EcoSask News, November 10, 2020

Upcoming Events 

Beaver Creek Tour, Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 (Saskatoon) 

Enjoy a one-hour guided family or couples tour at Beaver Creek Conservation Area on Saturdays in November (fee ranges from $79-114). 

Beyond Pesticides, Nov. 10 (online) 

Christy Morrissey will discuss Beyond Pesticides: Challenging the Paradox of Agriculture and Environment in an online event from 3-4 pm, Nov. 10. 

Saskatoon Cycles AGM, Nov. 10 (online) 

Saskatoon Cycles is holding its annual general meeting at 7 pm, Nov. 10, on Zoom. 

Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, Nov. 11 (online) 

The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas are holding an online annual general meeting at 7 pm, Nov. 11. 

Invasive Species in Sask River System, Nov. 12 (online) 

Renny Grilz will discuss invasive species and their potential impacts to the health of the Saskatchewan River system at noon, Nov. 12. 

Train the Trainer, Nov. 14 (Regina) 

Nature Regina members are invited to learn about birds, native plants, and wildlife from 10-11 am or 11 am-noon, Nov. 14, so that they can then help with the Get Outside! Kids Club and other upcoming events. 

Birding at City Park, Nov. 15 (Saskatoon) 

Saskatoon Nature Society will be birding at City Park from 2-3 pm, Nov. 15. Field trips are currently for members only, so sign up now. 

Contemporary Art & Climate Change, Nov. 16 (online) 

Adrian Stimson and Laurier St. Pierre will discuss The Black Snake & Secret Gardens: Contemporary Art and Climate Change online from 6-7:30 pm, Nov. 16. 

Discard Twitter Conference, Nov. 16 & 17 (online) 

If you’re concerned about waste, check out the Discard Studies Twitter conference schedule for Nov. 16 & 17. 

Climate Change & Forests, Nov. 17 (online) 

Mark Johnson will discuss Climate Change and its Impact on Canada’s Forests: How are we Adapting? in an online Café Sci presentation from 7:30-8:30 pm, Nov. 17. 

Recording Bird Sounds, Nov. 19 (online) 

John Patterson will discuss recording bird sounds and behaviours at the 7:30 pm, Nov. 19 online meeting of the Saskatoon Nature Society. Join the Society to participate. 

Looking Ahead 

Below Zero, Nov. 26 & Dec. 3 (online) 

SaskOutdoors is offering a virtual Below Zero workshop with classroom resources for teaching about wildlife in winter from 7-9 pm, November 26 and December 3.

 

Restoration & Reclamation in a Changing Environment, Feb. 1-5 (online) 

Registration is now open for the online Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop from Feb. 1-5. 

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

Local News 

Wild about Saskatoon invites you to come and explore the Northeast Swale.

 

 

Wetlands can add economic and environmental benefits for farmers. 

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has established a new conservation site in the Milk River Basin Natural Area in southwestern Saskatchewan. 

Energy 

Is green hydrogen the next big thing in future energy? 

Gaining Steam: A Regulatory and Policy Framework for Geothermal Energy Development in Alberta (Environmental Law Centre) could prove useful in Saskatchewan when considering issues such as licensing and environmental assessment. 

Urban Life 

Fencing is an effective and realistic way to reduce roadkill. A step-by-step plan helps transportation managers decide on length and where to place them. 

“It’s past time to accept that lethal methods and relocation are neither effective, sustainable nor humane approaches to human-wildlife conflicts.” There are alternatives. 

Book Review 

“Narratives of eternal technological progress obscure the alternative of making do with what we already have. It closes our imagination to the possibility of choosing smaller and simpler over bigger and better.” [The Age of Low Tech: Towards a Technologically Sustainable Civilization] 

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

Using the Law to Protect the Environment

Environmental groups are increasingly turning to the law to protect nature and wildlife. Their initiatives range from sharing information to setting standards, taking issues to court, and granting nature legal rights.

Sharing Information
The Environmental Law Centre in Edmonton provides advice and education on environmental issues. They help community groups understand and use legal tools and work with government policy-makers to create better decision-making processes. In 2017, they published A Road Map for Environmental Rights in Alberta: Rights for a Sustainable Future. The publication recommends an environmental bill of rights that will legally strengthen environmental accountability by promoting meaningful participation in environmental decision-making, providing citizens with enforcement tools, and ensuring oversight of reviews, laws, and administration.

A group of Saskatchewan lawyers, students, and members of the public have recently established SKAEL – the Saskatchewan Association for Environmental Law. Their goal is to raise awareness about environmental issues and laws, build legal and advocacy skills, and push for strong and effective environmental laws in Saskatchewan. The group invites people to get involved, collaborate with them on projects, forward legal inquiries, and spread the word. SKAEL has a website and is also on Facebook and Twitter.

Setting Standards
The law can be used to establish administrative policies, standards, and regulations. These vary considerably in both breadth and impact. The Environmental Law Centre at the University of Victoria, on behalf of Bulkley Valley Naturalists, is asking the provincial government to change its road maintenance policy. “While the existing policy recommends contractors schedule maintenance outside of nesting seasons or take measures to ensure birds are not present and nesting before brushing, it does not go far enough. According to the ELC report, the policy must prohibit roadside brushing during nesting season to remain onside the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act. If that is unavoidable, contractors should have to seek expert advice and action to ensure birds are not present.”

On a far broader scale, the State of Massachusetts has adopted a Clean Energy Bill. It sets a goal of 35% renewables by 2030 and a storage target goal of 1,000 MWh. In addition, it establishes a Clean Peak Standard, requiring every retail electric supplier to provide a “minimum percentage of kilowatt-hours sales to end use customers from clean peak resources.”

Court Cases
A number of Canadian non-profits – Ecojustice, West Coast Environmental Law, Canadian Environmental Law Association, East Coast Environmental Law – undertake court cases to protect the environment. Ecojustice “goes to court and uses the power of the law to defend nature, combat climate change, and fight for a healthy environment for all.” West Coast Environmental Law believes “By putting the law in the hands of communities and creating legal risk for those who would harm our land, air and water, we are building the collective power to achieve a more just and sustainable future for all.”

An Ecojustice case in Ontario established that “It is now illegal to kill or injure birds with light reflected from building windows under provincial and federal laws. According to section nine of the Environmental Protection Act, Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment must regulate any building discharging a contaminant that is killing birds. Under SARA, building owners or managers can be convicted under section 32 for the conduct of killing or injuring birds in window strikes.”

A logging project along Yellowstone National Park’s border was halted when the environmental groups “successfully argued that the forest failed to consider the project’s impacts on Canada lynx, which has been listed as a threatened species in the United States since 2000.”

Granting Nature Legal Rights
Western legal systems and government have traditionally viewed land and water as property. The Chilean Free-Flowing Rivers Network says “the time has come to look at granting legal rights — a form of legal personhood — to the nation’s rivers. . . . corporations are granted the same rights as people while the living ecosystems upon which we depend for survival are not.” In 2017, the government of New Zealand granted the status of legal personhood to the Whanganui River. A committee, including community representatives, will act as legal administrator and the river can now be represented in court proceedings.

A 2018 article in Yale Environment 360 says, “Despite the promise held by establishing legal rights for rivers, difficult questions remain. What does it mean for a river to have the rights of a person? Does a river have the right to flow freely, and does this mean its waters can’t be dammed or diverted? Is compensation to affected communities permissible in lieu of court orders requiring removal of large obstructions like dams? What can we do to move beyond merely acknowledging humanity’s connection to rivers to actually saving them? And, finally, and perhaps most important, how should a legal regime determine who will advocate on behalf of a river, which lacks a voice of its own?”

The Earth Law Centre believes “nature should be able to defend its rights in court, just like people can.” Earth Law views humans as co-equal partners with other Earth members. All members should have “the right to be, the right to habitat and the right to fulfill its role in the ever-renewing processes of the Earth community. As co-equal members, humans ‘have no right to prevent other components of the Earth community from fulfilling their evolutionary role’.”

A lawyer in the United Kingdom launched Mission Lifeforce in 2017. The Mission wants to add ecocide to the list of international crimes. They define ecocide as “serious loss, damage or destruction of ecosystems, and includes climate or cultural damage as well as direct ecological damage.” If they were successful, CEOs and government ministers could be held criminally responsible for serious damage to the environment.

Have You Got an Environmental Project We Can Help You with in 2018?

What environmental issue is of greatest concern to you? Is it light pollution, protecting native grassland, food waste, urban wildlife, renewable energy? Have you got an idea that you think could make a difference but need some financial assistance? Maybe we can help.

EcoFriendly Action Grants (usually $500) are designed to assist individuals and organizations in Saskatchewan with projects that will protect, preserve, or repair the natural environment. This can be direct (habitat restoration, energy conservation) or indirect (environmental education, promotion of local natural habitats).

Have you got a project we can help you with in 2018? Here are some ideas to stimulate your imagination.

Co-existing with Wildlife
Living Skies Wildlife Rehabilitation and Saskatoon Nature Society sponsored a speaker at last year’s NatureCity Festival on safeguarding birds in the urban environment. What else can we do to promote harmonious co-existence with wildlife?

Beavers – We don’t have to slaughter beavers to stop them from harming our urban infrastructure. The Fur-Bearers offers technical workshops for municipal staff and community members regarding flow devices and other management options.

Coyotes – Common sense and education can help minimize human and wildlife encounters and conflict. Coyote Watch Canada assists communities with school and public education campaigns.

Fashion
Water & Rivers – We wear jeans every day, giving little thought to their impact on the environment. Yet, each pair takes 920 gallons of water to make and their production releases toxic chemicals into some of the world’s most vital rivers. RiverBlue, a Canadian film exploring the problem and the solutions, is now available for screening in your community.

Excess Consumption
Share – Saskatoon’s Library of Things shares tools, camping gear, and kitchen gadgets that we only use occasionally. Would you like to start something similar in your community?

Reuse – Repair Cafés bring people together to fix what is broken. People with experience help those without. Clothes and electrical appliances are mended rather than thrown out. Would you like to host a repair café in your community?

Urban Nature
Our towns and cities are biodiversity hotspots. What can we do to protect and support urban nature?

Pollinator Highways – The David Suzuki Foundation established its Butterflyway Project in 2017. Volunteers in five cities planted at least a dozen pollinator patches filled with native wildflowers to support butterflies, bees, and other pollinators as they travelled from one location to another.

Clean-Up Grants - Every spring, EcoFriendly Sask offers a limited number of $500 grants to clubs and voluntary organizations for cleaning up a natural area in or around their community.

For additional ideas, take a look at the accomplishments of the 2017 EcoFriendly Action Grant recipients.

EcoSask News, September 12, 2017

Upcoming Events
Kids Clubs @ Royal Sask Museum (Regina)
From biology mixed with art to artifact and gallery exploration – registration is now open for the kids club fall programs at Regina’s Royal Saskatchewan Museum.

Chubby Round Birds, Sept. 14 (Saskatoon)
Songbirds get a lot of attention, but Lyndon Penner will share his enthusiasm for short, chubby birds such as grouse at Wild Birds Unlimited at 7 pm, Sept. 14.

Buffalo Pound/Nicole Flats Photo Trip, Sept. 16 (Regina) 
Join the Regina Photo Club on a field trip to Buffalo Pound/Nicole Flats on Sept. 16.

Royal Astronomical Society General Meeting, Sept. 18 (Saskatoon) 
The Royal Astronomical Society, Saskatoon Centre, is holding a general meeting from 8-9:30 pm, Sept. 18.

The Spread of Purple Loosestrife, Sept. 18 (Regina)
Teresa Bomersbach, Sask Polytech, will discuss the spread of purple loosestrife at the 7:30 pm, Sept. 18 meeting of Nature Regina.

Sustainability in Saskatoon & Edmonton, Sept. 19 (Saskatoon)
Cody Sharpe will discuss The Stories Behind the Policy: Sustainability in Saskatoon & Edmonton at 7 pm, Sept. 19, as part of the SES/Public Library Sustainable Speaker Series.

H2oil, Sept. 20 (Regina)
Cinema Politica is screening H2oil about the Canadian tar sands at 7 pm, Sept. 20.

Riskier Climate Times in the Prairie Provinces, Sept. 21 (Saskatoon)
Elaine Wheaton, University of Saskatchewan, will discuss riskier climate times in the prairie provinces at the 7:30 pm, Sept. 21 meeting of the Saskatoon Nature Society.

Looking Ahead
Introduction to Passive House High Performance Buildings, Sept. 30 (Saskatoon)
Introduction to Passive House High Performance Buildings, providing an overview of the core principles of Passive House design and building energy efficiency regulations in Canada, is being offered in Saskatoon on Sept. 30.

Nature Retreat, Oct. 13-15 (Ness Creek)
SaskOutdoors is hosting a nature retreat Oct. 13-15 at the Ness Creek site near Big River.

Flowing Waters Conference, Oct. 17-19 (AB)
Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance are hosting their annual conference in Leduc, AB, Oct. 17-19. The theme is Flowing Waters: Water Quality and Transboundary Issues in the Saskatchewan River Basin.

Nature Regina Field Trips
Sept. 23, 9 am-noon – Condie Nature Refuge
Check Nature Regina’s website for full details and updated information.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Golden Eagles 
Sept. 21, 8 am – Fall Migration South of Delisle
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate in Golden Eagle field trips.

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

In the News
Due to budget cuts to the Meewasin Valley Authority, Beaver Creek Conservation Area, Saskatoon, will be closed on weekends and holidays from October 2017 through to March 2018.

In its first year, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society's solar energy project on the roof of the Two Twenty supplied nearly a third of the building's energy and saved 20 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

Edmonton's mayor wants a section of the city's river valley to become a provincial park similar to Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary.

These cities are swooping in to save bats with bat fests and citizen bat enthusiasts.

Solar power and honey bees make a sweet combo in Minnesota.

From greening the operating room to energy and waste reduction - a climate action playbook for hospitals.

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 4, 2017

Upcoming Events
Quill Lakes Public Info Session, July 11 (Fort Qu’Appelle)
WUQWATR is holding a public information session at 7 pm, July 11, to discuss the potential impact of the Quill Lakes on the Qu’Appelle Valley river system.

Garden Patch Bioblitz, July 12 (Saskatoon)
The Saskatoon Nature Society and the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre are holding a bioblitz at the Garden Patch from 7-9 pm, July 12.

Plant Diseases, Illnesses & Solutions, July 15 (Saskatoon)
The Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre is hosting a workshop on plant diseases, illnesses & solutions from 2-4 pm, July 15, at the Garden Patch.

Household Hazardous Waste Day, July 15 (Saskatoon)
You can dispose of household hazardous waste in Saskatoon from 9 am – 3:30 pm on July 15.

Family Day at the Zoo, July 16 (Saskatoon)
The Family Day at the Zoo fundraiser, including entertainment, animal talks, and activities for children, will be held from 9 am-4 pm, July 16.

NCC Conservation Volunteer Program (SK)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Conservation Volunteers program provides great opportunities to get outside and do your part to protect or repair damage to the environment. There are 3 volunteer opportunities in July.
July 12, 5:30-8:30 pm – West Parklands Open House (near Shellbrook)
July 14, 9 am-3 pm – Kick Up at Kettlehut (near Central Butte)
July 22, 9 am-3 pm – Messy-EH? (near Alvena)

Nature Regina Field Trips
July 15, 8 am-4 pm – Buffalo Pound Wilderness Area
Check Nature Regina’s website for full details and updated information.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Saskatoon Young Naturalists
Aug. 1, 6-9 pm – Peregrine Falcon Field Trip
Sept. 23, 9:30 am-1:30 pm – Sandhill Crane Field Trip
Oct. 4, 7:30-9:30 pm – Saw-whet Owl Field Trip
Space is limited; register early to avoid disappointment.
Golden Eagles
July 6, 7 am – Breeding Bird Atlas Square Bashing
July 13, 8 am – Search for Prairie Lilies
July 20, 8 am – MVA Trail Walk
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate in Golden Eagle field trips.

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

In the News
I am the Saskatchewan River Delta covering 10,000 sq km and yet I receive little recognition and almost no protection

Vienna manages its residual waste entirely within city limits, using trash to keep thousands of citizens warm in winter

Indigenous Climate Action is working to bridge the gap between government strategies on climate change and Indigenous knowledge

We need to start treating climate change like a public health crisis

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 27, 2017

Upcoming Events
Prairie Agriculture Carbon Summit, July 13-14 (Saskatoon)
The Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan is hosting a Prairie Agriculture Carbon Summit, July 13-14, in Saskatoon. Topics will include carbon pricing, carbon sequestration, fertilizer management, genomics, and economics.

Looking Ahead
Summer Star Party, Aug. 23-27 (Cypress Hills)
Observe the sun and the stars during the Royal Astronomical Society’s annual Summer Star Party at Cypress Hills Provincial Park’s dark-sky campground and observatory from Aug. 23-27.

Introduction to Passive House High Performance Buildings, Sept. 30 (Saskatoon)
Introduction to Passive House High Performance Buildings, an overview of the core principles of Passive House design and building energy efficiency regulations in Canada, is being offered in Saskatoon on Sept. 30.

Flowing Waters Conference, Oct. 17-19 (Leduc)
Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance are hosting their annual conference in Leduc, AB, Oct. 17-19. The theme is Flowing Waters: Water Quality and Transboundary Issues in the Saskatchewan River Basin.

Renewables in Remote Communities, Oct. 24-27 (Whitehorse)
Pembina Institute is hosting a Renewables in Remote Microgrids / Communities conference from Oct. 24-27 in Whitehorse.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Saskatoon Young Naturalists
Aug. 24, 1-3 pm – Grasslands Hike
Sept. 23, 9:30 am-1:30 pm – Sandhill Crane Field Trip
Space is limited; register early to avoid disappointment

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
July 8, 8:45 am-? – North American Buttefly Count
July 9, 1-4 pm – Botany Trip, Beaver Creek Conservation Area
July 15, 7am-5 pm – Douglas Park Sand Dunes Hike
July 16, 1:30-4:30 pm – Dragonfly & Damselfly Viewing
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 

Congratulations!
The SES Solar Co-operative now has 140 members and has installed 210 solar panels. “The Co-op’s latest solar install is at 615 Haskamp Street in Saskatoon. It involves an innovative partnership between SES Solar Co-operative, which owns the solar panels, local building owner Montgomery Agencies (who has provided a reinforced rooftop space for the installation), and 4 private businesses at the Haskamp Street site which will now receive the majority of their electricity from a near emissions-free solar energy source.”

In the News
"The trucks picking up and delivering our goods make up nine per cent of Canada’s total emissions, and that number is projected to exceed passenger vehicle emissions by around 2030." Driving down freight emissions will require federal, provincial, and municipal cooperation.

The era of ownership is ending. "On-demand is about using things when we actually need them. It leads to the more effective use of resources."

Passive house construction is leaping from niche to mainstream. Here are 6 strategies for accelerating market transformation.

Managed collectively backyards could become more biodiverse landscapes. “What goes on in a yard is seen as a personal decision by homeowners. But all of those individual decisions add up. ‘We think it’s just our house, . . . But forty or fifty percent of a city is people’s yards. If you put us together and replicate it across the country, it’s a very large area.”

Rampant road building is having a shattering impact on wildlife. That’s why wildlife crossings are so important - watch 60 pronghorn navigate a road crossing for the first time.



Here’s why it’s time to stop punishing our soils with fertilizer.

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 30, 2017

Upcoming Events
Tree Care, June 1 (Regina) 
Russell Eirich will discuss Tree Care: Disease, Fungus and Pest Control at a Regina Horticultural Society event, 7 pm, June 1.

Northeast Swale Phase I Development Hearing, June 2 (Saskatoon)
Meewasin Valley Authority is holding a public hearing at noon, June 2, at the Saskatoon Club to consider an application by Meewasin for the Northeast Swale Phase 1 Development (Trails and Fencing) and Chief Whitecap Master Plan Update.

Regina BioBlitz, June 9/10 (Regina) 
BioBlitz Canada 150 in Regina includes a wide variety of guided activities - from an evening insect walk and frog calling on June 9 to a plant walk, an urban ecology walk, and pond dipping/bug catching/worm charming on June 10.

Net Zero Ready Homes, June 7 (Saskatoon)
Errol Fisher, North Ridge Development Corp, will discuss net zero ready homes at the June 7 breakfast meeting of the Saskatchewan Energy Management Task Force.

Intro Composting, June 10 (Saskatoon)
Saskatoon Food Bank’s Garden Patch is hosting an introduction to composting from 12:30-2 pm, June 10.

Twisted Science, June 13 (Saskatoon) 
Timothy Caulfield will speak on Twisted Science: Policy and Public Perception in the Era of Misinformation from 10 am – 12 pm, June 13, at the University of Saskatchewan.

Looking Ahead
ForestART, July 3 -7 (Ness Creek) 
ForestART is a 5-day art in nature event at Ness Creek, July 3-7. This year’s activities will include wild painting, blacksmithing, life lines drawing, nature and landscape photography, and encaustic. 

River Rendezvous 150, July 13-15 (Saskatoon)
Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin is hosting River Rendezvous 150, July 13-15, with voyageur canoes, film, dance, music, visual art, and storytelling. There will be free canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboard instruction; the premier of Ian Toews film, River Delta; and a Trails of 1885 paddle to Batoche.

Connecting Kids with Nature, Aug. 9-11 (North Battleford)
SaskOutdoors invites educators to participate in a two-night camping adventure to help in Connecting Kids with Nature, Aug. 9-11, North Battleford.

NCC Conservation Volunteer Program (SK)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Conservation Volunteers program provides great opportunities to get outside and do your part to protect or repair damage to the environment. There are 3 volunteer opportunities in June.
June 17, 9 am-3 pm – Bio Blitz at Saltcoats
June 24, 9 am-3 pm – Check out the View at Wideview
June 29, 9 am-3 pm – Burdock Blitz (Fairy Hill)

Saskatoon Nature Society
Golden Eagles 
June 8, 7:30 am – St. Isadore-de-Bellevue Museum & Area
June 15, 7:30 am – Vision Quest and Bents
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate in Golden Eagle field trips.

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
June 6, 6:30-8:30 pm – Patterson Gardens Walk
June 10-11 – Ness Creek Field Trip
June 11, 1:30-5 pm – Butterfly Walk
June 14, 7-9 pm – Richard St. Barbe Baker Park
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 
Bike Regina has a bike repair/cyclist advice stand at the Regina Farmers’ Market.

The Fat Tire Club has received a WinterCity YXE grant to provide groomed trails for winter recreational opportunities at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

An Ontario community invested in fencing and culverts to protect its wildlife. Let’s do the same in Saskatoon’s Northeast Swale.

The City of Calgary has fenced off a green area to give a coyote family with new pups space, but residents are ignoring the fencing and signs, putting coyotes at risk.

New signs on the Arizona Trail highlight wildlife and point out that although you may never see bears, foxes, or turkeys, they leave plenty of signs. The images are drawn to scale in an effort to make identification of scat and tracks easier for Trail users.

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).

A Critique of the Independent Provincial Assessment of the Meewasin Valley Authority

MNP LLP prepared a governance and operational assessment of the Meewasin Valley Authority for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport. The report, published in November 2016, was recently posted on the Ministry’s website.

A review of the report raises a number of questions regarding the validity of the assessment’s findings.

Comparator Parks
MNP compared the Meewasin Valley Authority with 8 other Canadian parks “in order to evaluate best practices in the areas of governance, organizational structure, and funding mechanisms.” The report states that the comparator parks were chosen based on size, location, urban population, and the park’s conservation activities.

Park Size
Reviewing the report, one has to wonder if MNP wasn’t trying to compare apples and oranges. The MVA is responsible for 6,278 hectares. Of the 8 comparator parks, only 3 are over 200 hectares and only 2 are over 500 hectares.

Park Location
The report states that most of the comparator parks are funded primarily by the local municipality. However, 41% of the MVA is Crown land outside of municipal jurisdiction. In addition, Meewasin includes a river valley, placing it under federal as well as provincial jurisdiction.

Conservation Activities
Unlike the majority of the comparator parks, Meewasin Valley Authority is responsible for carrying out a review of proposed developments within the Meewasin conservation zone that are in the river channel or have an aggregate worth of over $25,000.

The MVA also carries out a variety of conservation activities that are under provincial and federal jurisdiction (control of invasive species control, reports on species at risk and water quality).

Of the comparator parks, only 3 carry out any conservation activities. These are, in most cases, limited and carried out by volunteers.

Alternate Park Comparisons
Only one of the comparator parks, the North Saskatchewan River Valley parks system, has a similar size (18,000 ha.) and scope (municipal parks, city-operated public facilities, and provincially-owned sites) with the MVA. The River Valley Alliance is responsible for coordinating river valley planning and development within the seven member municipalities. 69% of its funds are provided by the federal and provincial governments. The North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society is responsible for protecting and enhancing biodiversity while the City of Edmonton has a natural areas conservation plan.

Fish Creek Provincial Park, located in southwest Calgary, is Canada’s second largest urban park and is under provincial jurisdiction.

Rouge National Urban Park in metropolitan Toronto is under federal jurisdiction. The Parks Canada website says that the park is “home to amazing biodiversity, some of the last remaining working farms in the Greater Toronto Area, Carolinian ecosystems, Toronto’s only campground, one of the region’s largest marshes, unspoiled beaches, amazing hiking opportunities, and human history dating back over 10,000 years, including some of Canada's oldest known Indigenous sites.” Similar features are found in the Meewasin Valley.

Pippy Park in St. John’s is a 1,376 ha. land reserve, nature conservation and recreation area close to the downtown core. In addition to providing local residents with recreational opportunities, it's responsible for protecting and conserving natural habitats and features. It’s a semi-autonomous Crown Corporation.

Mandate and Scope
The assessment report recommends transferring responsibility for primary funding of the MVA to the City of Saskatoon and cancelling funding from the Ministry, with the possible exception of the Crown lands. They suggest that the province could provide the MVA with funding for conservation and resource management on Crown lands or the lands could be returned to the Crown for their oversight. To divide up responsibility for a river valley rather than maintaining a comprehensive approach to conservation and development seems short-sighted. The Edmonton River Valley parks system receives provincial and federal funding and shares responsibility among 7 member municipalities.

In addition, the Province of Saskatchewan does not have a good track record for grassland conservation. In its most recent budget, the government stated that it plans to dispose of 51 community public pastures, despite the fact that 80% of the province’s grasslands are already in private hands.

The report questions Meewasin’s future vision of becoming a world-class corridor and suggests that their plans to purchase additional land are a sign of “scope creep.” For those of us who place a high value on protecting our natural resources for future generations, it is heartening to see that the MVA shares those values. To restrict the MVA’s mandate would be short-sighted.

What is your reaction to the assessment report? How do you envision the future of the Meewasin Valley Authority?

See Also
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority: A role model for Meewasin Valley Authority?

EcoSask News, March 21, 2017

Upcoming Events
Ecosystem Services Provided by Native Prairie, Mar. 24 (webinar)
Sue Michalsky, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, will discuss ways of valuing ecosystem services in a Mar. 24 webinar (SK-PCAP Native Prairie Speaker series).

Carbonless Concert, Mar. 25 (Saskatoon)
The fifth Carbonless Concert with solar-powered audio is being held from 6:30-9 pm, Mar. 25, at d’Lish by Tish Café.

Sustainability Slam & Carbonless Concert, Mar. 29 (Saskatoon)
The U of S Graduate Students’ Association is holding a Sustainability Slam & Carbonless Concert from 6-9:30 pm, Mar. 29.

Sage Grouse & Cropland Conversion, Mar. 29 (webinar)
Joe Smith, University of Montana, is offering a webinar on greater sage grouse and cropland conversion at noon, Mar. 29 (SK-PCAP Native Prairie Speaker series).

WUQWATR AGM, Mar. 30 (Lumsden)
Wascana Upper Qu’Appelle Watershed Association Taking Responsibility (WUQWATR) is holding its AGM from 6:30-8 pm, Mar. 30, in Lumsden.

Bicycle Mechanic Workshops, Mar/Apr (Saskatoon)
Bridge City Bicycle Co-op is offering weekly workshops from Mar. 30 to Apr. 27 on how to repair parts of your bike.

World Water Day Movie, Apr. 3 (Prince Albert)
Council of Canadians – Prince Albert Chapter is hosting a showing of the movie Above All Else at 7 pm, Apr. 3.

Nature Regina Field Trips
Mar. 25, 10 am - noon - NATUREWALK in Wascana
Apr. 8, 9 am – 4:30 pm – Early Arrivals & Winter Birds at Echo Lake & Fort Qu’Appelle
Check Nature Regina’s website for full details and updated information.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Young Naturalists
Apr. 18 – Crocus Hike
Space is limited; register early to avoid disappointment.

Golden Eagles
Apr. 6, 8 am – Bluebirds in Merrill Hills Area
Apr. 13, 8 am – Crocuses and Bluebirds
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate in Golden Eagle field trips.

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Apr. 1, 9 am – 2 pm – Bluebird Trip to Pike Lake
Apr. 5, 7-10 pm – Saw-whet Owling near Pike Lake
Apr. 12, 6:30-8 pm – Gull Identification
Check the Saskatoon Nature Society’s website for full details and updated information.

Looking Ahead
SK Living Green Expo, Apr. 7-9 (Saskatoon)
The Saskatchewan Living Green Expo, Apr. 7-9, includes presentations on solar energy, socially responsible investing, and reducing chemicals in the home. There will be bats and snakes in the Kidsphere, and DIY workshops on choosing a green builder, green heating options, and eco retrofits. Frank Wolf, long-distance wilderness canoeist, will talk about his 1800 km, 44-day expedition from La Ronge to Baker Lake.

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

In the News
Buy a rain barrel and support the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan’s efforts to help injured and orphaned wildlife. Rain barrels are $70 each and must be pre-ordered online.

The Council of Canadians Prince Albert chapter has won their city council executive committee's support for the human right to water and publicly financed, owned, and operated water and wastewater services.

JNS Yoga, Saskatoon, is committed to zero waste. First step - switching from paper to cloth towels.

3 easy step to take to protect wild bees.

15 ways to stop microfiber pollution now.

A New Zealand river is the first in the world to be given legal human status and is quickly followed by the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in India.

The burial industry is starting to offer greener end-of-life options.

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 29, 2016

Upcoming Events
Environmental Justice & Sustainability, Dec. 2 (Saskatoon & online)
Dr. Randolph Haluza De-Lay, delegate to the climate negotiations in Marrakech, will be speaking on environmental justice and sustainability from 3-4 pm, Dec. 2, as part of SERI’s Talking Sustainability series. The presentation will also be available online.

Permaculture Christmas Party, Dec. 3 (Prince Albert)
The Prince Albert Parkland Permaculture guild is hosting a Potluck Christmas Party on Dec. 3.

River Access Study, Dec. 5 (Saskatoon)
The City of Saskatoon and Meewasin Valley Authority are conducting a study to identify river access requirements. The primary focus will be on facilities for launching and mooring motorized and non-motorized watercraft; however, it will address all forms of river access. There will be a public open house from 3:30-8 pm, Dec. 5. You can also complete an online survey.

Tracking Migratory Birds, Dec. 8 (Saskatoon)
Ann McKellar, a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, will talk about the tools, from simple bands to GPS tags, that researchers use to track migratory birds in order to learn more about where they go and what threats they might face along the way. The Saskatoon Nature Society meetings are held monthly at 7:30 pm in Room 106, Biology Building, University of Saskatchewan.

The Eagle Huntress, Dec. 8-11 (Regina)
The Regina Public Library is showing the film The Eagle Huntress from Dec. 8-11. The film follows a 13-year-old girl as she trains to be an eagle hunter in Mongolia.

Grasslands Project, Dec. 8 (Moose Jaw)
Moose Jaw Public Library will be showing the Grasslands Project, a series of short documentary films about life on the southern prairies, at 2:30 pm, Dec. 8.

Saskatoon Young Naturalists
Jan. 7 – Snowshoeing
Jan. 21 – Tracks and Scats
Feb. 4 – Chickadee Pishing
Mar. 18 – Great Horned Owl Ecology
Space is limited; register early to avoid disappointment.

Christmas Bird Counts
Saskatoon & Area 
Dec. 14 - Harris
Dec. 16 – Radisson-Borden
Dec. 17 – Clark’s Crossing
Dec. 18 – Qu’Appelle Valley Dam
Dec. 19 – Gardiner Dam Dec. 22 - Floral
Dec. 26 – Saskatoon Dec. 27 – Biggar
Jan. 2 – Pike Lake
Contact the Saskatoon Nature Society for full details and updated information.
Regina 
Dec. 16 – Grasslands National Park
Dec. 18 – Craven 
Dec. 26 – Regina
Christmas Bird Counts for Kids
Dec. 29 – Saskatoon
Jan. 7 – Regina

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

2017 Bird Calendar
Nick Saunders’ 2017 Bird Calendar is now available for purchase.

In the News
We need to buy less and appreciate more - how to stop shopping mindlessly

Transition "is about communities stepping up to address the big challenges they face by starting local. . . . . In practice, they are reclaiming the economy, sparking entrepreneurship, reimagining work, reskilling themselves and weaving webs of connection and support."

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 27, 2016

Upcoming Events
GRIDS, Sept. 29 (Saskatoon) 
Members of GRIDS (Generation for Renewable Innovation and Development in Saskatoon) are meeting at 6:30 pm, Sept. 29, at Winston’s Pub, to discuss the organization’s mission, vision, and goals.

Electric Cars & Low-Emission Driving, Sept. 29 (Saskatoon) 
Find out more about the practicalities of electric cars and the models on their way to market at 7 pm, Sep. 29, at The Stand.

Sustainable Development in an Unequal World, Sept. 30 (Saskatoon) 
Join the College of Medicine’s panel and discussion on development, health and the role of communities in the fight for a sustainable and just world at 7:15 pm, Sept. 30.

Household Hazardous Waste Day, Oct. 1 (Regina) 
You can dispose of household hazardous waste, major appliances, rimless tires, and some electronics at the City of Regina’s Public Works Yard (2425 4th Avenue) from 9 am – 3:45 pm on Oct. 1.

Sprague’s Pipit, Oct. 3 (Regina Weyburn) 
Phil Rose, University of Regina, will discuss Sprague's Pipit: The Status and Habitat Requirements of a Threatened Grassland Bird at 7 pm, Oct. 3, in Regina Weyburn, as part of PCAP-SK’s Native Prairie Speaker Series.

Pipelines, Power & Democracy, Oct. 5 (Saskatoon) 
The film Pipelines, Power & Democracy at 2 pm, Oct. 5, at the Frances Morrison Library, documents the growth of an anti-pipeline movement in Quebec.

Temperance Street Passive House, Oct. 5 (Saskatoon) 
Robin Adair will describe how he built the Temperance Street Passive House at the Oct. 5 meeting of the Saskatchewan Energy Management Task Force.

Every River Has a Story, Oct. 16-19 (Saskatoon) 
Tickets are now available for Every River Has a Story . . . What Is Yours? from October 16-19 in Saskatoon. Keynote speakers include Maude Barlow, Danika Littlechild, and Trevor Herriot.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
Golden Eagles 
Oct. 6, 9 am – Whooping Cranes
Oct. 13, 9 am – Goose Trip, Donovan Area
Oct. 20, 9 am - Blackstrap
Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate in Golden Eagle field trips.

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 
October – Saw-whet Owl Banding – contact Marten Stoffel if interested
Oct. 2, 9 am-noon – Post Fall Meet Trip to Blackstrap
Oct. 8, 8 am-5 pm – Whooping Crane Trip
Oct. 10, 9:30-11:30 am – Woodlawn Cemetery & Weir
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 
Vote for the Swale (Saskatoon) 

"a ribbon of wild prairie and natural wetlands that represents the conservation opportunity of a lifetime for the City of Saskatoon" 

The Northeast Swale Watchers have a launched a website and video with 5 questions to ask municipal election candidates to ensure that the Swale is protected.

The Swale Watchers hold regular meetings with speakers and discussions about issues such as light pollution, contaminants, and wildlife protection. They welcome new members and can be reached at swalewatchers@gmail.com

Keeping Beaver Families Together 
The City of Saskatoon, like many communities across Canada, treats beavers as pests, killing them when they deem necessary (e.g. damaging trees). The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals recently spent a week in and around Calgary, teaching Calgary Parks staff, other municipalities, and various non-profits, how to install and maintain the life-saving devices that keep beaver families together. Flow devices, which allow beavers to remain in place while protecting infrastructure and property, as well as tree-wrapping, were the subject of two days of workshops.

Wouldn’t it be great if The Fur-Bearers were invited to Saskatchewan to share their life-saving ideas?

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, August 9, 2016

Upcoming Events
Next Up Leadership Program (Saskatoon, Regina) 
Next Up leadership program is designed to help emerging leaders address policy issues. Deadline for application is Sept. 19, 2016, for Saskatoon and Oct. 7, 2016, for Regina.

Meewasin Board Meeting, Aug. 12 (Saskatoon)
The board of the Meewasin Valley Authority will be approving street lighting through the Northeast Swale at 12 noon, Aug. 12, at the Saskatoon Club.

Better Good Living Tour, Aug. 13 (Saskatoon) 
The Better Good Living Tour is scheduled for 12-4 pm, Aug. 13, and includes solar power, canning and fermenting, chickens and honey bees, and more.

Mission Monarch Blitz, Aug. 14 (Regina) 
Join Nature Regina and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum as they check the Native Prairie Garden for monarch eggs and caterpillars as part of the Mission Monarch Blitz from 2-4 pm, Aug. 14.

Looking Ahead
Canoe Certification Course, Sept. 10 & 11 (Regina) 
SaskOutdoors is offering a Paddle Canada canoe certification course on Sept. 10 & 11 at Lumsden Beach.

SaskOutdoors Nature Retreat, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 (SK)
SaskOutdoors is holding a nature retreat at Ness Creek from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

Canadian Heritage Rivers Conference, Oct. 16-19 (Saskatoon)
Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin, in collaboration with the Canadian Heritage River Systems and Saskatchewan Parks, Culture and Sport is hosting the Canadian Heritage Rivers conference in Saskatoon from Oct. 16-19.

The conference will explore how rivers have shaped our culture, history, science and everyday lives in Saskatchewan and our collective Canadian identity across the country.

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

Read All About It
The Saskatchewan River Delta, at 10,000 square kilometres, is the largest inland freshwater delta in North America. It’s a major stopover point for migratory birds, while many others are hatched there and fly to other areas. It’s a spawning area for sturgeon and other fish. But it’s dying.

Striking Balance is a documentary series about Canada’s biosphere reserves, including Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve.

A relatively minor investment in retraining would allow the vast majority of U.S. coal workers to switch to solar-related positions.

Would you buy patched-up clothes to tackle textile waste?

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 29, 2016

Upcoming Events
Environmentally Conscious Decision-Making, Mar. 29
Dr. John Giesy, Professor of Environmental Psychology, will be leading a discussion on Life in a Toxic World: Environmentally Conscious Decision-Making at Tox on Tap at 7 pm, Mar. 29.

Protecting the Swale, Apr. 1
The Northeast Swale is on the agenda for the Apr. 1 Meewasin Valley Authority board meeting. There are plans to convert Central Avenue into a four-lane, divided arterial route across the Northeast Swale connecting with the four-lane North Commuter Parkway. The City of Saskatoon estimates that these two thoroughfares, together with Lowe Road, will carry between 26,000 and 67,000 vehicles (possibly more) across the Swale each day, bringing noise, disruption, and danger. The public is invited to make written or oral presentations.

Ecological Economics, Apr. 6
Dr. Brett Dolter, VP Research and Education, Canadian Society for Ecological Economics, will be speaking at the Apr. 6 breakfast meeting of the Saskatchewan Energy Management Task Force.

Saskatchewan River Delta, Apr. 7
Learn more about the Saskatchewan River Delta at a screening of a one-hour documentary by Ian Toews at 7 pm, Apr. 7.

Nature’s Calling You, Apr. 13
Nature’s Calling You is a free evening of speakers and entertainment honouring the Prince Albert National Park region at 6:30 pm, Apr. 13.

SK Environmental Society AGM, Apr. 14
Cathy Holtslander and Darrin Qualman, National Farmers’ Union, are the keynote speakers at the Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s AGM on Apr. 14. They’ll be speaking about Climate Change: The Challenges of Decarbonizing our Farms and Food Systems.

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

News
Saskatoon Police Services’ headquarters has received LEED Silver certification. The Health Sciences E Wing, University of Saskatchewan, has received LEED Gold certification.

A provincial election primer – 10 reasons why Saskatchewan’s grasslands matter.

Prince Albert City Council is considering fines and a two-tiered billing system to help prevent non-recyclables being put in recycling bins.

The Craik Eco-Centre has been destroyed by fire - what a shame!

Agriculture, meat production in particular, is the largest source of environmentally damaging nitrogen.

Stop, say hello, and appreciate all the forms of life around you.

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).