Environmental History: Placing Human History within its Natural Environment

“I’ve always had an underlying interest in the environment,” says Justin Fisher, “but I thought of environmental issues as being science-based and technical and I’m more on the humanities side.” Justin’s perspective shifted when he moved to the United Kingdom to work on his Master’s and took a course in environmental history. “Environmental history is about how we understand ourselves in relation to the environment,” Justin says. “It helped me realize that people with an interest in history, research, and writing could contribute to the environmental movement and I looked for more ways to get involved when I moved back to Saskatoon.”

Environmental history focuses on the interrelationships between humans and nature. It’s a two-way relationship with human actions impacting the environment while also being shaped by it. “At its best,” Justin says, “I think it actually forces us to break down the fundamental distinction between humans and nature." The study of environmental history emerged from the environmental movement in the United States in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Issues such as rampant pesticide use and the green revolution started to affect how some historians were thinking about people and the environment and represented an attempt to push back against the common belief of a linear progression in human history. “It’s a growing discipline with sub-fields and interdisciplinary work and also lots of young scholars,” Justin says. “I also know I’m not alone in continuing on this path because of twin interests in academics and activism.”

Environmental history is a strong point of the University of Saskatchewan’s History Department these days. Professor Andrew Watson is exploring histories of energy, agriculture, and sustainability, while Geoff Cunfer specializes in the sustainability of land use on the Great Plains, and Jim Clifford is looking at the intersections between environmental, social, and political history, with a particular focus on industrialization.

Justin’s academic interest in energy history, an emerging sub-field of environmental history, has been informed by his involvement in several fossil fuel divestment campaigns and he is an active member of Climate Justice Saskatoon. In 2017, Climate Justice Saskatoon undertook a major project to investigate the future of coal in Saskatchewan. They visited the mining communities of Estevan and Coronach where they held interviews and workshops with coal and service industry workers, union representatives, town administrators, and farmers. Their goal was to build bridges between urban environmental groups and coal-producing communities in Saskatchewan. The full report is available online.

Justin realized that fossil fuel production was an important part of these mining communities' identities. “Transitioning may feel like a threat to their history,” he explains. “How can we discuss transitioning to renewable energy while respecting that history?” Justin will be exploring this topic more deeply as he begins work on his PhD research into the history of fossil fuels in Saskatchewan.

“The transition to fossil fuel dominance was relatively rapid,” Justin says. “From the ‘60s onwards, it has become the province’s predominant industry. I want to look at how that has affected not only the environment but also labour, land use, and governance. I’m interested in the ‘energy crisis’ period in the ‘70s and ‘80s when energy prices rose and there was a lot of research into alternate energy sources and energy efficiency. Why didn’t it translate into action? What can we learn from that experience as we try to expand our use of renewable energy?”

Justin will be exploring the topic through the lens of a just transition. “Fossil fuel extraction and use has had a diverse and uneven impact. There are costs and benefits that get distributed within society,” Justin says. “There are important questions to ask. How have fossil fuels factored into rural depopulation and urbanization? The provincial government is largely funded by fossil fuel interests. How does that affect how the province has been run over the last few decades?”

Justin represents new scholars on the executive committee of NiCHE, the Network in Canadian History & Environment, a group of scholars and researchers who are trying to make their work more accessible and relevant to the general public. Their website includes a blog and podcast and delves into a wide variety of topics ranging from an article on black birds, black lives, and the unfinished work of queer ecologies to second homes during a time of crisis.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the environmental movement in Saskatoon, Justin encourages you to check out existing groups such as Climate Justice Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Youth Climate Committee, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, and/or The Stand - Community Organizing Centre.

Reading List
Justin suggests the following books may be of interest to local environmentalists:

Wet Prairie: People, Land, and Water in Agricultural Manitoba, Shannon Stunden Bower (2011)

States of Nature: Conserving Canada's Wildlife in the Twentieth Century, Tina Loo (2006)

Forest Prairie Edge: Place History in Saskatchewan, Merle Massie (2014)

Inventing Stanley Park: An Environmental History, Sean Kheraj (2013)

The War on Weeds in the Prairie West: An Environmental History, Clinton L. Evans (2002)

Photo Credit
Mine tour in Coronach, Rachel Malena-Chan

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Connected, Aligned & Powerful: Storytelling for a Better World

Climate change – it’s popping up in movies, television shows, books, music, and political debates. There’s a growing awareness, particularly among young people, that the technological solutions we have been focusing on to address climate change aren’t enough and we cannot avoid environmental damage. This has led to growing levels of concern as demonstrated by a September 2019 study by Abacus Data which indicated that 50% of Canadians felt there was an urgent need to reduce emissions while an additional 40% felt it was important. 32% of 18-29 year olds felt they should do a lot more to reduce their impact on climate change with an additional 41% feeling they should do a fair bit (this contrasts with the 25% of Canadians of all ages who felt they should do a lot more and 36% a bit more).

“We’re being told that people don’t know enough or care enough about climate change,” says Rachel Malena-Chan, a climate change activist and founder of the Eco-Anxious Stories website. “But that’s not necessarily the case. I know lots of smart people who care about climate issues but don’t know how to do something meaningful.”

Making Meaningful Choices 
Rachel believes that eco-anxiety can get in people’s way, but it can also be a channel for making the world a better place. “We need to make space for uncomfortable emotions and connect with other people who are feeling the same way,” Rachel says. “Then we can turn it into something positive.”

Rachel chose to focus her graduate-level research on why more people weren’t acting in response to climate change. She interviewed young people who were actively engaged in environmental or social justice work. Slowly, the answers began to emerge. It wasn’t a lack of information or interest. In fact, people often had an over-abundance of information and cared deeply about climate change. The challenge was in bridging the gap between knowledge and action.

Rachel found that one of the barriers to bridging knowledge and action on climate change is a sense of powerlessness. One young woman Rachel interviewed for her study expressed deep concerns about the environment but felt overwhelmed when trying to craft a response that would be in line with the scope of the problem. Without government leadership, a personal-level response didn't feel meaningful, leaving her feeling like climate change is “constantly in the background of everything else, that meanwhile everything is burning.”

“People want to have a meaningful impact,” Rachel says. “To do that, they need access to meaningful stories in which the choices they make can actually change outcomes. Eco-anxiety can bubble up when we acknowledge that, on our own, our access to that kind of power is limited. Instead, we need to make courageous choices that connect us with others and find support, joy, and energy to sustain the work that needs to be done collectively.”

In coming to a meaningful story about her choices, the young woman wrestled between focusing on creative endeavours that bring her joy or running for political office in the hopes of someday having enough power to make a real difference. Today she combines her love of dance with her passion for policy, working within the dance community and related spaces to build up power, particularly among women and non-binary people – who are disproportionately harmed by climate impacts – to fight for human rights.

Rachel's work is premised on the idea that by telling climate stories, individuals have an opportunity to recast themselves as new characters – characters that aren't alone in their fears. “This is key because it’s only through connection and collaboration and strategy that we can gain power to create solutions.”

Eco-Anxiety Stories 
Rachel’s graduate research highlighted the value of storytelling for developing a meaningful relationship with climate change. She realized that the stories could serve an additional purpose in creating a sense of community among individuals concerned about climate change. “People already feel powerless. If we are also alone, there will be nothing we can do to address the problem,” Rachel says.

Trading services to get it online, Rachel has spent the past year setting up the Eco-Anxious Stories website. Her goal is to hold a place online for people’s stories so that they will feel less alone. “There’s a lot of power in naming who we are as part of a bigger movement,” she explains. “It’s all about solidarity. I’m powerful because I’m connected and aligned with something bigger than myself.” In addition to stories, the website includes resources for navigating eco-anxiety and photo essays as part of a bigger goal of supporting and taking care of each other as we create the world we want to live in.

The website has attracted interest from a number of sectors, including education. Currently, Rachel is partnering on a curriculum about climate change for young people. Her goal is to provide a lens through which to view young people’s climate anxieties by pairing the factual information about climate change with a more personal perspective. Through worksheets and storytelling, students will be encouraged to develop their own climate story. The toolkit will help students to explore what they, just like plants and animals, need to thrive and how they feel when they learn about climate change impacts on the world around them. The final section of the toolkit will look at people who are taking action, identifying what matters to them and what they are doing about it, to help students make their own personal choices.

“It’s exciting to see more attention on the emotional and psychological dimensions of engaging with climate change,” Rachel says. “Kids in particular are likely to feel powerless about what they are learning, but the reality is we all have a role to play in shifting power dynamics.”

Rachel Malena-Chan continues her work in strategic storytelling through her consulting business, EAS Solutions. As a communications strategist, Rachel offers tools, frameworks, and strategies to help make sense of what matters, what’s at stake, what we want, and what it will take. Using her experience in the field of community health, Rachel is working with small entrepreneurs to help them acknowledge their eco-anxieties and contribute in a positive way to addressing the problem of climate change.

Further Information 
A narrative model for exploring climate change engagement among young community leaders, Rachel Malena-Chan

Making climate change meaningful: Narrative dissonance and the gap between knowledge and action, Rachel Malena-Chan [thesis]

Eco-Anxious Stories

EAS Solutions

Eco-Anxiety & Eco-Anxious Stories, From the Ground Up (Climate Justice Saskatoon)

Photo Credit (first and last)
Meghan Mast & Jodi Sawatzky, Caring at the End of the World

Regina's EnviroCollective

“A report came out recently saying we had only 12 years to make serious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. That was a wake-up call for me,” says Shanon Zachidniak, Regina, Saskatchewan. “There had to be something more I could be doing.”

Shanon Zachidniak has a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies and has cared about the environment for as long as she can remember. In response to the report, Shanon posted on Facebook, inviting friends to get together to discuss climate change and see what could be done about it. “I thought we’d feel less isolated if we could discuss it as a group,” she says.

The response was far greater than expected, extending well beyond her group of friends, so Shanon moved the meeting to a public location. The group, now known as EnviroCollective, has continued on from there and celebrated its first-year anniversary at the end of November.

EnviroCollective is very much a grassroots initiative; nobody owns it. Participants are encouraged to propose initiatives and, if there’s enough interest and enough people who want to be involved, it ends up happening. The group has prioritized partnering with and maintaining good relationships with other environmental organizations. “We want to fill the gaps, not step on anyone’s toes,” Shanon explains.

“We are about connections, efficiencies. There is a role to play in helping connect groups, people, and resources. Funding dollars ask for more to be done with less, even though climate change is an actual existential threat. We need all-hands-on-deck, uniting behind the science,” offers Maureen Huot, a founding member.

One of the group’s first actions was to provide support for the intervenors in the carbon tax court case. EnviroCollective hosted a press conference for those intervening on behalf of the federal government and provided a space where intervenors could relax, conduct media interviews, network with each other, and watch a live stream of the court case. The space drew local activists as well as curious observers. Lasting connections were made as groups displayed banners, distributed information, and requested signatures on petitions. EnviroCollective was able to provide lunch and other refreshments each day thanks to local businesses and friends.

EnviroCollective was active in organizing the first student climate strikes in Regina. As an “adult ally” in a youth-led movement, they have helped the students take on the leadership role and EnviroCollective has stepped back, providing support as needed.

Mother Earth Justice Advocates (MEJA) is a local Indigenous-led group focusing on climate change and environmental initiatives through an Indigenous lens. EnviroCollective partnered with them to organize a book launch earlier this year and they have plans for several more joint activities. The partnership works well as the groups share a common belief in checking your ego at the door.

Partnership is a guiding principle for all EnviroCollective activities. When asked to speak to a high school class about climate change, EnviroCollective invited MEJA and Fridays for Future to join them. “There was nice representation from a variety of folks and perspectives and a good age range,” Shanon says. Some of the students attended the next event, a Youth Community Forum on Regina’s Energy Future, on November 30.

The Youth Community Forum was organized by EnviroCollective, Charged Up (David Suzuki Foundation), the Regina Public Interest Research Group ( RPIRG), and MEJA. Youth under 30 were invited to explore local actions on climate change in light of Regina City Council’s resolution to be 100% renewable by 2050. The crucial conversations that emerged from this event will be shared with City councillors and staff to help move forward with climate action. “We’re trying to build on the energy and the momentum from the global climate strikes and discuss some tangible actions people can be involved in here in Regina,” Shanon says.

EnviroCollective has also been approached by the Canadian Environmental Network (CEN) and Climate Reality, an international organization. CEN would like to reestablish an affiliate network in Saskatchewan, a role formerly filled by the Saskatchewan Eco Network, and Climate Reality has an opportunity for the group to be a hub for Regina.

The collective looks forward to further partnerships and is interested in playing a networking role with other organizations by giving them a platform to talk about what they’re involved in.

EnviroCollective is in the process of incorporating and has recently put in place a steering committee. Joining Shanon and Maureen are journalist Paul Dechene, former city councillor Rob Deglau, and lawyer Larry Kowalchuck. Shanon says future directions will depend on who’s involved, and EnviroCollective encourages anyone who is interested to get in touch.

“We welcome input from anyone interested,” Shanon says. “Come out and let your voice be heard.” 

You can contact Regina’s EnviroCollective on their Facebook page or by emailing envirocollective2018@gmail.com

EcoSask News, July 9, 2019

Upcoming Events
Grassroots Voices, July 8-11 (Saskatoon)
Join Saskatoon’s climate justice community in Kiwanis Park from Monday to Thursday evening, July 8-11, to let the premiers know that you’re concerned about the climate crisis, the Trans Mountain pipeline, the transition to fossil fuels, and the response to the MMIWG Commission report.

The Natural World, July 11-Aug. 8(Eastend)
Kids can enjoy activities involving the natural world from 10 am-12 pm, every Thursday morning, from July 11 to Aug. 8 at the Eastend Public Library.

The Natural World, July 12-Aug. 16 (Maple Creek)
Kids can enjoy activities involving the natural world from 2-4 pm, every Friday afternoon, from July 11 to Aug. 16 at the Maple Creek Public Library.

Falconry, July 14 (Saskatoon)
Join Wild Birds Unlimited for a visit to Drs. Lynn and Rhonda Oliphant’s 2019 brood of falcons at 6:30 pm, July 14. Carpooling is available.

All About Water, July 17 (Gravelbourg)
Kids can learn about water conservation and watersheds from 3-4 pm, July 17, at Gravelbourg Public Library.

Garden Patch Bioblitz, July 17 (Saskatoon)
Learn about biodiversity and identify plants and insects with members of the Saskatoon Nature Society at the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre’s Garden Patch from 5:30-7:30 pm, July 17.

Butcher Birds, July 18 (Val Marie)
There will be a presentation on butcher birds and the Stewards of Saskatchewan at 7 pm, July 18, in Val Marie.

Going Zero Waste, July 18 (Regina)
Find out how to go zero-waste and minimize your impact on the environment from 7-8 pm, July 18, at the Regent Place Branch Library.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Saskatoon Young Naturalists
July 17, 11 am-1 pm – Butterfly Field Trip
Sept. 28 – Sandhill Crane field trip
Space is limited; register early to avoid disappointment.

Golden Eagles
July 18, 8 am – Stuglin Acreage & Gardens
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate.

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
July 13, 8 am-8 pm – Ponass Lake IBA
July 27 – Shorebird Trip
Everyone is welcome. 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
Public Pastures Public Interest has made a video showing the impact of a solution potash mine on the environment. “The well sites cover 14 acres, stripping off the soil and plant cover, leveling the land into a sterile gravel and sand-scape. The pipelines or “flow lines” cut a 100 metre swath of disturbed land connecting well sites to the plant. New roads are built much wider than one would think necessary, introducing noxious weeds. Dust and noise from heavy equipment and trucks fills the air; municipal roads degrade and in spring duck cannons fire off every few minutes to keep waterfowl from lighting on toxic wastewater ponds. The land becomes for all purposes an industrial zone. Is this what the people of Sedley and Vibank want for their land when the Province gives its blessing to Rio Tinto for Project Albany? Will the surface lease income justify the loss of beauty and quiet in the landscape?” 

SaskEnergy has announced a $650 rebate for the purchase and installation of a new high-efficiency furnace between Aug. 1 and November.

Natural gas production is a failing business model and can’t compete with renewables.

Wetlands packed with soaking wet layers of peat can act as a fire break to stop wildfires from spreading.

We walk less, but we die more. Pedestrian deaths increased by 51% in the United States from 2009-2018. In Europe, they declined by 36%.

Take Bugs 101, a free online entomology course, and take away a new appreciation for the diversity and importance of insects to human society.

We've all benefited from China's rare earth minerals in our high-tech products. Should we help pay for clean-up?

Sustainable transport options – stop, share, switch.

The new leftwing economics wants to see the redistribution of economic power so that it is held by everyone – how a network of thinkers is transforming capitalism.

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).

EcoSask News, November 27, 2018

Upcoming Events
Permaculture Regina, Nov. 27 (Regina)
The Permaculture Regina board is meeting tonight at 6 pm at 2138 McIntyre Street (use side door). Everyone welcome - bring your ideas and enthusiasm.

Gardiner Dam Birding, Dec. 1 (Saskatoon)
Join Saskatoon Nature Society on a birding trip to Gardiner Dam from 9 am-5 pm, Dec. 1.

Storytime at the Zoo, Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12 (Saskatoon)
Enjoy a story in the company of an animal at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo from 1:30-2:30 pm, Dec. 4, 5, 11, & 12.

Lakeview Community Climate Conversation, Dec. 4 (Regina)
Jared Clarke’s grade 6-7 class is hosting the second Lakeview Community Climate Conversation at 6:30 pm, Dec. 4, in the Lakeview School gymnasium. They’ll be showing An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power.

Check out this video where the students share the importance of solar power to Saskatchewan.



Enviro Collective Regina, Dec. 5 (Regina)
The Regina Enviro Collective will be meeting at 7 pm, Dec. 5, at the Artesian.

Outdoor Educator Social, Dec. 5 (Saskatoon)
SaskOutdoors invites all outdoor educators to a social from 3:30-7 pm, Dec. 5, in Saskatoon.

Energy Efficiency Alberta, Dec. 5 (Saskatoon)
Peter Love will discuss Energy Efficiency Alberta at the Dec. 5 breakfast meeting of SK Energy Management Task Force.

Winter Commuter Cycling Workshop, Dec. 6 (Regina)
Bike Regina is hosting a winter cycling discussion at 7 pm, Dec. 6.

Climate Alarm March, Dec. 8
Citizens for Climate are inviting communities around the world to join with people in France in holding a climate alarm march on Dec. 8 to to encourage COP24 world representatives to adopt important measures limiting global warming.

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

Art & Nature
Artist Gerald Beaulieu's road-killed crows are too large to ignore - they say what most roadkill never get the chance to say - notice me.

An exhibit of 3 centuries of American art at Princeton University uncovers relationships between art, nature, politics, slavery, national parks, and more.

In the News
Saskatchewan lakes and dugouts act as carbon sinks - one more reason to stop draining our farmlands

Birds of Saskatchewan is available for pre-order. Order your copy now.

 

A useful overview of the history of Alberta's oil industry. If it's in trouble now, it's because of past choices. Should government intervene now when companies rejected intervention in the past?

Pedestrianized streets are kid-friendly - and everyone benefits.

What makes a transit system great? An excerpt from Trains, Buses, People: An Opinionated Atlas of US Transit by Christof Spieler.

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).

EcoSask News, May 8, 2018

Wow! What a line-up – from a garden tool swap in Saskatoon to birds, bees, and dinosaurs in Regina, compost in Yorkton, and a Moose Jaw road trip.

Upcoming Events 
Local Bats & Surprise Plants, May 8 (Saskatoon) 
Enjoy a surprise class about local bat rescue and a mystery plant family at the U of S from 7-9:30 pm, May 8.

Release the Bats, May 8 (Regina) 
The Saskatchewan Science Centre is releasing its overwintering bats at 8 pm, May 8.

U of S Lunch & Learn Series, May 11 (Saskatoon) 
Join the U of S Office of Sustainability from 12-1 pm, every third Friday of the month, for presentations and discussions on sustainability.

U of S The Fix, May 11 (Saskatoon) 
Join the U of S Office of Sustainability and university sustainability professionals over a pint at 5 pm, every third Friday of the month, to fix some of sustainability’s most complicated issues.

Saskatoon Wildlife Tour, May 12 (Moose Jaw) 
Join Moose Jaw Nature Society on May 12 for a tour of two Saskatoon wildlife rehab. facilities and Beaver Creek Conservation Area.

Wildlife Rehab Volunteer Orientation, May 12 (Saskatoon) 
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan is holding a volunteer orientation session from 11 am-12:30 pm, May 12, in Saskatoon.

Garden Tool Swap, May 13 (Saskatoon) 
Bring your unneeded garden tools to swap with or donate to other gardeners from 12-1 pm, May 13, at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market.

Oil Well Noise & Songbirds, May 15 (webinar) 
Paulson Des Brisay will present a webinar on studies regarding the impact of oil well noise on songbirds at noon, May 15.

EV Enthusiasts Meetup, May 15 (Saskatoon) 
EV drivers and enthusiasts are invited to a meetup from 7-9 pm, May 15, in Saskatoon.

National Energy Code for Buildings, May 15 & 16 (Regina, Saskatoon) 
The Canada Green Building Council is hosting Lunch ‘n’ Learns on the National Energy Code for Buildings in Regina on May 15 and in Saskatoon on May 16.

Bike to Work Day, May 16 (Saskatoon) 
It’s Bike to Work Day in Saskatoon May 16 with food, prizes, and other activities.

Birds, Bees, & Dinosaurs, May 16 (Regina)
Cory Sheffield and Ryan McKellar, curators at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, will discuss birds, bees, and dinosaurs at 6:30 pm, May 16, at O’Hanlon’s Irish Pub, Regina.

Harvesting & Using Compost, May 16 (Saskatoon) 
Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre’s Garden Patch is offering a workshop on harvesting and using finished compost from 6-7:30 pm, May 16.

Everybirdy Deserves a Home, May 17 (Edenwold)
Join Nature Conservancy of Canada in installing birdhouses on their Edenwold property from 10 am-3 pm, May 17.

Beyond the Big Dipper, May 19 (Grasslands National Park) 
View the stars and learn more about them from Royal Astronomical Society volunteers at Grasslands National Park on May 19.

Looking Ahead
NatureCity Festival, May 22-27 (Saskatoon) 
There are over 50 activities to choose from at this year’s NatureCity Festival in Saskatoon. Teachers, be sure to register your class for one of the school programs - bus subsidies are available.

Compost Field Day, May 29 (Yorkton) 
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council is hosting a Compost Field Day in Yorkton on May 29.

Dundurn Bioblitz, June 2 (Dundurn)
Help the Nature Conservancy of Canada create a baseline inventory for a new property near Dundurn on June 2.

Tree Planting, June 3 (Saskatoon) 
Alchemy Salon, Better Good, and Green Tree Beauty will be planting 3,000 trees near Saskatoon on June 3. Contact Melissa at Alchemy if you’d like to help.

SES Fun Run, June 3 (Saskatoon) 
Support the Saskatchewan Environmental Society by participating in a trail fun run from 9 am-12 pm, June 3.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
May 12, 9 am-12 pm – Beaver Creek Conservation Area Birding
May 13, 7-9:30 am – MVA Trail Bird Walk
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 
City of Regina to study whether City-owned buildings could be fitted with solar panels.

Small strips of prairie can reduce erosion and run-off & provide bird/pollinator habitat.

Praise, admiration + respect for the wildness in coyotes.

Native bees would be better off with fewer honey bees.

The federal environment minister has reaffirmed ecological integrity as the first priority in all aspects of national parks management.

Combining business and political activism - Patagonia v. Trump.

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).

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)

EcoSask News, April 18, 2017

Upcoming Events
Negative Emissions Technology, Apr. 20 (Regina, Saskatoon) 
Dr. David Reiner, UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre, will discuss negative emissions technology in a video conference at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy from 10:30 am-12 pm, Apr. 20.

Prairies, Wetlands, and Riverbanks, Apr. 25 (Saskatoon)
Wild about Saskatoon is partnering with Café Scientific for a presentation by Kenton Lysak on Prairies, wetlands, and riverbanks...Oh my! Why we need to reconnect with Saskatoon's Natural Areas at 7:30 pm, Apr. 25.

SK Environmental Society AGM, Apr. 25 (Saskatoon)
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is holding their annual general meeting from 6:30-9 pm, Apr. 25. Brett Dolter will discuss Greening the Grid: Pathways for Decarbonizing Electricity in Saskatchewan and Canada.

Citizen Science, Apr. 26 (webinar)
Brenda Dale is offering a webinar on citizen science at noon on Apr. 26 as part of SK-PCAP’s Native Prairie Speaker series.

Edible Landscapes, Urban Foraging, Apr. 27 (Regina)
Join the Regina Horticultural Society for a workshop on urban foraging at 7 pm, Apr. 27.

Household Hazardous Waste Day, Apr. 29 (Prince Albert)
You can dispose of household hazardous waste in Prince Albert from 9 am to 3 pm on Apr. 29.

Breeding Bird Atlas Workshop, Apr. 29 (Saskatoon)
Find out more about the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas and how you can participate from 9 am to 3 pm, Apr. 29, in Saskatoon.

Breeding Bird Atlas Workshop, Apr. 29/30 (Fort Qu’Appelle)
Join local regional coordinators for a Breeding Bird Atlas training workshop in Fort Qu’Appelle from 7-9 pm, Apr. 29, and from 1-3 pm, Apr. 30.

People’s Climate March, Apr. 29 (Regina)
There will be a People’s Climate March in Regina from 12-2 pm, Apr. 29.

Carbonless Concert, Apr. 29 (Saskatoon)
Jason Maillet is hosting the sixth in a series of carbonless concerts from 6:30-9 pm, Apr. 29.

Looking Ahead
South American Birds & Music, May 5 (Regina)
Enjoy a presentation on grasslands conservation in South America and South American music at a fundraiser for PPPI’s Public Grasslands Defense Fund, at 7 pm, May 5, in Regina.

Meewasin Trail Count, May 13/14 (Saskatoon)
Sign up for a 1 or 2-hour count and user survey on the Meewasin Trail in May. Training sessions will be held at 12 pm, May 13 and 14.

Expedition to the Cypress Hills, June 15-18 (SK)
Join the Explorers’ Club for an expedition to the Cypress Hills, June 15-18.

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

In the News
“If we woke up tomorrow and found that half our local bird population was lying dead on our lawns, there’d be a crisis. If it happened over a lifetime, we wouldn’t notice. That’s exactly what has happened, and not just with birds.” 

Co-existence is best for sheep, wolves, and people. Let’s put an end to bounty hunts and killing contests.

Want to avoid traffic jams, pollution, and urban sprawl? Don't let people park for free.

Urban nature is full of surprises.

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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The Northeast Swale: Saskatoon's Conservation Opportunity of a Lifetime

Note: This article is based on a November 2015 conversation with Louise Jones and Candace Savage of the Northeast Swale Watchers, an advocacy group whose goal is to protect the biodiversity of the Swale.

The land whispers in your ear as you walk across the Northeast Swale. Its low-lying wetlands and rocky promontories speak of an ancient river channel, carved by the melt waters from a slow-moving glacier. Smooth, shiny areas on lichen-covered rocks tell of buffalo that halted in their journey to relieve an itch by rubbing themselves.

Pause for a moment and feel the life pulsing around you. This important fragment of an ancient prairie landscape is home to more than 100 species of birds and 200 species of plants. Listen carefully and you’ll hear the song of a meadowlark. Part the grasses at your feet and you may spy a rare crowfoot violet. Both mule deer and white-tailed deer have made this land their home. This magical landscape isn’t a remote wilderness area. Instead, it lies on the very edge of Saskatoon, soon to be surrounded by new residential neighbourhoods. The land cries out to us, demanding that we value it and protect it for future inhabitants.

From Challenge to Opportunity
The Meewasin Valley Authority and the City of Saskatoon are to be commended for recognizing the value of this urban nature preserve, but much remains to be done if we are to protect and sustain this area in the face of ongoing development.

The Northeast Swale Watchers keep a close eye on activity in and around the Swale and have a number of concerns.

Gaps in Master Plan
The City of Saskatoon and the Meewasin Valley Authority recently approved the Northeast Swale Master Plan. The plan covers the part of the Swale that is within City limits and is intended to provide comprehensive planning and resource management.

“The problem with the Plan is that it doesn’t follow through on its good intentions, says Candace Savage, a local writer and member of the Northeast Swale Watchers. “The principles are there, the language is great, but many key provisions of the plan are unsatisfactory.”

Lack of Connectivity
A significant problem is that the Master Plan doesn’t protect the ecological connectivity of the Swale. The Swale is an ancient river channel providing a natural connection to the river. Animals looking for water use the Swale to reach the river. Connected wetlands and ground water flow towards the river. Maintaining that connectivity is critical if we are to protect this natural area. Unfortunately, we seem to be breaking it up into tiny pieces.

The Plan provides for the part of the Swale that is within City limits (300 hectares, 5 kilometers long) to be dissected by four roadways, including two major new thoroughfares – the Perimeter Highway and the North Commuter Parkway. In contrast, Fish Creek Provincial Park in southwest Calgary at over 1300 hectares is one of North America’s largest urban parks. It is surrounded by urban neighbourhoods. “And yet, over its 19-kilometer length, Fish Creek Park is bisected by only two roads,” Candace says. “Somehow or other, Calgary is managing to conserve the relative ‘wholeness’ of this much-loved natural area and, at the same time, grow to support a population of 1.2 million residents.”

The Master Plan emphasizes the importance of ecological connectivity, lists the problems caused by situating two major roadways less than a kilometer apart, and yet does nothing to resolve the problem. There are solutions, such as moving the Perimeter Highway further outside of Saskatoon’s expanding city limits and connecting it with the new Warman overpass, but the Provincial Government appears unwilling to revise their outdated plans.

Good Intentions
The City of Saskatoon and the Meewasin Valley Authority have good intentions, but they fail to translate into action. Construction has already started in Aspen Ridge, but municipal officials admit they “fell down” in providing the contractors with the pre-development guidelines, which were specifically designed to protect this ecologically sensitive area.

It appears that lighting for the North Commuter Parkway will be the same as any other major arterial controlled access roadway with no allowance being made for its location in the Swale with lower speeds and a dark area where animals are expected to cross the road.

The Swale Watchers have documented examples of instructions not being passed along to sub-contractors. “It’s not good enough,” says Louise. “The City is always trying to fix things up after the fact.”

“We need to do a much better job of ensuring that what happens on the ground is what the planners envisioned,” Candace says. “It doesn’t matter if you have good intentions. What matters is what happens.”

Who Will Take Responsibility?
The Meewasin Valley Authority is responsible for long-term ecological monitoring. The City of Saskatoon and its contractors have responsibility for monitoring work in progress. The two parties appear to be passing the buck with no one currently ensuring that residential and roadway development is in line with the Northeast Swale Master Plan and guidelines.

In addition, monitoring in and of itself isn’t sufficient. What action will the City take if the work isn’t in compliance? Will they be prepared to stop work?

“Alberta has strict construction guidelines. They’re not unexpected,” Louise says. “Saskatoon shouldn’t be afraid to expect compliance. I’m sure the contractors would prefer clear guidelines from the beginning to ongoing complaints.”

“City councillors have tried to find a balance between competing interests,” Louise says. “They need to forget balance and start agreeing on priorities. Compromise means no one is happy and everything is watered down.”

Competing Priorities
Integrated project management with an overarching authority taking responsibility for ensuring that the Swale is protected would go a long way to addressing the problems which continue to arise.

Unfortunately, if there is an overarching authority, it errs on the side of promoting development. The Land branch is extremely powerful as it actually makes money, rather than simply spending it. It operates at arm’s length from the other municipal departments and has pushed development around the Swale because it owns the land, despite the fact that the local housing market is currently over-saturated.

Saskatoon should look to the City of Edmonton’s Office of Biodiversity, which coordinates biodiversity for the city, working with other departments to ensure that natural areas are protected.

What Can I Do?
As individuals, we often feel powerless. But that isn’t the case. Stewards and activists both play a vital role in protecting our natural areas.

Stewards of the Land
The Rosewood Community Association takes pride in its numerous green corridors and parks, including the Hyde Park Naturalized Area. Local residents hold regular park clean-ups and some residents, who are fortunate enough to back onto the naturalized park, are changing the plantings in their own yards so as not to introduce foreign plants into the park.

Evergreen residents, with the support of members of their community association board, have just begun setting up a Northeast Swale stewardship group. There is so much that a neighbourhood stewardship group can do to both protect and enjoy the wild area that is right on their doorstep. It could be as simple as recording the number of deer you see as you look out your window. School groups are already helping to monitor water quality, and the Meewasin Valley Authority would welcome assistance with monitoring, revegetation, and controlled burns.

The Swale is invaluable as an outdoor classroom, readily accessible from all parts of the community. Students from Saskatoon and Martensville are already visiting the Swale, taking advantage of this nearby opportunity to learn about native plants and hear the distinctive call of the meadowlark.

Conserving Nature Within City Limits
Lobbying our politicians helps to shape the political agenda. And the more voices there are, the more likely it is that our words will be heeded and acted upon.

If you want to help protect the Northeast Swale, be sure to attend the public meeting at 7 pm, November 25, 2015, at the Frances Morrison Library. A viewing of the documentary The Nature of Cities will be followed by an update on development plans for the Northeast Swale.

The Northeast Swale Watchers are also on Facebook.

See Also
Urban Planning: An Evolving Appreciation for the Northeast Swale (a conversation with Mike Velonas, Meewasin Valley Authority, and Alan Wallace, City of Saskatoon)

Giving Nature a Voice at the Urban Planning Table

The Northeast Swale: Ancient River Valley, Urban Nature Reserve

EcoSask News, November 10, 2015

Upcoming Events
Green Drinks Saskatoon, Nov. 13 
Green Drinks Saskatoon will be meeting at The Ivy restaurant at 5:30 pm, Nov. 13.

Oil Extraction Talks, Nov. 18 & 25, Dec. 2 (Regina)
Join University of Regina researchers as they share their research on oil extraction from 1-2:30 pm in ED514, University of Regina, Nov. 18, 25, and Dec. 2.

Nov. 18: Emily Eaton will examine the regulatory framework for oil and gas in the province, identifying a trend toward less oversight and industry self-regulation during a time of increased drilling and production activity.

Nov. 25: Simon Enoch will outline the expansion of rail capacity for crude oil in Saskatchewan while also assessing the adequacy of current regulations to ensure the safe transport of this volatile commodity.

Dec. 2: Dr. Sean Tucker will review the causes of the safety events at the Consumer’s Co-operative Refinery between 2011 and 2015.

Household Hazardous Waste Days, Nov. 21
The City of Saskatoon accepts household hazardous waste once a month at the SaskTel Centre from 9 am - 3:30 pm. The next Household Hazardous Waste Day is Nov. 21.

Meet Sage the Burrowing Owl, Nov. 22
Sage, the Saskatoon Zoo Society’s new burrowing owl, will be at Wild Birds Unlimited at 1 pm, Nov. 22.

Conserving Nature Within City Limits, Nov. 25
The Northeast Swale is Saskatoon’s conservation opportunity of a lifetime, but it’s threatened by development. Participate in a discussion on Conserving Nature Within City Limits from 7-9 pm, Nov. 25, at the Frances Morrison Library.

A viewing of the documentary The Nature of Cities will be followed by an update on development plans for the Northeast Swale.

#Saskatoon2Paris, Nov. 29
Join the #Saskatoon2Paris climate mobilization march at 1 pm, Nov. 29.

Winter Camp, Dec. 5-6
SaskOutdoors and Sask Parks are hosting a winter camp at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, Dec. 5-6, to give participants the skills to camp year-round comfortably.

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

Sense & Sustainability

“All our environmental problems become easier to solve with fewer people and harder – and ultimately impossible – to solve with ever more people.” Sir David Attenborough 

Sense & Sustainability, a feature-length documentary, asks the question, “Is a species set on endless growth sustainable?” exploring the scale of the human endeavour and its impact on the environment.



News
The consequences of low oil prices: “Americans are driving more miles in less fuel-efficient vehicles and taking transit less often”

Edmonton's Community Energy Transition Strategy incorporates a net zero neighbourhood, increased public transit, and renewable energy

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).

EcoSask News, October 20, 2015

Upcoming Events
Lungs, Oct. 15-25 
Lungs, a Live Five theatre production, is playing Thursdays to Sundays, Oct. 15-25. The play examines parenting in the 21st century: “Is it irresponsible to bring another person into an overcrowded world that seems doomed?”

Zoo Society Special Meeting, Oct. 28 
The Saskatoon Zoo Society is calling a special general meeting for 7 pm, Oct. 28, to vote to pursue an amalgamation with the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation. The Foundation was formed to seek funding for capital projects. It has become evident that in order to increase funding, they must demonstrate the educational value of the project as demonstrated by the Society’s activities.

SK Energy Management Task Force, Nov. 4 
The Saskatchewan Energy Management Task Force hosts monthly breakfast meetings for professionals with an interest in the effective use of energy and its related aspects. The meetings start at 7 am at the Confederation Inn. The speaker on Nov. 4 is Karen Mallory, providing an overview of ongoing projects at Sustainable Development Technology Canada.

CFZ Night of Action, Nov. 5
Climate Friendly Zone Saskatchewan is hosting an evening workshop on November 5 to help participants develop the tools they need to take action on the issues they care about. Topics will include: using social media, municipal council 101, and not-your-parents letter-writing.

Burrowing Owl Fundraiser, Nov. 7 (Moose Jaw) 
William James will host a game and hypnotist show as a fundraiser for the SK Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre at 5:30 pm, Nov. 7, in Moose Jaw.

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

News 
Have your say on the City of Saskatoon’s Growth Plan (includes an online survey)

A new app lets you buy, sell, and trade your way to reuse

A former mine is now the first large-scale solar project in Western Canada to use tracking technology

Better buses make a better city

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).

EcoSask News, August 11, 2015

Events
Old Man on His Back, Aug. 13 (Val Marie)
Natalie Nikiforuk will speak on conservation and management at Old Man on His Back at 7:30 pm, Aug. 13, in Val Marie.

Wildlife Rehab Volunteer Orientation, Aug. 16 
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan is holding a volunteer orientation session from 1-3 pm, Aug. 16, at Cabela’s in Saskatoon.

Wascana Purple Loosestrife Pull, Aug. 19
Help protect Wascana Marsh by participating in their annual Purple Loosestrife Pull from 6-9 pm, Aug. 19. RSVP if you plan to attend.

Passive House Training Opportunities
The Canadian Passive House Institute West is offering three Passive House training opportunities in Saskatchewan this fall. The courses will be conducted by Michael Nemeth, a mechanical engineer and Passive House designer.
Sept. 11, Saskatoon – 1 Day Introduction to Passive House Design and Construction
Sept. 18, Regina – 1 Day Introduction to Passive House Design and Construction
Oct. 19 – Dec. 1, Saskatoon – Passive House Night Class at Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Waste Reduction Council Regional Workshops
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council will be hosting regional workshops in September. Topics will include landfill bans, littering and illegal dumping, options for dealing with wood waste, a review of the Dishing the Dirt program, and solid waste strategies.
Sept. 15 – Melfort
Sept. 21 – North Battleford
Sept. 22 – Moose Jaw
Sept. 24 – Yorkton

Sustainable Gourmet Dinner, Sept. 19 (Saskatoon)
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is hosting their 10th Annual Sustainable Gourmet fundraising dinner on Sept. 19 at Marquis Hall, University of Saskatchewan.

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

News
The City is building roads through the North East Swale. Is there adequate protection for wildlife? Here are two points of view:
Ask your City Councillor for wildlife corridors
Wildlife corridors aren’t necessary; wildlife-friendly cross sections are sufficient

Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve is working with local municipalities and First Nations reserves to establish a regional waste management facility

University of Saskatchewan scientists are flying kites on Athabasca Glacier for water resource and climate change research

"If Canada wants to get serious about energy conservation, all new homes should be built to Passive House standards"

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).