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] 

Thank you for reading EcoSask News. If you enjoyed it, please share it with someone – or many someones! 

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

EcoSask News, September 22, 2020

Upcoming Events 

Sustainable YXE, Sept. 24 (online) 

The Saskatoon Public Library is hosting a program to help teens engage with others who share an interest in environmental sustainability. The first session is at 6 pm, Sept. 24. 

International Climate Strike, Sept. 25 (Saskatoon) 

YXE Youth Climate Committee is hosting a socially distanced (masks mandatory) climate strike from 1-2:30 pm, Sept. 25. 

Birds for Beginners, Sept. 25 (online) 

LeeAnn Latremouille, Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator, will host a Zoom presentation on beginner bird identification at 2 pm, Sept. 25, for the Saskatoon Public Library. 

Wildlife Rehab AGM, Sept. 26 (online) 

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan is holding a virtual annual general meeting at 2 pm, Sept. 26. Register in advance. 

Household Hazardous Waste Days, Sept. 26 & 27 (Regina) 

City of Regina is holding Household Hazardous Waste Days on Sept. 26 (9 am-4 pm) and Sept. 27 (9 am-4 pm). 

Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency, Sept. 30 (online) 

Join Seth Klein, author of A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency, for an evening of music, a reading, author Q&A, and a panel discussion with local climate emergency activists from 7-8:30 pm, Sept. 30.  

Climate Action Networking, Oct. 1 (online)

Are you working on climate change issues in Saskatoon? Register for an evening of networking and presentations on key climate policies from 7-8:30 pm, Oct. 1.

Saskatoon Nature Society 

Golden Eagles 

Sept. 24, 9 am – Petrofka Orchard & Trails 

Oct. 1, 9 am – Radisson Lake 

Oct. 8, 9 am – Whooping Cranes (members only) 

Oct. 15, 9 am – Blackstrap & area 

Retirees and partners who are interested in birds and the natural world are invited to participate. 

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 

Sept. 26, 1:45-9:30 pm – Goose & Crane Trip 

Oct. 10, 8 am-5 pm – Whooping Crane Field Trip 

Oct. 12, 9:30-11:30 am – Woodlawn Cemetery Bird Walk 

Field trips are currently for members only, so sign up now.

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

Local News 

Regina citizens have responded to a motion by Regina City Council to go 100% renewable with community meetings and a report emphasizing the need to include equity in the plan. 

Northern Saskatchewan residents can make a valuable scientific contribution by monitoring bird species and letting people know about species decline. 

Northeast Swale Watchers have updated their website – find out why speed kills. 

From Information to Action 

The less you rake, the more you help fight climate change and save biodiversity. 

A new report demonstrates how countries can tap into the undervalued potential of their wetland systems to fight climate change. 

Reclaiming golf courses and waterways – how volunteer rewilders are building a new harmony with nature. 

That’s Amazing! 

From emergency first aid to spy games and booby traps – how plants defend themselves from insects. 

It pays to have a beak! Why birds survived and dinosaurs went extinct. 

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

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

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

EcoSask News, August 25, 2020

Upcoming Events
Outdoor Family Adventure, Aug. 29 (Regina) 
Families can rotate through a variety of outdoor experiences organized by Nature Regina in McKell Wascana Conservation Park from 10 am-2 pm, Aug. 29. The event is limited to 40 families and registration is required.

Household Hazardous Waste Day, Aug. 29 (Moose Jaw) 
The City of Moose Jaw is holding a household hazardous waste day from 9 am-3 pm, Aug. 29.

Wildlife Corridor, Aug. 31 (webinar) 
Find out about the work Nature Conservancy of Canada – Alberta is doing to protect the wildlife corridor in the Crowsnest Pass at noon, Aug. 31.

Looking Ahead 
Curbside Swap, Sept. 19 (Saskatoon) 
The City of Saskatoon is hosting a city-wide curbside swap on Sept. 19.

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

Local News 
Lumsden has received federal funding to install solar panels on 4 municipal facilities, putting 3 of them on track to reach 100% net-zero emissions.

The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation hopes to turn the former Saskatoon police firing range into a multicultural interpretive centre focusing on the historical and future importance of areas like the Northeast Swale.

Life Outside Gear Exchange, opening in September in Saskatoon, will sell high-quality, gently used outdoor clothing and gear.

“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. And I am asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs. Oh please do not cut down another one.”

The City of Saskatoon’s Trees on City Property policy prevents the removal of city-owned trees unless they are dead, dying, or diseased. The Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services is proposing an amendment that would permit the removal of public trees that individual residents perceive to be a nuisance (e.g. too much shade, too few leaves, “ugly”). The amendment would also place a greater financial burden on the City. SOS Trees Coalition is asking people who view trees as a public asset and value Saskatoon’s urban forest to email their City Councillor expressing their concerns.

From Information to Action
“We can only have pandas and eagles (and clean air and water, for that matter) if we also have the complex and interconnected ecosystems that support them. And yes, those ecosystems include bugs…”

Moths – easy to spot and endlessly fascinating.

Routine gas flaring is wasteful, polluting, and under-measured.

“Human beings cannot flourish and maintain health without healthy ecosystems to live within. That’ll be one of the biggest lessons of the twenty-first century, and I think COVID-19 points us in that direction.”

An Indigenous health care facility was built using rammed earth, and scientists have developed a method for 3-D printing greener buildings using local soil.

Solar panels are starting to die, leaving behind toxic trash – we need a recycling plan.

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

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

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

EcoSask News, June 2, 2020

Upcoming Events
Fridays for Future, June 5 (online) 
The Saskatoon Youth Climate Committee is hosting a digital climate strike from 12-1 pm on Fridays.

Just Recovery for Saskatchewan, June 4 (online) 
Find out how you can be part of the change for a Just Recovery at a 350.org teach-in event from 2-4 pm, June 4.

Virtual Trail Day, June 6 (online) 
Meewasin Valley Authority is hosting a virtual trail day on June 6 with activities to include a mindfulness nature walk and a photo challenge.

Permaculture Sask AGM, June 11 (online) 
Permaculture Saskatchewan will be holding an online annual general meeting at 5 pm, June 11.

Home Composting, June 13 (online) 
Regina Public Interest Research Group’s Green Patch is hosting an online home composting workshop from 3-5 pm, June 13.

Looking Ahead
Field Leader (Hiking) Course, July 9-10 (Saskatoon) 
The Outdoor Council of Canada is offering an outdoor hiking course in Saskatoon on July 9-10.

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

Local News
The Saskatoon Youth Climate Committee provides Saskatoon’s youth with a platform to make a difference and take action on the climate crisis.

A ban on plastic bags received unanimous approval by Regina City Council and will come into effect in July 2021.

Does Saskatoon City Council want to protect wildlife and the Northeast Swale? It doesn’t look like it.

Starting in 2021, small teams of high school students from Saskatchewan and Manitoba will measure permafrost and track caribou around Churchill, MB, as part of a USask research project led by Ryan Brook.

From Information to Action
Fertilizer and farmland drainage are damaging coastal ecosystems on a world-wide scale.

6 easy ways to stop light pollution from harming wildlife.

The world’s forests are getting younger and shorter leading to decreased biodiversity and less carbon storage.

Beavers keep things green: preventing beaver/human conflicts through proactive, non-lethal measures.

There’s room for conservation on every farm and ranch in the country – working with landowners to rebuild insect populations.

Heat pumps can play an important role in driving down carbon pollution and energy consumption in our homes and buildings.

Cities around the world are increasing pedestrian/cyclist opportunities. Will this post-pandemic trend affect Saskatchewan?

Good News & Natural Wonders
The Willowherb Review is a digital platform for nature writing by emerging and established writers of colour.

Sweden's first fleet of electric trucks will roll out in October.

Urban weeds transformed in black and white photographs.

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 14, 2020

Upcoming Events
Human-Induced Climate Change, Jan. 16 (Regina) 
Academics for Climate – Regina Chapter is hosting a discussion of the evidence for human-induced climate change at 7 pm, Jan. 16.

Full Tilt, Jan. 17/18 (Regina) 
Enjoy contemporary dance fuelled by a love of birds at 7:30 pm, Jan. 17, and at 2 and 7:30 pm, Jan. 18.

Renewable Energy, Jan. 20 (Prince Albert) 
Join RPIC from 6:30-8 pm, Jan. 20, to discuss plans for the early-April Smarter Science Better Building initiative.

Big Quill Lake, Jan. 20 (Regina) 
Jenya Kinstinov will present his undergraduate research on the Big Quill Lake Drainage Basin at the 7:30 pm, Jan. 20, meeting of Nature Regina.

Learn to Camp, Jan. 20 (Saskatoon) 
Parks Canada will provide an introduction to basic camping skills from 6:30-8:30 pm, Jan. 20.

Saving Our Swales, Jan. 21 (Saskatoon)
Meghan Mickelson and Warrick Baijius will share insights and recommendations for sustaining the Small and Northeast Swale ecosystems at 7 pm, Jan. 21.

Seeds of Change, Jan. 22 (Regina) 
Seeds of Change, documenting the impacts genetically engineered canola is having on farmers and rural communities in the Canadian Prairies, will be shown at 6:30 pm, Jan. 22, in Regina.

What Is Climate Change, Jan. 23 (Regina) 
David Sauchyn will discuss What is climate change? What impact is it having in Saskatchewan? from 7-9 pm, Jan. 23, as part of the Academics for Climate Community Series.

Net Metering, Jan. 23 (Regina) 
SaskPower will present their net metering program at noon, Jan. 23, at Innovation Place Regina.

Secret Lives of Woodpeckers, Jan. 23 (Saskatoon) 
Lyndon Penner will discuss woodpeckers at 7 pm, Jan. 23, at Wild Birds Unlimited.

Watersheds Conference, Jan. 23-24 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds is holding their annual conference in Saskatoon Jan. 23 and 24.

Building Operator Training, Jan. 24/Feb. 28 (Regina/Saskatoon) 
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is hosting a workshop to introduce custodians and building operators to energy conservation principles, new technologies, and facility retrofits that will save energy and money from 9 am-4 pm, Jan. 24, in Regina and on Feb. 28 in Saskatoon.

Growing Up Wild & Wet, Jan. 25 (Regina) 
SaskOutdoors is offering a Growing Up Wild and Getting Little Feet Wet workshop from 1-5 pm, Jan. 25, in Regina.

Native Plant Conference, Jan. 25/26(Regina)
The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan is holding its annual meeting and conference in Regina Jan. 25 and 26. The Aquatic Ecosystems module of the Saskatchewan Master Naturalist Program will be presented on Jan. 26.

Cross-Country Ski Weekend, Jan. 25/26 (Regina)
Wascana Centre is hosting a cross-country ski weekend from 11 am-4 pm, Jan. 25 & 26.

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

In the News
The newly created Academics for Climate - Regina chapter is on Facebook.

The Honnold Foundation is now accepting grant applications from organizations or projects that use solar energy to increase social and economic equity and reduce environmental impact.

Students across Canada will be collecting data on trembling aspens for University of Saskatchewan researchers.

Presentations from a recent workshop on Putting Beavers to Work for Watershed Resiliency and Restoration make it clear there are no simple answers when it comes to coexisting with beavers, but the potential benefits are many, including wildfire resiliency and enhanced fish growth rates.

Moving beyond net zero through home renovation rather than new build.

9 articles about sustainable fashion – from buying less vs. buying green to false claims of carbon neutrality and fighting climate change.

In a changing climate, will small forest creatures help by distributing nuts or seeds they’ve never seen before?

Just for Laughs 
Innovative responses to Thailand’s plastic bag ban. What will it be? A wheelbarrow or a laundry basket?

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, 2019

Upcoming Events
Falconry, Nov. 28 (Saskatoon) 
Paddy Thompson will discuss the amazing world of falconry at 7 pm, Nov. 28.

Buy Nothing Day, Nov. 29 (worldwide) 
Climate strikes being planned world-wide for November 29 coincide with Buy Nothing Day, an international day of protest against consumerism.

Nature Travels in Iceland, Nov. 30 (Fort Qu’Appelle) 
Ed Rodger will speak on his nature travels in Iceland at the 7 pm, Nov. 30, meeting of the Fort Qu’Appelle Nature Society in the Fort Qu’Appelle Train Station.

Grasslands: A Hidden Wilderness, Dec. 2 (Regina) 
Join Nature Regina and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum to watch the documentary Grasslands: A Hidden Wilderness followed by a question and answer at 7:30 pm, Dec. 2.

Future of Parks, Dec. 3 (Saskatoon) 
Mitchell Silver, Commissioner, New York Department of Parks, will talk on the Future of Parks and Public Space: What’s Next? at 7 pm, Dec. 3.

Civilization Critical, Dec. 4 (Saskatoon) 
Darrin Qualman will speak about his book, Civilization Critical, at the Nov. 6 breakfast meeting of the SK Energy Management Task Force.

Innercity Clothing Swap, Dec. 5 (Saskatoon)
There will be an Innercity Clothing Swap from 6-10 pm, Dec. 5, at The Underground Café.

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips
Dec. 1, 2-4 pm – Winter Wildlife Tracking in the Small Swale
Dec. 7, 9 am-5 pm – Gardiner Dam Birding
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

Saskatoon Freeway & the Swales
If you love nature and want to protect it, you’re encouraged to attend the Saskatoon Freeway public consultations on Nov. 26 and 27. Here’s why:
1. The decisions around Phase 1 will affect the freeway’s route through both the Small Swale and the Northeast Swale;
2. The environmental data for the area crossed by Phase 1 is not complete, but Highways is making decisions about the specific route and design;
3. Decisions about the route will affect Wanuskewin's natural and cultural landscape which might affect its application for UNESCO Heritage status;
4. The route is being decided before having a full consultation with affected landowners; and
5. Highways says it is consulting with groups such as the Northeast Swale Watchers but has also declared that the route is non-negotiable.

Trees
Local people are concerned that the proposed logging of more than 7,660 acres of forest in Meadow Lake Provincial Park will do more harm than good.

Myles MacDonald, Paddockwood, was arrested trying to prevent municipal workers from chopping down all the trees and bushes that provide wildlife habitat in the road allowance.

“It’s often argued that logging trees killed by insects or diseases is beneficial for forests—but evidence is mounting that it causes long-term ecological disruption.”

In Other News
The risks of farming over top of pipelines: crop degradation and lower yields, leaks and ruptures, sinkholes, junk pipes never removed.

Canada has the third-highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions from healthcare in the world, with healthcare accounting for approximately 4% of the country’s total emissions.

“Redesigning parks to increase the naturalness, ecological function and diversity of active and passive recreational uses . . . can support higher-density urban areas.”

Noise, especially in urban areas, can have a very negative impact on wildlife.

Insect deaths can be cut by switching off unnecessary lights.

Our home delivery habits are reshaping the world: enormous warehouses, packaging that accounts for 30% of the US’s solid waste, and increased traffic.

Wolverines have vast home ranges and always take the shortest route, whether it’s straight up a mountain or a 50-degree ice pitch.

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 19, 2019

Upcoming Events
Great Blue Heron, Nov. 19 (Prince Albert) 
Sonnet McGuire will share information about Great Blue Heron Provincial Park at the 7 pm, Nov. 19, meeting of Nature Prince Albert.

Multiple Species Management, Nov. 21 (Eastend) 
Attend a multiple species management workshop from 1:30-5:30 pm as well as a conservation appreciation dinner at 6 pm in Eastend, Nov. 21.

Green Infrastructure Strategy, Nov. 21 (Saskatoon) 
The City of Saskatoon is inviting public input into its green infrastructure strategy from 4-7 pm, Nov. 21, with presentations at 4 and 5:30 pm.

Palaeontological Finds, Nov. 22 (Moose Jaw) 
Ryan McKellar will discuss some of the exciting new discoveries made by Royal Saskatchewan Museum palaentologists this summer at the Moose Jaw Nature Society meeting from 6:30-8:30 pm, Nov. 22.

Saskatoon Freeway, Nov. 26 & 27 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatoon Freeway Functional Planning Study team is hosting come-and-go public information sessions from 4-8 pm on Nov. 26 and 27. The decisions made at this stage will affect the crossing through the Northeast Swale.

EnviroCollective, Nov. 27 (Regina) 
EnviroCollective Regina is meeting and celebrating its one-year anniversary at 7 pm, Nov. 27.

Surplus: Terrorized into being Consumers, Nov. 27 (Regina) 
Surplus, a film about consumerism, will be shown at 6:30 pm, Nov. 27, in Regina.

50th Birthday Party, Nov. 27 (Regina) 
Everyone is welcome at SaskOutdoors’ come-and-go 50th birthday party at 5 pm, Nov. 27.

Beginner Bird Id, Nov. 27 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas is hosting a free bird identification workshop from 7-9 pm, Nov. 27.

Conservation Priorities, Nov. 28 (Lumsden) 
The Lumsden Valley Community Association is hosting a talk on Conservation Priorities in Southern Saskatchewan: a Nature Conservancy of Canada Perspective at 7 pm, Nov. 28, in the Lumsden High School band room (adults $2, students free).

Global Climate Strike, Nov. 29 (Regina, Saskatoon) 
There will be global climate strikes in both Regina (10:30 am-1:30 pm) and Saskatoon (12-2 pm) on Nov. 29.

Looking Ahead
Youth Forum, Nov. 30 (Regina) 
EnviroCollective, in conjunction with RPIRG and the David Suzuki Foundation, is hosting a youth community forum on Regina's energy future from 1-4 pm, Nov. 30. Free but register to attend.

Winter Wildlife Tracking, Dec. 1 (Saskatoon) 
Learn to identify animal tracks in the Small Swale from 2-4 pm, Dec. 1.

SaskOutdoors Winter Camp, Dec. 14-15 (PANP) 
Join SaskOutdoors for their annual winter camp, Dec. 14-15.

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

In the News 
Climate Justice Saskatoon is urging Saskatoon residents to contact their City Councillor and Council prior to budget deliberations Nov. 25-27 to show support for funding the City’s Low Emissions Community Plan.

Students and researchers at the University of Regina have mapped 14,958 oil and gas industry spills between 2000 and 2018.

“Opposing ill-advised [infrastructure] projects is not at all ‘anti-development’ but rather pro-smart development. All nations have finite assets available for construction and maintenance of infrastructure.”

The myths surrounding waste reduction – the circular economy, consumer responsibility, market efficiency, technical solutions.

BC leads the way with climate change legislation that could serve as a blueprint for the federal government.

“A good zoo should have an absolute focus on animal welfare, on conservation and be absolutely focusing on their own environmental sustainability practices.”

Opponents of light pollution in the Netherlands are urging government agencies and companies to turn off the lights so people can rediscover the beauty of darkness.

This office building can be dismantled, creating no waste as its components and materials can be reused.

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 12, 2019

Upcoming Events
Wild Pigs, Nov. 13 (Val Marie)
Ryan Brook will present his current research on wild boars at 7 pm, Nov. 13, in Val Marie.

Guardians of the Grasslands, Nov. 14/19 (Regina, Saskatoon)
Attend a free screening of Guardians of the Grasslands followed by a panel discussion at 7 pm, Nov. 14, in Regina and at 7 pm, Nov. 19, in Saskatoon.

Canada’s Bees, Nov. 18 (Regina)
Cory Sheffield will share how Canada’s diversity of bees prepares for winter at the 7:30 pm, Nov. 18, meeting of Nature Regina.

Municipalities & Climate Change, Nov. 18 (Saskatoon)
As part of a national event, students at the University of Saskatchewan will be participating in a research-a-thon on municipalities and climate change from 11 am-4 pm, Nov. 18.

Making Clothes Last, Nov. 19 (Saskatoon)
Wesley United Church, as part of its Green Parenting series, is offering a workshop entitled Beyond Fast Fashion: A hands-on workshop on making clothes last from 7:30-9 pm, Nov. 19.

Low-Carbon Stories, Nov. 19 (Saskatoon)
Margret Asmuss will discuss what we can learn from five Saskatchewan communities, businesses and farms that work to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while benefitting their bottom line at 7 pm, Nov. 19.

Prairie Ponds, Nov. 21 (webinar)
There will be a noon-hour webinar on prairie pond abundance and the breeding success of tree swallows on Nov. 21.

Antarctic Icefish, Nov. 21 (Saskatoon)
Brian Eames will discuss his Antarctic icefish expedition at the 7:30 pm, Nov. 21, meeting of the Saskatoon Nature Society.

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

In the News
Mark Dallyn, Healing Haven Wildlife Rescue, questions why the provincial government has issued a moratorium on large animal rehabilitation.

The Citizens Environmental Alliance wants to make agricultural drainage more environmentally friendly.

Speed kills – and yet Saskatoon’s drivers and city councilors want to raise the speed limit on a road running through the ecologically-sensitive Northeast Swale.

Saskatoon’s Innovation Place is encouraging its tenants to compost organic waste.

Changing climate patterns are as important as habitat loss for birds on the Canadian Prairies, while aquatic insects are more sensitive to land use and water chemistry.

Is green housing really green when you take into consideration the cost of manufacturing and transporting construction materials and fixtures?

Five alternate economic models – from rewarding institutions that benefit the common good to reducing consumerism.

Oil industry lobbyists are developing close, long-term relationships with federal bureaucrats – and conducting 5 times more lobbying than environmental organizations.

Sweden is using storytelling to help the public understand what a sustainable future could 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).

Nature through the Camera Lens

Meghan Mickelson is an active member of Saskatoon’s Northeast Swale Watchers and the Endangered Grasslands Alliance. She combines photography with citizen science to share her love of the prairie grasslands. 

Meghan grew up on the edge of Saskatoon with grassland and a field full of ground squirrels behind her home. She and her friends would ride their bikes to the Northeast Swale. “I didn’t know it was the Swale,” Meghan says. “It was just a place to go clear my head and ground myself.” When Meghan returned to Saskatoon after 10 years on Vancouver Island, she went looking for the Swale, this time with camera in hand.

Meghan bought her first camera when she was 10 years old. Her first photographs were of her cat, her backyard – whatever was around. As she grew older, she inherited an old film camera from her mother, giving her an opportunity to improve her photography skills and become a more adept photographer.

As she walked around Saskatoon’s natural areas, Meghan’s interest shifted to documenting nature. Her first love was flowers, but then she got a zoom lens and started taking photographs of birds. And the more photographs she took, the more she wanted to know about the species she was photographing. “I went on a bioblitz at the Swale and learned how to identify crowfoot violets,” Meghan explains. “Next, I bought identification books and, after participating in a bioblitz organized by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, I started using iNaturalist.”

Over time, Meghan began using her photography skills to document the species in a particular area. “By going every week, you see how an area evolves,” she says. “I’ve been able to give my photography another purpose by using it for citizen science.” Meghan hopes that her photographs will help inform others and contribute to the conservation of Saskatoon’s natural places.

Recently, she was able to assist the Meewasin Valley Authority in documenting the species that can be found in the 500-metre swathe that will be destroyed when the proposed Saskatoon Freeway is constructed through the Small Swale. “I don’t think people understand the impact the highway will have on the area,” Meghan says. “It’s sight and sound and light. McOrmond Road runs through the Swale and it’s so loud. How do animals listen to that all day long?”

Meghan’s advocacy efforts have expanded beyond photography. She and a few other people were concerned about the lack of legal protection for the Swale. Often groups are hesitant to speak up and take action because they risk losing funding or impacting existing relationships. The Endangered Grasslands Alliance was formed to fill the gap by lobbying government on issues such as the Saskatoon Freeway. Their website urges the public to sign a letter of concern, and they are in the process of collecting signatures for a petition to be delivered to the provincial legislature. Although collecting signatures for a paper petition is a labour-intensive task, Meghan says it’s the only format recognized by the legislature and one of the few ways we can hold decision-makers to account.

The proposed Saskatoon Freeway will be located within 2 kilometres of the North Commuter Parkway and Bridge. It will cut through both the Northeast Swale and the Small Swale, which are home to numerous threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, such as the loggerhead shrike, northern leopard frog, American badger, plains rough fescue, crowfoot violet, and recently discovered marsh felwort. The freeway will also run through the Swale’s largest water body. “It’s heartbreaking to look out at this body of water and know it won’t be there in the future,” Meghan says.

Another grasslands advocate is Warrick Baijius, a geographer and PhD candidate at the University of Saskatchewan. Some of his research is playing an important role in informing the Endangered Grassland Alliance’s advocacy work. Although planning for a perimeter highway began in 1992, Warrick’s research indicates that environmental concerns weren’t even considered until 2004:

"Even then, there was no discussion of moving the proposed corridor, only of tweaking the location and type of interchanges. These decisions were largely driven by efficiency in traffic models, with marginal consideration for environmental impacts. Furthermore, previous stakeholder consultations focused on (at the time) rural landowners, and even the environmental concerns raised by residents were merely noted but not meaningfully addressed.

"A lot has changed since the original traffic modelling, stakeholder consultations, and public engagement. Now the Freeway will cut through publicly-owned city lands, impacting green infrastructure that the city, province, and ultimately tax payers have funded and continue to fund. The Saskatoon projected in decades-old transportation planning is not the Saskatoon of today, and neither are the residents. Results from the original public engagements are not necessarily representative of the current social values of — and landowner interests in — the Swales. There has been no serious discussion about the implications of climate change, biodiversity, or conservation in any of the studies to this point."

The Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society has thrown its support behind the work of the Northeast Swale Watchers and the Endangered Grasslands Alliance, calling on the Ministry of Highways to conduct a full environmental impact assessment of the proposed project. "With a lack of any detailed environmental assessment prior to determining the freeway's routing, CPAWS-SK is concerned decisions and endorsements are being made without the necessary information and without a complete and robust environmental assessment of the impact the Saskatoon Freeway could have," says Stewart Coles, Operations Manager for CPAWS-SK (CBC News article).

The Endangered Grasslands Alliance’s petition asks the provincial government to:
(1) suspend planning for the Saskatoon Freeway and development around the Swales until a regional cumulative effects assessment has been completed,
(2) update the Wildlife Act and expand the list of wild species protected by Provincial regulation,
(3) recognize the Swales as important ecological habitat and designate them as protected areas, and
(4) ensure adequate long-term funding for research, management, and enforcement to protect the Swales for generations to come.

Each of us can lend our support to protection of the Northeast Swale and the Small Swale by signing the petition and sending a letter to our MLA.

Photo credits: Meghan Mickelson & Renny Grilz (photo of Meghan)

EcoSask News, October 29, 2019

Upcoming Events
Place-Based Education, Nov. 1 (Saskatoon) 
Join Janet McVittie and Sonal Kavia to discuss place-based education: place, space, and mindfulness at 4:30 pm, Nov. 1, in the SERI Meeting Space, College of Education.

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

Climate Youth Voice, Nov. 6 (Saskatoon) 
Saskatoon Enviro Collective is hosting a panel discussion and group conversation for adults to hear from youth about climate change from 7-8:30 pm, Nov. 6, at Station 20 West.

National Energy Code, Nov. 6 (Saskatoon) 
Kelly Winder will provide an overview of the National Energy Code for Buildings at the Nov. 6 breakfast meeting of the SK Energy Management Task Force.

The Pollinators, Nov. 11 (Regina, Saskatoon) 
Sign up now if you would like to attend a special screening of The Pollinators in Regina or Saskatoon.

Looking Ahead
Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation and Transboundary Grasslands Workshop, Feb. 25-27 (Regina)
In 2020, SK PCAP is combining two workshops: the 7th Native Prairie Restoration and Reclamation Workshop and the 5th Transboundary Grassland Workshop, February 25-27 in Regina.

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

In the News
Urine diverting vermicomposting toilets are being installed along the Churchill River.

Positive media coverage of repair cafés in Regina and Swift Current this past weekend.

Citizens of all ages urge rethink of Saskatoon Freeway.

City of Victoria plans to protect any tree that is a foot thick or more.

SUVs have contributed more to the increase in global CO2 emissions than airlines, trucks, or heavy industry. And they’re far more likely than smaller vehicles to kill pedestrians and other drivers.

Kids raised in walkable communities earn more money as adults.

Small adjustments to wind turbines can reduce impacts on birds.

A visual depiction of the impact of the proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline on Vancouver’s harbor, Boundary Pass, and Juan de Fuca Strait.

Wilderness areas act as a buffer against species loss and could reduce extinction risks by more than half.

In an urban wilderness, “invasive” species may have a role to play.

David Attenborough, storyteller, and Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia, share their approaches to saving the planet.

Bat noises aren’t random. They’re complaining about food, position, unwanted sexual advances, and pushy neighbours.

Blueprint for Revolution: How to use rice pudding, Lego men, and other non-violent techniques to galvanise communities, overthrow dictators, or simply change the world [book review].

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 1, 2019

Upcoming Events
Protect Our Boreal Forest, Oct. 2 (Prince Albert) 
Join the Council of Canadians in asking for a moratorium on logging in the boreal forest at 6:30 pm, Oct. 2.

100 Debates on the Environment, Oct. 3 (Saskatoon) 
Saskatoon University is hosting a debate on the environment at 7 pm, Oct. 3, during the federal election campaign.

90 Years of Conservation, Oct. 3 (Moose Jaw) 
Learn about the history and purpose of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation at 2:30 pm, Oct. 3.

Library of Things Fall Meeting, Oct. 3 (Saskatoon) 
Learn what’s happening at the Library of Things at 6 pm, Oct. 3.

100 Debates on the Environment, Oct. 4 (Fort Qu’Appelle) 
Regina Qu’Appelle is hosting a debate on the environment from 7-9 pm, Oct. 4, during the federal election campaign.

SaskOutdoors 50th Birthday Party, Oct. 4 (Echo Lake) 
Join SaskOutdoors in celebrating their 50th anniversary with outdoor activities from 5-10 pm, Oct. 4.

EcoHack, Oct. 4 & 5 (Saskatoon) 
EcoHack will bring together students from across the U of S campus to solve locally sourced environmental/sustainability-related problems.

Traditional Plant Walk, Oct. 6 (Saskatoon) 
The Saskatchewan Archaeological Society is hosting a traditional plant walk from 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Oct. 6.

Household Hazardous Waste, Oct. 6 (Saskatoon) 
You can dispose of household hazardous waste at City of Saskatoon’s Civic Operations Centre from 9 am – 3:30 pm, Oct. 6.

Wildlife Friendly Fencing, Oct. 6 & 8 (Saskatoon) 
Help Meewasin install wildlife friendly fencing around the Northeast Swale at 2 pm, Oct. 6, and 4 pm, Oct. 8. There will be more opportunities in October; register to stay informed.

The Importance of Grasslands, Oct. 7 (Saskatoon) 
Renny Grilz will discuss the importance of grasslands and show a film about Grasslands National Park at 7:30 pm, Oct. 7, at Grace-Westminster United Church.

Starlight at Sunrise, Oct. 8 (Regina) 
Explore the universe with the Royal Astronomical Society from 7-8:30 pm, Oct. 8.

Organic Waste Diversion, Oct. 9 (Saskatoon) 
Find out about the City of Saskatoon’s plans for organic waste diversion at noon, Oct. 9, at Innovation Place.

Hug a Tree and Survive, Oct. 10 (Prince Albert) 
Find out how children can stay safe in the woods at 7 pm, Oct. 10.

Looking Ahead
Putting Beavers to Work, Oct. 23 & 24 (Calgary) 
A two-day seminar in Calgary on Oct. 23 & 24 will look at beavers’ role in watershed resiliency and restoration through both talks and a coexistence tools demonstration.

Project Wet, Nov. 16 & 30 (Saskatoon, Regina) 
SaskOutdoors is hosting Project Wet workshops in Saskatoon on Nov. 16 and in Regina on Nov. 30.

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

In the News
Be sure to sign the petition to save Saskatoon’s Northeast Swale, which is currently under threat from the Saskatoon Freeway.

“Now is the time for climate change frames that question whether a finite planet can sustain eternal growth.”

Scenarios for a zero-waste future.

“If you see how cars, streetcars, bikes, and pedestrians use this street in Zürich, you can better understand what’s wrong with so many other urban thoroughfares.”

The 3 best eco-friendly toilet papers.

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 27, 2019

Upcoming Events
Eco-Scavenger Hunt, Aug. 31 & Sept. 7 (Saskatoon) 
Join Meewasin’s Eco-Scavenger Hunts on Aug. 31 and Sept. 7. Great opportunities to explore the Northeast Swale in the company of experts and try your hand at identifying all the species you discover. The Small Swale isn’t normally open to the public so don’t miss this opportunity on Sept. 7.

Energy Usage & GHG, Sept. 4 (Saskatoon) 
Kevin Hudson will discuss energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions at the Sept. 4 breakfast meeting of the SK Energy Management Task Force.

Looking Ahead 
Saving the Sage Grouse, Sept. 14 (Val Marie) 
Help make the fencing more wildlife-friendly at the Nature Conservancy’s Wideview property from 10 am-3 pm, Sept. 14.

Junior Nature Sketch, Sept. 21-Nov. 2 (Saskatoon) 
Junior Nature Sketch, Sept. 21-Nov. 2, is a 6-week program guided by an artist and a naturalist for children ages 5-12.

Adult Nature Sketch, Sept. 21-Nov. 2 (Saskatoon) 
Adult Nature Sketch, Sept. 21-Nov. 2, is a 6-week program guided by an artist and a naturalist.

Festival for Future, Sept. 27 (Regina) 
Regina Festival for Future is looking for speakers, musicians, artists, poets, and more to participate in the festival from 7-10 pm, Sept. 27.

Nature Retreat, Sept. 27-29 (Ness Creek) 
Join SaskOutdoors for a nature retreat at Ness Creek from Sept. 27-29.

Nebo Photography Walk, Sept. 28 (Prince Albert) 
Practise your photography at Nature Conservancy’s Nebo property from 10 am-3 pm, Sept. 28.

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

In the News
Waterflooding, a conventional form of oil extraction, could contaminate Saskatchewan’s drinking water. [@BeingGreenSask told us on Twitter, “Stopped recently at #alberta tourism in Lloydminster. Temporary boilwater signs getting old there now. Staff advised not filling our water bottles. Quote: 'This is Husky land'. Yes. Seriously said that.”]

Prairie grasslands – diversity rivalling anything you've ever seen – and all below knee level.

Eleven nature books for children, including one by Saskatchewan’s own Candace Savage.

UK scientists have found that biodiversity, particularly water plants and beetles, is much higher in beaver ponds than in other wetlands in the same region.

The Netherlands’ climate plan is wide-ranging, from overhauling homes to better manure-processing techniques.

Littering the moon's surface are 181,000 kg of forgotten trash. From outer space to the depths of the ocean, “we are garbage.”

Reinventing the small wind turbine could address issues of reliability, embodied energy, and limited power output – and improve public acceptance.

“The ‘war on cars’ is a bad joke. . . . Much of what motorists call a ‘war on cars’ consists of efforts to increase the safety, convenience and comfort of other travel modes.”

The media plays a role in shaping societal attitudes. It’s encouraging to see The Guardian newspaper promoting car-free holidays, such as Leave the car at home, see the UK coast without driving or How to see five UK national parks by public transport.

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).