake, Cabria Area, Cumberland Marshes, Grasslands National Park – East Block, Primrose Lake, and Suggi Lake)

Untitled Thought-Provoking
What is the best way to protect the Prairies – through rewilding or ranching?

When government supports the fishing industry, environment and our long-term future are the losers –  the same argument could apply to Canada’s oil industry

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Lake Ontario keeps Toronto cool

Customized advice and energy comparisons work better than monetary rewards in cutting energy usage

5 unconventional ways to get people hooked on nature – from treetop Barbies to prison science projects

Thumbs Down
Toxic waste from Alberta coal slurry spill goes unreported

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Tuesday 19 November 2013

EcoSask News, November 19, 2013

frosty pigeon

Upcoming Events
Alanna Mitchell, Nov. 22 
Alanna Mitchell, author of Sea Sick: The Global Ocean in Crisis, will be speaking at Prairieland Park on November 22. Tickets for the dinner and presentation are $50 and are available by calling 306.373.6365 or 306.343.6301 or at McNally Robinson.

Ecological Goods & Services, Nov. 22 & Dec. 5 
There are two upcoming events on Ecological Goods and Services:

Ken Belcher will speak on the topic at 12:10 pm on November 22 in Room 1024, Education Building, U of S. The presentation is part of the Native Prairie Speaker Series and will be broadcast live.

There is a full-day workshop on December 5 in the Agriculture Building, U of S, organized by the Society for Range Management. Topics include carbon sequestration as an ecological good and service, rangeland health assessment, and the worth of native prairie grasslands.

Where are the Birds?
Join the Saskatoon Nature Society on an upcoming field trip. Additional information is available on their website.
Nov. 24 – Pre-Grey Cup Birding at President Murray Park
Dec. 7 – Gardiner Dam Birding

Unacceptable Levels, Dec. 2
Unacceptable Levels, a film exploring the chemical revolution of the ‘40s, the 80,000 chemicals now in industrial circulation, and the effect this has had on our bodies will be shown at 8 pm, December 2 at The Broadway Theatre. The film is sponsored by The Broadway Theatre, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, and the Saskatchewan Eco Network.

Urban Transportation & Design Conference, Jan. 24
The School of Environment and Sustainability, in partnership with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon, is presenting a one-day Urban Transportation and Design conference on January 24, 2014. The sustainability networking conference will cover balancing sprawl and urban density and fostering change in transportation behaviour. Tickets are on sale now.

negative clarity

Take Action
It’s easy to become discouraged about climate change. It’s a lot harder to figure out ways in which we, as individuals or small groups, can make a difference. Here are some ideas. If you’re interested, be sure to apply for an EcoFriendly Action Grant.

Promote a Buy Nothing Day/Xmas or a Buy No Christmas Crap campaign

Host a Foodprint Challenge (reducing ‘Foodprint’ cuts waste, saves money)

Visit a local wetland and share photographs and impressions (Yes! In winter!)

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Local activists speak out in favour of a strong municipal wetlands policy

Cheap green homes with no energy bill for 10 years

Over 650 swift fox now live in and around Grasslands National Park

Thumbs Down 
Water is undervalued. Recognizing its true value could lead to major savings in water use efficiency and sustainability

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Tuesday 12 November 2013

EcoSask News, November 12, 2013

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Events
Edible City, Nov. 21
Slow Food Saskatoon and the Saskatchewan Eco Network are showing the movie Edible City: Grow the Revolution at the Frances Morrison Public Library at 7 pm, November 21. Edible City profiles a diverse group of people who are challenging the status quo food system through edible education, grassroots activism, and building local economies.

Community Pastures, Nov. 21
Joe Schmutz will provide an update on Saskatchewan’s community pastures, explaining the relationship between grass, birds, and cowboys at 7:30 pm, November 21, in Room 106 of the Biology Building, U of S (Saskatoon Nature Society monthly program meeting).

NE Quadrant Open House, Nov. 26
The Meewasin Valley Authority is holding an open house from 5:30-7:30 pm on November 26 to discuss development plans for the city’s Northeast Quadrant (particularly north of Circle Drive).

Winter Festival & Camp, Dec. 7
The SK Outdoor & Environmental Education Association is hosting a Winter Festival & Camp on December 7 at St. Michael’s Retreat, Lumsden. The Festival will include winter games, a survival skills demo, and a Leave No Trace workshop. Pre-register if you want to try your hand at camping in a snow shelter.

Take Action
It’s easy to become discouraged about climate change. It’s a lot harder to figure out ways in which we, as individuals or small groups, can make a difference. Here are some ideas. If you’re interested, be sure to apply for an EcoFriendly Action Grant.

Organize a tour of Saskatoon’s most sustainable housing (solar energy installations, insulation, etc.)

Set up an office compost bin

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Saskatoon’s City Centre Plan includes pedestrian streets, improved public transit, native plants, and additional sustainable building practices

Solar energy is on the rise and getting cheaper every day

This school has a constructed wetland that treats wastewater on site – not to mention recycled building materials, green roofs, and solar energy panels

Thumbs Down
The report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development states that “the government has not met key commitments, deadlines and obligations to protect Canada’s natural spaces”

Tar sands development in northern Saskatchewan

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Thursday 7 November 2013

Winter Explorations in Saskatchewan

frosty river scene

We complain about winter, but there is lots to enjoy as well. Here are just a few ideas.

Let’s Get Active
Snowshoeing
Children ages 5-11 can try their hand at snowshoeing with the Saskatoon Young Naturalists (tentative January 5, 2014).

The Saskatoon Snowshoe Club plans a variety of tours and overnight trips. They also provide a list of local businesses that rent snowshoes.

Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve hosts a range of winter family activities, including snowshoeing, as does Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

The Hawood Inn, Waskesiu, lends out snowshoes free of charge.

Skating 
The Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink next to the Hotel Bessborough normally opens in mid to late December, and you can borrow a pair of skates.

If you’re a skating enthusiast, check out the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. There are different lanes for different speeds and lots of room for every skater.

Downhill Skiing
Gentle downhill skiing is available at Table Mountain Regional Park near Battleford. There are 11 runs, and they offer skiing services for people with special needs.

Additional downhill skiing opportunities are available near Big River, Fort Qu’Appelle, and Kamsack.

spidery

Cross-Country Skiing
The City of Saskatoon maintains cross-country ski trails along the river and in various different parks and golf courses.

The Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club offers ski lessons for children and adults, weekly ski touring, and groomed cross country ski trails.

Volunteers maintain trails in Prince Albert National Park. Skis, poles, and boots are available free of charge from the Hawood Inn.

Thirteen provincial parks have cross-country ski trails.

CanoeSki Discovery Company offers cross-country ski courses. They also organize a Boreal Forest Ski Mushing weekend, which combines dog sleds and skiing.

Dogsledding
Learn to run a dog team while exploring the southern edge of Canada’s boreal forest with Sundogs Sled Excursions.

Sleigh Rides & Horseback Riding
The Sturgeon River Ranch offers horseback riding and sleigh rides.

Winter Camping
The Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association offers a variety of winter activities, including winter camping.

Winter Cycling
Saskatoon Cycles  and Bike Regina offer a number of winter cycling events.

FatLanders FatTire Brigade in Saskatoon is the only known FatBike specific cycling club in Canada. Their members organize weekly rides throughout the winter and will be hosting several special events in conjunction with the Wintershines Festival in January.

rabbit

Winter Birds
Pishing for Chickadees
Stand very still and make small, repetitive noises - pishing, and you may be lucky enough to attract the attention of a flock of chickadees who will be delighted to eat sunflower seeds straight from your hand.

Saskatoon Young Naturalists head out to Pike Lake to pish every winter (February 1, 2014). You can also join pishing parties at Beaver Creek Conservation Area.

Christmas Bird Count
Every year, thousands of people around the world head outdoors for the Christmas Bird Count. Join members of the Saskatoon Nature Society as they count birds in and around Saskatoon. The Society organizes frequent outings to view birds all year round. Everyone is welcome.

Winter Landscapes
Footprints in the Snow
How many different animal footprints can you identify? Children can check out basic animal tracks with the Saskatoon Young Naturalists (January 19, 2014), or you can teach yourself with a book or app.

Forestry Farm Park and Zoo 
The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo is open all winter long and admission is free from November 1 to March 31.

Winter Solstice
Why not celebrate the shortest day of the year with an evening walk along the riverbank?

sun down

Festivals
Wintershines
The PotashCorp Wintershines Festival at the end of January is an annual event, including ice climbing, ice sculptures, a children’s winter camp, and much, much more.

Ice Cycle
Ice Cycle (usually held in February) is the coldest bicycle parade on the planet. It features a winter cycling workshop, a cycling costume contest, and live music.

Curl Up with a Good Book
Youth 
Take a Winter Nature Walk, Jane Kirkland

Snow and Ice: Canadian Winter Weather, Nicole Mortillaro

Winter Nature Activities for Children, Brigitte Kutsch

Adults 
Wandering through Winter: A Naturalist’s Record of a 20,000-Mile Journey through the North American Winter, Edwin Way Teale

Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival, Bernd Heinrich

Life in the Cold: An Introduction to Winter Ecology, Peter J. Marchand

Tuesday 5 November 2013

EcoSask News, November 5, 2013

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Bird Feeder Workshops, November
Stop by the Meewasin Valley Centre from 1-4 pm on November 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 23 & 24 to make a bird feeder. For more information, call 306.665.6888. Program cost is by donation.

Zero Garbage Baby, Nov. 19
Find out how Naomi of the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council took on the ultimate personal challenge - getting her baby from zero to potty trained without a single disposable diaper, wipe, or pull up at 7 pm, November 19, at the Frances Morrison Library. This presentation is part of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s Library Speaker Series.

What Are Your Risks, Nov. 21 
KPMG and the United Way of Saskatoon and Area are hosting a seminar for non-profit organizations highlighting key financial and accounting risk areas that active board and audit committee members should focus on, including financial reporting, internal control, governance, and IT risks. Register online for this free event.

Lloydminster Waste Reduction Workshop, Nov. 27 
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council and the Recycling Council of Alberta are presenting a regional workshop in Lloydminster on November 27. Topics include demolition waste, plastics recycling, and composting.

Surface Rights Legislation Review, Nov. 30 
The Ministry of the Economy is seeking public comment on The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act. The Act is being reviewed to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of both landowners and industry stakeholders. A discussion paper and feedback options are available online. The tentative deadline for feedback is November 30.

Take Action: Apply for a Grant
It’s easy to become discouraged about climate change. It’s a lot harder to figure out ways in which we, as individuals or small groups, can make a difference. Here are some ideas. If you’re interested, be sure to apply for an EcoFriendly Action Grant.

Build an insect hotel

Sponsor a neighbourhood birds and windows campaign

Plan a lug-a-mug campaign for your office

Thumbs Up 
Brent Veitch of Rock Paper Sun says that solar power is now affordable for the average Saskatoon household.

The governors of California, Oregon, and Washington, along with BC Premier Christy Clark, signed the Pacific Coast Action Plan, making substantive commitments around carbon pricing, low-carbon transportation, energy-efficient buildings, and more.

Recycling and reusing demolition waste can help cities meet their environmental targets.

Thumbs Down 
Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions are trending up not down. Growth in the oilsands is the biggest barrier to getting Canada’s emissions on a downward track.

The increasing demand for palm oil is destroying forests and pushing orangutans to the brink of extinction. It’s time for consumers to stand up and say no.

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Thursday 31 October 2013

Watching Wildlife in Prince Albert National Park by J. David Henry

Browse in a bookstore and you will, more often than not, discover unexpected treasures. One of these is Watching Wildlife in Prince Albert National Park by J. David Henry, a must-read for anyone who loves animals and has spent happy holidays observing the elk, loons, and other wildlife in Prince Albert National Park.

J. David Henry is a retired wildlife ecologist, university professor, and conservation ecologist for Parks Canada. The book is self-published and describes seven wildlife species that visitors frequently encounter in the park – Whitetail Deer, Elk, Beaver, Red Fox, Red Squirrel, Common Loon, and Black Bear.

Reading this book is like holding a conversation with the author as he describes the animals that he loves so dearly and shares so many fascinating tidbits of information.

White-tailed deer

Whitetail Deer
Whitetail deer hide their newborns and go to great lengths to conceal them successfully: “After giving birth, the doe immediately eats the placenta and the umbilical cord, but she also grazes the ground vegetation where the birth took place. She consumes old leaves, herbs, grass and even soil – any object that has a detectable odor of the birthing of her fawn, removing any sign that might alert a predator that a young fawn is hiding in this area. If you are lucky and a good observer, during mid-May on a forest hike you might spot one of these birthing places. The sign to look for is a small patch of ground where the vegetation has been ‘mysteriously’ clipped close to the ground.

elk

Elk
Male elk are in their prime when they are 7-10 years old and will have a harem of 20 or more females. But it’s unclear who is in charge of the harem. The females may be the ones who lead the harem to a new location and they may choose to be included in the group in order to gain protection from other males.

Common loon

Loon
Although loons mate for life, they do not migrate or spend the winter together. Henry has observed the birds’ springtime reunions and says, “I can tell you that the excitement and joy that the birds express upon seeing one another is deeply moving. Both birds greet and display to each other in a manner that can only be described as ebullient. There is much splashing and rushing towards each other. There is jumping and dancing on the surface of the water, but also quiet bill dipping together as well as gliding along side by side.

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Beaver
Beavers sharpen their teeth by grinding the top incisors against the bottom ones and vice versa. If a beaver is cutting down a large tree, it will stop every 10 to 15 minutes to rest and sharpen its teeth. You may even see flecks of tooth material shooting out the sides of its mouth.

Red fox

Red Fox
Red fox, like cats, can see well in the dark thanks to a shiny membrane on the back of the eyeball. It acts like a mirror so light passes over the retina twice instead of just once.

squirrel

Red Squirrel
Red squirrels will harvest up to 14,000 seed-bearing cones in preparation for winter. The cones are often stored in large underground middens with a network of tunnels. The middens are easy to identify thanks to the pile of cone scales that are discarded above ground.

Black bear

Black Bear
If a mother bear spots danger, she signals to her cubs and they immediately climb a tree. Then they promptly fall asleep until their mother calls to let them know the danger is past and they can come down again.

Buffalo

Plains Bison
A small herd of plains bison roams freely in the southwest corner of Prince Albert National Park (Stewardship: A Critical Role for Landowners). The story of how they came to be there is an interesting one and well documented in the book. Unlike black bears, bison calves are born in a well-developed state. By the time they are three hours old, they are able to run and keep up with the herd and will start nibbling grasses immediately, although most of their nutrition will come from the mother’s milk during the first six months of life.

Watching Wildlife in Prince Albert National Park by J. David Henry is available for purchase at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Saskatoon. It is available at the Saskatoon Public Library.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

EcoSask News, October 29, 2013

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SK Citizens’ Hearings on Climate Change, Nov. 1 & 2
The Saskatchewan Citizens’ Hearings on Climate Change will be held at The Refinery from 9:30 am – 9:30 pm on November 1 and 2.

Keynote speakers (via internet A/V links) include Dr. Kathleen Dean Moore, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and author of Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril and Dr. Kirsten Zickfeld, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Victoria, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences.

Four Commissioners (Maria Campbell, Harry Lafond, Marcia McKenzie, Willard Metzger) will listen to the presentations and draft a report summarizing the testimony.

Future of Meewasin, Nov. 7 
Meewasin Valley Authority is holding a Public Open House from 3-7 pm on November 7 at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market. The public is invited to provide input on Meewasin’s future work, from conservation efforts and river valley development to recreation and education programs. There will be program information, displays for visitors to vote on ideas, and questionnaires.

Important Saskatchewan Issues
Energy 
Fracking could permanently damage our province’s water supply, says Josh Fox, director of Gasland and Gasland II

The oil boom is laying waste to North Dakota’s air and ground

A new material could cut solar energy costs by three quarters

Grasslands 
More voices – from across the political spectrum – speak out in favour of protecting our Prairie grasslands

The North American grasslands stretch from southern Saskatchewan to northern Mexico. A new report by over 70 grasslands experts outlines strategies for all those who share the ecoregion

Oil & Mining Industries
New federal environmental review rules have obvious gaps – for example, oil sands and potash mines

Transportation 
4300 South Koreans went car-less for a month. What if Saskatoon held a car-free week – for starters?

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Waste 
Saskatoon tosses more waste than most Canadian cities. Residential garbage could be reduced by more than 40% if the City began a serious composting program

Water
Water conservation and recycling are cheap ways to meet the growing demand for water

British supermarkets strive to reduce their water footprint – can we follow their lead?

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Tuesday 22 October 2013

EcoSask News, October 22, 2013

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Home Composting, Oct. 24
Don’t miss the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council's Home Composting workshop at 7 pm, October 24, in the auditorium of Cliff Wright Library.

Less Waste
It’s Waste Reduction Week from October 21-27. Here are some good resources on zero-waste event planning and waste-free lunches.

Kids Gone Wild for Wildlife, Oct. 26
Be sure to take your kids to Kids Gone Wild for Wildlife at Prairieland Park on October 26. There will be family portraits with live wild animals; a wild animal costume contest; face painting; displays about nature, animals, and the environment; and presentations.

Seeds of Diversity AGM, Nov. 9
Seeds of Diversity is holding their annual general meeting at Station 20 West on November 9 from 3-8:30 pm. The event will include a seed exchange, a seed-saving workshop, and a gala dinner.

Better Bike Lanes
Be sure to sign the petition in support of separated cycling lanes in downtown Saskatoon.

Agricultural Drainage Consultation
The Water Security Agency is developing a new agricultural drainage policy in order to address issues such as licensing requirements, the effectiveness of drainage projects and mitigation of risks (downstream flooding, damage complaints, environmental impacts).

You’re invited to join an online community forum to discuss and make suggestions as well as complete periodic surveys.

Environmental Education Journal
The Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association (SOEEA), the U of S Sustainability Education Research Institute, and the Faculty of Education, University of Regina, plan to publish a community journal on place, land, and learning.

Of Land and Living Skies will merge theory and practice with a focus on research, policy, community practices, and inspiring action. Copies will be distributed by mail to members of SOEEA.

EcoFriendly Action Grants
EcoFriendly Action Grants are designed to support small, concrete environmental projects in Saskatchewan. Take a look at what these groups did with their grants and think about what you could do. We're always looking for good projects to support.



EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Tuesday 15 October 2013

EcoSask News, October 15, 2013

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Prince Albert Climate Change Series
Renewable Power – the Intelligent Choice & the John M. Cuelenaere Public Library are hosting a three-part series on climate change and sustainability in Saskatchewan. All three events will be held in the auditorium at the John M. Cuelenaere Public Library in Prince Albert on October 15, October 29, and November 12.

Waste Reduction Week 
Join the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council in promoting Waste Reduction Week from October 21-27. The Ease My Load Campaign invites you to take simple actions to reduce waste – from greening your school’s purchasing policy to enjoying a waste-free lunch.

World’s Largest Garbage Dump, Oct. 23
As part of Waste Reduction Week, the Saskatchewan Eco Network and the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council are showing the film Wasteland at 7 pm on October 23 at Frances Morrison Library. Wasteland profiles pickers of recycled materials on the world’s largest garbage dump on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.

Gasland & Gasland II, Oct. 24
Join Academy Award-nominated director Josh Fox for a special screening of his films Gasland and Gasland II at 7 pm on October 24. The screening is sponsored by the Council of Canadians’ Groundswell conference.

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Nature by Design: The Northeast Swale, Oct. 24
There will be a panel discussion about the Northeast Swale at 7 pm, October 24, in the Neatby-Timlin Theatre, Arts Building, U of S, as part of a Design Week discussion on the impacts of landscape architecture.

Birding 
Join the Saskatoon Nature Society on their frequent field trips. Additional information is available on their website.
Oct. 26 – Identify and discuss the use of fall fruits and berries
Oct. 27 – Blackstrap Birding & Dundurn Fall Supper
Nov. 16 – Pike Lake Birding

SK Citizens’ Hearings on Climate Change, Nov. 1 & 2 
The Saskatchewan Citizens’ Hearings on Climate Change are inviting individuals with a perspective on how climate change is impacting our province or themselves personally to speak at their hearings on November 1 and 2. Email your presentation ideas and outlines, as well as any questions you may have, to Karen Rooney at skclimatehearings@gmail.com.

South SK Regional Plan 
Conservation groups are expressing concerns about the newly-released draft of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, which they believe does not do enough to protect the Castle region and ensure water flow and clean water.

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Tuesday 8 October 2013

EcoSask News, October, 8, 2013

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Owls & Cemeteries, October
Join the Saskatoon Nature Society on one of their upcoming outings. Additional information is available on their website.
October – Saw-whet owl migration banding
Oct. 14 – Woodlawn Cemetery and Weir

Water Contamination in Northern SK, Oct. 15
Peter Prebble, SES Director of Environmental Policy, and Ann Coxworth, SES Board Member, will discuss the contamination of five important watersheds in the Uranium City area of northern Saskatchewan at 7 pm on October 15 at the Frances Morrison Library. This presentation is part of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s Library Speaker Series.

Wetlands Policy, Oct. 16
Join the Swale Watchers on October 16 from 3:00-4:30 4:00-5:30 pm in room 1026, College of Education, U of S, for a discussion on the City’s proposed wetlands policy.

Water Harvesting, Oct. 17 
Join members of the Permaculture Research Institute of Saskatchewan for a potluck supper and meeting on October 17 (supper at 6, presentation at 7:30). Kirby McInnis will lead a discussion on urban water harvesting as well as larger-scale harvesting projects.

Wood Frogs, Oct. 17
David Donald will report on the well-being on wood frogs in Saskatchewan amidst world-wide concern for the status of amphibians at the Saskatoon Nature Society’s monthly meeting at 7:30 pm, October 17, in Room 106 of the Biology Building, U of S.

SK Uranium Mines
Sierra Club Canada is demanding an explanation for why Cameco has been allowed to exceed the limits for the release of radioactive uranium and heavy metals, including mercury, into the air and water. Government and company records contain reports of releases of radioactive uranium over 1000% of the allowable limits, cadmium levels over 5000% and radium increases of 3000%. There are examples where no limits exist at all such as limits to uranium levels in groundwater and where there are standards, but no testing is done at all such as mercury releases to air.

Innovation Place Supports Cycling
Innovation Place now has a public bike service stand – making it easier than ever to cycle to work.


Free Block Heater Timers
Pick up a free block heater timer from any CAA Saskatchewan location between October 1 and February 28. and save up to $25 a day on your power bill.

Cartoonist’s Vision of a Car-Free Future
Maybe Andy Singer’s graphic book depicting the history of automobiles in North America will help convince Mayor Atchison that it’s time to invest in walking, cycling and public transit.


EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

Thursday 26 September 2013

Giving Nature a Voice at the Urban Planning Table: Saskatoon's Northeast Swale


We often take nature for granted in our urban built environments. And yet, we remain a part of it. We rejoice to see geese flying overhead, and we are devastated when flash floods damage our homes and businesses. 

For many years, most Saskatoon residents were oblivious to the Northeast Swale, an ancient river channel that stretches for 26 km to the northeast of Saskatoon, starting at Peturrson’s Ravine, just north of the Regional Psychiatric Centre. Now, however, Saskatoon is expanding and planning new neighbourhoods that will encircle the Swale.

 The Swale, a corridor connecting native prairie uplands and linked wetlands, has a quiet, subtle beauty. Hundreds of ducks nest in the wetlands; herds of deer and a wide variety of plants, including a rare fern less than 5 centimetres high, share the rocky outcroppings. It provides water drainage and retention, clean air and recreation.

Just as the river, with its network of trails and paths has been a defining feature of Saskatoon during the past 100 years, the Swale has the potential to be a central feature of our community in the future, similar to Stanley Park in Vancouver or Nose Hill Park in Calgary.

The Meewasin Valley Authority has led the way in identifying the importance of the Northeast Swale and in determining how it can be protected. “We can’t preserve the Swale. It will change. It can’t help it with urban development right beside it.” says Mike Velonas, Manager of Planning and Conservation. “Our goal is to establish the limits of acceptable change.”


Responding to New Information 
In 2002, the City of Saskatoon and the Meewasin Valley Authority approved a set of Guidelines for Development prepared by Stantec. However, as time passed there was growing awareness of the importance of the Swale, and the City agreed to reopen the discussion and update its development plans for this area.

Meewasin and the City recognized that developing a resource management plan for the Northeast Swale would be far-reaching, covering everything from road construction to wildlife habitat preservation, and it was agreed to open up the planning process to outside experts, including the Northeast Swale Watchers, a group of concerned citizens intent on preserving a healthy Swale for future generations.

“We’ve had a very positive, fruitful collaboration with the City while developing the Resource Management Plan,” Mike Velonas says. “Without collaboration, this kind of thing isn’t possible. There are too many interests – from land developers, to naturalists, to stormwater management. We needed to find a way to balance all these different interests.”

A Balancing Act 

The Resource Management Plan provides background information on the geology and ecology of the Swale, including detailed information compiled during several bioblitzes. Here are just a few of the key items from the resource management guidelines.


Roads and Bridges
Establishing a network of roads to connect new neighbourhoods with the rest of the city could fragment the Swale and disrupt the natural movement of wildlife in the area. Of particular concern are the roads leading to and from the proposed North Bridge, and the route has been adjusted so as to bypass the most sensitive parts of the Swale.

The planners did not believe there was a large enough mammal population to justify wildlife crossings. Instead, they hope to avoid collisions by maintaining an urban feel to the roadway so that traffic will stay at 50 km/hour. Curbs and gutters and same-width lanes will be used, and there will be no median. This should be effective with traffic approaching from developed neighbourhoods to the south, but it will be harder to stop drivers coming off the six-lane bridge from speeding up in what appears to be an undeveloped area.

No vegetation will be planted along the roadway that might hide or camouflage animals, and the planners may incorporate below-grade amphibian crossings.

The Province has expressed an interest in constructing a perimeter highway and bridge. Current plans for the highway show it crossing a large body of water within the Swale and the two proposed bridges would split the swale twice in a very short distance. The Province says that it cannot alter its plans as they have already been posted and approved by affected landowners. Hopefully, they can be persuaded to reopen the discussion as current plans pose considerable risks to the ecosystem:

“The highway will increase fragmentation within the swale and isolate the Northeast swale from the greater swale. The increased noise and light associated with the highway may disrupt mating of birds and amphibians, as well as their natural cycles. Unless wildlife crossings are constructed, wildlife may not be able to cross the road safely. There are further potential risks such as changes to the quality and quantity of surface and groundwater, direct impact from construction, and the likelihood of invasive species encroachment.” (p. 46, Resource Management Plan)


Neighbourhood Buffers
The Management Plan calls for the development of greenways to provide a transition zone between the Swale and the backyards facing the Swale. The greenways would provide a buffer from grass and yard plants that can be invasive and would filter out the fertilizer from runoff water.

There is also an opportunity for commuter cycle trails along the greenways.

Access to the Swale
The Management Plan recommends the development of a Recreation, Education and Interpretation Plan for the Northeast Swale that will encourage naturalists to visit and provide educational opportunities for young people while discouraging overly intensive use (e.g. mountain biking, unplanned trails, off-leash dog parks) that could erode the soil, introduce invasive species, destroy native plants, and disturb wildlife.

Northeast Swale Watchers 
In 2011, after a public showing of a film about the Swale, Louise Jones invited other concerned citizens to establish an advocacy group that would speak out to conserve and protect the Swale.

The Northeast Swale Watchers was formed and has become a voice for nature, encouraging the City to be proactive in recognizing the Swale as the “Green Heart of Saskatoon’s northeast” and advocating for protection of the Swale as new neighbourhoods are developed.

Members of the Swale Watchers provided technical expertise on wetlands, wildlife, and vegetation in the development of the Resource Management Plan.

A group of 18 to 20 people continue to meet on a monthly basis. Speakers at the monthly meetings update the group on specific topics, such as stormwater management and the Province’s plans for the perimeter highway, ensuring that the group’s members are informed and knowledgeable advocates.

The Big Picture
The Swale Watchers emphasize the importance of protecting the greater swale, which stretches for 26 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon and recommend the establishment of a regional planning model in order to address development concerns outside Saskatoon in Corman Park and Aberdeen.

 “We would like to find ways of obtaining legal protection in perpetuity for the swale,” Louise Jones says. “Land prices are so high. It’s hard to get people to put conservation easements or restrictions on their land.”

The group has hosted a bus tour of the entire swale for City of Saskatoon councillors and administrators as well as two public tours in collaboration with the Saskatoon Nature Society. Louise suggests that other interested groups provide a similar bus tour for the general public, perhaps during the Nature City Festival.

Giving Nature a Voice
The Swale Watchers welcome new members. Contact Louise Jones for further information and check out the group’s Wikispace.

Note: The Resource Management Plan and the film about the Swale will be available shortly on Meewasin’s website.

Photo Credits: DAFT (aerial view), Meewasin, Swale Watchers

See Also:
The Northeast Swale: Ancient River Valley, Urban Nature Reserve
Meewasin Valley Authority
Nature in our Backyard: Saskatoon's Naturalized Parks