Thursday 27 March 2014

Turning Aside: Observing the Kerrobert Reservoir


If you are looking forward to exploring Saskatchewan this summer, consider visiting the Kerrobert Reservoir. You’ll definitely want to go after taking a look at Lois Siemens' book, Turning Aside: Observing the Kerrobert Reservoir.

The Kerrobert Reservoir (an enhancement project of the Kerrobert Wildlife Federation) covers approximately 17 acres (the size of about 43.5 ice rinks) a mile from town.


In 2004, a community group, a partnership between the Kerrobert Communities in Bloom Committee and the Kerrobert Wildlife Federation, decided to establish a trail leading out and around the reservoir. The trail was completed in 2011 and includes benches, a viewing tower, and a suspension bridge. Interpretive signage describes the birds and wildlife that can be seen along the trail and provides facts about water conservation.


Lois Siemens is a resident of Kerrobert and an avid photographer. She began sharing her photographs with friends and eventually published a book. Turning Aside: Observing the Kerrobert Reservoir, published by Friesen Press, is a collection of photographs taken at the reservoir during the four seasons. It’s accompanied by short quotes and explanations and is a delight to look at. It will definitely inspire you to take a road trip to Kerrobert.

The book is available at McNally Robinson Bookseller, the Saskatoon Public Library, and online.

“The world is more wonderful than any of us have dared to guess,
as all great poets have been telling us since the invention of poetry. 
To discover these truths we don’t need to scale Mount Everest 
or white-water raft the Colorado or take up skydiving. 
We need only go for walks.” 
Sharon Butala (excerpted from Turning Aside)

Photo credits: Lois Siemens

Tuesday 25 March 2014

EcoSask News, March 25, 2014

Canada geese

Events
Carbonless Concert, Mar. 29
Celebrate Earth Hour with a Carbonless Concert at Louis’ Loft. The show starts at 8:30 pm, March 29, and features Dion Tootoosis, Silent Sea, and Jason Millet.

SK Owls, Apr. 5
Steve Abbott will talk about the owls of Saskatchewan at 2 pm, April 5, at Wild Birds Unlimited.

Living Building Challenge, Apr. 8
ASHRAE’s Saskatoon chapter is hosting an introduction to the Living Building Challenge on April 8. The Living Building Challenge “is a philosophy, advocacy tool and certification program that addresses development at all scales. It is comprised of 7 performance areas: Site, Water, Energy, Health, Materials, Equity and Beauty.”

Birding in April
Join the Saskatoon Nature Society on one of their upcoming walks:
April 5 – Bluebird trip to Pike Lake (9 am – 2 pm)
April 9 – Saw-whet owling near Pike Lake (8-10 pm)
April 12/13 – Northern owling overnight trip
April 23 – Gull identification (6:30-8 pm)

Golden Eagles, April
Golden Eagles invites retirees to come on one of their leisurely outings to view birds and enjoy local sights.
April 3 – Bluebird trip (9 am)
April 7 – Crocus trip (8 am)
April 10 – Migrating Arctic geese trip (8 am)

Canoe Certification Course, May 17-19
SOEEA is hosting a canoe certification course in Saskatoon from May 17-19 at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Water Reuse Symposium, June 25-26
The Alberta Water Council Symposium is organizing a two-day conference on The Confluence of Ideas and Opportunities on Water Reuse on June 25 and 26 in Calgary.


Spring Crocus Hunt
Enter Wild about Saskatoon's Spring Crocus Hunt contest - you could win a copy of Prairie by Candace Savage.

Only 59 more days until NatureCity Festival 2014! And, while you wait, here are some tips for wildlife photography in city parks.

Take Action
We can make a difference. We just need to take action. Here’s one idea:
Don’t throw mercury-laden compact fluorescent bulbs in the garbage. Take them to London Drugs or Rona or participate in one of the City’s hazardous waste days

Thumbs Up
A Vancouver company is turning food waste into energy and compost

The World Wildlife Federation is conducting a Freshwater Health Assessment because we often don’t know the state of our water

Thumbs Down
The chemicals in your garden hose may be polluting your vegetables. A better option? - a rubber hose, heavier but safer

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 20 March 2014

Let's Play a Game: Educational Resources from the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan

The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan provides a wide variety of educational resource materials. The newest additions to their collection are two interactive games. They’re a great way for students to learn how things are connected and to understand how difficult it can be sometimes to make choices.

Native Prairie 
Here’s your chance to build a prairie. You start with your choice of grasses. If you make a poor choice, you’ll find out why and get another chance. You then go on to populate your section of prairie with plants, birds, and animals. A field guide and video are also available.


Watershed Game 
The Watershed Game is a series of multiple-choice questions concerning water in parks, agriculture, neighbourhood, and city. It’s available at the novice (third and fourth graders) and intermediate levels.


Additional Resources
The Native Plant Society also provides booklets, posters, and lesson plans. Contact them if you would like them to lead a field tour, deliver a classroom presentation, or assist in establishing a native plant learning garden. All their resources are free to participating schools.


You can contact the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan at 306.668.3940 or by email at info@npss.sk.ca

* EcoFriendly Sask was a Gold Sponsor for the Native Plant Society’s annual meeting and conference in February 2014 (EcoFriendly Action Grants)

Tuesday 18 March 2014

EcoSask News, March 18, 2014

Mule Deer

Events
Community Gardens, Mar. 18
Gord Androsoff, CHEP`s Urban Agriculture Coordinator, will talk about Saskatoon’s community gardens – their past, present, and future, from 7-8:30 pm, March 18, at the Frances Morrison Library, as part of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s Library Speaker series.

Aspen Ridge, Mar. 18
Aspen Ridge is a proposed residential neighbourhood beside the Northeast Swale. You’re invited to review and comment on the concept plan from 5-8 pm, March 18, in the Alice Turner Library auditorium. The plan includes a multi-use greenway abutting the swale.

Buffalo Calling, Mar. 19
Buffalo Calling, a documentary by Tasha Hubbard, tells the story of the buffalo and the prairie grasslands. It is being shown at 7 pm, March 19, at the Broadway Theatre, and will be followed by a panel discussion with Blackfoot historian Narcisse Blood, retired Grasslands National Park warden, Wes Olsen, and the filmmaker, Tasha Hubbard.

Permasask Potluck, Mar. 20
The Permaculture Research Institute of Saskatchewan is holding its monthly potluck at 6 pm, March 20, at the Saskatoon Food Bank. After supper and seed exchange, they`re heading over to the Eco-Beats fundraiser.

Mule Deer

WAM Social, Mar. 22
We Are Many is holding a social at The Hollows at 5:30 pm, March 22. Here's your chance to meet them and find out more about getting involved. RSVP to info@wamsaskatoon.com

Seed Security in Canada, Mar. 23
Karen Farmer will speak about seed security and a new Canadian seed saving program at the Slow Food Salon from 4-6 pm, March 23, at City Perks.

Film Night, Mar. 27 
The Saskatchewan Eco Network is celebrating World Water Day with two films - Cold Amazon: the MacKenzie River Basin and Waterlife - at 7 pm, March 27, at the Frances Morrison Library.

Prairie Pastures AGM, Regina, Mar. 29
Prairie Pastures Public Interest is holding its first annual general meeting from 1-4:30 pm, March 29, in the United Way Building, Regina. Speakers will discuss oil and gas development on the pastures, the pasture transfer process, and preserving heritage sites.

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

The City of Saskatoon is offering a limited number of $20 rebates to Saskatoon residents who purchase a ready-made rain barrel or compost bin.

Triassic Moab combines business with art by providing a tree cutting service and using the clippings, as well as other natural and recycled objects, to create works of art.

Thumbs Up
City of North Vancouver named Canadian Solar City

Thumbs Down
American sage grouse authority laments Canada’s failure to protect the species

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 11 March 2014

EcoSask News, March 11, 2014

icicles

Events
Neighbourhood Plan Review, Mar. 13
Holmwood Neighbourhood #1 (Brighton) is intended to be a sustainable community with constructed wetlands, linear park system, and complete streets. You’re invited to view the plan from 5-8 pm, March 13, Multi-Purpose Room, McClure United Church.

Green Drinks, Mar. 14
Join with fellow Passive House/Net Zero Buildings enthusiasts at Green Drinks, 5:30 pm, March 14, at The Hollows.

SK Eco Network AGM, Mar. 15
The Saskatchewan Eco Network is holding its AGM from 1-5 pm, March 15, at PAVED Arts (424-20th Street West). Jennifer Fix, a Vancouver urban designer, will discuss green urban design and re-designing cities for active transport. A City of Saskatoon representative will talk about the implications of the City’s new Wetland Policy on urban design and development.

SK Grasslands, Regina, Mar. 28
Branimir Gjetvaj will present an illustrated talk on Saskatchewan’s grasslands at 7 pm, March 28, at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Regina.

Zoo Run, Apr. 13
Celebrate Earth Day with the Saskatoon Zoo Society by participating in the Zoo Run, a 5 km fun run or 2.5 km walk through the Forestry Farm, at 9 am, April 13.

Nocturnal Owl Survey, Spring
Saskatchewan is home to 11 species of owls at different times of year. You can hear 7 of them by participating in the annual Nocturnal Owl Survey.

Yellowhead Flyway Symposium, Yorkton, Apr. 26
The Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association will hold their annual symposium on April 26 in Yorkton. Topics include managing sustainable forests, bluebirds, the night sky, and cougar research

Compost Field Day, May 15
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council is offering a one-day Compost Field Day workshop for those interested in larger-scale, low-tech composting on May 15. The workshop will include composting demonstrations at the Zoo Compost Site and a tour of the University’s composting operations.

icicles

Kids in Nature Grants
The Saskatoon Nature Society is inviting applications from educational institutions in the Saskatoon area for programs that will strengthen or encourage new initiatives that connect youth with nature. The total amount of funding available is $2600, which may go to one applicant or be divided among several applicants. The deadline for applications is April 30. The application form can be downloaded online.

Take Action
We can make a difference. We just need to take action.

The textile industry is the third largest consumer and polluter of the world’s water. Here are four easy ways to reduce your wardrobe’s water footprint.

Thumbs Up
San Francisco bans sale of plastic water bottles

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 4 March 2014

EcoSask News, March 4, 2014

rabbit

Events
We Are Many, Mar. 11 
Find out how to get involved with garlic and tap water at the We Are Many meeting at 8 pm, March 11.

Protecting Native Prairie, Regina, Mar. 13 
Trevor Herriot will be speaking at a Regina event about preserving Saskatchewan grasslands and the importance of maintaining the community pastures at 7 pm, March 13, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Hall, 3510 Queen Street.

Solar Design & Installation, Mar. 17-21
Praxis International Institute, in partnership with the Canadian Solar Institute, is offering a 5-day Solar Photovoltaic Design & Installation workshop from March 17-21 in the Craik Ecovillage.

Community Pasture Transfer, Mar.19 
The Native Prairie Speaker series will provide an update on the community pasture transfer on March 19 from 12:10-12:50 pm in Room 1022, Education Building, University of Saskatchewan.

Eco-Beats, Mar. 20
There will be a fundraiser for the Saskatoon Environmental Film Festival at 8 pm, March 20, at The Underground Café. Musicians include Wolfen Rabbits, Sarah Farthing, and Jupiterus.

rabbit

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

Fashion Takes Action believes that sustainability should be stitched into every garment from fabric to finish. Their eco-friendly tips include wearing second-hand or organic clothing, using the correct amount of laundry detergent, and running the washing machine on its shortest cycle.

Donate by doing rather than by giving. The DoNation website encourages you to sponsor a personal, work, or university challenge through environmentally-friendly activities. For example, you could sponsor a race participant by taking shorter showers or buying less bottled water.

Thought Provoking
Do we already have the technology we need to solve our greatest environmental challenges?

Thumbs Up
A community solar project in Alberta makes effective use of energy efficiency + conservation

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).