Tuesday 30 May 2017

EcoSask News, May 30, 2017

20170520-DSC_9074

Upcoming Events
Tree Care, June 1 (Regina) 
Russell Eirich will discuss Tree Care: Disease, Fungus and Pest Control at a Regina Horticultural Society event, 7 pm, June 1.

Northeast Swale Phase I Development Hearing, June 2 (Saskatoon)
Meewasin Valley Authority is holding a public hearing at noon, June 2, at the Saskatoon Club to consider an application by Meewasin for the Northeast Swale Phase 1 Development (Trails and Fencing) and Chief Whitecap Master Plan Update.

Regina BioBlitz, June 9/10 (Regina) 
BioBlitz Canada 150 in Regina includes a wide variety of guided activities - from an evening insect walk and frog calling on June 9 to a plant walk, an urban ecology walk, and pond dipping/bug catching/worm charming on June 10.

Net Zero Ready Homes, June 7 (Saskatoon)
Errol Fisher, North Ridge Development Corp, will discuss net zero ready homes at the June 7 breakfast meeting of the Saskatchewan Energy Management Task Force.

Intro Composting, June 10 (Saskatoon)
Saskatoon Food Bank’s Garden Patch is hosting an introduction to composting from 12:30-2 pm, June 10.

Twisted Science, June 13 (Saskatoon) 
Timothy Caulfield will speak on Twisted Science: Policy and Public Perception in the Era of Misinformation from 10 am – 12 pm, June 13, at the University of Saskatchewan.

Canada geese goslings

Looking Ahead
ForestART, July 3 -7 (Ness Creek) 
ForestART is a 5-day art in nature event at Ness Creek, July 3-7. This year’s activities will include wild painting, blacksmithing, life lines drawing, nature and landscape photography, and encaustic. 

River Rendezvous 150, July 13-15 (Saskatoon)
Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin is hosting River Rendezvous 150, July 13-15, with voyageur canoes, film, dance, music, visual art, and storytelling. There will be free canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboard instruction; the premier of Ian Toews film, River Delta; and a Trails of 1885 paddle to Batoche.

Connecting Kids with Nature, Aug. 9-11 (North Battleford)
SaskOutdoors invites educators to participate in a two-night camping adventure to help in Connecting Kids with Nature, Aug. 9-11, North Battleford.

NCC Conservation Volunteer Program (SK)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Conservation Volunteers program provides great opportunities to get outside and do your part to protect or repair damage to the environment. There are 3 volunteer opportunities in June.
June 17, 9 am-3 pmBio Blitz at Saltcoats
June 24, 9 am-3 pmCheck out the View at Wideview
June 29, 9 am-3 pmBurdock Blitz (Fairy Hill)

Canada geese and goslings

Saskatoon Nature Society
Golden Eagles 
June 8, 7:30 am – St. Isadore-de-Bellevue Museum & Area
June 15, 7:30 am – Vision Quest and Bents
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate in Golden Eagle field trips.

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
June 6, 6:30-8:30 pm – Patterson Gardens Walk
June 10-11 – Ness Creek Field Trip
June 11, 1:30-5 pm – Butterfly Walk
June 14, 7-9 pm – Richard St. Barbe Baker Park
Check the Saskatoon Nature Society’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 
Bike Regina has a bike repair/cyclist advice stand at the Regina Farmers’ Market.

The Fat Tire Club has received a WinterCity YXE grant to provide groomed trails for winter recreational opportunities at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

An Ontario community invested in fencing and culverts to protect its wildlife. Let’s do the same in Saskatoon’s Northeast Swale.

The City of Calgary has fenced off a green area to give a coyote family with new pups space, but residents are ignoring the fencing and signs, putting coyotes at risk.

New signs on the Arizona Trail highlight wildlife and point out that although you may never see bears, foxes, or turkeys, they leave plenty of signs. The images are drawn to scale in an effort to make identification of scat and tracks easier for Trail users.


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).

Sunday 28 May 2017

2017 EcoFriendly Sask NatureCity Awards


The EcoFriendly Sask NatureCity Awards are a new initiative developed by Wild about Saskatoon for the 2017 NatureCity Festival and are sponsored by EcoFriendly Sask.

The awards were created to recognize the efforts of businesses, community initiatives, and individuals who are working to promote a sense of belonging and everyday connection between citizens and the nature within and surrounding Saskatoon.


Award Winners 
A huge round of applause for the winners of the 2017 EcoFriendly Sask NatureCity Awards:

Business 
Blazing Star Wildflower Seed Company – a family business supplying prairie gardeners with Saskatchewan-grown wildflowers

“A lot of our customers buy our seeds or plants because it reminds them of the native prairie they explored in their youth. It often gets them thinking about what has been lost and they are more likely to take steps to conserve what little native prairie remains.” 

Community 
Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation – teaching understanding, respect, and appreciation for our wild neighbours

“99% of the 625 plus animals that arrive on our doorstep for care have been impacted by humans. Our work is an attempt to ‘balance the scales’ of human impact.” 

Individual 
Louise Jones – working tirelessly to protect urban nature, particularly the Northeast Swale

“As citizens, we must challenge our leaders to ensure that the lofty ideals about living in harmony with nature are demonstrated by our actions.” 

Thank you for all that you do and all that you are - you help make Saskatoon a great place to live.


Prizes 
Award winners were offered a choice of experiential outdoor adventure prizes. Many thanks to the companies who donated the prizes – we’re so glad you are helping our community to enjoy nature.

Back40 Wilderness First Aid Training (20-hour wilderness first aid training) 

Branimir Gjetvaj Photography (2-hour nature photography training session) 

CanoeSki Discovery Company (12-hour Learn to Canoe Plus course) 

Chef Jenni (wild rose petal gathering and ice cream/vinaigrette making) 

Eco Glide Adventures (tandem bike ride) 

Prairie Lily Riverboat Cruises (river cruise for 4 people)

Tuesday 23 May 2017

EcoSask News, May 23, 2017

turtle

Upcoming Events
Powering Up Canada Book Launch, May 23 (Saskatoon)
Attend the launch of Powering Up Canada: The history of power, fuel, and energy from 1600 edited by R.W. Sandwell from 4-6 pm, May 23, at the Hose and Hydrant Brewing Company.

Fix and Release, May 27 (Yorkton)
View Fix and Release, a short film about the turtles that are nursed back to health at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 11:45 am, May 27, at the Yorkton Film Festival.

Electric Cars, May 27 (Swift Current)
See a Tesla and learn all about electric cars at 1 pm, May 27, at Swift Current Branch Library.

Wildlife Rescue, May 28 (Saskatoon)
Volunteer with Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan and join Saskatoon’s duck team. A training session will be held on May 28 from 1-4 pm.

Nature Saskatchewan Photo Exhibit, May 29-June 23 (Prince Albert) 
Nature Saskatchewan is hosting a photography display by Martin Phillips and Morley Maier at SUNTEP May 29-June 23. The images have been integrated into the post-secondary biology program to show young teachers how they can incorporate images of wildlife into their curricula to bring ecology, anatomy, and art alive.

Chaplin Lake Shorebird Festival, June 2-3 (Chaplin Lake) 
Book a tour or enjoy a fundraising dinner at the Chaplin Lake Shorebird Festival, June 2 and 3.


Nature Regina Field Trips 
June 3, 8:30 am – A.E. Wilson Park Early Summer Discoveries
June 17, 4:30/7:30 am – Breeding Bird Atlas Square Bash! Fairy Hills and Hwy 99
Check Nature Regina’s website for full details and updated information.

Looking Ahead 
BioBlitz, June 9-10 (Regina) 
To celebrate Canada's 150, Nature Saskatchewan has partnered with the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Wascana Centre, and the Saskatchewan Science Centre to host a BioBlitz in Wascana Park on June 9 and 10. Volunteers and expert naturalists are needed to help with the event.

Rewild the Child Day Camp, July 4-7 (Saskatoon) 
Elizabeth Bekolay, LichenNature, is offering a Rewild the Child Day Camp from July 4-7. Mornings will be spent hiking the river valley with skill building, games, and nature observation in the afternoons.

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

Black bear

In the News
The human inhabitants of Alberta’s Bow Valley are working hard to co-habit peacefully with their wild neighbours by removing attractants, protecting and creating wildlife corridors, and by learning to be wild smart [video].

From fish to butterflies - roadsides are a huge opportunity for wildlife conservation.

The Province of Saskatchewan has picked a preferred route for the Saskatoon Freeway. Unfortunately, it still crosses the Meewasin Northeast Swale. Highways ministry spokesman Doug Wakabayashi says the Northeast Swale Watchers will be consulted as the project moves forward: “It’s an environmentally sensitive area and we have an obligation to protect environmentally sensitive land.” Let's hold them to that promise.

“So, what do we do to begin reversing the addictive cycle of over consumption? One place to start is with the next generation whom we are currently raising.”

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 18 May 2017

Birds in Real Danger - Find Out How You Can Help - May 24 & 26

Red-winged blacbird singing

398 migrating birds crashed into a high-rise building in Galveston, Texas, two weeks ago – 395 died. That didn’t need to happen. Bird-friendly lighting and design can minimize the problem, and early morning patrols by caring volunteers can rescue and perhaps save injured birds.

Jan Shadick, Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation, is determined to help protect the birds that live and migrate through Saskatoon. After speaking out in favour of bird-friendly building design guidelines in 2016, she has set up Birds in Real Danger, Saskatoon as a volunteer group similar to FLAP Canada and has invited Michael Mesure, FLAP’s Executive Director, to visit Saskatoon during NatureCity Festival.

FLAP Canada works to safeguard migratory birds in the urban environment through education, policy development, research, rescue, and rehabilitation. Michael will be leading a technical workshop for developers and building managers as well as an early morning walk around downtown Saskatoon to identify building hazards and rescue any injured birds.


The public is invited to find out how we as individuals and businesses can minimize bird injuries and deaths at 7 pm, Wednesday, May 24, in the Frances Morrison Library auditorium. Everyone is welcome at this free event.


Further Information:
Bird experts call for community action after 398 birds crash into Galveston building
River Landing Proposal = Bird Hazard 
Wanted: Early Morning Bird Lovers
FLAP Canada
Bird Rescue

Michael Masure’s visit to Saskatoon is sponsored by Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation, Saskatoon Nature Society, and EcoFriendly Sask.

Tuesday 16 May 2017

EcoSask News, May 16, 2017

sparrow bath

Upcoming Events
Queen of the Sun, May 17 (Regina) 
Watch Queen of the Sun: What are the bees telling us? at Cinema Politica, 7 pm, May 17.

Tree ID, May 23 (Moose Jaw)
Take a walk through Crescent Park at 5:30 pm, May 23, and learn how to identify and understand the importance of the most common trees (Moose Jaw Public Library).

NatureCity Festival, May 23-28 (Saskatoon) 
EcoFriendly Sask is a proud sponsor of Wild about Saskatoon’s NatureCity Festival. You’ll find a full list of over 50 activities on the Festival Events Calendar.


Seed Starting Party, May 24 (Saskatoon)
Kids are invited to a seed starting party at 6 pm, May 24, at the Dr. Freda Ahenakew Branch Library.

Looking Ahead
Petroglyphs Lifeways & Land Festival, June 2/3 (St. Victor)
There will be tours of the petroglyphs and Missouri Couteau Escarpment, a Monarch butterfly release, speakers, displays, and a supper at the Petroglyphs Lifeways and Land Festival, June 2-3, in St. Victor.

Wilderness Navigation & Orienteering Course, June 4 (Saskatoon) 
CanoeSki is offering a one-day wilderness navigation and orienteering course on June 4.

Compost Day, June 8 (Saskatoon) 
Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council is holding a compost field day on June 8 in Saskatoon.

Saskatoon Nature Society
Golden Eagles 
May 18, 7:30 am – Warblers in the Borden Area
May 25, 7:30 am – Shorebirds in Perdue Area
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate in Golden Eagle field trips.

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
May 18, 5-7 pm – Spring Picnic at Meewasin Park
May 23, 12:15-1:15 pm – Mendel Riverbank Bird Walk
May 23 & 30, 7-9:15 pm – Birdwatching for Beginners
May 26 & June 15, 7-9:15 pm – Wildflower Identification 101
May 28, 10 am- 4 pm – Shorebird Driving Trip to Radisson Lake
Check the Saskatoon Nature Society’s website for full details and updated information.

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

Urban Forestry
SOS Elms Coalition is supporting Ifeanyi Chiedo, a Master’s Student in the School of Environment and Sustainability, who is studying how the City of Saskatoon can better protect its urban forest.

If you’re interested in urban trees, you may want to follow Urban Forestry & Urban Greening on Facebook. And take a look at the City of Vancouver’s Urban Forest Strategy with its goal of planting 150,000 trees by 2020. The City of Coquitlam’s tree management bylaw covers residential trees and takes into consideration the size of the tree, where it’s located (e.g. slope or protected riparian area), and replacement trees. We published an article about Saskatoon's urban forest in 2016.


In the News 
Bears and coyotes are now our neighbours. They're adapting to their new environment - so must humans.

When trees die, so do people.

When did birds start migrating? How have their routes evolved? The evolution of bird migration.

Surface parking lots represent an extraordinary opportunity - to lower the heat, encourage families to live downtown, and increase real estate values. 

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 9 May 2017

EcoSask News, May 9, 2017

trees flowering

Upcoming Events
Bike to Work Week, May 15-19 (Saskatoon) 
This year’s first Bike to Work Week, May 15-19, offers daily commuter stations, a bicycle scavenger hunt, bicycling north send-out, and a bike rave.

Watching Wildlife in PA National Park, May 16 (Saskatoon) 
David Henry will talk about his book Watching Wildlife in Prince Albert National Park (book review), at 7 pm, May 16, at the Frances Morrison Library as part of the Sustainable Speaker Series.

Textile Waste and Recycling, May 17 (Saskatoon) 
What happens to unused clothing and how can we keep textiles out of our landfills? Find out more about textile waste and recycling from 2-4 pm, May 17, in Saskatoon.

Permaculture Saskatchewan AGM, May 17 (Saskatoon) 
Permaculture Saskatchewan is holding its annual general meeting at 7 pm, May 17. Guest speaker Steven Wiig will talk about the Oltumo Maasai Project.

Saskatoon Seed Library, May 17 (Saskatoon) 
Learn about seed harvesting, seed insecurity, and the Saskatoon Seed Library at 7 pm, May 17, at the Cliff Wright Branch Library.

Spring Bird Count, May 20 (Regina) 
Naturalists are relaunching Regina’s Spring Bird Count. Meet at 7:30 am, May 20, in front of the Legislature. All skill levels are welcome; each group will be led by a knowledgeable birder.

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


We are delighted to be an ongoing sponsor of Saskatoon’s NatureCity Festival. This year’s Festival Calendar of Events is amazing! 

In the News 
"we humans have created near immortality, not for ourselves, but for our supermarket food wrappings"

A neighbourhood flyways program and an urban bird treaty - great ideas from Seattle, Washington 

Vancouver is currently reaping the benefits of a green building policy. Let’s hope Saskatchewan cities follow their lead.

Here are some ideas for getting people to stop using disposable coffee mugs.

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 2 May 2017

EcoSask News, May 2, 2017

chipmunk

Upcoming Events
Recognition Awards, May 3 (Hafford)
The Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development in Saskatchewan is presenting awards to 25 projects on May 3 in Hafford.

Breeding Bird Atlas Workshop, May 7 (Regina) 
Find out how to collect data for the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas in Regina from 10 am – 4 pm, May 7.

Bees, May 10 (Regina)
Find out why we need bees and what we can do to help them from an experienced beekeeper from 7 – 8 pm, May 10, at the Connaught Branch, Regina Public Library.

Nature Moose Jaw AGM, May 12
Nature Moose Jaw is holding its annual general meeting at 7 pm, May 12, at 510 Main Street North.

Build Your Own Rain Barrel, May 12 (Herbert)
Join the Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards at 7 pm, May 12, in Herbert, and build your own rain barrel.

Great Canadian Birdathon, May 13 (Regina)
Join Nature Regina for the Great Canadian Birdathon in Wascana Park from 7 am – 4 pm, May 13.

International Migratory Bird Day, May 13 (Last Mountain Lake)
Nature Saskatchewan will be hosting International Migratory Bird Day activities and the official launch of the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas from 11 am, May 13, at the Last Mountain Bird Observatory, Last Mountain Regional Park. (updated - May 3/17)

Wildlife Rehab Banquet, May 13 (Saskatoon)
Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation is holding a fundraising banquet on May 13 with entertainment by Jody Peters.

Breeding Bird Atlas Workshop, May 13 (Yorkton) 
Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail is hosting a breeding bird atlas workshop near Yorkton from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, May 13.

Beekeeping Workshop, May 13 (Prince Albert)
Prince Albert Parkland Permaculture Guild is hosting a beekeeping workshop from 10 am – 4 pm, May 13.

Compost Workshop, May 13 (Saskatoon) 
Join Waste Not yxe and the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council for a composting workshop from 10 am – noon, May 13.

Household Hazardous Waste Day, May 13 (Saskatoon)
You can dispose of household hazardous waste in Saskatoon from 9 am – 3:30 pm, May 13.

SOS Elms AGM, May 14 (Saskatoon)
SOS Elms Coalition is holding its AGM at 1:30 pm, May 14, at the Marr Residence.

Nature Regina AGM, May 15 (Regina)
Join Nature Regina for their annual general meeting from 7 – 9:30 pm, May 15. Following a strawberry social, Kathy Hamre, Regina birder/photographer, will present an overview of Arizona's Patagonia Lake and other desert ecosystems.

chipmunk

Looking Ahead
Nature Saskatchewan Spring Meet, June 2-4 (Candle Lake)
Nature Saskatchewan’s Spring Meet will be held at Candle Lake from June 2-4. Take a geology tour, help band owls, find out about bat vocalization, and more.

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

In the News
A solution may be on the horizon for Quill Lakes flooding.

Two University of Saskatchewan water researchers are part of an international team that has discovered that global reserves of underground water once assumed to be pure are vulnerable to contamination. 

“When you photograph an insect up close for the details you need to ID them, they become more than just a ‘bug’ . . . . You realize it has a face. It has eyes. It’s looking at you. It’s got beautiful designs on its body.”

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Useful resources from Environment Lethbridge: a Sustainable Events Guide and 50+ Ways to Host a Sustainable Event: Tips and Ideas for Planning Green Events

Whether it’s sun screen or beauty products, it’s important to consider how our purchases impact 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. 

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