The E-Update – August 20, 2007

*The E-Update � August 20, 2007*
The Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network
A Network of more than 30 Member Groups
Many Voices for the Environment

*In this E-update you will find: *
1. PAA Hosts Collating Party � Needs Volunteers!
2. Send Us Your Volunteer Opportunities!
3. President’s Award for Exceptional Community Service, Memorial University
4. Starting September: Letter Writing Sessions for Member Groups at the EGP
5.* *Torbay Open-Air Community Market
6. *You* Can Become an Ocean Net Supporter � Join Ocean Net’s Recycling
Drive!
7. PMRA proposes to harmonize domestic class pesticides
8. The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
9. Newfoundland and Labrador’s Invasive Alien Species: Workshop at MUN
Botanical Garden
10. Local Publisher Goes Green
11. Nature Conservancy of Canada & Quidi Vidi Brewery Host a Mixer
12. Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference – 2008
13. Green Speak Radio, Monday’s 4-5pm, 93.5FM or www.chmr.ca
14. Call for nominations of wetland champions
* A Message for the NLEN Members
** A message to Readers of the NLEN E-update
*** What is the NLEN about?
**** For more information.
*Now for the details: *
*1. PAA Hosts Collating Party � Needs Volunteers!*
The Protected Areas Association is having a collating party on Wednesday,
August 22nd, in the Boardroom of the Gathering Place at 172 Military Road,
adjacent to the Basilica. We will be putting together the pieces of our
Conservation Education material. If you can help, please let us know. We’d
appreciate it if you could send this around to those you think might be
interested as well.
We’ll be starting at 7 and would need people for a couple of hours or
whatever they can spare. We will provide refreshments.
Email rfrench@nf.aibn.com for more details
2. Send Us Your Volunteer Opportunities!
Dear members,
One of the services the NLEN is offering is a volunteer database where
your volunteer needs can be posted. Since high school students are now
required to complete a number of volunteer hours before graduating from high
school, there will now be a bigger pool of potential volunteers. If you have
any volunteer opportunities you need to fill, please e-mail the information
below and we will shortly be posting the database on our website.
Organization
Name
Contact Information (address, phone number, fax, e-mail, etc.)
Contact Person
Volunteer
Title
Duties
Times or Number of Hours (e.g. 2 hrs. per week)
Length of commitment (e.g. minimum 3 month commitment)
Location (on-site, off-site, virtual volunteer)
High School Student Opportunity
Previous Experience Required
Certificate of Conduct Required
Orientation and/or Training Provided
Age Restrictions (if applicable)
Equipment Required
Vehicle Access Required
Wheelchair Accessible Site
Other Information if relevant
Thank you,
Annie Antonenko
*3. President’s Award for Exceptional Community Service, Memorial University
� Deadline September 17, 2007*
*Nominate someone from your organization!*
The President’s Award for Exceptional Community Service is presented each
year in recognition of Memorial University employees (faculty or staff) who
have demonstrated outstanding community service.
Nominees for the award must have a sustained pattern of exceptional
voluntary contributions to communities and/or community organizations.
These contributions must be beyond what might normally be considered
academic or professional service, and must have had a significant impact
upon those organizations or on the communities.
Nominees must be full-time employees with a minimum of five years of
continuous service and have made the cited community contributions during
their period of employment at Memorial University. The nominees must not
have been previous winners of the award.
——————————
– *Award*
The award, bestowed in recognition of outstanding community service,
consists of a personalized scroll and a monetary award of $1,000. The names
of award recipients will be publicly displayed together with those of other
university-wide award winners. No more than two awards will be given in any
year.
– *Criteria*
� Nominees for the award must have a sustained pattern of exceptional
voluntary contributions to communities and/or community organizations. These
contributions must be beyond what might normally be considered academic or
professional service, and must have had a significant impact upon those
organizations or on the communities;
� Nominees must be full-time employees (faculty or staff) with a minimum of
five years of continuous service and have made the cited community
contributions during their period of employment at Memorial University.
For more info, visit: http://www.mun.ca/marcomm/community_service_award.php
* *
4. Starting September: Letter Writing Sessions for Member Groups at the EGP
The NLEN would like to announce a new service for its member groups and the
general public! The NLEN will be offering a letter-writing group session one
evening a month in the boardroom at the Gathering Place. Everyone knows that
writing letters to politicians and newspapers makes a difference! It lets
your voice be heard and contributes to public discussion on important
issues.
That’s why we’d like to offer a dedicated letter writing session that will
focus on a different topic each month. Member groups will have the
opportunity to choose topics for each session, and then they will have a few
minutes at the beginning of each session to present their topic and answer
questions before the writing begins. Presenters are also welcome to bring
along any background documents that might be helpful to the letter writers.
A template letter would also be helpful so that groups not able to attend
can still take part in the letter writing at home.
These sessions will be open to all member groups, as well as to the wider
letter-writing public. Members are asked to contact the NLEN at
nlen.ed@gmail.com to suggest topics, which can be as local or as global as
you wish.
Sessions will start at the end of September, and I’ll send out a reminder as
we get closer to that time. Please let me know if YOUR group would like to
be the first presenter!
*5. Torbay Open-Air Community Market*
You want it and we got it: It’s locally grown and locally made!
Fresh local and organic produce, arts and crafts, baked goods and more – all
in one family-friendly, community-inspiring place. Keep your money in the
local economy and support local farmers; come on out and see the fruits (and
vegetables) of their labour!
Where: Torbay Town Hall, Torbay Road
When: Saturday, August 25th from 9:00am to 1:00pm
Cost: FREE
Contact: Torbay Environment and Trails Committee 437-7200 or
torbayenviro@nf.aibn.com
*6. **YOU** CAN BECOME AN OCEAN NET SUPPORTER � JOIN OCEAN NET’S RECYCLING
DRIVE!!*
Most of us have a general awareness when it comes to the value of recycling.
Some of us might even store our plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and
newspapers to be dropped off at the local recycling depot. Well now you
have even more reason to do your part! In addition to reducing the amount
of waste being brought to our landfill, your recycling efforts can now
support Ocean Net’s ‘Educating by Action’ environmental programs!
We have established an Ocean Net account at three of the following Ever
Green Recycling locations � *Waterford Bridge Road, 79 Blackmarsh Road, and
92 Elizabeth Avenue*. *When you bring in your recyclables just inform them
that it is for Ocean Net* and your efforts will go towards supporting the
thousands of Ocean Net community volunteers striving to preserve and protect
our coastal ocean environment. This is a great opportunity to show how much
you value your community and our environment. Your support will become an
integral part of Ocean Net’s efforts to strengthen communities, educate and
empower youth, and help foster attitudinal change. Ocean Net is dedicated
to *”Instilling and Ocean Conservation Ethic”* in Newfoundland and Labrador
� and now you can too!
Whether you are a ‘recycling elite’, are looking to start a recycling
program in your office, or just want to get your children involved in a
worthy cause � you are invited to support Ocean Net. Even the tiniest
effort helps in our cause so please pass the word along. We encourage your
efforts and certainly appreciate your support!
Please feel free to circulate the attached poster or click
herefor more information!
*Ocean Net*
276-A Water St. | St. John’s, NL | A1C 1B7
(T) 709.753.3680 (F) 709.753.4679 (E) info@oceannet.ca (W)
www.oceannet.ca
* *
*7. **PMRA proposes to harmonize domestic class pesticides***
Health Canada is proposing changes to the way in which pesticides are
classified in Canada that should smooth the way for other provinces to
pass a Quebec-like policy to limit pesticide sales. The policy
proposes to harmonize domestic pesticide classification so that
provinces could then pass additional restrictions on sales and
marketing of pesticides – such changes could support the municipal
bylaws across the country. (And they could be done in addition to any
province-wide restrictions on pesticide use.) Please consider
submitting comments to Health Canada by September 14, 2007 on the
attached PMRA policy.
Classification Harmonization for Canada, A Proposal for Domestic Class
Pesticides
90 days Deadline: September 14, 2007
Executive Summary
The Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Committee on Pest Management
and Pesticides proposes to harmonize the existing federal and
provincial classification systems for domestic class pesticides (also
known as pest control products) to improve the management of
pesticides across all provinces.
Currently, federal procedures for classifying products use hazard
criteria as the trigger for determining if products can fall into the
Domestic Class. This proposal would retain the existing procedure, but
add a further subdivision of Domestic Class products. Using the
criteria described below, products will be placed into two separate
groups: 1) those that are suitable for unrestricted domestic sale, and
2) those for which the purchase will be controlled by a vendor.
Products which are appropriate for unrestricted domestic sale (i.e.,
the “Self-Select” category, or SS) are typically in a Ready-to-Use
formulation and packaged in smaller sized containers; products which
are appropriate for controlled sale by a vendor (i.e., “Controlled
Purchase” category, or CP) typically require mixing or dilution and/or
are packaged in larger sizes (i.e., greater than 1 kg or 1L). This
categorization will advise provincial regulators which products will
require additional controls (i.e., CP products) under appropriate
provincial regulations.
The subdivision of Domestic class products into two categories will
guide users towards risk reduction by identifying products that can be
used with the least amount of exposure. Application of this
classification framework at the federal level will result in clear and
predictable outcomes, with better utilization of federal and
provincial
resources.
Full implementation, apparent at the vendor level, will be dependent
on adoption of the required regulations by the provinces. Further
conditions of access of consumers to those Domestic products
identified as Controlled Purchase will be determined by those
provincial regulations. Consumers will continue to have direct access
to Self-Select domestic products from the major product types (e.g.,
insecticides, herbicides, fungicides). Domestic rodenticides will be
categorized as Controlled Purchase products.
Provincial restrictions on the sale of Controlled Purchase products,
using a harmonized approach, will contribute to minimizing risks to
the health of pesticide users and to the environment.
Forward written comments by September 14, 2007 to:
FPT Secretariat
Attention: Jos�e Beaudoin
Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Health Canada
Sir Charles Tupper Building
2720 Riverside Drive, A.L. 6606D1
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding this proposal please contact the
FPT Secretariat at
Josee_Beaudoin@hc-sc.gc.ca
Please visit the FPT Committee Internet website at http://www.pmraarla.
gc.ca/english/fpt/ciwg-e.html or
http://www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/francais/fpt/ciwg-f.html
for electronic copies of the proposal document.
=========
Re-evaluation of the Agricultural, Forestry, Aquatic and Industrial
Site Uses of (2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)acetic Acid [2,4-D] 60 days
Deadline: August 18, 2007
Use of Uncertainty and Safety Factors in the Human Health Risk
Assessment of Pesticides
90 days Deadline: October 22, 2007
Please forward all comments to:
pmra_publications@hc-sc.gc.ca
Or mail to:
Publications
Pest Management Regulatory Agency
Health Canada
2720 Riverside Drive
A.L. 6605C
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
http://tinyurl.com/3b33aa
* *
*8.* *The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup*
September 15-23, 2007
Help us protect Canada’s shorelines.
Every September, Canadians from all walks of life take action to restore the
health of their local shorelines.
Be a part of the solution.
Register today to organize or join a shoreline cleanup in your community.
It’s easy, it’s fun and it’s good for our environment. Shoreline cleanup
supplies and support materials are provided *free of charge*.
To get involved go to www.vanaqua.org/cleanup or call (toll free)
1-877-427-2422.
*9.* *Eyes Across the Province*
*Newfoundland and Labrador’s Invasive Alien Species: Workshop at MUN
Botanical Garden*
Think you’re the only one whose garden is being taken over by that big
“bamboo-like” plant? If so, then you need to join us on September 22 from 9
to 12 at the MUN Botanical Garden for an informative session on invasive
alien plants. Due to the overwhelming success of our first workshop, we’ve
decided to have a second. Join us and learn about the little (and sometimes
enormous) green aliens creeping around in your back yard and wilderness
areas. Help us fight back with our “Eyes Across the Province” monitoring
campaign. Pre-registration is required. To receive more information call
Costa or Joy at 737-8590 or visit the Garden’s website at
www.mun.ca/botgarden. Cost is $10 per person and a light snack will be
provided.
Become the ‘eyes across the province’ and take a closer look at some of the
“green aliens” that may be invading our natural areas. Find out how these
alien species are spreading. Learn about using native trees and shrubs to
beautify your own garden. Encounter some of our “Canadian Bandits” and
learn how you can help prevent an invasion of alien species.
*10. Local Publisher Goes Green*
This September, Flanker Press will release its first book published on
Ancient Forest Friendly Paper. St. John’s: City of Fire by Paul Butler will
be printed on Ancient Forest Friendly paper that is acid-free, 100%
post-consumer recycled, and processed chlorine-free. By doing so, Flanker
Press will save 28 fully grown trees, 12,239 gallons of water, 16 million
BTUs, 1,349 pounds of solid waste, and 2,663 pounds of greenhouse gases.
Flanker Press is committed to protecting the environment and to the
responsible use of natural resources. For more information, contact Laura
Cameron, Flanker Press, (709) 739-4477 ext. 24, lcameron@flankerpress.com.
*11. Nature Conservancy of Canada & Quidi Vidi Brewery Host a Mixer*
* *
Nature Conservancy of Canada and Quidi Vidi Brewing Company are pleased to
invite you to our Tourism and Hospitality Business Mixer. In partnership
with Quidi Vidi Brewing Company, we have created labels of Newfoundland
plants and animals, which are available on QV Honey Brown beer. We are
inviting you because we believe resident and non-resident tourists alike
would be interested in these labels.
Our mixer is an excellent opportunity to network with other members of the
tourism and hospitality sector. It is also an opportunity to learn how you
can make a positive impact on nature conservation in our own province, with
very little cost or even direct involvement.
Nature Conservancy of Canada is a private charity organization which is
committed to the protection of private land through purchase or donation. We
are a non-advocacy organization that works in a business-like manner to
achieve “on the ground” conservation.
Who: Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Quidi Vidi Brewing Company
What: Tourism and Hospitality Business Mixer
When: Wednesday, August 22 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Quidi Vidi Brewery � Bar Area
RSVP: Monday, August 20th, 2007 to
Jessica.Richardson@natureconservancy.caor 709-753-5540, light
refreshments will be served.
*12. **Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference – 2008***
* *
The National Executive Committee of the 2008 Governor General’s Canadian
Leadership Conference is encouraging young leaders from Canada’s voluntary
and non-profit sector to actively consider applying to join the unique
two-week conference. The application process is open until September 30,
2007.
“The Conference brings together 230 young leaders from sectors and
communities across Canada,” said Penelope Rowe, CEO of the Community
Services Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, and a member of the
conference National Executive. “We want to ensure that Canada’s social
economy is represented by our best, brightest and most promising young
leaders.”
All Conference members share one thing: they are high potential individuals
selected on the basis they are expected to achieve senior leadership
positions in their organizations and communities within 10 years. The
participants come from a wide variety of relatively narrow experiences. By
the time they leave the Conference, they will have many of their assumptions
challenged and their comprehension enlarged as a result of working,
traveling and discussing with people from different backgrounds and
different perceptions.
“The theme of the 2008 Conference – ‘leadership and community’ � goes to the
core of our sector’s work,” noted Ms. Rowe. “The non-profit sector plays an
essential role in building communities and accounts for about 10% of all
employment in Canada. We are going to ensure the emerging leaders of
Canada’s social economy are well represented on this Conference.”
The Conference opens June 6, 2008 in Banff, Alberta, and closes two weeks
later in Ottawa-Gatineau. *The deadline for applications is September 30,
2007*. Participant expenses for all travel, food and lodging are covered by
the Conference with the exception of travel to the opening plenary and from
the closing ceremony.
Detailed information and online applications can be obtained at
leadershipcanada.ca .
*
**13. Green Speak Radio, Mondays 4-5pm, 93.5FM or www.chmr.ca*
Green Speak Radio, Mondays 4-5pm, 93.5FM or www.chmr.ca
The August 13th episode of Green Speak Radio will feature an interview with
the* Goulds Green Team *with musical guest *Andrew LeDrew*.
Have an idea for a feature guest or artist for Green Speak Radio?
Email your suggestions to greenspeakradio@gmail.com
Green Speak is sponsored in part by the NL Environment Network, the
Western Environment Centre, MUN Project Green, the Wellness Coalition
St. John’s Region and 93.5 CHMR-FM.
*14. Call for nominations of wetland champions*
Do you know a person or group that is dedicated to conserving and protecting
Newfoundland and Labrador’s wetland habitats? The Lieutenant Governor of
Newfoundland and Labrador and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) are looking for
nominations for the prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Greenwing Conservation
Award.
The annual award recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated
leadership in a project or activity that has contributed to the public
awareness of wetland conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador, and/or
individuals and groups demonstrating outstanding volunteer service in
assisting organizations that benefit wetland conservation.
If you know an individual or group that meets the award criteria (
http://www.ducks.ca/conserve/leaders/pdf/crit_nl.pdf), please nominate them
for the Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award. Please complete
and forward the form (www.ducks.ca/conserve/leaders/pdf/nom_nl.pdf) for the
individual or group, by mail, to Ducks Unlimited Canada, 6 Labrador Place,
St. John’s, NL A1A 3S3, or by e-mail to du_newfoundland@ducks.ca by
September 20, 2007.
Up to 70 per cent of wetlands have been lost in settled areas of Canada, and
the efforts of concerned individuals and groups are vital to conserving
remaining wetland habitats, which are home to approximately 600 species of
Canadian wildlife. DUC conserves, restores and manages wetlands and their
associated habitats for the benefit of North America’s waterfowl. These
habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.
* *
** A Message for NLEN Members*
This E-update is intended to announce your meetings and showcase your
interests and events. Please send notices by Friday 10 a.m. as a paragraph
with 12 point font, no bold/italics/underline/all caps, single spaced and
left hand justified. Notices less than 200 words, and with no attachments,
are best.
* *
*** A Message to Readers of the NLEN E-update*
Attempts are made to cover a range of environmental issues and events. You
are welcome to contribute information by Friday 10 a.m. At this time not
all submissions are guaranteed.
* *
**** What is the NLEN about?*
The NLEN (www.nlen.ca) is a network of more than 30 member groups and
associates throughout the province. The goal of the NLEN is to facilitate
communication between non-government environmental organizations, and assist
members with initiatives through non-advocacy means. Member groups operate
to conserve, protect or restore the Earth’s ecosystem through action,
education; stewardship and/or modeling ecologically sound ways of life. All
provinces and the Yukon have environmental networks funded by the Canadian
Environment Network. Visit CEN /RCEN at www.cen-rce.org.
The NLEN recognizes the link between environment and health and therefore is
a member of the Environmental Health Working Group of the Provincial
Wellness Advisory Council as well as a member of the Wellness Coalition �
St. John’s Region and a member of its’ Healthy Environments Sub-Committee.
The NLEN is located on the third floor of the Environmental Gathering Place,
sharing space with 5 environmental groups including: Protected Areas
Association, www.paanl.org; Northeast Avalon Coastal Action Program,
www.naacap.ca; Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-NL, www.cpawsnl.org ;
and the Atlantic Canada Sustainable Energy Coalition.
* *
***** For information about the environment, NLEN mandate and membership, or
this E-update (comments, contributions, subscribe, unsubscribe, preference
for E-update with NO attachments) contact: *
—
Katie Temple
Executive Director
ph: 709-753-7898, fx:709-726-2764
Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network, www.nlen.ca
Located at the Environmental Gathering Place
172 Military Road
P.O.Box 5125, Stn.C
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5M3
The NLEN is a member of the Wellness Coalition – St. John’s Region and
recognizes the link between environment and health. The NLEN also recognizes
the link between environment and adventure tourism. All provinces and the
Yukon have Environment Networks, funded by the Canadian Environment Network.