EcoSask News, May 5, 2020

Upcoming Events (online)
Caring Sustainably for Saskatchewan, May 12-June 16 (webinars) 
The Caring Sustainably for Saskatchewan Collaboration is hosting a free webinar series on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 12 to June 16 about addressing climate change at the local and provincial levels.

Sustainability Awards, May 13 
RCE Saskatchewan's 2020 Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Event is a virtual event from 9:30-noon, May 13. To attend, email the Event Coordinator at rcesk.event@gmail.com.

Environmental Philanthropy, May 14 (webinar) 
The Sustainability Network is offering a webinar on environmental philanthropy: what now, what next? at 11 am (in Saskatchewan), May 14.

More and more events are going online. Be sure to check the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar for details.

Local News
Birds in Real Danger, Saskatoon (BIRDS) needs your help in documenting bird window strikes in order to educate the public and gain support for the adoption of bird-friendly guidelines for buildings. Contact lswr@sasktel.net and join BIRDS in looking for evidence of window strikes in Saskatoon’s downtown area, on the University campus, or in your own neighbourhood.

The University of Saskatchewan’s 2019 Sustainability Report is now available online.

A new telescope at the Sleaford Observatory near Saskatoon allows users to go online, at any time of day, using a web-based program to schedule telescope observations.

Pronghorn are no longer at risk of extinction, but they still face many barriers.

Educational Resources
Basic bike maintenance: how to do your own spring tune-up.

The NatureForAll Discovery Zone includes resources from all its partners - from videos to lesson plans, comic books to coloring books.

Students across generations are flocking to online courses on movement building and the Green New Deal.

Build your own pinhole video camera.

From Information to Action
Cleaning up orphan oil and gas wells is a good start, but we need a long-term strategy for industry responsibility, economic diversity, and sustainable systems.

A movement is growing to retrain oil workers for the emerging renewables sector.

Coronavirus counter-measures have resulted in a record drop in fossil-fuel demand, but will it have a lasting impact? [infographic]

Next to water, sand is our most consumed natural resource – and it’s becoming scarce.

Efforts to ban single-use plastic have come to a screeching halt, without evidence that plastic is safer than other reusable packaging.

The changing role of sidewalks – from hygiene to equality to transportation.

Good News
Europe's first solar panel recycling plant opens in France.

A Dutch company will lease you a pair of jeans for 12 months. When the year is up, you can keep them, exchange them, or return them for recycling.

Hydrogen has been used to power commercial steel production for the first time in a pilot project in Sweden.

The beauty and diversity of the world’s insects.

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).

New Year's Day Special

“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.” Mary Oliver 

We’re welcoming in 2019 with some new ideas.

What if . . . 

Your home was also an urban farm?

Your bike commute powered your neighbourhood?

You planted 5-10-100 trees a year for the rest of your life?

Your city was lit by glowing trees or squid-powered light bulbs?

There were more bees than humans in your city?

We heated buildings with heat pumps in our parks?

“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” Winnie the Pooh, A. A. Milne

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

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

EcoSask News, April 17, 2018

Upcoming Events
Mad Scientists, Apr. 21 (Moose Jaw) 
Kids are invited to experiment with food, electricity, building supplies, and more at the Moose Jaw Public Library, 10:30-11:30 am, Apr. 21.

A E Wilson Park Walk, Apr. 21 (Regina) 
Nature Regina is hosting a bird walk at A E Wilson Park from 9 am – 12 pm, Apr. 21.

Earth Day @ Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Apr. 22 (Regina) 
The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is hosting Earth Day celebrations on Apr. 22.

Red Squirrels, Apr. 22 (Preeceville) 
Andrea Wishart will talk about red squirrels at the Kelsey Ecological Society meeting at 2 pm, Apr. 22, Club 60, Preeceville.

A Waste-Conscious Life, Apr. 22 (Saskatoon) 
Find out how to lead a waste-conscious life at 11 am, Apr. 22, at Bulk Basket in Saskatoon.

Prairie Falcon, Apr. 23 (Moose Jaw) 
Larry Going will bring his Prairie Falcon to the Apr. 23 meeting of the Moose Jaw Nature Society.

Intro Bicycle Tune-Up Workshop, Apr. 23 (Saskatoon) 
Bridge City Bicycle Co-op is offering an introductory workshop on how to fix your bike from 6:30-8:30 pm, Apr. 23.

Trans Am Bike Race Talk, Apr. 23 (Saskatoon) 
Meaghan Hackinen will talk about her experiences as the first Canadian woman to complete the Trans Am Bike Race at 7 pm, Apr. 23.

Disruption, Apr. 25 (Regina) 
Join Cinema Politica Regina for a screening of Disruption about why we do so little when we know so much about climate change at 7 pm, Apr. 25.

Waste Reduction & Composting, Apr. 25 (Regina) 
Celebrate Earth Day by learning how to reduce waste and compost from 7-8:30 pm, Apr. 25, Central Adult Library.

Indian Elephant Conservation, Apr. 25 (Saskatoon)
Find out about Indian elephant wildlife conservation efforts at 1:30 pm, Apr. 25. Pre-registration is required as space is limited.

Help Find Hawks, Apr. 30 (Avonlea) 
Join Nature Conservancy of Canada on a ferruginous hawk survey the week of Apr. 30-May 4. Previous experience isn’t necessary.

International Dark Sky Week, April 15-21

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
Apr. 20, 7-9 pm – members-only Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Evening Visit
Apr. 26, 8 am – Meacham Artists & Sloughs (Golden Eagles)
May 3, 8:30 am – Chorney Acreage (Golden Eagles)
May 5, 9 am-12 pm – Waterfowl trip to Porter Lake
May 6, 7-9:30 am – MVA Trail Bird Walk
May 10, 7:30 am – Goose Lake (Golden Eagles)
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 Saskatoon's 2018 environmental grants support some great projects, including NatureCity Festival, waste reduction and composting, clean water, and bats

Wellington, NZ, hopes to become the first predator-free capital city in the world. But how can that be? We are all both predator and prey; altering the food chain is sure to have unintended consequences.

Restoration ecology - let nature do its work and don’t rely on biodiversity offset programs - they don’t work

What will we do with all those solar panels when their useful life is over?

Wildlife is adapting rapidly to an urban environment raising questions about the value of wildlife corridors and the use of native plants

Books on urban wildlife - New York Public Library recommendations

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, March 20, 2018

First day of Spring and World Sparrow Day - now there's cause for celebration! And there are so many interesting events to look forward to - starting tonight in Prince Albert.

Upcoming Events
Tarantulas, Mar. 20 (Prince Albert)
Scott Manly will talk about tarantulas at the 7 pm, Mar. 20, meeting of Nature Prince Albert.

Pesticides & Migratory Songbirds, Mar. 22 (Saskatoon) 
Dr. Christie Morrissey will speak on understanding pesticide threats to migratory songbirds at Wild Birds Unlimited at 7 pm, Mar. 22.

SK Science Centre @ Spring Home Show, Mar. 22-25 (Regina) 
Don’t miss the Saskatchewan Science Centre’s kids’ activities and stage shows at Regina’s Spring Home Show, Mar. 22-25.

Birds, Trees, Gardens, Compost, Mar. 23-25 (Saskatoon)
Presentations during Gardenscape will include urban trees, pesticide-free gardening, composting, and bird-safe yards.

ReVamp Upcycled Art Show, Mar. 24 (Saskatoon)
The theme of ReVamp, Alchemy’s 7th Annual Upcycled Art Show, from 7-11 pm, Mar. 24, is A Hoarder’s Paradise.

Islands of Grass, Mar. 24 (Yorkton)
Branimir Gjetvaj and Trevor Herriott will present Islands of Grass at 2 pm, Mar. 24, at Yorkton Public Library. The event is co-sponsored by the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association.

Walking Saskatoon, Mar. 25 (Saskatoon) 
Walking Saskatoon is holding a public meeting at 1 pm, Mar. 25. Topics include 22nd Street, Idylwyld Bridge, and Jane’s Walks.

Moose Jaw Nature Society, Mar. 26 (Moose Jaw)
Branimir Gjetvaj will present Islands of Grass at 7 pm, March 26, at the monthly meeting of the Moose Jaw Nature Society.

WUQWATR AGM, Mar. 27 (Lumsden)
Wascana & Upper Qu’Appelle Watersheds Association Taking Responsibility Inc. is holding its annual general meeting from 6-9 pm, Mar. 27, in Lumsden.

Enhancing Bird Habitat in a Semi-Urban Setting, Mar. 28 (webinar)
Join Renny Grilz, Meewasin Valley Authority, as he discusses enhancing bird habitat in a semi-urban setting in a Mar. 28 webinar sponsored by PCAP-SK.

Cycling Speaker Series, Mar. 29 (Saskatoon)
Cathy Watts, co-chair of Saskatoon Cycles, is the first speaker in a Cycling Speaker Series hosted by Bridge City Bicycle Co-op and the Bike Doctor at 7 pm, Mar. 29.

Wildlife Rehab Volunteer Orientation, Mar. 31 (Saskatoon) 
Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan will be hosting a volunteer orientation from 1-2:30 pm, Mar. 31, at Cabela’s in Saskatoon.

Looking Ahead
Canoe Certification Course, May 19-21 (Saskatoon) 
SaskOutdoors is offering a Paddle Canada Lake Canoe Skills (flat water) Certification Course from May 19-21 in Saskatoon.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Golden Eagles
Apr. 5, 8 am – Bluebirds in the Merrill Hills
Apr. 12, 8 am – Crocuses & Bluebirds in the NE Swale
Apr. 19, 8 am – Brightwater Marsh
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 
Mar. 29, 7-10 pm – Saw-whet Owling near Pike Lake
Apr. 7, 9 am-2 pm – Bluebird Hike to Langham Area
Apr. 11, 6:30-8 pm – Gull Identification
Apr. 14-15 – Prince Albert National Park Owling Weekend (members only)
Apr. 18, 6:30-8 pm – Crocus Evening Hike to Cranberry Flats
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 
Preliminary results indicate that Swift Current Creek’s watershed and water are in good health

Reports of hormonal disruption in birds and humans subject to artificial light at night are cause for concern

Fracked natural gas isn't a clean alternative to other fossil fuels

Do your kids love toy cars and books about trucks? Why not provide a little variety with some bike-friendly books?

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, February 13, 2018

Upcoming Events
Nature Saskatchewan Bird Walks, Feb. 17 & 18 (Regina)
Nature Saskatchewan is hosting two bird walks during the Great Backyard Bird Count: 2-4 pm, Feb. 17, Wascana Park; 1-3 pm, Feb. 18, First Nations University. Contact lweekes@naturesask.ca or 306-780-9481 to register.

Family Day Walk in the Park, Feb. 19 (Saskatoon)
SCOA Globe Walk is hosting a Family Day walk at the Forestry Farm from 1-3 pm, Feb. 19.

Nature Travels in Iceland, Feb. 19 (Regina)
Ed Rodger will provide background on the natural history and culture of Iceland at the Nature Regina meeting, 7:30-9 pm, Feb. 19.

Landscape Photography, Feb. 20 (Regina)
There will be a presentation on landscape photography at the 7 pm, Feb. 20, meeting of the Regina Photo Club.

Cinema Politica, Feb. 21 (Regina)
Cinema Politica will be showing Our Nationhood about the Listuguj Mi'gmaq people and their efforts to maintain control over the natural resources of their land at 7 pm, Feb. 21.

Saskatoon’s Sustainability Initiatives, Feb. 21 (Saskatoon)
Share in a Lunch and Learn at Saskatoon’s Innovation Place on Feb. 21 to find out about the City of Saskatoon’s sustainability initiatives.

Bike Regina AGM, Feb. 22 (Regina)
Bike Regina is holding its annual general meeting from 7-9 pm, Feb. 22.

Conservation Awareness & Appreciation Supper, Feb. 22 (Maple Creek)
Nature Saskatchewan is hosting a conservation awareness and appreciation supper, Feb. 22, in Maple Creek.

Biodiversity Conservation, Feb. 22 (e-Dialogue)
Join Nature Canada for an online conversation about drivers and barriers to biodiversity conservation on Feb. 22.

Looking Ahead
Canadian Bumble Bee Course, Mar. 14-16 (Regina)
The Canadian Bumble Bee Course, Mar. 14-16, at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, will provide participants with the skills required to accurately identify bumble bees found in Canada.

Songs 4 Nature, May 24-27 (Last Mountain Lake Regional Park)
Experienced adult songwriters are invited to create music in a natural setting and contribute to research about creativity and sense of place from May 24-27 at Last Mountain Lake Regional Park.

Great Sand Hills Photography Workshop, June 1-3 (Leader)
Join Branimir Gjetvaj from June 1-3 for a Great Sand Hills Photography Workshop.

The Urban Forest of Tomorrow, June 14-15 (Toronto)
Experts from 3 continents will guide participants through the challenges and opportunities that environmental changes pose for our urban forests, while focusing on preparing for the future, at The Urban Forest of Tomorrow conference in Toronto, June 14-15.

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

In the News
In defence of biodiversity: Carl Safina says mass extinction of species implies carelessness not necessity

11 tools for measuring urban walkability from safe, continuous walkway networks to limiting the amount of space given to motorized forms of transportation

Staying on the trail is bad for nature. Look but don't touch stops kids (and adults) from "being out there as a participating member of this beautiful, awesome, still wild world"

Green roofs and porous pavements are important tools in limiting flooding due to heavy rainfall

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).

Leave No Trace Upon the Earth but Footprints and Echoes

“Leave no trace upon the earth but the footprints of your compassion and the echoes of your laughter.” Ann Oshiro-Kauwe 

Whether we’re hiking in the woods or along a river, it seems harmless to stick a pine cone in our pocket or throw an apple core into the bushes. And yet it’s not because if each and every person did the same thing, it would have a significant impact on our natural surroundings. Over 300,000 people visited Saskatchewan’s national parks in 2015/16. To ensure that our neighbours can also enjoy our wilderness areas, each of us needs to do our part to walk gently on the land and leave no trace.

Leave No Trace Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to building awareness, appreciation, and respect for our wildlands, and EcoFriendly Sask is one of their partners.

Leave No Trace Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare (plan meals that reduce waste, hike in small groups, avoid wilderness travel during spring snow melt)

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces (stick to the trails, use established campsites when available)

Dispose of Waste Properly (bury or pack out human waste)

Leave What You Find (don’t tie tent guy lines to trees or turn over lichen-covered rocks)

Minimize Campfire Impacts (use a camp stove or a fire pan)

Respect Wildlife (observe wildlife from afar, keep food and garbage away from animals)

Be Considerate of Others (keep noise down, choose earth-toned clothing and gear to lessen visual impact)

Leave No Trace Skills
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has some additional ideas that you may not have thought of – from sleeping under the stars to cleaning your bicycle.

Even Biodegradable Camp Soap Can Pollute

Hammock Camping

Feminine Hygiene

Invasive Species and Cleaning Gear

Are You a Considerate Mountain Biker?

There Are Birds on Those Cliffs

Additional Resources
Outdoor Explorations in Saskatchewan

Adventure Smart

Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers

SaskOutdoors

EcoSask News, August 30, 2016

Coming Soon
Support Meewasin, Sept. 10 (Saskatoon)
Keep Meewasin Vital and the Broadway District Block Party 6 are hosting a Slow Roll at 10 am, Sept. 10. The Saskatoon Road Runners Association is organizing a fun run to show their support. What a great opportunity to get active and support the Meewasin Valley Authority.

Curbside Swap, Sept. 10 (Saskatoon)
Have clean, usable household items to give away? Want free stuff? Swap it at Saskatoon’s second annual city-wide Curbside Swap on Sept. 10.

EcoFriendly Sask Happy Hour, Sept. 14 (Saskatoon)
If you or your organization has received an Action Grant, been profiled on our website, or is a long-time friend of EcoFriendly Sask, please join us in celebrating our 5th birthday at the EcoFriendly Sask Happy Hour on Sept. 14. RSVP by Sept. 9.

Edenwold Fence Pull, Sept. 17 (SK)
Help pull old fencing at Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Edenwold property on Sept. 17.

Nature Grandparenting, Sept. 21-Oct. 26 (Saskatoon)
Grandparents and their 3-5 year old grandchildren are invited to participate in SaskOutdoor’s intergenerational nature program in Saskatoon on Wednesday mornings from Sept. 21 to Oct. 26 (at 9:15 or 10:30 am).

Looking Ahead
Nature Saskatchewan Fall Meet, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 (Saskatoon)
Take part in Wanuskewin, Peregrine Falcon, Whooping Crane, and Saw-whet Owl field trips and a talk by Brian Johns on “The Secret Life of Whooping Cranes Past, Present and Future” at Nature Saskatchewan’s Fall Meet, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, in Saskatoon.

Canadian Heritage Rivers Conference, Oct. 16-19 (Saskatoon)
Don’t miss the Canadian Heritage Rivers conference in Saskatoon from Oct. 16-19. The conference will explore how rivers have shaped our culture, history, science, and everyday lives in Saskatchewan and our collective Canadian identity across the country.

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

Great Waters Challenge
EcoFriendly Sask is proud to be a Network Partner for the Great Waters Challenge, an online participative game for youth under 30 to uncover water stories in their communities and share with a broader audience.



Sustainable Kids’ Camps
Three University of Saskatchewan summer camps went green this year. The Museum of Antiquities' Ancient and Medieval Adventures Camp received top honours from the University’s Office of Sustainability for reducing waste, reusing water bottles and activity supplies, and recycling. 

The AgBio Discovery Camp organized several sustainability-related outings, while the Children’s Activity Camp focused on waste reduction, including a waste-free lunch policy.

Changing Migration Patterns
Climate change and human barriers affect migrating wildlife. “By presenting the data with a flow map,” Majka says, “we're able to easily see large-scale patterns like the importance of the Appalachian spine and Rocky Mountains for allowing species to move up in elevation and up on latitude toward cooler climates.” 

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).

Spring/Summer Outdoor Explorations in Saskatchewan

Spring and summer are the perfect time to get outside and explore Saskatchewan.

We’ve put together a sampling of outdoor activities from around the province. From admiring the view from a lookout tower in Prince Albert National Park to looking for cacti, learning to paddleboard, or ensuring your kids will be safe on their next outdoor adventure – there’s something for everyone in our list of Spring/Summer Outdoor Explorations in Saskatchewan.

Spring/Summer Outdoor Explorations in Saskatchewan

See also: Winter Outdoor Explorations in Saskatchewan

Why Buy If You Can Borrow Or Repair?

Across Canada, groups are creating alternatives to the traditional consumer economy. Here are just a few examples of organizations that are modelling a sharing economy.

City Park Toy Library, Saskatoon 
The City Park Toy Library is a volunteer-run non-profit lending toys to families in all parts of Saskatoon. The Library currently houses over 200 toys suitable for children from 6 months to 6 years old. Families can borrow up to 3 toys for one month. The Library is currently open from September through June on Friday mornings from 10-11:30 and one evening a week.

The Toy Library is not just a lending library; it is also a place for children to play or complete a craft and for parents/caregivers to visit and have a cup of coffee or tea.

Thirty families are members of the Toy Library, which is currently located in City Park School, but this space isn’t permanent and the volunteers are waiting to learn Saskatoon Public Schools’ plans for the school.

The City Park Toy Library provides families with an alternative model to traditional consumerism. Rather than purchasing expensive toys that children will quickly outgrow, they can be shared and enjoyed by many. In addition, the Library diverts toy packaging waste from the landfill, models sustainable living, and builds community.

(EcoFriendly Sask provided the City Park Toy Library with a $500 grant in 2015 to purchase additional toys, particularly large ride-on toys that are popular with families.) 

Bridge City Bicycle Co-op, Saskatoon 
The Bridge City Bicycle Co-op (BCBC) is a volunteer-run, non-profit cooperative. As part of the Bike Collective Network, their goal is to help people learn about bicycles and to build community around promoting sustainable transportation. The Co-op offers a drop-in workspace, tools and supplies, and participatory bicycle maintenance education.

Youth and adults of all ages can come and learn how to fix their own bicycles or build a bicycle using donated frames and parts. Workshops range from bicycle mechanics to winter cycling. The group is currently working with Saskatoon Cycles and the Saskatoon Open Door Society to offer a cycling workshop (bike mechanics and how to ride safely in Saskatoon) for newcomers.

BCBC organizes Bike to Work Day and promotes cycling in Saskatoon. Their Facebook page offers a wealth of cycling information.

Tool Libraries 
Tools for construction and home repairs are expensive and may only be used once or twice. They can also take up a lot of space if you’re living in an apartment or rental accommodation. Non-profit tool lending libraries provide an alternative to individual purchases with a pool of tools that can be borrowed as and when needed.

There are non-profit tool libraries right across Canada. Here are two of them.

The Vancouver Tool Library has over 1,500 members. They lend out an extensive supply of tools for carpentry, metalwork, plumbing, and more. Hand tools can be borrowed for no charge while power tools can be borrowed for $2 per tool, per loan period. The Library also hosts a variety of workshops from building a birdhouse to drop-in sewing.

The Toronto Tool Library has over 5,000 tools available for loan ranging from home repair to gardening and bicycle repair, to high-tech 3-D printers and an open-source laser cutter. Members can use the Library’s wood shop during weekly community nights and supervised shop hours on Saturdays following completion of the wood shop safety certification. The Toronto Tool Library has three locations and has recently partnered with the Toronto Public Library to open a fourth at the Downsview Public Library.

The Sharing Depot 
The Toronto Tool Library has recently completed a successful fundraising campaign to establish Canada’s first library of things. The Sharing Depot plans to loan “camping equipment, board games and sports equipment, house party supplies and even kids toys.” They also expect to host monthly swapping events.

Repair Cafés 
When an electrical appliance breaks down or the leg falls off a chair, many of us don’t know how to fix it and think that the only option is to buy a new one. But that can create a tremendous amount of waste and is often unnecessary. Every community has people who are good with their hands who are pleased to share those skills and help others repair things that are broken. It’s a chance to save money, reduce waste, and pass along valuable skills.

The first repair café was held in Amsterdam in October 2009. There are now over 1,000 around the world.

Repair Café Toronto hosts monthly gatherings in which volunteer “fixers” help visitors learn how to repair for free. The events are hosted by local community centres, branches of the Toronto Public Library, and other community-based organizations.

Repair Café Toronto “supports the model of the sharing economy through building a community where people with repair skills are valued and organizations collaborate and innovate for the common good.”

The Regina Public Library hosted its first repair café in March 2016.

Additional Resources 
Share, Swap and Borrow Your Way to Zero Waste
How to Saw off the High Costs of Owning Tools (Ottawa Tool Library)
How to Host a Repair Café
How Farnham UK’s Repair Café Takes a Bite out of Waste
Where Does Discarded Clothing Go?
The Rise of Mending: How Britain Learned to Repair Clothes Again
The Sharing Depot: Canada's First Library of "Stuff"

Photo Credit: City Park Toy Library, Bridge City Bicycle Co-operative, Vancouver Tool Library, Repair Café Toronto

EcoSask News, December 15, 2015

Upcoming Events
Restoration Training Workshop, Feb. 16
A one-day workshop on natural processes for the restoration of drastically disturbed sites will be held in Saskatoon on Feb. 16 in advance of the Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference.

Saskatchewan Living Green Expo, Feb. 26-28
The Saskatchewan Living Green Expo showcases local, environmentally friendly products and services as well as talks by green living experts. This year's expo will be held at Prairieland Park from Feb. 26-28.

Winter Biking
FatLanders FatTire Brigade is the only known FatBike specific cycling club in Canada. Their members organize weekly rides throughout the winter and will be hosting several special events in conjunction with the Wintershines Festival in January.

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

News
Congratulations! 
Stuart Houston is the 2015 recipient of the Meewasin Conservation Award which is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the natural heritage resources of the Meewasin Valley. Stuart is recognized as one of the leading authorities on birds in Canada.

Rethinking Garbage Routes
Using real-time data collected over the past few months, the City of Saskatoon is launching new garbage and recycling collection routes that have been optimised to make trips as short and direct as possible, reducing fuel consumption and reducing the City’s carbon footprint.

Wolseley Nature Trails
The Wolseley Nature Conservation Society’s nature trails are designed to bring people together to enjoy nature.

Ships, Trucks & Trains
With 47,000 ships and 3 million trucks transporting goods around the world, opportunities to reduce our impact abound.

A Civilization Reboot
Nine issues for climate change leaders to think about after COP21 – from the easy to the very, very hard.

Spain’s Most Walkable City 
54% of trips are made by foot in Vitorio-Gasteiz, Spain. And, instead of a ring road, they’re building a 1,000 hectare greenbelt.

Social Tech Guide
The Social Tech Guide highlights 1000 social ventures that are addressing complex social challenges through digital technology. Ventures range from the next generation of wind and solar technology to divers mapping and clearing ocean debris.

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).