EcoSask News, September 14, 2021

Upcoming Events 

The Saskatoon Nature Society is hosting an online presentation on amphibians at 7:30 pm, Sept. 16. 

Library of Things, Saskatoon, will be open for pick-ups by reservation from the back door in the alley from 1-4 pm, Sept. 18. 

Nature Regina is hosting a presentation on the Treaty Land Sharing Network at 7:30 pm, Sept. 20, at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. 

The Saskatoon Nature Society is inviting the public to attend a Sandhill Crane viewing from 6-8 pm, Sept. 20. 

The Saskatchewan Environmental Society and the Saskatoon Public Library are offering an online presentation on Electricity in Saskatchewan: Current Status, Future Prospects from 7-8:30 pm, Sept. 21. 

The Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy is hosting a video conference on nuclear development, communicating risk, and public engagement at noon, Sept. 23. 

There will be a global climate strike at noon, Sept. 24, in Saskatoon. 

 

Full event details can be found on the EcoFriendly Sask Calendar

Local News 

William Hale has opened a used electric vehicle dealership in Saskatoon. William says he’s driven an electric vehicle (EV), winter and summer, for 3 years and loves it. “The electrification of transportation is one of the principal pathways to a low carbon economy and I want to help with this transition in Saskatchewan,” he explains. The dealership offers a lower-priced entry into the EV market and an opportunity to ask questions and test drive the vehicles. They also sell and install EV chargers for home use. 

Green Shift Automotive in Regina sells a range of electric vehicles from bikes, scooters, and skateboards to hybrid and electric cars. 

Alberta Lake Management Society is offering a fall webinar series with applicability across Canada. 

Transportation 

Exposure to traffic noise is associated with a range of health problems, including dementia, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. [The Guardian] 

The six problems aviation must fix to hit net zero: 1. fuel; 2. non-CO2 impacts, such as nitrogen oxides and contrail clouds; 3. frequent flyers; 4. policy development; 5. the new middle class; and 6. supersonic planes. [The Guardian]

Wildlife 

Wildlife rescuers are the first to provide medical care for injured or sick animals and could provide an early-warning system for illnesses that also affect humans. [The Revelator] 

“Mountain and boreal caribou are on a long-term slide to extinction; not because of what wolves and other predators are doing but because of what humans have already done.” [Raincoast Conservation Foundation] 

“Rebugging is looking at the ways, small and large, to nurture complex communities of these tiny, vital players in almost all the natural and not-so-natural places on earth. It means conserving them where they are managing to hang on, and restoring them where they are needed as part of a rewilding movement. And it means putting bugs back into our everyday lives, our homes and where we play and work.” [The Revelator, an excerpt from Rebugging the Planet: The Remarkable Things that Insects (and Other Invertebrates) Do – And Why We Need to Love Them More by Vicki Hird) 

When they’re not looking for a mate, some female hummingbirds are adopting the same brightly coloured ornamentation as males as it “helps them avoid aggressive male behaviors during feeding, such as pecking and body slamming.” [Science Daily] 

Energy 

“Air conditioning is the most obvious immediate response to the dangerous warming of the planet. It’s also making it worse. … People are going to keep buying air conditioners … so we need to offer them better, safer, cleaner devices … We’re doing a disservice to our citizenry when we let them buy something that is so expensive to operate, and so polluting that cooling is actually adding to the warming of the planet.” [The Guardian] 

Coal-fired plants made up 40% of global energy output in 2010. Here’s a breakdown of consumption on a country- by-country basis as well as a look at steps that could be taken to end coal use. [Climate Solutions] 

Despite what oil and gas companies would have you believe, blue hydrogen isn’t clean or economically viable. [DeSmog] 

Did you know? Wood Frog hibernate under logs or leaf litter and can tolerate below-zero temperatures by increasing the amount of glucose in their blood, which lowers the freezing point and stops ice crystals from forming. [Nature Companion] 

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or subscribing by email (top right corner).

EcoSask News, June 8, 2021

This Week’s Highlights 

What impact does mountain biking have on wildlife? How can parks managers reconcile their dual mandate of nature conservation and human recreation? 

Wascana Junior Naturalists is hosting nature programming for kids in Regina every Saturday from June 19-Aug. 21 from 9-10 am. 

Upcoming Events 

Nature Conservancy of Canada is presenting a webinar with 10 stories of Canadian wildlife recovery and why they matter at 12:30 pm, June 10. 

Regina Public Library is offering a virtual series of short talks with artists with environmental elements to their practices at 7:30 pm, June 15. 

As part of this year’s Spring Meet, Nature Saskatchewan is hosting a variety of online activities, including Nature Trivia on June 15, a presentation on Leave-No-Trace outdoor cooking on June 16, a photo/video sharing session on June 17, and an AGM at 7 pm, June 21. 

The Provincial Association of Resort Communities of Saskatchewan is hosting a virtual panel discussion on waterways, wetlands, and stewardship at 7 pm, June 16. 

SK-PCAP is hosting a native plant Id and quiz webinar at noon, June 16, as part of Native Prairie Appreciation Week. 

Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin is hosting an online annual general meeting at noon, June 16. 

SK-PCAP is hosting a webinar on Stewards of Saskatchewan: prairie species at risk at noon, June 16, as part of Native Prairie Appreciation Week.

 

Local News 

Ron Jensen will be banding ruby-throated hummingbirds at Beaver Creek Conservation Area. The hummingbird feeders were donated by Wild Birds Unlimited.

Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre has gathered 3,000 signatures, calling on the City of Saskatoon to ban the use of neurotoxins on pigeons. 

Let’s Get Practical 

Canada Greener Homes Grants – who is eligible, what they cover, drawbacks, and how to get the most bang for your buck. 

Should you replace a used car with an EV? That depends on how many miles you’ll put on it and on how electricity is produced in your area. 

Art & Nature 

“Cities around the world should identify, protect and make accessible places in nature that are dedicated to silence in the outer sense and stillness in the inner sense.” 

An online photography exhibit explores 3 themes: Incredible Wildlife, Wildlife in Crisis, and Reasons for Hope. 

The arts can help solve the climate crisis by telling stories that persuade people to “fall in love with nature again” and prompt government to back green policies. 

Success Stories 

Toronto’s TD Centre is undertaking North America’s largest bird-safe building retrofit by installing bird collision deterrent markers on glass. 

People are more likely to install solar panels if their neighbours have already done so. 

A 5-storey residence at Red Deer College is covered in solar glass cladding on 3 sides. 

Did you know? Bears pull chokecherry to the ground and tear its branches apart in their eagerness to eat the fruit (Nature Companion, a free nature app, downloadable directly from its website) 

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or subscribe by email (top right corner).

Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan

In 2006, a group of wildlife rehabilitation professionals established a provincial wildlife rescue association. Animals were being picked up unnecessarily and the rehabbers wanted to stop that happening by establishing a telephone hotline to provide members of the public with advice on what to do about an injured or possibly abandoned animal.

From its humble beginnings, the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan has expanded unimaginably. Calls in the last two years have doubled with just under 5,000 calls in 2020. There were days last summer when they received 50 calls in a single day. Bonnie Dell, president of WRSOS, was monitoring the hotline one day this spring and noted 20 major calls involving a beaver, a grey horned owl, a saw-whet owl, a moose, and a goose. 

It’s not just members of the public who are calling in. It’s also municipalities and provincial wildlife conservation officers. “It’s really a community service,” explains Bonnie. “If it weren’t for us, there would be no one to call.” And all this work is being done by volunteers, with help from students in the summer. Here’s how it works. 

Obtaining Help for an Injured or Abandoned Wild Animal 

If you’re concerned about a wild animal, a good place to start looking for help is on the WRSOS website. Wildlife 911 provides detailed information about what to do in a wide variety of different situations, from a bat in the attic to a bird that is unable to fly. The website also provides tips on when to call the hotline (e.g., the animal is bleeding or a dead parent is lying nearby). 

Volunteers answer calls on the WRSOS hotline (306-242-7177) 12 hours a day, 365 days a year. Leave a message and your call will be answered immediately. “You’ll rarely wait more than 10-15 minutes for a call back,” Bonnie says. 

Volunteers have received training and can assist you in deciding what needs to be done. The Society has over 150 volunteers from every part of the province who go out of their way to capture and transport sick or injured animals. It’s a huge undertaking as the need is often urgent. Some volunteers are driving up to 10,000 km a year. 

Rescued animals are taken to a designated veterinary clinic or to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation professional. The veterinary clinics generously provide their services free of charge as do the wildlife rehabbers. It can still be an expensive proposition with some animals requiring surgery while others are over-wintered and eat enormous amounts of food. 

The volunteer’s role is often demanding. “There are things I’ve seen and done that haunt me,” Bonnie says. “But I also know I’ve saved a lot of suffering that was caused by human activity.” And sometimes, when things work out, volunteers have the ultimate reward of returning a rescued animal to the wild. 

A Job for Professionals 

The individuals who run wildlife rehabilitation facilities are professionals. They’ve received extensive training and are licensed by the provincial government. It may look like an easy task and you may be tempted to look after an injured animal yourself, but it can go very, very wrong. Young rabbits and deer may appear to be abandoned, but their mothers have deliberately left their babies in a safe place while they go off to look for food. Animals can die if you don’t feed them the right food. A moose calf will grow up and no longer fit in your spare room but will have to be euthanized as it’s unfit to return to the wild. One family tried to raise a turkey vulture, then dumped it on the side of the road with a pile of food. The bird had a badly broken wing, was too far gone to be rescued, and had to be euthanized. 

Peaceful Coexistence 

A condo association in Saskatoon kills any wildlife that comes on their property. A farmer who shot a coyote in the winter using lead shot also poisoned two bald eagles who fed on the carcass. Gophers are a keystone species and an important part of the food chain for larger wildlife, and yet municipalities consistently poison them because the burrows may damage lawn mowers. 

“Phone us before reaching for poison or a gun,” Bonnie pleads. “We’ll help you come up with a plan to help you coexist. Everything has a place. We can live with animals in cities, at the lake, and in rural areas.” 

We slaughter coyotes in Saskatchewan, and Bonnie believes it’s got to stop. Coyotes are another keystone species and help maintain a balance in nature. Studies have shown that 88% of their diet is rodents so we should be happy to see them on our farms. And killing a coyote can exacerbate the problem. “If you have a family of coyotes on your land, you won’t have a problem as they’ll teach their young how to coexist,” Bonnie says. “But kill that established family unit and you’ll get newcomers on your land that haven’t learned their boundaries.” 

WRSOS volunteers are currently receiving canid response training from Coyote Watch Canada and expect to be the first province with fully trained volunteers to help Saskatchewan residents coexist with foxes and coyotes. “We have people all over the province who can help you resolve a problem,” Bonnie says. 

Lend a Hand 

The WRSOS welcomes new volunteers and will try and identify a role that individuals are comfortable with. For example, you may be prepared to drive but don’t want to handle animals. Training is provided. Volunteers sign up for 4-hour shifts on either the hotline or wildlife rescue. In the busy summer season, the Society applies for grants so that the phone line can be run by summer students while the volunteers are assigned to wildlife rescue. 

Money as well as time is hugely appreciated. WRSOS relies on donations to cover costs associated with the hotline, summer student wages, rescue equipment, and educational initiatives, so give generously. 

Photo Credits: WRSOS

See Also 

Rita’s Re-Cooperation (2021) 

Wildlife Vet in the Making (2018) 

Wildlife Rehabilitation: Knowledge, Expertise, Hard Work - and Love (2012)

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner).

EcoSask News, May 4, 2021

This Week’s Highlights 

Ann Coxworth will discuss small model nuclear reactors from 7-8:30 pm, May 11, online, as part of the Sustainability Speakers series. 

As part of a growing trend, major tech companies are “teaming with oil giants to use automation, AI, and big data services to enhance oil exploration, extraction, and production.” 

Upcoming Events 

There will be a noon-hour webinar on greater sage-grouse and grassland songbirds on May 11 as part of the Native Prairie Speaker Series. 

Nature Regina is hosting an online Get Outside Kids’ Club from 1:30-2:30 pm, May 12. 

Learn how you can create a nature refuge in your own backyard in Gardening with Native Plants, a digital NatureCity Conversation from 7-9 pm, May 12. 

The annual RCE Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Recognition event will be held online from 9 am-noon, May 12. 

The Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan is holding a virtual annual general meeting at 2 pm, May 16. 

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 

Saskatoon Young Naturalists 

May 26-July – Mary Houston Bluebird Trail 

July 14, 1 pm – Mid-week Butterflies 

Aug. 11, 1 pm – Mid-week Butterflies 

Space is limited; register early to avoid disappointment. 

Golden Eagles 

May 6, 8 am – Waterfowl at Porter Lake 

May 13, 8 am – Clavet Area Birding 

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

Other Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 

May 8, 2:30-3:30 pm, Waterfowl Viewing on the River 

May 9, 7-8 am – MVA Trail Birding 

May 15, 1:30-4:30 pm – Birding Trip to Proctor Lake 

Field trips are currently for members only, so sign up now. Advance registration is required. 

Local News 

Humboldt Lake cannot support fish as it “has a phosphate concentration that is 6 to 10 times higher than what is considered to be a healthy lake” due to treated wastewater and agriculture and industry. 

La Ronge Library is now sharing seeds as well as books. 

Environmental Racism 

Urban inequality affects wildlife as well as people. “To Schell, the solution is to design cities that work for all people and animals. Coyotes may not be the most welcome neighbors, but Schell says they maintain balance in our ecosystems. Carving out green spaces for both humans and wildlife to enjoy can foster the biodiversity we need to draw down carbon, cool our cities, and keep our air and water clean.” 

Many racialized and low-income communities have borne the brunt of polluting industries and other environmental hazards. Federal Bill C-230 is an important first step in addressing who is affected the most by climate change and its impacts.

 

The Future of Coal 

Shutting down Germany’s lignite coal mines requires citizen engagement – both miners and climate activists. 

The steel industry, reliant on coal for centuries, is looking at alternatives. A University of Calgary professor believes “the expansion of metallurgical-coal mining in Alberta is an example of the province ‘chasing the next thing that’s going to die.’” 

Urban Biodiversity 

Dutch citizens are working hard to protect bees – and so far it’s working. Check out their bee hotels, bee-friendly roof-garden bus stops, and honey highway. 

An international roundtable shares ideas for increasing urban biodiversity – from mandating the using of native plants in public landscapes to a manual on conserving biodiversity in urban subdivisions, developing a shared vision among public and private stakeholders, and celebrating Green Capitals of Biodiversity. 

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

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner).

Community Highlight: Rita's Re-Coop-eration

Rita Schmidt rehabilitates orphaned or injured pigeons. Here is her story. 

1. How and when did you form your group? 

 I am an affiliated rehabilitation facility under the umbrella of Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation. So far I haven't come up with a name for myself . . . maybe "Rita's Re-Coop-eration? 

2. What are your principal activities and why do you believe they’re important? 

I rehabilitate pigeons that are either orphaned or injured. To me this is important because pigeons are lovely birds and they need every chance in life. I house, feed, and clean up after the birds. I encourage them when they're first learning to fly and when they learn to eat seed. Once a pigeon is ready to "graduate" (flying, eating seed, fully feathered, injury healed), they go on to their final home. This is a farm outside of the city with ready access to daily food, water, and shelter. They are kept penned up there for 2-3 weeks so that they come to recognize this as their home (so they don't just fly back to the city). 

3. What were your successes (big or small) in 2020? 

I took in over 100 pigeons between June and December 2020. A large proportion of these were able to "graduate." There was unfortunately some mortality, but it was minimal and is to be expected when you are dealing with very young and/or sick birds. 

4. What would you like to achieve in 2021? 

I would like to make improvements to the shed where the pigeons are housed (new paint, flooring, a window that opens). I would like to improve my "success" rate. 

5. If you could have 3 wishes for improving your community, what would they be? 

The banning of Avitrol, a type of poison that is used for pigeons (and doesn't work - actually causes a resulting increase in population). ***

6. Are there volunteer opportunities with your organization? If so, please describe them and indicate how people can contact you. 

There aren't really any volunteer opportunities, especially with COVID. However, Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation is always looking for volunteers. 

*** The Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan posted the following information on their Facebook page on March 21: “From April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 our Wildlife 911 Hotline received a total of 317 calls about injured and sick pigeons. Tragically, many of these birds passed away due to being cruelly poisoned. Many people think that poisoning is an extremely effective way to kill pigeons – WRONG! Poisoning is a very short-term control strategy as they will simply reproduce at a faster rate. Also, it’s nearly impossible to be able to target just pigeons alone – what if you accidentally poison a different bird? What if someone’s cat or dog eats a poisoned pigeon carcass? Many non-target animals end up suffering the same terrible fate that the poor pigeon did. Poisons cause the animal to suffer from a brutal death - impaired nervous systems, erratic flight, tremors, and violent convulsions. The poor bird will suffer for hours before finally succumbing to the effects of the poison. We understand that many people consider pigeons to be “pests” but no animal deserves to suffer cruelly. Please seek alternative and humane options if you are attempting to do any sort of pest control.” 

Further Information 

10 Surprising Facts about Pigeons

Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation 

Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan 

We’re planning to highlight the work of volunteer organizations in our communities on a regular basis over the next year. Do email us if you would like your organization to be profiled on EcoFriendly Sask. 

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. You can follow EcoFriendly Sask by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or by email (top right corner).

EcoSask News, March 9, 2021

This Week’s Highlights 

Let’s Talk About Water is offering a free virtual filmmaking workshop from noon-2 pm, Mar. 11, for scientists who are interested in sharing their scientific work through film. 

The National Farmers’ Union has published a report on Tackling the Farm Crisis and the Climate Crisis: A Transformative Strategy for Canadian Farms and Food Systems. 

Watch a single cell grow into a salamander.

Upcoming Events 

Regina Public Library is hosting an online talk on the benefits of including prairie grasses in your garden at 7 pm, Mar. 10. 

The Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy is offering a noon-hour online presentation regarding water policy and the contention which arises between individual goals and social group pressures for water management on Mar. 11. 

All ages are welcome on an outing to explore the Wascana Waterfowl Display Ponds area with Nature Regina on Mar. 12 (various time slots). Register in advance. 

Meewasin Valley Authority is hosting self-directed eco-scavenger hunts to help track wildlife at Beaver Creek Conservation Area on Mar. 13 and 27. 

Saskatoon Public Library is offering an online workshop on basic camping skills from 7-8 pm, Mar. 15. 

Join Nature Regina online at 7 pm, Mar. 15, for a discussion on the mandate of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan. 

Enjoy noon-hour presentations on wetlands, grasslands, and prairie biodiversity as well as a 3 pm, Mar. 16, presentation of an Indigenous perspective of the goods and services provided by the prairie ecosystem and wetlands during the virtual Prairie’s Got the Goods Week organized by SK-PCAP. 

Create a poem or spoken word piece to honour World Water Day during this online workshop from 7-9 pm, Mar. 18. 

The Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy is offering an online presentation on decarbonizing agriculture from 10:30 am-noon, Mar. 18. 

Nature Saskatchewan is offering a multi-species management and conservation awareness online workshop at 7 pm, Mar. 18. 

Saskatoon Public Library is hosting an online discussion for teens about making our community more sustainable from 6-7 pm, Mar. 18. 

Global Water Futures is offering an online lecture series on women and water with a 12:30 pm, Mar. 18, talk on valuing water. 

Saskatoon Nature Society members are invited to share their photographs at the online annual general meeting of the Society at 7:30 pm, Mar. 18. 

Regina’s EnviroCollective will be meeting online from 7-10 pm, Mar. 18. 

Local News 

The Government of Saskatchewan is reviewing the Multi-Material Recycling Program. You’re invited to read a discussion paper and complete a survey. 

Research at the Canadian Light Source has demonstrated that key proteins protect wildlife when temperatures drop below freezing. 

You can borrow a birding backpack from the Saskatoon Public Library. Are any other Saskatchewan libraries doing this? 

From Information to Action 

The David Suzuki Foundation has released a guide to help you work with your local government on addressing climate change. 

Bird migration is underway – here’s what property managers and owners can do to protect birds. 

EcoFriendly Sask supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives through an online publication, an events calendar, small grants, and the Nature Companion website/app. 

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

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

EcoSask News, January 19, 2021

Upcoming Events 

Sustainable YXE, Jan. 21 (online) 

Saskatoon Public Library is hosting an online discussion for teens about making our community more sustainable from 6-7 pm, Jan. 21. 

Vacationing in the Tropics, Jan. 22 (online) 

Nicholas Bayly will discuss the ecology and conservation of Canadian-breeding migratory birds in Colombia in the WildEcol Seminar Series at 3:30 pm, Jan. 22. 

Wildlife Rehab Orientation, Jan. 23 (online) 

WRSOS is holding a virtual wildlife rehabilitation orientation at 1 pm, Jan. 23. 

Eco-Scavenger Hunt, Jan. 23 & 30 (Saskatoon) 

Meewasin Valley Authority is hosting self-directed eco-scavenger hunts to help track wildlife at Beaver Creek Conservation Area on Jan. 23 & 30; Feb. 13, 18, 19, & 27; and Mar. 13 & 27. 

Where & How People Live, Jan. 26 (online) 

There will be an online discussion of how climate change is contributing to human migration as well as an update on local climate action at 7 pm, Jan. 26, as part of the Sustainability Speaker Series organized by the Saskatoon Public Library and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. 

A Landscape Ethic, Jan. 28 (online) 

Dr. Hamilton Greenwood will share his photographic adventures and reflections on the beauty of Western Canada online at 7 pm, Jan. 28 (John M. Cuelenaere Library, Prince Albert). 

At Risk: Mormon Metalmark Butterflies, Jan. 28 (online) 

Shelley Pruss, Parks Canada, will discuss Mormon Metalmark butterflies, an uncommon species found in the Prairie Badlands at noon, Jan. 28, as part of the Native Prairie Speaker Series. 

Winter Readiness, Jan. 28 (online) 

Regina Public Library and Parks Canada are offering a program on animals that are masters at adapting to winter conditions at 7 pm, Jan. 28. 

Looking Ahead

Speed Networking, Jan. 29 (online) 

The Canadian Environmental Network is hosting a speed networking hour at 3 pm, Jan. 29, to help environmental organization leaders meet and find ways to collaborate. 

Repair Café, Jan. 30 (online) 

The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council is hosting a virtual repair café 11 am-2 pm, Jan. 30. 

Winter Walk, Jan. 30 (Regina) 

The public is invited to join Nature Regina for a bird watching walk and to find out what happens under the snow and ice in winter at 10, 10:30, or 11 am, Jan. 30. 

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips 

Jan. 30, 11 am-7 pm – Great Gray Owl Excursion 

Feb. 6, 2-3:30 pm – Forestry Farm Bird Walk 

Field trips are currently for members only, so sign up now. Advance registration is required. 

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

Local News 

The Athabasca Nuhenéné community has set up a Facebook page to share their connection to their land and culture and the need to preserve it. 

Agricultural drainage standards need to be in place and enforced to protect the environment and people. 

New! Responding to Climate Change: A Primer for K-12 Education, Sustainability and Education Policy Network 

The University of Saskatchewan and FCL continue to support research into cleaning up and managing contaminated sites. 

A growing chorus of experts says carbon capture isn’t all that effective and could even add to greenhouse gas emissions. 

How will Saskatchewan’s water supply be affected by Alberta's decisions regarding coal mining? Although a few coal leases were cancelled (January 18, 2021), most remain and would affect the water source for the Canadian Prairies.

 

From Information to Action 

Hydrogen is a lifeline for the oil and gas industry and a distraction from proven technologies – wind, solar, battery storage. 

The textile industry creates 10% of global CO2 emissions. “With production projected to increase 81% by 2030, we are sleepwalking into an environmental disaster.” 

“By 2040, forests will take up only half as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they do now, if global temperatures keep rising at the present pace.” 

Good News 

Two 17-year-olds are on a mission – to rewild Britain by restoring reptile and amphibian species that are either virtually extinct or have been extinct for centuries. 

The Harmony Project offers teaching resources to develop learning based on a deep understanding of, and connection to, the natural world. 

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

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

Did you know? Great Gray Owl have very good hearing and can detect prey under 2 ft of snow thanks to the facial disc feathers that channel sound to the ears (Nature Companion, a free nature app for Western Canada)

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, September 8, 2020

Upcoming Events
Going Outside, Sept. 10 & 17 (online) 
SaskOutdoors is offering an introductory webinar for teachers on taking classes outdoors at either 8 pm, Sept. 10, or 4:30 pm, Sept. 17.

Nature Society AGM, Sept. 13 (Moose Jaw) 
The Moose Jaw Nature Society will be holding its annual general meeting at 2 pm, Sept. 13, in Wakamow Park.

Household Hazardous Waste, Sept. 13 (Saskatoon) 
You can dispose of household hazardous waste at City of Saskatoon’s Civic Operations Centre from 9 am-3:30 pm, Sept. 13.

Member Photos, Sept. 17 (online) 
Saskatoon Nature Society has moved online (Zoom) with their first fall meeting presenting members’ photographs at 7:30 pm, Sept. 17. Meetings are currently for members only, so sign up now.

Looking Ahead
Biodiversity Family Camp-In, Sept. 25 (online)
The Saskatchewan Science Centre is hosting a virtual family camp-in from 6:30-10 pm, Sept. 25, with special guest, Ripley’s Aquarium of Toronto.

Wildlife Rehab Orientation, Oct. 3 (online) 
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan is hosting an online volunteer orientation at 3 pm, Oct. 3. To apply, fill out an application.

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

Local News
Hundreds of people participated in a slow roll on Sept. 7 to honour Cathy Watts’ many contributions to making Saskatoon a great place to live. We interviewed her in 2018 about her efforts to get the whole city moving.

Saskatoon’s Library of Things is reopening on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 1-4 pm. Reserve a pick-up time on their website.

Why are provincial and federal governments endorsing the Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project before doing the studies and calculating the costs?

The Big River Recreation and Conservation Association wants to use a 1-year moratorium on logging around Nesslin Lake to study alternative activities.

Birds respond quickly to environmental stressors and habitat change – hence the importance of the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas project.

Future Majority aims to organize and unite youth voices across Canada and elect leaders who will stand up for young Canadians’ well-being.

From Information to Action
Environmental racism in Canada: what is it, what are the impacts, and what can we do about it?

The Arctic waters are loaded with little bits of jeans: “Special filters attached to washing machines can stop 90 percent of microfibers from flowing out to wastewater treatment plants. Those need to be standard on every new washing machine sold.”

Just one in 10 energy suppliers globally are prioritizing renewable energy over fossil fuel development, according to a new study of 3,000 power companies.

A pilot project to produce carbon-free steel got underway last week in Sweden. 7-9% of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions currently come from the production of steel.

Good News
A small study in Norway showed that painting one blade of a wind turbine black reduced bird mortality by over 70%.

An affordable DIY option to prevent birds from hitting windows.

Orange peels could help recycle old lithium batteries, “a low-cost, sustainable approach to recycling the growing heaps of batteries that end up in landfills every year.”

There are fun activities for kids of all ages on the Nature’s Wild Neighbors Society website.

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

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

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

EcoSask News, August 18, 2020

Upcoming Events
Bird Tours, Aug./Sept. (Saskatoon) 
Stan Shadick is offering physically distanced bird tours with proceeds to Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation:
Shorebird driving tour - Aug. 1-Sept. 15
Pelican driving tour - Aug. 15-Sept. 15
Warbler walking tour - Aug. 20-Sept. 15

Let’s Talk Outdoors, Aug. 20 (online)
SaskOutdoors is launching a podcast on Aug. 20 – Let’s Talk Outdoors: Environmental Enjoyment and Education – with new episodes every third Thursday.

Climate Strike, Aug. 21 & ongoing (online) 
The YXE Youth Climate Committee is hosting a digital Fridays for Future Climate Strike on Fridays from 12-1 pm starting Aug. 21.

Flight of the Monarch, Aug. 22 (online)
Join Nature Saskatchewan in celebrating Flight of the Monarch Day on Aug. 22.

Mini Outdoor School Conference, Aug. 24 (online) 
The Early Childhood Education Council is offering a virtual mini outdoor school conference for its members from 1-2 pm, Aug. 24. Register by emailing saskecec@gmail.com.

SOS Trees Coalition AGM, Aug. 27 (Saskatoon) 
SOS Trees Coalition will hold their annual general meeting outdoors in Victoria Park close to the pagoda at 6:30 pm, Aug. 27.

Backyard Bioblitz, Aug. 24-30 (Saskatchewan) 
Nature Conservancy of Canada is inviting the public to contribute to online community science by searching for plants, animals, and insects in your backyard or local green space and tracking your observations with iNaturalist.

Looking Ahead 
Project WILD, Sept. 16, 23, 30 (online) 
SaskOutdoors is hosting a Project WILD training online from 7-9 pm, Sept. 16, 23, and 30.

George Genereux Park Clean-Up, Sept. 19 (Saskatoon) 
Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas are inviting volunteers to join them in removing garbage in George Genereux Urban Regional Park from 9 am-5 pm, Sept. 19. Volunteers with trucks, wheelbarrows, etc. are encouraged to bring it with them. Disposal bins will be on site in August and September if you want to help out at a different time.

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

Local News
Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas will deliver your recyclables to SARCAN and provide you with a charitable receipt. Call 306-380-5368 to arrange a pick-up.

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan has responded to over 3000 calls to their wildlife hotline this year. Your donations can help support the work of WRSOS and wildlife rehabilitators throughout Saskatchewan (Living Sky in Saskatoon, Salthaven West in Regina, Silverwood in southeast Saskatchewan to name just a few).

Meewasin Valley Authority’s functional study to help minimize the environmental impacts of the proposed Saskatoon Freeway recommends shifting the route by 200-300 metres to the north and a causeway to reduce impact on wetlands. Recent focus groups also expressed concerns and recommendations regarding environmental issues.

Parks Canada has installed EV charging stations in Prince Albert National Park, Batoche and Motherwell Homestead National Historic Sites. Grasslands National Park will have one soon.

From Information to Action
The UK is testing the viability of noise cameras to cut down on noise pollution.

Lower speed limits – on the highway and in town – reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Having an impact: how to practice science that influences environmental policy and management.

Volunteers are plugging abandoned oil wells in Montana and returning the land to its pre-drilling condition.

The environmental footprint of paper vs electronic books – it depends how much you read.

Efforts to protect the nests of Western Painted Turtles have resulted in almost 200 hatchlings at Elizabeth Lake near Cranbrook.

A 22,000 sq. m. green roof on a university campus in Thailand mimics local rice terrace landscapes, collects rainwater, and grows up to 135,000 rice meals and vegetables each year.

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, July 28, 2020

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

Photo Walk, Aug. 11 (Saskatoon)
Branimir Gjetvaj will be leading a nature-themed photo walk for the Saskatoon Camera Club from 6:30-9:30 pm, Aug. 11.

One School One Farm, Aug. 13 (Saskatoon) 
One School One Farm (OSOF) is holding its annual general meeting from 5-8 pm, Aug. 13, on an acreage just outside of Saskatoon. If you are interested in becoming active in OSOF, email for details. The pilot project is continuing with online/virtual farm visits. Teachers are invited to contact OSOF if they will be able to hold a field trip this fall.

Looking Ahead
Nature Saskatchewan Fall Meet, Sept. 19-20 (Last Mountain) 
Nature Saskatchewan will be holding its Fall Meet from Sept. 19-20 at Last Mountain Bird Observatory.

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

Local News
Women living near natural gas and oil wells that use flaring to burn off excess gas face a 50% greater risk of premature birth than women with no exposure

Saskatchewan has much to learn from Alberta and Manitoba in developing a wetlands drainage policy

Donations to help feed over 20 birds of prey at Salthaven West wildlife rehabilitation centre, Regina, would be greatly appreciated

While woodland caribou have evolved to live with forests disturbed by wildfire, they haven't fared well in forests disturbed by people

From Information to Action
“When countries put a price on carbon, their national emissions from fuel combustion grow at a rate 2 percentage points less than that of countries without a carbon price”

Calculating carbon emissions from our homes and buildings must include “emissions associated with the manufacturing, transportation, construction, and end-of-life phases of building materials, systems, and assemblies”

Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic – why recycling isn’t enough [infographic]

Adopting a nuanced approach when considering plants and animals that are relocating due to climate change

A hydrogen blending project in Fort Saskatchewan will lower the carbon intensity of the residential natural gas distribution network

“To my fellow white Zero Waste-ers, if your environmentalism is not intersectional, you’re not an environmentalist”

Nature’s Wonders
How do birds migrate thousands of miles every year without getting lost? 3 possible explanations involving a magnetic field

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). 

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

EcoSask News, July 14, 2020

Upcoming Events
SK Plants & Animals, July 22 (Churchbridge, online) 
4-12 year olds are invited to attend a nature presentation organized by Churchbridge Public Library in conjunction with the Yorkton Flyway Birding Trail Association (YFBTA) from 2-3 pm, July 22.

Worldview Wednesday, July 22 (Yorkton, online) 
Talia from YFBTA will share some cultural/historical facts about Saskatchewan nature on July 22.

DIY Friday, July 24 (Yorkton, online) 
Talia from YFBTA will share a fun DIY nature craft on July 24.

Looking Ahead
Passive House Construction for Trades, Aug. 12 (online) 
Passive House Canada is offering all its entry-level passive house design and construction courses online. A passive house construction training for trades begins on Aug. 12.

Basic Wildlife Rehab, Oct. 3-4 (Saskatoon) 
Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation is hosting a basic wildlife rehabilitation course in Saskatoon on October 3 & 4.

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

Local News
Outter Limits, Saskatoon, has posted a list of outdoor adventure groups in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan

If you’re looking for places to go hiking this summer, subscribe to Robin & Arlene Karpan’s Photo Journeys

Nature-based art – fabric dying with Sage Yathon, Regina

From Information to Action
“Water bottling for profit is never sustainable, despite Ice River’s use of recycled plastic bottles and its many claims of commitment to sustainability”

“Biodiversity is higher in a landscape with smaller crop fields, even for the same total amount of natural and semi-natural habitat”

A survey of nearly 1000 environmental education and outdoor science schools shows that 63% are uncertain whether they will ever open their doors again

There are plenty of animal-borne diseases close to home: “modern civilization creates conditions to trigger outbreaks and exacerbate their effects”

Hydrogen on the Path to Net-Zero Emissions: Costs and Climate Benefits [Pembina Institute primer]

That’s Amazing!
Killdeer hatchlings are irresistible

A dramatic performance by an Eastern Hognose Snake

Why you don’t want earwigs in your vineyard and other interesting earwig facts

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 Companion, a comprehensive, introductory nature app for Canada's four western provinces, a new project from EcoFriendly Sask