EcoSask News, October 12, 2021

Upcoming Events 

There will be a virtual Wild Ecol Seminar Series presentation on pronghorn and mountain goat population monitoring at 3:30 pm, Oct. 15. 

Ryan Fisher will describe a day in the life of the curator of vertebrate zoology at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum at Nature Regina’s meeting at 7:30 pm, Oct. 18. 

The Saskatchewan Environmental Society and the Saskatoon Public Library are offering an online presentation from 7-8:30 pm, Oct. 19, on uranium: premises, promises & predicaments. 

There will be an online presentation on eagle research and conservation in the intermountain west at the Saskatoon Nature Society meeting at 7:30 pm, Oct. 21. 

Looking Ahead 

The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council is hosting a fall workshop from 9-11:45 am, Nov. 4. 

SaskOutdoors is offering a remote first aid course in Lumsden Nov. 12-14. 

Full event details are available on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Local News 

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo has won an industry excellence award for the prairie dog exhibit and the Saskatoon Zoo Society for its virtual environmental education programs for children in K-8 that incorporate real-time animal interactions. [City of Saskatoon] 

The Saskatoon Freeway project has released its preferred route following public consultation. In addition, Partners for Growth has released a planning district zoning bylaw.

 

Peaceful Coexistence 

“When negative encounters arise between wildlife and humans, it isn’t a sign that coexistence is failing; it’s a sign that it’s time for those efforts to begin in earnest. Coexistence is a daily intention. A thoughtful and regular pursuit of behaviours and philosophy that humans and wild animals can adapt to living in the same spaces.” [The Fur-Bearers] 

The West is a “wiry place, containing enough fencing to circle the equator 25 times. Sage grouse, peregrine falcons, and other birds collide with fences, and ungulates must navigate an endless obstacle course.” Fences trap, injure, and kill large animals; separate mothers from calves; and exclude herds from prime habitat. The research done by fence ecologists will be important in identifying solutions. [Undark] 

Energy Gains & Losses 

Interprovincial connections between electricity grids are an essential element in delivering the clean electricity that is the key to decarbonizing Canada’s economy. [Pembina Institute] 

The environmental impact of using a ride-hailing app (Uber or Lyft) is 30-35% greater than using a personal vehicle, even if the entire app-based fleet is electric. Any potential benefits are lost when an Uber or Lyft driver travels from one drop-off to the next pickup, or simply drives around waiting for their next fare to be assigned. “Taxes and other public policy approaches could help hold down the external costs of app-based travel, the researchers suggest, for example by encouraging ride-pooling through Uber and Lyft, encouraging app-based travel to destinations where parking is in especially short supply, and discouraging it on routes that are already well served by public transit.” [Anthropocene]

 

Not in my Back Yard? 

“Why do insects have to be either beneficial or pests?” Every insect species is an essential “part of a complex web of interacting communities and ecosystems. Every (native) species plays an integral role that would be missed if it were gone … If you lean into the idea that you’re creating [garden] habitat for as many species as you can, success comes easily. Instead of worrying about what’s eating your plants, you’ll start to notice which plants attract the most caterpillars or grasshoppers. Then, you’ll notice where the crab spiders or assassin bugs like to hang out, trying to take advantage of that abundance of prey. Birds will appear too, catching those insects to feed their families or fuel their migration flights. A complex mass of dynamic interactions will be taking place literally in your back yard – and you’ll have a front row seat.” [The Prairie Ecologist] 

Check out EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces. 

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or subscribing by email (top right corner).

EcoSask News, May 11, 2021

This Week’s Highlights 

The Provincial Association of Resort Communities of Saskatchewan is hosting a series of webinars on water, including one on the rights of nature at 7 pm, May 19. 

Natures Wild Neighbours Society invites you to upload your nature-inspired art, photography, writing, video, or music entry before June 1, 2021, for a chance to win some wild prizes (full contest details). 

Upcoming Events 

Permaculture Saskatchewan is holding its annual general meeting online at 7 pm, May 17. 

Join Nature Regina from 7-8:30 pm, May 17, for a presentation on the Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project. Several Nature Regina members have been selected to be Butterflyway rangers. 

There will be a virtual panel discussion on climate risk disclosure and Saskatchewan business from 12-1:30 pm, May 18. Register early to avoid disappointment. 

For Our Kids Saskatchewan will share information and ideas for climate action from 7-8:30 pm, May 20, online. 

SaskOutdoors is offering a Paddle Canada Lake Canoe course in Saskatoon from May 22-24. 

Looking Ahead 

The Society for Range Management – Prairie Parkland Chapter is holding a hands-on/virtual learning workshop on May 26-27 entitled Back to the Field: Discovering the Dunes in Dundurn: Range Health and Rare Plants. 

SaskOutdoors is hosting a remote first aid workshop near Saskatoon on June 5-6. 

Local News 

The public is invited to complete an online survey between May 12 and June 2 on the City of Saskatoon's proposed Renewable Energy Strategy that will inventory, analyze, and prioritize renewable energy options in Saskatoon based on their financial, environmental, and social impacts.

A grade 7 class from Lac La Ronge Indian Band has collected over 20,000 signatures calling on the government to reject a proposal to mine peat moss near La Ronge. 

Urban Transit 

Take a close look at all the different modes of urban transit and there’s one that stands head and shoulders above all the others in terms of environmental impact – cycling. “We need more bikes generally and more e-bikes specifically on the road, which means your city needs to invest in bike-lane infrastructure to make people safe and comfortable on two wheels.” 

The City of Orlando is rewarding its citizens for walking, cycling, and taking public transit. 

Energy 

An Alberta farmer is taking abandoned oil well sites and transforming them into solar farms. “Farmers get new lease revenues, counties get taxes lost from abandoned wells and presto energy transition.” 

“Anyone doing home renovations or a new build should take time to ensure their electrical grid is equipped to handle an electric-vehicle charging station.” 

“Creepy Crawlies” 

Pesticides are killing the earthworms, beetles, ants, and other soil-dwelling invertebrates that are critical to maintaining healthy soils. 

“Spiders need our help, and we may need to overcome our biases and fears to make that happen.” Spiders have “enormous ecological value as food for birds and other animals. They’re also important to people, both as predators of pest species and as inspiration for medicines and engineering.” 

Did you know? Grass Spider are also called Funnel Weaver Spider as they construct a flat, horizontal web across the grass or around buildings with a funnel on one side where they hide. The web isn't sticky, but it slows down any insects (usually flying ones) that try to cross it. The spider then rushes out from where it is hiding to grab its prey. (Nature Companion)

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner). 

Safe Outdoor Adventures for Kids

Rebecca Basset is the founder of Back40 Wilderness First Aid Training and a long-time member of Saskatoon Search and Rescue. She’s also the mother of two teenage daughters, so she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to bear in ensuring today’s kids can have fun and stay safe outdoors. 

Rebecca grew up in a small rural town. Her family didn’t go on camping trips, but she had the freedom to roam the “back 40” on her grandparent’s farm, to camp in a bluff of trees on the outskirts of town, to explore the creek, and toboggan on her own. Today’s kids don’t have the same freedom, leaving it up to parents to create opportunities for outdoor experiences. Parents recognize that risky play is good for kids, but they also want to ensure their children’s safety. 

“When I joined Saskatoon Search and Rescue, I really connected with the modern idea of outdoor adventure,” Rebecca says. “It reignited the part of me that always wanted to be outdoors as well as reinforcing my belief in the importance of being prepared.” Rebecca began hiking and camping more, at first by herself but then with her family. 

“Keeping it safe depends on the right choice of activity, place, and equipment,” she says. It’s also about progressively introducing new elements. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of starting small and building up to bigger adventures. “If I’m comfortable, then I’m comfortable taking my kids,” Rebecca says. For example, Rebecca rented a paddleboard for her first trips and stayed local. Once that felt comfortable, she bought her own paddleboard and started going on overnight trips. It was only once she felt completely comfortable on her solo adventures that she introduced her kids to paddleboarding – for a local trip on a day when the weather was great. 

Be Prepared 

Safe outdoor adventures start at home by ensuring that you are ready and equipped for your adventure. Being prepared encompasses everything from checking the weather forecast to ensuring you have the appropriate equipment (and that it’s in good working order). Be sure you have a backup plan. And be sure you carry a first aid kit. 

“There’s no excuse for not taking a first aid kit,” Rebecca says. “It doesn’t have to be a large massive bag. Kids can carry a zippy bag with bandaids, tensor bandage, and gauze. I have a few extra things in my kit.” Rebecca firmly believes that kids of all ages should have a backpack and carry some of their own gear. 

All children should have water, a jacket, extra socks or mitts, and a whistle (“Kids’ voices don’t carry far in the woods,” Rebecca says). 

A head lamp or flashlight is also recommended. “We get into the trap of only packing for the immediate activity rather than being prepared for future needs,” Rebecca explains. “Packing a head lamp means you can stay out late and watch the sunset or have parental peace of mind if your child gets lost and you’re searching for them in the dark.” 

When her kids were small, Rebecca always included a small toy in their backpacks to distract them if they were bored or alone. “It’s healthy preparedness,” Rebecca says. “If they were to get lost, I’d feel better knowing that they had something to help them through the hours until I can find them.” 

What is included in your child’s backpack will change as they grow older. Rebecca’s daughters now carry a knife and firestarter because they’ve been taught how and when to use them to start a fire. 

Progressive Adventures 

Some of Rebecca’s first trips with her family were to familiar places such as Beaver Creek. It felt far away, but it was still close to home. It was practice for her as a mother but an adventure for the kids. 

Once you and your kids are comfortable with an activity and have gained confidence in your abilities, you’re ready to take it to the next level, such as multi-day activities or better equipment. Rebecca’s daughters are now operating their own snowmobiles, but they’ve built up to that degree of power and speed, and Rebecca is comfortable about their safety. 

Resources 

There is a wealth of online information. The EcoFriendly Sask website lists opportunities for summer and winter outdoor adventures as well as a list of nature programs for kids. Both Nature Regina and Wild About Saskatoon offer outdoor activity guides for their respective cities, and SaskOutdoors offers a wide range of workshops and activities. 

Rebecca highly recommends the AdventureSmart and Hug a Tree and Survive programs that help lost kids survive in the woods. “As a parent, it’s my worst nightmare if I couldn’t find my child,” Rebecca says. “I’ve always taught them what to do if lost.” 

Rebecca’s company, Back 40 Wilderness First Aid, offers a variety of wilderness first aid courses. In addition to the certification programs, she offers custom classes that can be tailor-made to fit a family or an organization’s particular needs. Rebecca is also considering offering youth courses in future. 

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner).

EcoSask News, August 11, 2020

Upcoming Events
Native Plant Gardens, Aug. 15 (Regina) 
Families can learn about native plants and participate in a flower scavenger hunt on a visit to several of Regina’s native plant gardens from 10 am-12 pm, Aug. 15. RSVP to Nature Regina to confirm participation.

WUQWATR AGM, Aug. 27 (online & Lumsden) 
WUQWATR is holding its annual general meeting at 3:30 pm, Aug. 27. Members are encouraged to participate virtually due to limited space for in-person attendance in Lumsden. RSVP to Kirsten Colvin at 306-946-6533 or info@wuqwatr.ca

50th Anniversary Picnic, Aug. 30 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a riverside picnic from 12:30-2 pm, Aug. 30. Registration is required as participation is limited to 30 people.

Looking Ahead
Standard Wilderness First Aid Recertification, Oct. 17 (Regina) 
SaskOutdoors is offering a standard wilderness first aid recertification course from 8 am-6 pm, Oct. 17, in Regina.

Wilderness First Aid, Oct. 23-25 (Lumsden) 
SaskOutdoors is offering a 20-hour basic wilderness first aid course in Lumsden from Oct. 23-25.

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

Local News
Saskatoon’s Compost Coaches are back in business answering inquiries and offering online workshops.

The City of Saskatoon is proposing an energy loan program and would like residents’ input on priorities and potential concerns. Respond to the public survey by Friday, Aug. 14.

Proponents of coal-fired carbon capture projects "are selling an unproven dream that in all likelihood will become a nightmare for unsuspecting investors”

The Bobolink combines its musical voice with that of the Frenchman River. [audio]

From Information to Action
Wilfred Buck “has helped inspire a new generation of Indigenous astronomy leaders—not just among elementary and high-school educators but also in university departments across North America.” There are plans to hold an international Indigenous star conference in Canada in 2021.

China Goes Green: Coercive Environmentalism for a Troubled Planet by Yifei Li and Judith Shapiro is “a nuanced account of what China has done so far, and what lessons the world can learn from the authoritarian tone of environmentalism in China.” [book review]

The cliff-face front grille on trucks was deliberately designed to create an angry, aggressive face that will intimidate pedestrians – and it’s deadly

Bioplastic - there are limits to its usefulness. [infographic]

A new lithium-ion battery storage facility in Alberta has been designed to store energy from a nearby wind farm and discharge it when needed.

Nature’s Wonders 
Communal latrines keep river otters “up to date on who is around, how they are feeling, and who’s ready to have babies.”

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). 

Check out EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces

EcoSask News, August 4, 2020

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 

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.

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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.

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

Check out EcoFriendly Sask’s Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces

EcoSask News, June 9, 2020

Upcoming Events
Young Naturalists Bluebird Trail, June (Saskatoon) 
Sign up to participate in the Saskatoon Young Naturalists bluebird monitoring trail program on June 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, or 24. Register early as dates are filling up fast.

Plants of the Opimihaw Valley, June 11 (online) 
Find out about the plants of the Opimihaw Valley from 12-12:30 pm, June 11, as part of Wanuskewin’s Snax & Facts series.

Teacher/Outdoor Educator Forum, June 11/12 (online) 
SaskOutdoors is hosting a follow-up forum for teachers and outdoor educators on June 11 and 12 with various time slots for different age groups.

Wascana Marsh Tour, June 13 (Regina) 
Take a guided tour of Wascana Marsh at 11 am, June 13, by emailing friendsofwascanamarsh@gmail.com or download a self-guided tour pamphlet.

Native Prairie Appreciation Week, June 14-20 (online) 
Native Prairie Appreciation Week 2020 is online with a video, webinars (including one with Candace Savage), a plant Id presentation and quiz.

Woodland Caribou, June 16 (online) 
There will be a webinar on the efficacy of habitat restoration for woodland caribou at 2 pm, June 16. Email Caribou.Webinars@gmail.com to participate.

Navigating Risky Play, June 16 (online) 
SaskOutdoors is hosting a webinar on navigating risky outdoor play from 11 am-noon, June 16.

Overnight/Emergency Preparedness, June 17 (online) 
Join SaskOutdoors and Back40 Wilderness First Aid for a webinar about overnight/emergency preparedness from 7:30-8:30 pm, June 17.

Teacher/Outdoor Educator Discussion Panel, June 18 (online)
SaskOutdoors is hosting an online panel discussion with experienced environmental educators sharing their tips for taking learning outside from 11am-noon, June 18.

Wilderness First Aid, June 19-21 (Saskatoon) 
Back40 Wilderness First Aid Training is offering a 20-hour wilderness first aid training course in Saskatoon June 19-21.

Looking Ahead
Waste ReForum, July 14-16 (online) 
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council has switched to an online format for this year's Waste ReForum from 10:30 am-3 pm, July 14-16.

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

Local News
Sign up for Nature Regina’s newsletter and receive information about self-directed family hikes, citizen science projects, and much more.

The University of Saskatchewan has been awarded a $2.5 million grant to increase climate change education, training and public awareness on a global scale.

University of Saskatchewan researchers have developed an app that shows the economic value of shelterbelts while helping landowners determine the best trees to grow.

Where you live in Saskatchewan has an impact on your attitudes towards power production sources.

Stories along the Qu’Appelle Valley offers land-based Indigenous wisdom from Treaty 4 territory, the land of the Saulteaux-Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, and Nakota peoples.

From Information to Action
The incredibly biodiverse world of soil and how it connects to the ground above that we as humans inhabit

Back Market is an online retail platform for secondhand electronics. “They sell refurbished goods through a network of partners, with careful vetting to ensure quality. That allows them to offer a warranty and to provide customer service.”

Rattlesnake populations are declining, and that’s a problem because they’re “key players in grassland food chains, acting as mid-level predators that control rodent populations and serve as a food source for larger predators.”

Manitoba’s Boreal Wetlands Conservation Codes of Practice are designed to “provide guidance on how to avoid, minimize, and offset impacts to boreal wetlands that result from resource roads, access roads, and crossings.”

Austin, TX, is keeping racial equity front and centre in revising its community climate plan.

Conservation planning should ensure a network of protected areas that plants and animals can retreat to as their habitats are altered due to climate change.

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 19, 2020

Upcoming Events
Genereux Park/Baker Area Eco-Quest (ongoing) 
Join a virtual eco-quest of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and/or the George Genereux Urban Park.

Gardening @ USask, May 19 & 26 (online)
The University of Saskatchewan is offering a variety of online gardening workshops: Compost 101: Scraps to Soil – May 19, 7 pm; The Growing Buzz (bees) – May 26, 7 pm.

Rubbish Roundup, May 20-24 (Saskatoon) 
Join Saskatoon's Rubbish Roundup, May 20-24, organized by Wildernook Fresh Air Learning. For each bag of garbage collected and reported, EcoFriendly Sask will donate $10 to the charity of your choice (Saskatoon Search and Rescue, Saskatoon Crisis Nursery, or One School One Farm.

TimberNook Family Sessions, May 20-June 27 (Saskatoon) 
TimberNook Saskatoon is hosting self-guided outdoor family experiences in May/June. Week-day, evening, and Saturday time slots are available.

Covid-19 & Energy Transition, May 20 (online) 
Martin Boucher will focus on the recent COVID-19 pandemic and its implications on climate change and the energy transition from 12-1 pm, May 20.

First Aid for Day Trips, May 21 (webinar) 
SaskOutdoors and Back40 Wilderness First Aid Training are offering a mini first aid webinar on how to prepare for day trips from 7:30-8:30 pm, May 21.

Candace Savage’s Prairie Live, May 27 (online) 
Join Candace Savage online at Cranberry Flats from 12-1 pm, May 27, for the launch of the revised edition of Prairie: A Natural History of the Heart of North America.

Forum for Educators, May 29 (online) 
SaskOutdoors is hosting an online forum from 10-11 am, May 29, to discuss how to bring outdoor and environmental education into remote teaching.

May Day Bird Count, May 30 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatoon Nature Society is inviting experienced birds who are healthy and not in quarantine to participate in the May Bird Count. Different sectors (or sub-sectors) will be assigned to each individual or family to follow Covid-safe self-isolation steps. Email your name, phone number, and email address to trips@saskatoonnature.org if you wish to participate. If you have questions, call Stan Shadick at 306.652.5975.

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

Local News
EnviroCollective (Regina) has teamed up with Climate Reality Canada to form a climate hub. They’re looking for supporters and Climate Hub Captains.

From Information to Action
Cobalt is critical to the renewable energy transition. How can we minimize its social and environmental cost?

“We should be aiming to identify diseases in other animals as early as possible, when there’s still a chance of preventing them from spreading to humans.”

To ensure healthy bird populations, cities need to increase their insect populations by planting trees and incorporating good management practices in their green spaces.

Tips for helping trees and beavers to coexist side by side.

Energy
White River First Nation plans to construct the largest solar farm in the Yukon as well as a biomass plant and district heating system.

How can we promote a green recovery with renewables emerging stronger than ever?

Books
The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think by Jennifer Ackerman reveals that birds are “capable of nuanced, highly intelligent behavior that we once believed to be uniquely human.”

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make our Worlds, Change our Minds and Shape our Futures by Martin Sheldrake opens up “a vast unseen world that surrounds each one of us.”

Tearfund’s The World Rebooted – how can you, your church, and your network play a part in reshaping society?

Read an extract from Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty, a 16-year-old nature writer, who describes bats as origami taking flight.

Even successful scientists struggle – 14 books to motivate teens to study science.

Natural Wonders
“Ants use their numbers to overcome navigational challenges that are too large and disorienting to be tackled by any single individual.”

“Older barn owl chicks will share food with younger ones.”

The tenacity of trees: surviving – and thriving – in difficult circumstances.

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, June 18, 2019

Upcoming Events
Household Hazardous Waste Days, June 21/22 (Regina)
City of Regina is holding household hazardous waste days on June 21 and 22.

Green Initiatives, June 22/23 (Gravelbourg)
Gravelbourg Green Vert Initiatives will be at Gravelbourg’s Summer Solstice Festival, June 22-23, with information on recycling, waste reduction, and helping the environment.

Butterfly Count, June 23 (Fort Qu’Appelle) 
The Fort Qu’Appelle Nature Society is holding its annual butterfly count on June 23, weather permitting. Contact Keith at 306.334.2862 if you would like to participate.

Ask-Me Cart Volunteers, June 24 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatoon Zoo Society is holding a training session for summer weekend interpreters for their biological artefact carts from 6-8 pm, June 24. Email info@saskatoonzoosociety.ca to register.

Rural Communities & Climate Change, June 25 (webinar) 
The Sustainability Network and the National Farmers Union – Ontario are offering a webinar on how to engage rural communities on climate change at 11 am CST, June 25.

Looking Ahead 
Prairie Wind Art Exhibits, June 27 (Val Marie) 
Meet the artists of Prairie Wind & Silver Sage’s current art exhibits – The Living Grasslands, photographs by James R. Page, and Small Works from a Big Land with artwork from across the province – from 7:30-9 pm, June 27.

Wilderness First Aid, Sept. 13-15 (Lumsden) 
SaskOutdoors is hosting a wilderness first aid training course Sept. 13-15 at Lumsden.

Saskatoon Nature Society
Golden Eagles 
June 20, 7:30 am – NCC property near Maymont
July 11, 8 am – Birds, Gardens & Art
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate.

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
June 26, 7:15-8:30 pm - May Haga Memorial Bird Walk
July 1, 9:15 am-2 pm – Wild Orchids Field Trip
July 6, 8:45 am-? – North American Butterfly Count
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 
Saskatoon’s swales are under threat says a recent report by a U of S graduate student. We can have “a functioning native prairie landscape with its biodiversity and wetlands intact, or some more roads and buildings,” but we can’t have both.

Why construct artificial wetlands and stormwater retention ponds if natural wetlands such as Saskatoon’s Northeast Swale are already available?

Canada’s clean energy sector is growing faster than the rest of the country’s economy.

The province of Manitoba has established a $52 million fund to pay farmers for preserving and protecting wetlands on their farms.

The number of plants that have disappeared from the wild is more than twice the number of extinct birds, mammals, and amphibians combined.

Why are highway expansion projects approved with little debate or criticism, while more cost effective and beneficial bikeway and bus service improvements controversial and unfunded?

Victoria, BC, hopes to create life-long transit users by offering free transit to youth under 18.

Canada’s hospitals couldn’t function without single-use plastics.

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, January 29, 2019

Upcoming Events
Pesticides in the Prairie Pothole Region, Feb. 1 (Saskatoon) 
Egina Malaj will discuss the ecological assessment of pesticides in the Prairie Pothole Region at 3:30 pm, Feb. 1, as part of the WildEcol seminar series at the U of S.

AB/SK Renewable Energy Summit, Feb. 4-5 (Calgary) 
Find out about renewable energy project and investment opportunities at the AB/SK Renewable Energy Summit, Feb. 4-5, in Calgary.

Retro-commissioning, Feb. 6 (Saskatoon)
Ken Coutu will discuss retro-commissioning at the Feb. 6 breakfast meeting of the Energy Management Task Force.

Project Wet, Feb. 8 (Saskatoon) 
SaskOutdoors is hosting a Project Wet workshop on Feb. 8 at the University of Saskatchewan.

Looking Ahead
Nature Play: Winter Edition, Feb. 12 (Saskatoon) 
Early years educators are invited to discover ways to embed outdoor learning experiences in their winter program from 1-3 pm, Feb. 12.

Cold Weather First Aid, Feb. 16 (Saskatoon) 
SaskOutdoors and Back40 Wilderness First Aid Training are offering anyone who plays outside a short refresher in winter first aid skills for hypothermia and minor injuries from 1:30-4 pm, Feb. 16.

True Nature Writing, Feb. 28-Mar. 21 (online) 
SaskOutdoors is partnering with writer Joyce Belcher to offer a 4-session, online class in nature writing from Feb. 28-Mar. 21.

Building Operator Training, Mar. 1 (Regina), Mar. 29 (Saskatoon) 
Do you operate a building? Would you like to save money? The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is offering a building operator training course in energy conservation on Mar. 1 in Regina and Mar. 29 in Saskatoon.

SWRC Waste Reforum, Apr. 10-12 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council will be hosting their annual conference in Saskatoon from Apr. 10-12. The theme is Home Grown: Local Problems. Local Solutions. There will be a pre-conference workshop on Applying Design Thinking to Recycling Right.

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

In the News
Saskatchewan's methane regulations ignore more than 40% of the province's methane emissions, contain loopholes, and lack strong measurement and reporting standards.

Coyotes and foxes help fight Lyme disease by killing rodents.

Starting in 2020, all new homes in California will have rooftop solar.

Offering everything from cement mixers to air compressors as well as classes in how to use them, the West Philly Tool Library makes home repairs and maintenance more affordable.

Vancouver is initiating a one-year mentorship program to assist young women to became climate leaders in their field.

"If we're going to fly, it should be for truly extraordinary and important reasons."

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 30, 2018

Upcoming Events 
Going Solar in SK, Nov. 1 (Regina) 
Find out about solar energy in Saskatchewan fromSkyFire Energy from 6:30-8 pm, Nov. 1, at the Regina Science Centre.

Regional Approaches to Energy Diversification, Nov. 7 (Saskatoon) 
Sandra Moore will discuss regional approaches to energy diversification at the Nov. 7 breakfast meeting of SK Energy Management Task Force.

Walking Saskatoon, Nov. 4 (Saskatoon) 
Everyone is welcome to attend Walking Saskatoon’s meeting from 1-2:30 pm, Nov. 4, at Tastebuds Café, 1624 Lorne Avenue. Discussion topics will include infill housing, loss of traffic safety revenue, and progress on Vision Zero.

Radiance Cohousing Open House, Nov. 10 (Saskatoon) 
Tour Radiance Cohousing, a cohousing project pursuing Passive House certification, on Nov. 10.

Looking Ahead
Indigenous Green Energy Forum, Nov. 21 (Saskatoon)
First Nations Power Authority is hosting the 4th annual Indigenous Green Energy Forum from 8 am-4 pm, Nov. 21, in Saskatoon.

EcoHack, Nov. 23-25 (Saskatoon) 
Participate in EcoHack, Nov. 23-25 at the U of S, and help solve local environmental and sustainability challenges.

Wilderness First Aid, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 (Saskatoon) 
SaskOutdoors is hosting a Wilderness & Remote First Aid Workshop Nov. 30-Dec. 2 (location near Saskatoon).

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

In the News
Regina commits to 100% renewable energy by 2050 

There’s been lots of news coverage of this past weekend’s Just Transitions Summit. Here are articles from Global News and CBC

A proposed diamond mine on sacred Indigenous territory in Fort a la Corne forest passes environmental review. The proposed site would cover 9200 hectares in the forest

University of Saskatchewan environmental law professor Jason McLean says we should kill Bill C-69 as it undermines efforts to tackle climate change. The alternative? "Canada should assess all economic projects on the cumulative basis of a “net contribution to sustainability test.” If a proposed project doesn’t make an overall contribution to sustainability and decarbonization, then it doesn’t proceed." 

Some ecologists believe that we should save endangered species by introducing them into our cities - not everyone agrees

Batteries will always have adverse environmental impacts, but ongoing development and invention can do much to minimize them

The sharing economy continues to expand - swap goods or expertise for accommodation during Barter Week

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).