Tuesday, 13 September 2016

EcoSask News, September 13, 2016

autumn reflections

Upcoming Events
Bioblitz at the Swale, Sept. 17 (Saskatoon) 
Learn about Saskatoon’s Northeast Swale and meet some of the critters that call it home at the Bioblitz at the Swale from 11 am – 5 pm, Sept. 17. There will be sheep grazing demos, hikes, pond dipping, planting native plants, and many other activities.


Nature Walk Banner, Sept. 17/18 (Regina)
Families are invited to make a nature walk banner from 2-4 pm, Sept. 17/18, at Connaught Library.

Snakes Alive, Sept. 19 (Regina) 
Dr. Ray Poulin, Acting Director of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum’s, will provide an illustrated talk on the Museum’s Snakes of Saskatchewan exhibit at Nature Regina’s meeting at 7:30 pm, Sept. 19.

David Suzuki in Regina, Sept. 19 
The Regina Public Interest Group is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a talk by David Suzuki on climate change at 7:30 pm, Sept. 19.

Environmental Assessment Review, Sept. 19 (Saskatoon) 
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has established an Expert Panel to review environmental assessment processes. The panel intends to engage broadly with Indigenous peoples, key stakeholders, & all Canadians. The panel will be in Saskatoon on Sept. 19. Registration is encouraged and Canadians can participate online or in-person.

SK’s First Certified Passive House, Sept. 20 (Saskatoon) 
The Sustainable Speaker Series is a monthly event hosted by the Saskatchewan Environmental Society and the Saskatoon Public Library. Presentations are from 7-8:30 pm at the Frances Morrison Library. On Sept. 20, Holly Ann Knott, Robin Adair, and Michael Nemeth will discuss building Saskatchewan’s first certified passive house.

Multiple Approaches to Habitat Conservation, Sept. 21 (webinar) 
Tom Harrison, South of the Divide Conservation Program, will be speaking on Multiple Approaches to Habitat Conservation: Finding the Right Fit to Encourage Producers to Manage for Species at Risk Habitat at a noon-hour webinar on Sept. 21 as part of SK-PCAP’s Native Prairie Speaker Series.

Vermicomposting Workshop, Sept. 21 (Saskatoon) 
Join the Compost Coaches at 6 pm, Sept. 21, at the Saskatoon Food Bank’s Garden Patch for a discussion on vermicomposting.

unfolding

Looking Ahead
Project Wild Workshop, Oct. 22 (Regina) 
SaskOutdoors is offering a Project Wild workshop on Oct. 22 in Regina. The activity guide features 121 complete lesson plans about wildlife and the environment that can each be adapted for any age, grade or subject.

Compassionate Conservation Webinar Series, Nov. 20-23 
The Association for the Protection of Fur-bearing Animals has taken their annual conference online and is offering 10 speakers over 4 days from Nov. 20-23. Some of the topics included in the Compassionate Conservation Webinar series are Coyote Hazing & Co-flourishing, Hands On or Hands Off: Guide to Wildlife Rescuing, Urban Deer, and Compassionate Conservation Starts at School.

A full list of upcoming events can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

In the News
Farmers across the United States are coming up with creative ways to help the monarch butterfly population bounce back.

The University of Saskatchewan has been awarded $77.8 million to lead a Global Water Futures research program. “The seven-year program will develop ways of forecasting and mitigating water-related threats—such as devastating floods, droughts and degraded water quality—that come with changing climate and expanding economies.” 

Cities face tremendous challenges in storm water management as so much of the urban surface is covered with concrete and can’t absorb rainwater so soil isn’t able to do its job of capturing, cleaning, and storing it. Here are some useful tips for homeowners to help keep rainwater out of streams and natural areas.

Under-utilized space around some low-income high-rises in Toronto has been turned into a park, community garden, and urban orchard.  There’s a balcony gardening program and the orchard is being managed collectively in the hopes that it will eventually produce wine under its own label.

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

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