EcoSask News, February 12, 2019

Upcoming Events
Waterfowl & Wetland Conservation, Feb. 15 (Saskatoon)
Howie Harshaw will share insights from waterfowl hunter and birdwatcher surveys into the human dimensions of waterfowl and wetland conservation at 3:30 pm, Feb. 15, as part of the WildEcol seminar series at the U of S.

Repair Café Prince Albert, Feb. 16 (Prince Albert)
Share and learn skills to repair things at Repair Café Prince Albert from 1-4 pm, Feb. 16.

Wascana Solar Co-op Group Buy, Feb. 16 (Regina)
Wascana Solar Co-op’s next group buy will be opening on Feb. 16 and will close Mar. 31. Contact groupbuy@wascanasolarco-op.com to apply and for additional information.

South American Birds, Feb. 18 (Regina) 
Ed Rodger will give an overview of the South American pampas and birds from 7:30-9:30 pm, at the Feb. 18 meeting of Nature Regina.

Urban, Native & Invasive Plant Species, Feb. 19 (Regina) 
Join WUQWATR from 1-4 pm, Feb. 19, at the Sunrise Library for an information session about urban, native, and invasive plant species. There will be family-friendly activities such as seed planting. Contact WUQWATR at 306-529-5125 or Courtney@wuqwatr.ca to reserve your free spot!

Bridging the Gap, Feb. 19 (Saskatoon) 
Climate Justice Saskatoon will share their experience talking to people in the coal-producing communities of Estevan and Coronach from 7-8:30 pm, Feb. 19, as part of the Sustainable Speaker Series organized by the Saskatoon Public Library and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society.

Composting at Innovation Place, Feb. 19 (Saskatoon)
Saskatoon’s Innovation Place has launched a pilot organic waste management program. Tenants can find out more about this program at lunchtime on Feb. 19.

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

In the News
The Electronic Recycling Association's Saskatoon depot collects unwanted/malfunctioning computers and electronic devices and donates the refurbished items to Canadian charities.

Premier Scott Moe has likely already won big by taking on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the carbon tax.

It's not enough to simply establish an urban nature reserve. It will require ongoing monitoring and community education. A bronze statue of a beaver wouldn't hurt either.

Gathering customer feedback is vital for non-profits as well as businesses.

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).

Honouring Saskatoon's Trees - SOS Elms Coalition

Saskatoon Tree Tour
SOS Elms Coalition has published a full-colour, completely revised and expanded edition of their Saskatoon Tree Tour guide to some of Saskatoon’s special trees.

A map pinpoints the locations of the trees and each tree site’s page includes its address as well as background information and anecdotes.

The guide also lists a number of tree destination sites, such as the Memorial Avenue in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Copies of the Saskatoon Tree Tour are available by donation at the following locations:
Steep Hill Food Co-op, Broadway Avenue
The Better Good, Broadway Avenue
Wild Birds Unlimited, 8th Street
You can also send a request to soselms@soselms.org.

Kyla Ledingham has written a supplementary guide to some special trees at Innovation Place.

SOS Elms Coalition AGM & Speakers
SOS Elms Coalition is holding their annual general meeting on Sunday, April 26, 2015, from 2 to 4 pm at the Marr Residence, 326 11th Street East. Everyone is invited to attend and will receive a free copy of the Saskatoon Tree Tour.

There will be two guest speakers from the City of Saskatoon. Paula Kotasek-Toth, a Senior Planner with the Planning and Development Division, will provide a short overview of the current infill guidelines. Scott Kindrat, Urban Forestry Technician in Urban Forestry, will provide an overview of what they are doing to protect trees during the demolition and construction process.

A Blessing for the Woods
Before I leave, almost without noticing,
before I cross the road and head toward
what I have intentionally postponed—

Let me stop to say a blessing for these woods:
for crows barking and squirrels scampering,
for trees and fungus and multi-colored leaves,

for the way sunlight laces with shadows
through each branch and leaf of tree,
for these paths that take me in,
for these paths that lead me out.
Michael S. Glaser