EcoSask News, January 11, 2021

Upcoming Events 

EMTF-SK is hosting an online presentation on developing Saskatchewan’s sustainable energy economy at 7:30 am, Jan. 12. 

The Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy is hosting a video conference on building an equitable Canadian science system from 12-1 pm, Jan. 13. 

Nature Regina is hosting an online presentation on Indigenous peoples’ rights and environmental protection at 7 pm, Jan. 17. 

Saskatoon Nature Society is hosting an online presentation on invertebrate diversity, distribution, and ecology at 7:30 pm, Jan. 20. 

Nature Saskatchewan is hosting an online nature trivia night at 7 pm, Feb. 9. 

Full details on all upcoming events are listed on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Consumer Choices 

“The most important thing consumers can do is to educate themselves about their purchases.” Vegan leather is a petroleum byproduct. Plant-based leather is a better option. [Inhabitat] 

The Alberta EcoTrust Foundation, with support from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, is undertaking a pilot project to provide digital home energy labels for houses in Calgary and Edmonton. The label will show how much energy the home uses and compare it to other similar homes. [Alberta EcoTrust] This is in line with France’s plan to notify potential home owners of a property’s energy rating. [Cities in the Next Decade] 

“In the past decade alone, $40 trillion has been divested from fossil fuels ... Divestment is showing in real time that everyday people can take part in the fight against climate change, and it’s demonstrating to financial firms that climate change is no longer a worthy investment.” [Yes Magazine] 

French car ads will be required to discourage driving and promote alternate forms of transportation. [Yale Environment 360]

 

Industry & Mining 

A survey of participants in the Alberta Oilsands Monitoring Program finds monitoring to be ineffective with crucial questions being left unanswered. [La Ronge Now] 

Half of global passenger-vehicle sales are expected to be electric by 2035, indicating a shift from a fuel-intensive to a material-intensive system. This will entail two big challenges. “One is how to cut down on the metals in batteries that are scarce, expensive, or problematic because their mining carries harsh environmental and social costs. Another is to improve battery recycling, so that the valuable metals in spent car batteries can be efficiently reused.” [Nature] 

Pembina Institute has published a report on the Status of Boreal Woodland Caribou Conservation in Canada. It finds that “to help the species recover conservation efforts to protect the last remaining tracts of critical habitat must be prioritized. The habitats that caribou inhabit – boreal forests and peatlands – are among the most carbon-rich in the world. When caribou habitat is lost to activities such as oil and gas development and logging, significant amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are released. On the other hand, when caribou habitat is conserved carbon remains in the ground.” [Pembina] 

The Province of Saskatchewan’s “weak response to the climate emergency amounts to an implicit denial … The provincial government is clinging to the wrong side of history by failing to meaningfully collaborate with people in Saskatchewan — both Indigenous and non-Indigenous — and take corrective action.” [The Narwhal] 

Protecting Biodiversity 

Fungal networks support much of life on earth. SPUN aims to accelerate efforts to protect underground ecosystems largely absent from conservation and climate agendas. [SPUN] 

Protecting roadless areas could go a long way in helping to reach conservation goals and slow extinctions – a point worth considering in Canada where we continue to add new roads. [The Revelator] 

Starting in 2023, farmers in England will be paid for nature restoration and creation on their land (creation of hedgerows and wildflower meadows, wetland restoration). [Edie] 

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, December 7, 2021

Upcoming Events 

Citizens Environmental Alliance is holding its third annual Farmland Drainage and the Environment Virtual Conference from Dec. 14-17: 

7 pm, Dec. 14 – Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Projects Town Hall 

10 am, Dec. 15 – Crown (Public) Lands Gone Forever 

10 am, Dec. 16 – Wetlands and Their Role in the Resilience of Prairie Communities 

10 am, Dec. 17 – All Our Conversations Begin with Treaty – The Duty to Consult in Saskatchewan 

Full details on all upcoming events can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar 

Across the West 

The Government of Manitoba has leased St. Ambroise Beach Provincial Park to a private operator and is contemplating additional public-private partnerships. [CBC] 

“The South Saskatchewan River is well into the seasonal changes shared by cold-region rivers worldwide. As temperatures drop, life in and around the river begins to change. While a cover of ice suggests dormancy, under that cap of ice, water still flows, and life carries on.” An article by the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance explains how a cover of ice affects rivers and aquatic life. [SEAWA]

 

We Can Make a Difference 

“Organic and agroecological farmers … typically plant a cover crop to restore their soil with nutrients and organic matter. Turns out, cover crops and other key practices in organic, regenerative, and agroecological farming also help farms weather the climate crisis. In addition to keeping soils stable during floods, they protect the ground from extreme heat, which can kill important microbial ecosystems, and help retain moisture during dry spells.” [National Observer] 

A tiny bridge, just 12 metres long and 30 cm wide across a UK railway line, will connect two endangered hazel dormouse populations thereby increasing genetic diversity. [The Guardian] 

Strava Metro is a tool for charting human-powered movement. It is now free to urban planners and advocacy groups so they can keep improving active transportation infrastructure. [Strava] 

7 people talk about how they turned their back on consumerism – from furnishing a home for free to secondhand baby clothes to following the 90-day rule. [The Guardian] 

Education 

Climate Fresk is a collaborative workshop to collectively understand the implications of climate change and trigger action. Jeremy Williams, The Earthbound Report, says, “Climate Fresk have developed a set of cards that explain climate science … It deals with some surprisingly complicated science, but participants get to the answers through discussion and sharing what they know, tapping into a kind of ‘collective intelligence’.” [Climate Fresk] 

Climate Watch 

Soon, 1 out of every 15 points of light in the sky will be a satellite. There are currently no regulations to govern an industry creating air and light pollution. [The Conversation] 

While a controlled release of treated wastewater from oilsands tailings ponds is seen as preferable to a sudden accidental release, concerns are being raised about deteriorating water quality in the Athabasca River and downstream. [CBC] 

MiningWatch Canada has released an interactive map about mining impacts worldwide, noting issues with polluted air, land, and water; waste management; tourism; and biodiversity. [Environmental Justice Atlas]

 

Good News! 

“Ecuador’s constitutional court has blocked plans to mine copper and gold in Los Cedros, a protected cloud forest, ruling that the plans violate the rights of nature.” [Yale Environment 360] 

That’s Amazing! 

“Every evening, after twilight gives way to dark, hordes of marine creatures — from tiny zooplankton to hulking sharks — rise from the deep to spend the night near the surface.” Researchers are just beginning to understand the purpose and extent of this vertical migration. [Knowable Magazine] 

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, June 22, 2021

This Week’s Highlights 

Help weed and mulch the 200 fruit-bearing trees and shrubs on the east side of the river between the Circle Drive and train bridges from 1-4 pm, Saturday, June 26. Tools will be provided. Contact Jordan for additional information (306-380-9565, jrs260@usask.ca). 

Want to reduce your carbon footprint? Switch from videoconferencing to voice-only online meetings and you’ll reduce your environmental impact by 96%. [Anthropocene] 

Upcoming Events 

Have your say on the City of Saskatoon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy at a virtual workshop from 1-3 pm, June 24, or 7-9:30 pm, June 29. Or you can complete an online survey from now until July 4. 

Nature Conservancy of Canada is hosting a webinar on tackling invasive species from 11:30 am-12:30 pm, June 24. 

City of Regina residents can dispose of hazardous waste from 4-7 pm on Friday, 9 am-4 pm, Saturday, and 9 am-4 pm, Sunday, June 25-27. 

EnviroCollective Regina will be holding an online meeting from 7-9 pm, June 28.

Looking Ahead 

Enjoy art classes in a natural setting at Ness Creek from July 26-29.

 

Local News 

“In a province that’s home to nearly half of Canada’s arable land . . . the impact of farming operations on downstream water bodies is huge. . . . a careful balance has to be struck between the vital economic necessities of farming and protecting the environment for the future” [Saskatoon StarPhoenix] 

Find out more about the prairies with games and activities from the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, including an interactive game, a field guide to the plants and animals living on the prairies, and field activities. 

What a Good Idea! 

E-scooter fees will partially fund a $2 million program to add 3 miles of protected bike lanes in downtown Miami. [Planetizen] 

The online shopping boom calls for new urban freight options to reduce emissions, air pollution, and traffic congestion. Here are 10 proven options as well as 4 new ones. [Pembina Institute] 

Ten Bold Ideas: Accelerating Climate Action in the 2020s offers some intriguing ideas, such as a repair workshop on every main street, menu flipping, and real golf. [Possible] 

Over 100 wildflower meadows, funded by the municipalities, have been planted in Germany’s largest cities over the past 3 years. Their goal is to protect Germany’s wild bees, more than half of which are endangered or on the verge of extinction. [The Guardian] 

A colony of rare orchids, thought to be extinct in the UK, has been discovered in the rooftop garden of a London bank, demonstrating that green infrastructure can protect and maintain biodiversity. [The Guardian] 

We Can Do Better! 

Cascades: Creating a Sustainable Health System in a Climate Crisis wants to engage the health care community in climate action and is hosting a listening tour, starting July 7. [Centre for Sustainable Health Systems] 

A proposed lithium mine in Nevada highlights a dilemma facing green tech: it’s still reliant on extractive industries. Opponents “assert that the mining industry is simply greenwashing old practices and exploiting the political climate that favors green energy, while using the laws that have enabled dispossession and destroyed environments for over a century.” [Earth Island Journal] 

“Peatlands, such as fens, bogs, marshes and swamps, cover just 3% of the Earth’s total land surface, yet store over one-third of the planet’s soil carbon.” They’re drying out or being destroyed, and that’s a problem. [The Conversation] 

If you’re looking for hard economic data to support climate action, check out The economics of climate change: no action not an option, which states, “The world economy could be 10% smaller if the 2050 net-zero emissions and Paris Agreement targets on climate change are not met.” [Swiss Re Institute] 

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 subscribe by email (top right corner).

Nature Companion, a free nature app/website for Canada's 4 western provinces

EcoSask News, April 20, 2021

This Week’s Highlights 

EcoFriendly Sask has partnered with Wildernook Fresh Air Learning on Rubbish Roundup 2021, Apr. 24-27. For every person in Saskatoon who spends an hour picking up rubbish, EcoFriendly Sask will donate $10 to the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. For more information, contact Wildernook. Don't live in Saskatoon? Apply for one of our Natural Areas Clean-Up Grants. 

The City of Regina is using Rozol in its parks to kill gophers. Rozol is an anticoagulant which causes hemorrhaging; however, it can take the animal a couple of days to die. In the meantime, these gophers can be eaten by their natural predators such as owls, hawks, foxes, and coyotes, causing secondary poisoning, which will be fatal. Once a gopher dies, it may be eaten by scavengers such as crows, or your dog may come into contact with it. If you see wildlife in the parks with symptoms, please call Salthaven West immediately at 639-999-4957 or the WRSOS hotline at 306-242-7177.

Upcoming Events 

For Peat’s Sake – Protecting Northern Saskatchewan Muskegs is hosting an online presentation on peat-free gardening at 7 pm, Apr. 20. 

As part of Canadian National Film Day, the Saskatchewan Science Centre is streaming Wonders of the Arctic throughout the day on Apr. 21 with a live Q & A with the film’s director at 6 pm, Apr. 21. Sign up for the Science Centre’s Kaleidoscope newsletter to receive the links. 

The University of Regina’s Centre for Continuing Education is offering a 2-week sampler for beginners or people interested in learning the basics of astronomy online from 7-9 pm, Apr. 21 & 28. 

Let’s Talk About Water is hosting an online Earth Day forum on the cost of climate-induced migration at 11 am, Apr. 22. 

CPAWS-SK is hosting an Earth Day Clean Up along the riverbank in Saskatoon at 1 pm, Apr. 22. 

Regina’s EnviroCollective is hosting a virtual meeting at 7 pm, Apr. 22, with speakers on energy, carbon pricing, and peat. 

Wascana & Upper Qu’Appelle Watersheds Association will hold a virtual annual general meeting at 2 pm, Apr. 23. 

City of Regina residents can dispose of household hazardous waste from 4-7 pm on Friday, 9 am-4 pm, Saturday, and 9 am-4 pm, Sunday, April 23-25. 

Nature Regina, along with other groups, is hosting online presentations and neighbourhood activities to celebrate Earth Day on Apr. 24. Sign up to receive a digital activity package. 

Regina Public Library is hosting an online talk on the future of EVs in Canada at 7 pm, Apr. 27. 

David Sobel will share insights from his book, Sky Above and Mud Below, at a SaskOutdoors online presentation at 5 pm, Apr. 27. 

The City of Regina is hosting an online session explaining what does and doesn’t go into your blue cart from 6:30-7:30 pm, Apr. 28.

 

Resources  

“Despite long-held promises to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, Ottawa increased assistance to the industry in 2020 with public funding for pipelines, inactive well clean-up and policing of Indigenous opponents.” 

“Between 2014 and 2018, spending on lithium mining in Quebec increased by 789 percent. . . . Lithium is a non-renewable resource, a metal that needs to be extracted from salt flats or igneous rocks called pegmatites. That process requires a lot of energy and irreversibly damages landscapes and habitats while often depleting or contaminating local water sources. There’s also a serious waste problem.” 

New research from the University of Saskatchewan shows that the continents are drying out, putting water and food security at risk. 

From Information to Action 

“Homeowners who want to minimize attraction of disease-causing insects and maximize insect survival should install amber-colored bulbs in outdoor lights” as amber-coloured filters substantially reduce the amount and variety of insects drawn to the glow.” 

New Zealand has introduced a new law that will require all financial institutions to report the impacts of climate change on their businesses: “We simply cannot get to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 unless the financial sector knows what impact their investments are having on the climate.” 

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). 

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

Managing & Exploiting Nature

We’ve come across some thought-provoking articles that we wanted to share with you. 

Against the Duck Factory 

Many members of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) in Manitoba and Cumberland House Cree Nation in Saskatchewan have an uneasy relationship with Ducks Unlimited. They are wary of the dams and other water control measures that have been established in the Saskatchewan River delta that they believe have ruined lakes, rivers, and creeks. It’s unclear what their purpose has been, but it’s worth noting that Ducks Unlimited “controls more land and water in Canada than all First Nations combined.” 

The Last Frontier 

Canada has a long history of natural resource exploitation. Is northern Canada the last frontier? 

Saskatchewan residents, many of whom live in northern Saskatchewan, are speaking out against a proposed peat mine south of La Ronge. “Although peatlands, also called bogs and muskegs, cover only 3 per cent of the Earth’s surface, they store twice the carbon of all the world’s forests combined. Peatlands also regulate water flows, mitigating the risk of flooding and preventing drought. In addition, they act as natural water cleansers and support a rich assortment of flora and fauna, which is why they are sometimes called ‘nature’s nurseries.’ . . . Over the course of a millennium, the peatland will grow by only one metre, which hardly makes it a renewable resource.” 

“A coalition of Indigenous and environmental organizations is calling on the Canadian and Ontario governments to impose an ‘immediate moratorium’ on all mineral exploration or impact assessment work related to the Ring of Fire region.” The Ontario government has acknowledged that industrial activity could have a negative impact on the wetlands and peatlands in the region. 

“Two Yukon First Nations are renewing calls for a regional land use plan to be completed before any new development on their traditional territories is considered . . . . Allowing industry to explore in a region where land use planning is underway could rule out protecting areas with high conservation values.” 

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, November 24, 2020

"Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky." Kahlil Gibran

Upcoming Events 

Droughtproofing, Dec. 1 (online) 

Rob Gardner will talk about droughtproofing your land at noon, Dec. 1, as part of the Native Prairie Speaker Series. 

Waste to Energy, Dec. 3 (online) 

The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council is offering a full-day workshop on waste to energy technologies on Dec. 3. 

Canadian Bat Project, Dec. 4 (online) 

Learn about the work done by the Canadian Bat Project at the WildEcol Seminar at 3:30 pm, Dec. 4. 

Guided Hike, Dec. 5 (Regina) 

Nature Regina is offering a guided hike of A E Wilson Park starting at 10:15, 10:30, 10:45, and 11 am, Dec. 5. RSVP as registration is limited. 

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

Local News 

For Our Kids Saskatchewan (formerly Parent Climate Challenge) is part of a national network of parents and grandparents working on climate issues. They held an initial meeting on Nov. 23. 

Nature Regina has published its first winter edition of the Wandering Wednesdays outdoor adventure guides. All the guides are available and can be downloaded from their website. 

Over 500 people have joined a Facebook group opposing a proposed peat moss harvesting operation in northern Saskatchewan. 

Energy Bites 

An Indigenous-owned solar farm will supply a quarter of Fort Chipewyan’s electricity needs, helping to reduce the need for almost a million litres of diesel each year. 

A comparison of the climate action objectives of Canadian, US, and European oil and gas companies. 

The transition to renewable energy relies on mining. Can it be done responsibly? 

From Information to Action 

A new paper by Miistakis Institute shows a multi-species approach to prioritizing road mitigation efforts across an 84,000 square kilometer region. 

A French court ruling holds the national government accountable for insufficient action in addressing climate change targets.

An international research study determines that greener farming methods don’t compromise yields. 

Passive and net-zero housing can cut carbon emissions and energy bills. 

Plants provide a cheaper, more environmentally sustainable way to clean contaminated industrial sites and bodies of water.

“The great thing about natural restoration of forests is that it often requires nothing more than human inaction.” And it’s more effective than tree planting. 

Renewable energy from rotting vegetables – a prize-winning invention. 

We were given so much – it’s our duty to protect Mother Nature [award-winning 4-minute film]

 

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). 

Bushes play such an important role in winter by providing shelter and food for small birds and animals (Nature Companion - a free nature app for the 4 western provinces) 

EcoSask News, June 30, 2020

Upcoming Events
Youth Activities, Fridays - July & August (Yorkton & area - online) 
The Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association’s summer student is posting activity sheets for ages 4-12 every Friday over the summer months on YFBTA’s Facebook page and blog.

Nature Exploration Activities, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (Yorkton & area - online) 
Talia from Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association will be sharing her favorite activities for ages 3-10 to get outside and explore nature every Friday in July. Sessions are pre-recorded and sent by email so you can participate at your leisure.

Household Hazardous Waste, July 5 (Saskatoon)
You can dispose of household hazardous waste at City of Saskatoon’s Civic Operations Centre from 9 am-3:30 pm, July 5.

Identifying the Big Weeds, July 7 (webinar)
Melanie Toppi will discuss some of the main species of weeds that can be found in Saskatchewan in a noon-hour webinar sponsored by PCAP-SK on July 7.

Pause with Nature, July 9 (online) 
Find out how you can reduce stress and increase well-being with a dose of nature in a Nature Conservancy of Canada webinar at 11:30 am (SK time), July 9.

Hidden Valley Picnic & Wildflowers, July 12 (Regina) 
Join Nature Regina for a picnic and wildflower field trip at Hidden Valley from 4-8 pm, July 12.

Looking Ahead
Nature Exploration Camp, Aug. 4-7 (Yorkton - online) 
Yorkton Family Resource Centre is hosting a virtual nature exploration camp for ages 3-12 at 3 pm, Aug. 4-7, with Talia from Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association.

Generating Momentum, Aug. 6-7 (online) 
Registration is now open for Generating Momentum, an activist leadership training camp, to be held online on Aug. 6-7.

Bird Count, Sept. 12 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatoon Nature Society is looking for volunteers to help with the Sept. 12 Fall Bird Count. If you would like to help, phone Stan Shadick at 306 652-5975 or email trips@saskatoonnature.org and provide your contact information and times that you are available to count birds.

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

Local News
A new technology being piloted in Saskatchewan aims to extract hydrogen from beneath the earth and has the potential to repurpose abandoned oil wells

Saskatchewan uranium mine tailings could become a source of rare earth minerals

Global warming, urban growth and spring run-off from farm fertilizers have increased pollution levels in southern Saskatchewan lakes, leading to a build-up of blue-green algae that produce a cancer-causing toxin

From Information to Action
Tackling inequality could be a primary tactic for effectively fighting climate change

In 2015, Wales passed the Future Generations Act, making it the first country in the world to write responsibility for future generations into law [book review]

“Simply protecting more land will not necessarily preserve more biodiversity in the future—but protecting currently underrepresented types of land might”

Indigenous land guardian programs are an “expression of Indigenous governance over land”

10 storage options for 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, June 16, 2020

 

Upcoming Events 

Ours to Save, Ours to Lose, June 18 (webinar) 

Join Dan Kraus, Nature Conservancy of Canada, as he discusses the plants and animals that are unique to Canada at 11:30 am (SK time), June 18. 

Summer Solstice, June 21 (Regina) 

You’re invited to gather on Wascana Hill to greet the sunrise and the beginning of summer at 4:45 am, June 21. 

Nature Sask AGM, June 22 (online) 

Nature Saskatchewan will be holding its annual general meeting online at 7 pm, June 22. 

Wildlife Research during a Global Quarantine, June 22 (webinar) 

Ryan Brook will discuss wildlife research during a global quarantine: tracking the rapid spread of invasive wild pigs during a noon-hour webinar on June 22. 

Group Excursion Leadership & Preparedness, June 23 (online) 

SaskOutdoors and Back40 Wilderness First Aid are hosting a webinar on group excursion leadership and preparedness from 7:30-8:30 pm, June 23. 

Women & the Energy Transition, June 23 (online) 

Pembina Institute is hosting a webinar panel discussion on the role of women in a changing energy economy from 11 am-12:15 pm (SK time), June 23. 

Sask River Basin AGM, June 24 (Saskatoon) 

The annual general meeting of Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin will be held at 10 am, June 24. 

Carrot River Valley Watershed AGM, June 26 (Melfort) 

The Carrot River Valley Watershed Association is holding its annual general meeting at 1 pm, June 26, in Melfort. Email crwatershed@gmail.com by June 23 to register. 

Supporting Wild Bee Diversity, June 26 (webinar) 

Join SaskOrganics for a live webinar on supporting wild bee diversity on farms from 9:30-10:30 am, June 26. 

Zoo Training, June 29 (Saskatoon) 

The Saskatoon Zoo Society is looking for volunteer interpreters to help with their Wild Weekends programming. Find out more at the volunteer training session from 6-8 pm, June 29. 

Creating an Ecological Society, June 29 (webinar) 

This 2 ½ hour UK-based webinar on creating an ecological society will explore the relationship between social and ecological problems on June 29, 8-10:30 am (SK time). 

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

Local News 

Explore Regina's green spaces with self-directed guides from Nature Regina 

Nature Saskatchewan is asking residents to post sightings of burrowing owls 

Prince Albert’s plastic bag ban has been put on hold until the end of the current state of emergency 

From Information to Action 

A Yukon First Nation plans to open a native plant nursery to support mine reclamation work 

Could cabbages, rapeseed, and sunflowers replace mining as a source of lithium, a key component of electronics and electric vehicles? 

Carbon-neutral coffee via wind power: “Sometimes long-distance transport is necessary for a balanced and sustainable supply chain, so sail cargoes have a role to play in that” 

We’re drowning in light: human beings, when faced with the availability of a cheaper and more efficient lighting technology, simply use more of it 

“Spending time with wild animals and plants, observing them, considering what they need to survive and thrive, exponentially expands our sense of family. . . . All of these plants and animals, these urban trees, sidewalk beetles, pearl-winged pigeons, are our neighbors” 

Miyawaki Forests – converting barren land into a thriving forest in a span of 3 years 

5 inventions illustrating the future of solar energy [10-minute video] 

Natural Wonders 

Jeremy, the love-lorn lefty snail 

Parenting helps shape bigger brains – in jays, crows, and ravens 

The Big Bat Year – 29 countries, 396 species 

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, April 2, 2019

Upcoming Events
True Nature Writing, Apr. 7 (Regina) 
Join Joyce Belcher for a session on nature writing from 1:30-3:30 pm, Apr. 7, at the Sunrise branch of the Regina Public Library.

Household Hazardous Waste, Apr. 7 (Saskatoon) 
You can dispose of household hazardous waste at City of Saskatoon’s Civic Operations Centre from 9 am – 3:30 pm, April 7.

Bats in Saskatchewan, Apr. 9 (Regina) 
Mark Brigham will discuss bats, the role they play in the ecosystem, and how to attract them to your yard from 7-8 pm, Apr. 9, at the Sunrise branch of the Regina Public Library.

Changing Freshwater Availability as Viewed from Space, Apr. 11 (Regina) 
Dr. Jay Famigletti, Executive Director, Global Institute for Water Security, will discuss the latest research on water sustainability at an event in Regina from 5-9 pm, Apr. 11. Register online by Apr. 4.

Outdoor/Environmental Ed Conversation, Apr. 12 (Yorkton) 
SaskOutdoors is hosting an outdoor and environmental education community conversation from 7-8:30 pm, Apr. 12, in Yorkton.

YFBTA Spring Event, Apr. 13 (Saltcoats) 
Join the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association on Apr. 13 for an afternoon of bugs, birds, and long walks followed by a delicious supper.

Looking Ahead
Flying Wild Workshop, May 4 (Regina & Saskatoon) 
Teachers are invited to learn about Flying Wild’s focus on migratory birds designed for young people grades 1-9 to learn more about the natural world. The workshop will be held in Regina and in Saskatoon on May 4.

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

In the News 
“The Province of Saskatchewan is preparing to give the go ahead to a new solution potash mine that would harm or destroy up to 6,000 hectares (14,800 acres) of increasingly rare grassland, wetland and riparian (creek valley slopes) habitat in the upper Wascana Creek watershed near the towns of Sedley and Lajord.” Here’s what you can do to prevent this happening.

Restoring 71 Habitat Conservation Project – bringing life back to the Prairies (p. 8 of RM Review).

Darrin Qualman’s book, Civilization Critical, is now available. The book charts the past, present, and possible future of our global petro-industrial consumerist civilization with chapters on energy, the industrial revolution, transport, farming, efficiency, and progress.

The dark side of geothermal energy – it’s contaminating the local water supply in New Mexico.

If we are going to advocate battery power, we need to do so responsibly – from ethical supply chains to recycling options.

On-road freight is a major contributor to climate change and pollution in Canada. An international report examines low-carbon goods movement strategies.

Pigeon and turtle sculptures as traffic barriers – reinforcing the nature that is already part of our cities.

Mystery novels for nature lovers.

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 26, 2019

Upcoming Events
Wild Seeds (until Apr. 30) 
Natasha Yokoyama-Ramsay’s photography exhibit at Calories restaurant is intended to “show the beauty within the plants and how they are similar to human life."

Carbon Pricing in Canada & Australia, Mar. 28 (Saskatoon) 
Professor Jeremy Rayner will discuss the past and future of carbon pricing in Canada and Australia at 11:30 am, Mar. 28.

Flowers like Birds, Mar. 28 (Saskatoon) 
Discover over 12 plants with blooms resembling birds at Wild Birds Unlimited at 7 pm, Mar. 28.

School Climate Strike, Mar. 29 (Regina) 
Regina’s school climate strike will continue at 10 am, Mar. 29, at the Legislature (℅ EnviroCollective).

Amphibians, Mar. 29 (Saskatoon) 
The WildEcol seminar series is held at 3:30 pm, every other Friday, on the U of S campus:
Mar. 29 – Amphibian contaminants & disease, Melanie Gallant

What is WUQWATR, Mar. 30 (Regina) 
Join the WUQWATR team for a family-friendly information session from 2-3:30 pm, Mar. 30, at Sunrise Branch Library, Regina. Contact Courtney at courtney@wuqwatr.ca or 306-529-3210 to RSVP for your free spot!

Wildlife Rescue Info Session, Mar. 30 (Regina) 
A wildlife rescue orientation session is being held at 1 pm, Mar. 30, in Regina. There will be rescue training after the orientation from 2-3 pm. Email volunteer@wrsos.org to save your spot.

Earth Hour Carbonless Concert, Mar. 30 (Saskatoon) 
Join Jay Maillet and The Local Group for a solar-powered concert from 7-9:30 pm, Mar. 30, at Louis Loft.

Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards AGM, Apr. 2 (Swift Current) 
Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards have rescheduled their annual general meeting to 1 pm, Apr. 2.

Sustainable Tourism, Apr. 2 (Saskatoon)
Tourism Saskatoon will describe Green Stem, an online resource to help Tourism’s member organizations make sustainable choices, at 12 noon, Apr. 2, at Innovation Place Saskatoon.

Data Centre Cooling Systems, Apr. 3 (Saskatoon) 
Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Salam will discuss data centre cooling systems at the Apr. 3 breakfast meeting of the Saskatoon Energy Management Task Force.

Looking Ahead
Project Albany, Apr. 15 
Public Pastures - Public Interest (PPPI) has raised concerns about the proposed Project Albany potash mine near Francis and Sedley. They note areas of native grassland that need to be protected as well as concerns about air and water quality and wildlife habitat. Comment on the Project Albany website before Apr. 15 or send your comments to PPPI for inclusion in their submission.

Action on Climate Change through Education, May 10-12 (Saskatoon) 
The EECOM 2019 conference, to be held in Saskatoon May 10-12 will explore action on climate change through education.

Saskatoon Nature Society 
Apr. 3, 6:30-8 pm – Gull identification
Apr. 10, 6:45-8 pm – Crocus evening hike
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
The RM of Corman Park unanimously denied Fortune Mineral’s rezoning application.

“We shouldn’t be famous for being the biggest agrochemical user; we should be famous for doing the best agriculture,” says Christy Morrissey.

“Perhaps you are perfectly happy drinking out of a Saudi Arabian beer can, but you could also demand refillable glass like they use everywhere else in the world. We need to build a circular, closed-loop economy, and there's no room in it for one-way cans.”

Wolf and grizzly bear activity in important springtime habitat in Banff National Park doubles when the Bow Valley Parkway is off limits to people during the mandatory overnight closure.

A historic number of Painted Ladies are moving north at up to 25 mph.

Two Portuguese libraries are infested with bats - and they like it that way.

Urban forest management - there's room for improvement.

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 26, 2013

Events & Opportunities
The Human Scale, Dec. 7
Great Places Saskatoon presents the film, The Human Scale, at 7 pm, December 7, at the Roxy Theatre. The film explores the ideas and work of Danish architect, Jan Gehl, and the making and shaping of cities for people.

Winter Birding Contest
Keep a list of all the Saskatchewan birds you see this winter and share it with others through Nature Saskatchewan. The contest runs from December 1 to February 28. Send entries to Boyd Metzler, Box 126, Whitewood, SK S0G 5C0 (boyd.metzler@sasktel.net) by March 15, 2014.

Waste Minimization Awards
The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council is inviting nominations for their Waste Minimization Awards in a variety of different categories, including Youth, Small Business, Municipality, and Festival/Event. The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2014.

James L. Baillie Memorial Fund
Individuals and organizations are invited to apply for grants from the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund to support projects that increase understanding, appreciation, and conservation of Canadian birds in their natural environment.

Take Action
It’s easy to become discouraged about climate change. It’s a lot harder to figure out ways in which we, as individuals or small groups, can make a difference. Here are some ideas. If you’re interested, be sure to apply for an EcoFriendly Action Grant.

Create a nature trail and bird sanctuary (Neudorf Trails and Wild Bird Sanctuary)

Organize a hazardous waste collection system for your condo/apartment building

Become an Important Bird Area caretaker (volunteers needed for Big Muddy Lake, Cabria Area, Cumberland Marshes, Grasslands National Park – East Block, Primrose Lake, and Suggi Lake)

Thought-Provoking
What is the best way to protect the Prairies – through rewilding or ranching?

When government supports the fishing industry, environment and our long-term future are the losers –  the same argument could apply to Canada’s oil industry

Thumbs Up
Lake Ontario keeps Toronto cool

Customized advice and energy comparisons work better than monetary rewards in cutting energy usage

5 unconventional ways to get people hooked on nature – from treetop Barbies to prison science projects

Thumbs Down
Toxic waste from Alberta coal slurry spill goes unreported

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

EcoSask News, October 29, 2013

SK Citizens’ Hearings on Climate Change, Nov. 1 & 2
The Saskatchewan Citizens’ Hearings on Climate Change will be held at The Refinery from 9:30 am – 9:30 pm on November 1 and 2.

Keynote speakers (via internet A/V links) include Dr. Kathleen Dean Moore, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and author of Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril and Dr. Kirsten Zickfeld, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Victoria, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences.

Four Commissioners (Maria Campbell, Harry Lafond, Marcia McKenzie, Willard Metzger) will listen to the presentations and draft a report summarizing the testimony.

Future of Meewasin, Nov. 7 
Meewasin Valley Authority is holding a Public Open House from 3-7 pm on November 7 at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market. The public is invited to provide input on Meewasin’s future work, from conservation efforts and river valley development to recreation and education programs. There will be program information, displays for visitors to vote on ideas, and questionnaires.

Important Saskatchewan Issues
Energy 
Fracking could permanently damage our province’s water supply, says Josh Fox, director of Gasland and Gasland II

The oil boom is laying waste to North Dakota’s air and ground

A new material could cut solar energy costs by three quarters

Grasslands 
More voices – from across the political spectrum – speak out in favour of protecting our Prairie grasslands

The North American grasslands stretch from southern Saskatchewan to northern Mexico. A new report by over 70 grasslands experts outlines strategies for all those who share the ecoregion

Oil & Mining Industries
New federal environmental review rules have obvious gaps – for example, oil sands and potash mines

Transportation 
4300 South Koreans went car-less for a month. What if Saskatoon held a car-free week – for starters?

Waste 
Saskatoon tosses more waste than most Canadian cities. Residential garbage could be reduced by more than 40% if the City began a serious composting program

Water
Water conservation and recycling are cheap ways to meet the growing demand for water

British supermarkets strive to reduce their water footprint – can we follow their lead?

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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

EcoSask News, October, 8, 2013

Owls & Cemeteries, October
Join the Saskatoon Nature Society on one of their upcoming outings. Additional information is available on their website.
October – Saw-whet owl migration banding
Oct. 14 – Woodlawn Cemetery and Weir

Water Contamination in Northern SK, Oct. 15
Peter Prebble, SES Director of Environmental Policy, and Ann Coxworth, SES Board Member, will discuss the contamination of five important watersheds in the Uranium City area of northern Saskatchewan at 7 pm on October 15 at the Frances Morrison Library. This presentation is part of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s Library Speaker Series.

Wetlands Policy, Oct. 16
Join the Swale Watchers on October 16 from 3:00-4:30 4:00-5:30 pm in room 1026, College of Education, U of S, for a discussion on the City’s proposed wetlands policy.

Water Harvesting, Oct. 17 
Join members of the Permaculture Research Institute of Saskatchewan for a potluck supper and meeting on October 17 (supper at 6, presentation at 7:30). Kirby McInnis will lead a discussion on urban water harvesting as well as larger-scale harvesting projects.

Wood Frogs, Oct. 17
David Donald will report on the well-being on wood frogs in Saskatchewan amidst world-wide concern for the status of amphibians at the Saskatoon Nature Society’s monthly meeting at 7:30 pm, October 17, in Room 106 of the Biology Building, U of S.

SK Uranium Mines
Sierra Club Canada is demanding an explanation for why Cameco has been allowed to exceed the limits for the release of radioactive uranium and heavy metals, including mercury, into the air and water. Government and company records contain reports of releases of radioactive uranium over 1000% of the allowable limits, cadmium levels over 5000% and radium increases of 3000%. There are examples where no limits exist at all such as limits to uranium levels in groundwater and where there are standards, but no testing is done at all such as mercury releases to air.

Innovation Place Supports Cycling
Innovation Place now has a public bike service stand – making it easier than ever to cycle to work.

Free Block Heater Timers
Pick up a free block heater timer from any CAA Saskatchewan location between October 1 and February 28. and save up to $25 a day on your power bill.

Cartoonist’s Vision of a Car-Free Future
Maybe Andy Singer’s graphic book depicting the history of automobiles in North America will help convince Mayor Atchison that it’s time to invest in walking, cycling and public transit.

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. Additional upcoming events can be found on our Calendar.

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