Tuesday 31 January 2017

EcoSask News, January 31, 2017

deer

Upcoming Events
25 Acts of Energy Conservation, Feb. 8 (webcast) 
The Saskatchewan Science Centre and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society are hosting a webcast on Feb. 8 to raise awareness among students of the 25 Acts of Energy Conservation contest.

Pet a Porcupine, Feb. 11 (Saskatoon) 
Meet Georgia, a friendly North American porcupine, on Feb. 11 at Wild Birds Unlimited.

Looking Ahead
Plant Id Workshop, Feb. 23 (Saskatoon)
The Saskatoon Nature Society is organizing a Plant Id Workshop from 7-9 pm, Feb. 23. Renny Grilz will use photos and samples to point out key identification features of some common native wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs.

deer

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Feb. 12, 1:30-3:30 pm – Forestry Farm Birding
Check the Saskatoon Nature Society’s website for full details and updated information.

Nature Regina Field Trips
Feb. 11, 10 am – Wascana Winter Birds and Wildlife
Check Nature Regina’s website for full details and updated information.

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

In the News
The Meewasin Valley Authority is fighting for its survival. Is the provincial government review of Wascana Centre and MVA equitable?

Is it time we banned cars from our national parks?

Two Alberta homes illustrate the benefits of straw-bale construction.

Pembina Institute sets out its vision for a modernized National Energy Board in an era of low carbon.

San Francisco’s Business Council on Climate Change is bringing businesses together to support municipal policy.

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).

Tuesday 24 January 2017

EcoSask News, January 24, 2017

frosty river scene

Upcoming Events
Carbonless Concert Series III, Jan. 28 (Saskatoon) 
The third instalment of a series of Carbonless Concerts to promote local live music and renewable energy will be held at D’lish from 6:30-9 pm, Jan. 28.

Aboriginal & Northern Engagement in Environmental Remediation Projects, Jan. 31 (video conference) 
Dr. Joe Muldoon, SRC, and Vice-Chief Joseph Tsannie, Prince Albert Grand Council, will discuss mine remediation best practice from 10:30-12, Jan. 31, in a video conference based in Regina and Saskatoon.

Food & Sustainability, Feb. 1 (Saskatoon)
Join Grant Wood, Dr. Phil Loring, Dr. Michael Schwandt for a panel discussion on sustainability and food from 5-6:30 pm, Feb. 1, at Louis’ at the University of Saskatchewan. Complimentary food featuring local ingredients will be provided. RSVP online.

Carbon Pricing in SK, Feb. 1 (Regina) 
Panelists will discuss carbon pricing in Saskatchewan from 7-8:30 pm, Feb. 1, at the University of Regina.

Integrating Environment & Sustainability at U of S, Feb. 1 (Saskatoon) 
Margret Asmuss, Sustainability Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan, will discuss integrating environment and sustainability into education and research at the U of S at the Saskatchewan Energy Management Task Force meeting on Feb. 1.

Nature of Cities, Feb. 2 (Saskatoon) 
Watch a film about how our urban environments can be integrated with nature at 2 pm, Feb. 2, at the Mayfair Library.

Sustainability & Education, Feb. 3 (Saskatoon) 
Dr. Philip Loring will discuss Sustainability Issues as Education Issues or Education Issues as Sustainability Issues? Lessons from Rural Alaska from 3-4 pm, Feb. 3, at the U of S.

Waste Reduction Workshop, Feb. 4 (Saskatoon) 
The founders of Waste Not YXE will share what, why, and how they are reducing waste from 2-4 pm, Feb. 4.

Bidder 70, Feb. 6 (Prince Albert) 
Join the Council of Canadians - Prince Albert chapter to view Bidder 70, civil disobedience that held government and industry accountable.

Frost flower 2

Looking Ahead
Beekeeping Seminars (Lloydminster, Saskatoon, Yorkton)
Peavey Mart is offering free beekeeping seminars as follows:
Feb. 28 - Lloydminster
Mar. 1 - Saskatoon
Mar. 2 - Yorkton

Co-Create: Waste ReForum, May 17-19 (Saskatoon) 
Registration is now open for the 2017 Waste ReForum. The conference will examine the role of waste reduction and waste management in a circular economy and look at ways we all can contribute to arriving at solutions.

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

In the News
Congratulations to The Green Builder and Chain Reaction Urban Farm, SABEX award finalists.

What Works in Conservation 2017, a free online book, evaluates the outcomes of specific conservation practices reported in more than 150 scientific journals as well as in unpublished reports and other literature from around the world.

Wind and solar are making progress - but not as much as headlines would imply: how renewable energy advocates are hurting the climate cause.

The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre Passive House will provide 25 affordable suites for youth, elders and families of the local aboriginal community.

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).

Tuesday 17 January 2017

EcoSaskNews, January 17, 2017

Black-capped chickadee

Upcoming Events
The Messenger, Jan. 18 (Moose Jaw)
The award-winning film The Messenger is being shown in Moose Jaw from 7-8:30 pm, Jan. 18.

Bike Regina AGM, Jan. 23 (Regina) 
Bike Regina is holding its AGM from 7-10 pm, Jan. 23.

Land Cover & Species-Habitat Modelling Initiatives, Jan. 23 (webinar) 
Ryan Fisher will talk about SK Ministry of Environment’s land cover and species-habitat modelling initiatives in a PCAP-SK webinar on Jan. 23.

Wildlife Rescue Animals, Jan. 24 (Saskatoon) 
Learn about wildlife rescue animals from Jan Shadick, Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation, from 1-3 pm, Jan. 24, at the Cliff Wright Library.

Pipelines, Enviro Assessment, Risk Perception, Jan. 24 (Saskatoon)
Dr. Jean-Michel DeVink will lead a discussion on pipelines, environmental assessment, and risk perception at the Jan. 24 meeting of Tox on Tap.

Regional Land Use Plan, Jan. 24 (Saskatoon)
Partnership for Growth is looking for feedback on their draft regional land use plan on Jan. 24 from 1-4 and 5-8 pm at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

EnviroConnect Trivia Night, Jan. 25 (Saskatoon)
EnviroConnect is hosting a Trivia Night at 5 pm, Jan. 25, in Room 5C61 of the Agriculture Building for students in environmental programs at the U of S.

National Energy Board Expert Panel Visitation, Jan. 25/26 (Saskatoon)
The National Energy Board Expert Panel will be in Saskatoon on Jan. 25/26 to discuss how to modernize the NEB. Sessions on both days are open to anyone with an interest.

Beekeeping & Garden Sustainability, Jan. 26 (Regina) 
The Regina Horticultural Society is hosting a presentation on beekeeping and garden sustainability at 7 pm, Jan. 26, in Regina.

Master Naturalist Workshop, Jan. 27 (Saskatoon) 
The Citizen Science module of the Saskatchewan Master Naturalists program is being offered on Jan. 27 in conjunction with the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan’s annual conference.

Eared grebe (winter)

Looking Ahead
Edible Plant Walk, June 24 (Regina) 
Edible Landscapes Permaculture Design and Consulting is offering an Edible Plant Walk near Regina from 1-4 pm, June 24. Last year’s workshop filled up fast so register early.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Jan. 15, 3-4 pm – Living Sky Wildlife Rehab Facility Tour
Jan. 21 or 28 – Overnight trip to Beauval area to search for possible Northern Pygmy Owl
Check the Saskatoon Nature Society’s website for full details and updated information.

Nature Regina Field Trips
Jan. 22, 8:30 am – A. E. Wilson Park
Check Nature Regina’s website for full details and updated information.

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

In the News
Droughts on the prairies could become more frequent, more severe, and last longer in the years ahead according to a new book, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Drought on the Canadian Prairies, edited by U of R faculty members.

Data from two SK bird banders shows that Snowy Owls that head south aren't starving.

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).

Thursday 12 January 2017

Heading Out, Speaking Up, Leading the Way


“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” 
(Dr. Seuss, The Lorax) 

We make choices every day in what we do and how we do it. Take a look at the people and organizations who led the way in environmental stewardship in Saskatchewan in 2016.



25 projects received EcoFriendly Action Grants. We also spoke with organizations and individuals who are making a big effort to be sustainable.

EcoFriendly Sask provides small grants of approximately $500 to support local projects that will prevent or reduce damage to the environment.

Look around you. What can YOU do to protect the local environment? Apply now for an EcoFriendly Action Grant in 2017.

“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” 
(Gary Snyder)

Tuesday 10 January 2017

EcoSask News, January 10, 2017

late light

Upcoming Events
Endurance, Jan. 6 – Feb. 19 (Regina)
Todd Mintz’s underwater and nature photography is on display at the Saskatchewan Science Centre from Jan. 6 to Feb. 19.

Let’s Talk Parks, Jan. 9-27
The federal government is hosting a public consultation on the future of Parks Canada. Share your views on Canada’s national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas from Jan. 9-27.

Contaminants in the Small Swale, Jan. 11 (Saskatoon)
Join the Northeast Swale Watchers at 4 pm, Jan. 11, for a discussion with guest speakers on contaminants in the Small Swale.

Secret Life of Owls, Jan. 12 
The Secret Life of Owls airs on CBC’s The Nature of Things on Jan. 12. The documentary “gives us a window into the life of this amazing species and introduces us to some passionate owl experts along the way.”

Procession West, Jan. 13 – Feb. 18 (Saskatoon)
Two photographers explore the Canadian West with large format cameras in the upcoming Procession West exhibit at the Saskatchewan Craft Council.

Reflections of a Farmer-Naturalist, Jan. 16 (Regina)
Lorne Scott will reflect on his life as a farmer-naturalist at the Jan. 16 meeting of Nature Regina.

The Messenger, Jan. 16 (Regina)
Watch The Messenger at 7 pm, Jan. 16, at the University of Regina.

Photography & Environmental Conservation, Jan. 17 (Saskatoon)
Photographer Branimir Gjetvaj will present his experiences working in the field of conservation photography and his efforts to inspire a deeper connection with nature at 7 pm, Jan. 17, at the Frances Morrison Library as part of the Sustainable Speaker Series.

Saskatoon’s Urban Forest, Jan. 19 (Saskatoon)
Jeff Boone, City of Saskatoon, will talk about Saskatoon’s urban forest at the Jan. 19 meeting of the Saskatoon Nature Society.

EcoParent, Jan. 19/25 (Regina)
Learn how to make reusable diapers that are both earth-friendly and affordable from 6:30-8:30 pm, Jan. 19, at the Prince of Wales Library, and from 6:30-8:30 pm, Jan. 25, at the Central Library in Regina.

Friends of Wascana Marsh AGM, Jan. 19 (Regina)
Friends of Wascana Marsh will be holding their AGM on Jan. 19 at the Saskatchewan Science Centre small theatre.

icy windows

Looking Ahead
SaskForward Summit, Jan. 28 (Regina)
The Government of Saskatchewan has embarked on a process of transformational change of the basic services it provides. SaskForward is a broad coalition of community organizations that believe that transformational change shouldn’t be carried out without public consultation. You can have your say online or by attending the SaskForward Summit, Jan. 28, in Regina.

Reclamation & Energy, Feb. 20-21 (North Dakota)
Reclamation & Energy: Innovation and Adaptation is the theme of the ND Reclamation Conference, Feb. 20-21, in Dickinson, North Dakota.

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

In the News
Small-scale, community-owned wind projects generate jobs and local support - but they’re not happening in Saskatchewan.

A new community program hopes to enlist homeowners in the battle to save Alberta’s bats from white-nose syndrome.

A new website showcases initiatives from around the world that might contribute to a sustainable future.

Check out this printable winter scavenger hunt for kids.

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).

Tuesday 3 January 2017

EcoSask News, January 3, 2017

ice at river's edge

Upcoming Events
SK Energy Management Task Force, Jan. 11 (Saskatoon)
Megan Patterson & Dallas Munro, SaskPower, will discuss the corporation’s challenges and review their demand-side management & industrial programs. Saskatchewan Energy Management Task Force meetings are held at 7 am at the Confederation Inn, 3330 Fairlight Drive.

EcoFemme, Jan. 11 (Regina)
Learn how to create eco-friendly sanitary pads from 6:30-8:30 pm, Jan. 11, at the Regina Central Library.

Towards a Prairie Atonement, Jan. 11 (Saskatoon) 
Trevor Herriot will read from his new book, Towards a Prairie Atonement, at 7 pm, Jan. 11, at the Frances Morrison Library.

Green Goddess, Jan. 12/15 (Regina) 
Learn how to make homemade beauty products with natural ingredients from your kitchen from 7-8 pm, Jan. 12, at the Glen Elm Library, and from 2-3 pm, Jan. 15, at the George Bothwell Library, Regina. Teens welcome. Supplies provided.

SaskOutdoors AGM, Jan. 14 (Saskatoon)
SaskOutdoors is holding its AGM on Jan. 14 at Beaver Creek Camp. Paul Stinson will talk about the Global RCE Conference in Indonesia and its implications for education for sustainability in Saskatchewan.

Looking Ahead
School Gardening Conference, Feb. 3 & 4 (Saskatoon) 
Agriculture in the Classroom is hosting a School Gardening Conference on Feb. 3 & 4 at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. Register at programs@aitc.sk.ca by Jan. 16.

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

In the News 
Green Burials - Lynn Oliphant has set up a private cemetery for green burials.

The Post-Coal Economy - “In the heart of Appalachia, in places like West Virginia and eastern Kentucky, life has long been built around coal, figuratively and literally. . . . But coal—and the traditional idea of coal country with it—is dying. . . . But this is less a story about coal’s decline than it is about what the people left in the wake of that descent can do after to quickly strengthen economic muscles that atrophied while coal grew more and more powerful. . . . When citizens are given the resources they need to open a business or retrain for a new job, Bollinger says, "People making decisions about the economic conditions around them generally make good decisions."

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).