Tuesday, 4 August 2020

EcoSask News, August 4, 2020

squirrel

Upcoming Events
Outdoor Adventures (Regina)
Nature Regina has begun rescheduling field trips, keeping it safe through masking, physically distancing, and hand sanitizing.

Outdoor Observations, Aug. 13 & 27 (Regina)
The Saskatchewan Science Centre’s day camps are back in operation. 3-12 year olds are invited to join them from 9 am-4 pm, Aug. 13, to learn about science outdoors. A second camp will be held from 9 am-4 pm, Aug. 27.

Looking Ahead
Net Zero Conference, Sept. 15-16 (online)
The Net Zero Conference & Expo, to be held online Sept. 15-16, bills itself as a hub for thought leaders and industry-shapers in climate, carbon, energy, water, waste, and transit.

Wilderness First Aid, Sept. 19-20 (Meadow Lake)
SaskOutdoors is offering a 20-hour basic wilderness first aid course on Sept. 19-20 in Meadow Lake Provincial Park.

Canoe Certification, Sept. 19-20 (Lumsden Beach)
SaskOutdoors is offering a Paddle Canada Lake Canoe Skills (flat water) Certification Course on Sept. 19-20 at Lumsden Beach.

Saskatoon Nature Society
Saskatoon Young Naturalists
Sept. 19, 9:30 am-1:30 pm – Sandhill Cranes Field Trip
Oct. 2, 7-10 pm (tentative date) – Northern Saw-whet Owl Field Trip
Space is limited; register early to avoid disappointment.

A full list of upcoming events (online and in person) can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Purple Prairie Clover

Local News
National Farmers Union: “The question is not whether irrigation expansion is good or bad, but rather how best to responsibly expand irrigation and how best to spend billions of dollars so that farmers and all citizens receive maximum benefit.”

Saskatchewan Environmental Society says government should do its homework before committing a massive amount of money to an irrigation project that will put the environment at risk

Nature-based art therapy: an interview with Saskatoon’s Emily Hammer.

Meet the people saving Canada’s native grasslands.

From Information to Action
“There aren’t enough batteries to electrify all cars – focus on trucks and buses instead”

A safe street is not one where safety is determined by how fast someone can comfortably drive, but rather one where a person can comfortably walk, ride a bike, and cross the street using a wheelchair."

“The less government policy does, the more we, as citizens have to do on our own. With climate change, the burden of action has fallen, unevenly, to individuals. This, when simple mechanisms such as a price on carbon, better public transit, and the incentivizing of deep home retrofits and EV purchases would dramatically reduce consumer burden, and mental fatigue.”

Redesigning democracy for future generations: “Especially in wealthy nations, we treat it [the future] as a dumping ground for ecological degradation, technological risk and nuclear waste – as if there is nobody there.”

Conservation easements on private land could make all the difference in protecting endangered species.

Ruddy Turnstone (non-breeding) ?>

Nature’s Wonders
BirdNote – for bird lovers of all ages – short videos (under 2 minutes), photos, bird calls, and educational resources. Did you know that the Ruddy Turnstone really can turn stones?

“It is crucial that we learn to appreciate parasites . . . . Without them, there are no healthy ecosystems.”

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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