EcoSask News, February 19, 2019

Upcoming Events
Wildlife Photographs, Feb. 21 (Saskatoon) 
Kosala Rajapaksha will share his Saskatchewan and Sri Lankan wildlife photographs at the 7:30 pm, Feb. 21, meeting of the Saskatoon Nature Society.

Climate Change: The Facts, Feb. 22 (Moose Jaw) 
Jim Elliott, Council of Canadians, will discuss provincial action on climate change at the 7 pm, Feb. 22, meeting of the Moose Jaw Nature Society.

Wascana Cross-Country Ski Family Weekend, Feb. 23, 24 (Regina)
Enjoy a weekend of cross-country skiing at Wascana Centre with rented equipment from 11 am-3:30 pm, Feb. 23 & 24.

Birds of Saskatchewan Book Launch, Feb. 26 (Regina) 
Nature Saskatchewan will celebrate the launch of Birds of Saskatchewan at 7 pm, Feb. 26, at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.

Jewelry Swap, Feb. 26 (Regina) 
Swap jewelry or accessories from 7-8 pm, Feb. 26, at the Connaught Branch Library.

Saskatchewan Adventures, Feb. 27 (Saskatoon) 
Kit and Julene will share their cross-country skiing adventures in Saskatchewan and there will be help with boot fitting at an event sponsored by SaskOutdoors at 7 pm, Feb. 27.

Looking Ahead
Building Operator Training, Regina – Mar. 1, Saskatoon – Mar. 29 
Find out how to reduce energy costs and have a more comfortable building at a building operator training course offered by the Saskatchewan Environmental Society in Regina on Mar. 1 and Saskatoon on Mar. 29.

LEED Green Associate Training, Mar. 2 & 3 (Regina, Saskatoon) 
University of Regina students can obtain LEED Green Associate Training demonstrating certified knowledge in the field from 12-5 pm, Mar. 3. University of Saskatchewan students can receive the training from 1-5:30 pm, Mar. 2, in Saskatoon.

Winter Camp, Mar. 16-17 (Great Blue Heron Provincial Camp) 
Learn to winter camp successfully and comfortably on Mar. 16-17 at SaskOutdoor’s annual winter camp in Great Blue Heron Provincial Park.

Bird ID for Novice Birders, Mar. 18 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatoon Nature Society and the SK Breeding Bird Atlas are offering a free two-hour workshop on the basics of bird identification from 7-9 pm, Mar. 18.

Bird ID Workshop for Intermediate Birders, Mar. 22-Apr. 12 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatoon Nature Society and the SK Breeding Bird Atlas are offering 4 two-hour workshops on using your bird book and birding app to identify common breeding birds found in the Saskatoon area from 7-9 pm, Mar. 22, Mar. 29, Apr. 5, and Apr. 12. Space is limited so register as soon as possible.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Saskatoon Young Naturalists 
Mar. 16, 1-3 pm – Owl Pellets
Apr. 6, 1-3 pm – Birdhouse Workshop
Space is limited; register early to avoid disappointment.

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
Feb. 24, 1:30-3:30 pm – Forestry Farm Park birding
Mar. 3, 2-3:30 pm – Montgomery Place birding
Mar. 9, 9 am-5 pm – Gardiner Dam field trip
Everyone is welcome. Check the Saskatoon Nature Society’s website for full details and updated information.

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

In the News
The Council of Canadians, Regina Chapter, is calling for a just transition to renewable energy in Saskatchewan.

Pond leveller devices are a cost-effective, low-maintenance tool in a landowner’s tool box, and they allow for a happy co-existence with beavers.

Mid-block crosswalks make cities safer for pedestrians.

Listen for the coyotes - January to March is breeding season.

 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 15, 2019

Upcoming Events
Bike Regina AGM, Jan. 16 (Regina)
Bike Regina is holding its annual general meeting at 6:30 pm, Jan. 16.

Prairie Resilience, Jan. 17 (Regina)
Learn more about the provincial government’s climate change strategy at a lunch and learn on Jan. 17 at Innovation Place Regina.

Ecology & Conservation of Whooping Cranes, Jan. 17 (Saskatoon)
Join the Saskatoon Nature Society at 7:30 pm, Jan. 17, for a talk by Mark Bidwell on the ecology and conservation of whooping cranes. The Society is meeting in a new location – Room 1130, Health Sciences E-Wing, University of Saskatchewan.

Repair Café, Jan. 19 (Prince Albert)
Share and learn skills to repair things at Repair Café Prince Albert from 1-4 pm, Jan. 19.

Ice Cycle & Bike Art Show, Jan. 19 (Saskatoon)
Join Saskatoon Cycles for a group ride and a repurposed bicycle art exhibit by SCYAP from 6:45-8:45 pm, Jan. 19.

Breeding Bird Atlas, Jan. 21 (Regina)
Kiel Drake will provide an update on the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas project from 7:30-9:30 pm, at the Jan. 21 meeting of Nature Regina.

Owl about Owls, Jan. 22 (Moose Jaw)
Join Moose Jaw Nature Society at 6:30 pm, Jan. 22, for a talk about owls in Saskatchewan.

Hidden Dangers of Agricultural Pesticides, Jan. 22 (Saskatoon)
Dr. Christy Morrissey will share the latest research on agricultural pesticides at Café Scientifique, 7:30 pm, Jan. 22.

Toxic Trespass, Jan. 23 (Regina)
The film Toxic Trespass, an investigation into toxic chemicals in industrial centres such as Windsor and Sarnia, will be shown in Regina at 6:30 pm, Jan. 23.

Secrets of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Jan. 24 (Regina)
Jared Clarke will uncover the secrets of ruby-throated hummingbirds at Friends of Wascana Marsh’s annual general meeting on Jan. 24.

Passive House Design & Construction, Jan. 24-27 (Saskatoon)
Passive House Canada is offering a 4-day course on passive house design and construction in Saskatoon from Jan. 24-27.

Apathy into Action, Jan. 25 (Regina)
Winning the Renewable Regina campaign will be one of the topics discussed on Jan. 25 at the Apathy into Action conference.

Looking Ahead
Snowlandia, Feb. 19-22 (Saskatoon) 
Wildernook Fresh Air Learning invites young women ages 10-11 to participate in 4 days of outdoor activities from Feb. 19-22.

Wascana Junior Naturalist, Mar-May (Regina)
Young people ages 9-13 are invited to participate in Wascana Junior Naturalists from 6-8 pm, Mar. 5, 12, 26; April 2, 16, 30; and May 7. Activities will include prairie flora, soil ecology, and outdoor animal CSI.

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

In the News
A recent study found that only 41% of existing “natural” areas in the US are sufficiently connected to enable species to follow the environmental conditions they need.

Soil supports 98% of biodiversity, 99% of human food, filters 100% of rainfall for drinking water, and stores more active carbon than air, forest, and seas combined.

“An end to growth is inevitable. . . . If we plan for and manage it, we could well wind up with greater well-being."

Four corporations control over 60% of global seed sales. 

Cities not individuals should be responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks.

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. 

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

EcoSask News, November 27, 2018

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Pedestrianized streets are kid-friendly - and everyone benefits.

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

EcoSask News is a weekly round-up of local news and events. Email us if you have items you would like us to include. 

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

EcoSask News, October 2, 2018

Upcoming Events
Bees & Pathogens, Oct. 9 (webinar)
Kirsten Palmier, MSc candidate at the U of R, will discuss bees and pathogens in a noon-hour webinar on Oct. 9.

Campus Sustainability Week, Oct. 9-12 (Saskatoon)
The U of S Office of Sustainability has a whole range of activities (art, food, cycling, waste, and more) planned for Campus Sustainability Week, Oct. 9-12.

Waste & Recycling, Oct. 10 (Regina)
Learn what happens to waste and recycling from 7-8 pm, Regina Central Adult Public Library.

Library of Things Fall Meeting, Oct. 11 (Saskatoon)
Find out more about the Library of Things and ways to get involved at their fall meeting and potluck supper at 6 pm, Oct. 11.

Wascana Waterfowl, Oct. 13 (Regina)
Join Regina Nature for a field trip to Wascana Marsh and Lake from 9-11 am, Oct. 13.

Falcons, Oct. 14 (Saskatoon)
Wild Birds Unlimited is hosting a trip to observe falcons catching their food. Meet at 3:30 pm, Oct. 14.

Rob Dumont Energy Management Awards Dinner, Oct. 15 (Saskatoon)
The 2018 Rob Dumont Energy Management Awards Dinner will be held on Oct. 15. Tickets are available on Picatic.

Looking Ahead
Just Transitions: Building Saskatchewan’s Next Economy, Oct. 27 & 28 (Regina)
Attend Just Transitions in Regina Oct. 27 & 28 to discuss the possibilities and pathways for transitioning Saskatchewan's economy to renewable energies.

Teaching Energy Transitions, Oct. 28 (Regina)
The teacher-focused breakout group will discuss possible frameworks for teaching about a just transition using the Saskatchewan curriculum from 1-2 pm, Oct. 28, during the Just Transitions conference.

Building Enclosures for High Performance Buildings, Nov. 15 (Saskatoon)
Building Enclosures for High Performance Buildings is a one-day course offered by Passive House Canada on Nov. 15.

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

In the News
The City of Saskatoon's Green Strategy is long overdue, but action must match policy. It's fine to talk about conserving biodiversity and increasing interconnections, but it falls flat in face of City Council's refusal to lower speed limits through the Small Swale.

The City of Saskatoon has adopted Vision Zero. The challenge now is to make sure it works by designing streets to protect cyclists and pedestrians.

Could we use LED lights to avoid bird collisions with planes, buildings, etc?

“Ultimately, bringing our civilization back within planetary boundaries is going to require that we liberate ourselves from our dependence on economic growth—starting with rich nations. This might sound scarier than it really is. Ending growth doesn’t mean shutting down economic activity—it simply means that next year we can’t produce and consume more than we are doing this year. It might also mean shrinking certain sectors that are particularly damaging to our ecology and that are unnecessary for human flourishing, such as advertising, commuting, and single-use products.”

And, for the techies in the crowd, how and why to build a low-tech website.

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, September 25, 2018

Upcoming Events
Climate Change, Sept. 27 (Prince Albert)
Dave Stevenson will give a presentation on climate change at 7 pm, Sept. 27, as part of National Forest Week activities in Prince Albert.

Wild Ecol Seminar Series, Sept. 28 (Saskatoon)
The WildEcol seminar series is held at 3:30 pm, every other Friday, on the U of S campus:
Sept. 28 – Large mammal distribution and conservation in Brazil

Epic, Sept. 29 (Prince Albert)
Enjoy the film Epic at 2:30 pm, Sept. 29, as part of National Forest Week activities in Prince Albert.

Household Hazardous Waste Day, Sept. 29 (Regina)
City of Regina is holding a Household Hazardous Waste Day from 9 am-3:45 pm, Sept. 29.

Regina Beach/Last Mountain Lake Migration, Sept. 29 (Regina)
Join Nature Regina for a field trip to Regina Beach and Last Mountain Lake from 9 am-1:30 pm, Sept. 29.

Waste & Recycling Town Hall, Oct. 2 (Regina)
Councillor Andrew Stevens will be holding a town hall to discuss waste and recycling programs at 7 pm, Oct. 2 in the Cathedral Community Centre.

Nature Play Workshop, Oct. 2 (Saskatoon)
SaskOutdoors is offering a nature play workshop for early years educators in Saskatoon from 1-3 pm, Oct. 2.

Pathway to PACE in Alberta, Oct. 3 (Saskatoon)
Brian Scott will discuss PACE Alberta at the Oct. 3 breakfast meeting of SK Energy Management Task Force.

NatureCity Festival Celebration & Planning Kick-off, Oct. 4 (Saskatoon)
Join Wild About Saskatoon from 7-9 pm, Oct. 4, as they begin planning the 2019 NatureCity Festival.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Golden Eagles
Oct. 4, 9 am – Whooping Cranes
Oct. 11, 9 am – Fall Migration
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate.
Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
Oct. 6, 8 am-5 pm – Whooping Crane Field Trip
Oct. 8, 9:30-11:30 am – Woodlawn Cemetery Bird Walk
Oct. 13, 1:30-3:30 pm – Invasive Shrub Removal from Saskatoon Natural Grasslands
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 Waste Reduction Council of Saskatchewan is holding a pilot car seat recycling project in Regina and Saskatoon from mid-October to mid-November. Sign up to participate.

Congratulations, Wild About Saskatoon, on receiving a Tourism Saskatoon leadership award for your ongoing success with the NatureCity Festival. 3,000 people participated in events hosted by 50 organizations during the 2018 Festival.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada is calling on municipalities to reduce flood risk through conservation and restoration of natural infrastructure (ponds, wetlands).

Audio tours invite New Yorkers to explore the nighttime lives of the animals whose habitat they share.

A great city needs great facilities for pedestrians. What would a truly walkable city look like?

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, July 24, 2018

Upcoming Events
Mending Meet Up, July 28 (Saskatoon)
Library of Things is holding a Mending Meet Up from 1-4 pm, July 28.

Northern Leopard Frog Project, July 31 (webinar)
Kimberly Pearson will discuss the northern leopard frog project in Waterton Lakes and Grasslands National Parks in a noon-hour webinar on July 31.

Free to be Me Animal Sanctuary, Aug. 1 (Moose Jaw)
Kids ages 6-10 are invited to join the Moose Jaw Public Library’s trip to Free to be Me Animal Sanctuary from 2-4 pm, Aug. 1.

Beyond the Big Dipper, Aug. 11 (Grasslands National Park)
View the stars and learn more about them from Royal Astronomical Society volunteers at Grasslands National Park on Aug. 11.

Looking Ahead
Conservation Expo, Sept. 6 (Regina)
The Saskatchewan chapter of The Wildlife Society is holding a conservation expo and networking event on Sept. 6 in Regina. Poster presentation title submissions must be sent in by Aug. 15.

Building Enclosures for High Performance Buildings, Nov. 15 (Saskatoon)
Building Enclosures for High Performance Buildings is a one-day course being offered by Passive House Canada in Saskatoon on Nov. 15.

Nature Conservancy Volunteer Opportunities
Help the Nature Conservancy of Canada maintain their properties by volunteering at one of their August events.

Aug. 11 – Campout for Conservation at Old Man on His Back – Clean up the bison handling facilities, repair fences, and build, repair, and install Ferruginous Hawk nest platforms.

Aug. 25 – Keeping it Clean at Shoe Lake – Remove shoreline debris from the Shoe Lake saline marsh.

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

In the News
Wascana Solar Co-operative and the Regina Catholic School Division are in talks about a joint project that would see solar panels put on the roof of Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School.

Thoughtful recommendations from the Saskatchewan Environmental Society on addressing climate change.

Farmers are very concerned about damage to their land following Husky’s salt water leak.

The United Church of Canada plans to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050. The initial focus is on energy efficiency and building retrofits. [video]

When we subsidize roads . . . make it impossible to live without a car, we send people strong signals to buy and own cars, and to drive... a lot.

Wide arterial roads designed for heavy traffic usage (such as 22nd Street in Saskatoon) don't have to be death traps for pedestrians.

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).