NLEN E-Update May 25th

EVENTS

Wed May 26: Screening – Manufactured Landscapes

Thurs May 27: Spring Workshop – Edible Plant Walk

Sat May 29: Fundraiser Yard Sale for the St. John’s Farmer’s Market

Sat May 29: East Coast Trail Assn Hike – Tinkers Point Path (Mobile to Tors Cove)

Sat May 29: Sale of garden plants

Sat/Sun May 29-30: Newfoundland Horticultural Society Spring Flower Show

Sat/Sun May 29-30: Gear Swap: East Coast Trail Assn. and The Outfitters

Sun May 30: Signs of Spring Family Day Program

Tues June 1: Oil Pollution Prevention Meeting

Wed June 2: Public Presentation – Climate Change (Bonne Bay)

Fri-Sun June 4-6: Natural history weekend in the Codroy Valley

Sat June 5: First day of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market

Sat June 5: CBS Community-wide Clean-up & Rally

Sat June 5: Community Market, Stephenville

Sun June 6: 10^th East Coast Trail Tely-Hike

Fri June 11: Conference – Your Say “Canada at 150”

Fri June 11: Introduction to the Petroleum Industry – One day course

Registration now being accepted for the following:

June 28 – Aug 27: 2010 Junior Naturalist Camp at MUN Botanical Garden

Sept 10-12: Viking Foray! – Mushroom picking on the Great Northern Peninsula

Sept 24-26: Much Ado About Lichens

FUNDING & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Refresh Everything Grants (Submit beginning June 1^st)

Notice: Community Garden Plots available to the public, Stephenville and Kippens

ACTION

Join the Commuter Challenge (May 31 – June 5)

EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEER OPENINGS

GREEN TEAM POSITIONS: Conservation Corps of NL (Deadline: Ongoing)

DELEGATE: 2010 Canadian Youth U.N. Climate Change Delegation

ENVIRONMENT-RELATED NEWS

Provincial Government News Releases

News & Commentary

CBC Podcasts

RESOURCES

NL Department of Environment and Conservation Wildlife Division Newsletter – Spring Issue

Webpages of the Week: 1) The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement; 2) FLOW (Forum for Leadership on Water); 3) Transition Network

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EVENTS

Wed May 26: Screening – Manufactured Landscapes 7pm, The Rooms (free admission on Wed. evenings) An award-winning documentary about the work of Edward Burtynsky, featuring landscapes of areas transformed by human activity. Reminder: On-going until Aug 15: Exhibit – Edward Burtynsky: Oil – Level 3 “Oil explores one of the most important subjects of our time by one of the most respected and recognized contemporary photographers in the world. Burtynsky has travelled internationally to chronicle the production, distribution, and use of this critical fuel. In addition to revealing the rarely-seen mechanics of its manufacture, Burtynsky photographs the effects of oil on our lives…. He also addresses the coming “end of oil,” as we confront its rising cost and dwindling availability.”

Thurs May 27: Spring Workshop – Edible Plant Walk 6:30pm – 8:30pm MUN Botanical Garden, 305 Mount Scio Rd. The concentration of this walk will be the edible spring shoots and leaves of our native and naturalized wildflowers. This program will have both indoor and outdoor components. Please be prepared to go outside; comfortable footwear, suitable for hiking, is recommended. Cost: $30. Pre-registration required. Call 737-8590

Sat May 29: Fundraiser Yard Sale for the St. John’s Farmer’s Market 9am – 2pm 89 Quidi Vidi Rd Items to donate can be dropped off after May 25^th. Call 579-0890 for more details.

Sat May 29: East Coast Trail Assn Hike – Tinkers Point Path (Mobile to Tors Cove). 9:30 am. Duration: 2.5 or 4 hours; Distance: 5.1 or 10.2 km; Rating: Easy; Hike type: Senior’s hike – NO DOGS!; Meeting Point: Parking lot of Mobile High School, on the right side of Highway 10 in Mobile; Leader: Cathy Carroll cathycarroll62@hotmail.com 364 6233 (h); Co-leader: To be selected from among the experienced participants Notes: Hikers may hike one way or return. Suitable for families and beginners.

Sat May 29. Sale of garden plants. 9-11 am, 2a Allandale Road, corner of Poplar Ave, St. John’s. Perennials with some vegetables and annuals. All proceeds go to the Women’s Association of Memorial University scholarship fund. For further info phone Marjorie at 722-1925.

Sat May 29 – Sun May 30: Newfoundland Horticultural Society Spring Flower Show Sat noon – 5pm, Sun 10am – 4pm. MUN Botanical Garden Members of the society welcome spring with a beautiful display of spring flowers. This popular annual event takes place in the display room of the Garden’s Field Centre. Free Admission.

Sat May 29 – Sun May 30: East Coast Trail Assn and The Outfitters Spring 2010 Gear Swap. The Outfitters (220 Water St. St. John’s). For more info: http://theoutfitters.nf.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=269

Sun May 30: Signs of Spring Family Day Program 10am – 4pm MUN Botanical Garden (306 Mount Scio Rd) A variety of crafts, stories, activities, duck-feeding and nature hikes will be provided throughout the day.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.  For more info, please call 737-8590 or visit the Botanical Garden’s website:  www.mun.ca/botgarden

Tues June 1: Oil Pollution Prevention Meeting Noon – 1:30pm Environmental Gathering Place, 172 Military Road, third floor. Anyone concerned about preventing offshore oil pollution is invited. Let’s plan how we can best act collectively to help avoid an oily catastrophe. Perhaps there will be a chance to do something for NOIA’s upcoming conference – June 15-18^th? For more info, contact Julie Huntington at info@naacap.ca or 726-9673.

Wed June 2: Public Presentation: Climate Change 10am, Bonne Bay Marine Station, Norris Point. Climate Change Adaptation researchers / planners Patricia Manuel and Sarah Herring, working in co-ordination with Raymond Cusson, will be presenting their research project / adaptation plan. For more info: Raymond Cusson 453-2063

Fri June 4 – 6: A weekend of Natural History in the beautiful Codroy Valley. Emphasis is on spring birds but we look at plants and mushrooms and insects, etc. Please contact Lois Bateman of Humber Natural History Society for further information at lbateman@swgc.mun.ca.

Sat June 5: First day of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market 9am – 2pm Lion’s Club Chalet, Bonaventure Ave. The market will run every Saturday through the end of November. Want to sign up as a vendor, or simply want more info? Go to: http://stjohnsfarmersmarket.org/

Sat June 5: CBS Community-wide Clean-up 9am – Noon A major community clean up that will go ahead rain or shine. Residents, community groups, schools and businesses alike are asked to get out to pick-up some garbage, clean up your property or adopt a street! A rally will be held at the Robert French Memorial (CBS) Stadium from 12:30 to 2:00pm to celebrate the day. The week leading up to the Event Garbage Bags can be picked up at: Town Hall, Manuels River Chalet, Home Hardware, Dominion, Sobeys, CBS Recreation Complex, and CBS Stadium. To register your group today, please call 834-6534 or emai
l recreation@conceptionbaysouth.ca

Sat June 5: Community Market, Stephenville. 10am to 4pm, Lions Building, Woodland Avenue. The Stephenville Lions Club in partnership with the Bay St. George Sustainability Network has organised a regular weekend Community Market. Space is available for up to forty venders inside the building and capacity for additional tables and booths outside. Vendors will have access to the market building an hour before and after public market hours. The Community Market will have a farmers’ and gardeners component when produce is available and an arts and crafts section. Preference for tables, booths etc. will be given to goods, grown, made or otherwise produced in the province. However other small enterprises, including sales of recycled, garage sale type items will be welcome. Various artists, musicians and other entertainers will be encouraged to perform in the stage area. Anyone requiring further information, or who may be interested in renting a table or booth space at a modest price please contact: Derrick McKay 709-643-5020 – Stephenville Lions Club; Aiden Mahoney 709-643-5971 – Bay St. George Sustainability Network

Sun June 6: 10^th East Coast Trail Tely-Hike Justina Centre, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove ~Fund Raiser for Trail development ~Grand Opening of Red Cliff Path ~Celebration of International Trails Day ~Choice of three guided hikes (easy 2 km to moderate 10 km)

~Top solo & team fund-raiser Prizes ~ Minimum registration donation is $40 ~Food, music, fun AND the great outdoors! Check www.eastcoasttrail.com for developing details.

Fri June 11: Conference – Your Say “Canada at 150” Memorial University. Canada will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2017. What kind of country do we want? Siobhan Coady, MP for St. John’s South – Mount Pearl, is hosting a one-day, non-partisan conference. The day will bring together community activists, academics, business people and the general public to share and generate ideas about the future of our province and country, including: Real Life Issues for Canadian Families; Creating a Learning Society; A Productive Society in 2017; and Making a Difference in the World. Everyone is invited to attend and contribute. For more information please contact Scott Reid, (709) 772-4608 or coadys1b@parl.gc.ca

Fri June 11: Introduction to the Petroleum Industry – One day course. 9am – 4:30 pm, Holiday Inn, St. John’s. This one day course is presented in non-technical language and is designed for anyone wanting a better understanding of the petroleum industry. It will be of particular benefit to new employees to the energy sector. Issues covered in the course include: Types and Uses of Petroleum, History of the Industry, Petroleum Geology, Petroleum Geophysics, Rights Acquisition and Administration, Drilling, Production Systems: Atlantic Canada and around the world, Overview of Atlantic Canada Petroleum Sector. Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 9. Cost is $375 + HST. Instructor: Phonse Fagan. For further information or to register, contact 727-4517, email info@petro-ed.com or visit www.petro-ed.com .

Registration now open for the following:

June 28 – Aug 27: 2010 Junior Naturalist Camp at MUN Botanical Garden Your child can explore the great outdoors and mingle with plants, animals and everything in between. Five days of nature activities – adventures galore! Available to children who have just completed grades one to five (+ 3 camp weeks are half-day programs available to children who have completed kindergarten.) Find more info at: http://www.mun.ca/botgarden/group_prog/JNC/

Sept 10 – 12: Viking Foray! Great Northern Peninsula. Pick the mushrooms the Vikings picked on the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, where the Vikings landed over 1,000 years ago. Information & downloadable Registration Forms are at www.nlmushrooms.ca. Register early and do not miss out! (Once you register, please keep in mind the Photo Contest–all foray participants are members. See rules on same website.)

Sept 24-26: Much Ado About Lichens Brother Brennan Environmental Centre Weekend workshop w/ lichen expert Mac Pitcher. Learn about the wonders of lichens in their native habitat – the heart of the Avalon Forest! Lectures, walks, identification & more. Cost: $180; $120 for students (includes accommodations & home-cooked meals). Info & registration form at: http://www.brotherbrennancentre.ca/pdf/MAALichens2010.pdf

FUNDING & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Refresh Everything Grants (Start submitting ideas June 1^st) Canadian individuals or organizations can submit their idea for a grant in one of six categories: The Planet, Food & Shelter, Health, Arts & Culture, Neighborhoods, and Education. Ideas must be beneficial, achievable, constructive and “shovel-ready”.  On July 1, voting opens on the site – and the public get to decide who has the best ideas and who gets the grants. Every other month, 10 grants will be awarded to the ideas that secure the most votes: one for $100,000; two $25,000; three $10,000; and four $5,000 grants. http://www.refresheverything.ca/

Notice: Community Garden Plots Available to Public (Stephenville and Kippens). Community Gardens are being established in Stephenville and Kippens by the Bay St George Sustainability Network with the support of community partners – the College of the North Atlantic, Town Councils of Stephenville and Kippens, and the Stephenville Lions Club. Gardening is the second most popular form of physical activity in Canada, just behind walking. In addition to physical and mental health benefits community gardens provide an opportunity for those participating to grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables. The gardens will also be centers in the community for sustainability education programs open to the general public offering courses, seminars and on site instruction related to gardening, food safety and food preservation. The Stephenville and Kippens gardens have raised bed plots that are presently being assigned to individuals, families or community groups. If you require further information or are interested in acquiring a plot, please contact: Tera McDonald, Kippens Community Garden, phone 646-5703 , email Tera.McDonald@cna.nl.ca. Bob Diamond, Stephenville Community Garden, phone 643-6362, email rdiamond@nf.sympatico.ca.

ACTION

Join the Commuter Challenge (May 31 – June 5, Corner Brook). The Commuter Challenge is a National program encouraging Canadians to reduce their environmental impact by carpooling, taking public transit, biking or walking to work. This not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also saves money on fuel and wear and tear on your car. There are also health benefits if you choose to walk or bike! Communities and workplaces across Canada compete for the highest percentage of participation during Canadian Environment Week (May 31 – June 5). The Environmental Policy Unit (Grenfell College) is coordinating this event in Corner Brook and is looking for workplace coordinators that are willing to promote the event to coworkers and individual
s who are interested in getting involved. Become a workplace coordinator/event promoter. Register for the event online. Visit www.commuterchallenge.ca. As a workplace coordinator send this link to coworkers and post posters at your office or put them in coworkers mailboxes. You may also want to have a meeting where you explain the program and help coworkers register. Challenge other workplaces to compete for the greatest number of participants and the greatest amount of greenhouse gases reduced. Make a plan! Decide what mode of transportation you will choose and what days you will participate. Discuss this with your coworkers and help each other out! Login and record your results during Environment Week! Winners will be announced Saturday, June 5^th, 12pm at the Corner Brook Farmers’ Market at the Majestic Lawn. For more information, contact Susan J. Pottle at (709) 637-6200 ext. 6382 or spottle@swgc.mun.ca.

EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEER OPENINGS

GREEN TEAM POSITIONS (8 weeks) – Conservation Corps of Newfoundland and Labrador (Deadline: Ongoing) Projects are being finalized and nearly 100 Green Team positions will be available in the coming weeks. Jobs available in the Metro, Avalon, Central, Western, Northern and Labrador regions of the province. For detailed job descriptions, qualifications necessary, and how to apply see http://ccnl.ca/what-s-available and check back often – new positions being posted daily!

DELEGATE: 2010 Canadian Youth Delegation (Deadline: 6:00 pm PDT, Friday June 11^th). Applications are now open for the Canadian Youth Delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Meetings in Cancun, Mexico, taking place at the end of 2010. If you want to make a difference, learn about international climate policy, and work with a diverse group of youth from across Canada then this opportunity is for you. Check out the applications (available in French or English) for more information. CYD-Cancun New Member Application ; CYD-Cancun Returning Member Application ; CYD-Home Team Leader Application.

ENVIRONMENT-RELATED NEWS

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASES

Federal Government Ignores Principle of Adjacency in Application of Northern Shrimp Quota http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2010/fishaq/0519n01.htm

Recreation Goes Green in Mount Pearl http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2010/env/0519n06.htm

Partnership Enhances Awareness of Climate Change and Air Quality http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2010/env/0518n09.htm

NEWS & COMMENTARY

The province’s slippery position http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=340759&sc=86

Environmental award goes to Central towns, engineers http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=340853&sc=82

Attempts to curb illegal fishing failing http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=340722&sc=507

Smoke and mirrors – applying the polluter pays principle at AbitibiBowater sites http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=340731&sc=80

Williams hammered over Abitibi cleanup costs http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/05/20/williams-abitibi-liability-520.html

Regulator tightens deepsea drilling off N.L. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/05/20/cnlopb-deepsea-chevron-cp-520.html

Ottawa’s approach to shrimp allocations off Newfoundland wrong: Jackman http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=340440&sc=79

Taxpayers on hook for N.L. mill mess: premier http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/05/19/williams-abitibi-cleanup-519.html

ACAP seeking volunteers to protect rivers http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/05/19/nl-river-rangers-519.html

2010 Atlantic salmon management measures announced http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=340340&sc=79

Quebec court refuses N.L. appeal on Abitibi http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/05/18/quebec-appeal-abitibi-nl-518.html

Outer Ring Road trash appalling: councillor http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/05/18/breen-ring-road-trash-418.html

Important to guard against disease in aquaculture industry: Jackman http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=340155&sc=79

Forest industry, green groups strike deal http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/05/18/forest-agreement.html

Ocean Choice reaches deal with union http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/05/17/ocean-choice-deal-517.html

Scientists link ADHD in kids to routine pesticide exposure http://www.grist.org/article/Scientists-link-ADHD-in-kids-to-routine-pesticide-exposure

Feds table bill to prevent bulk water exports http://watercanada.net/2010/feds-table-bill-to-prevent-bulk-water-exports/

Costa Rican named as UN climate chief http://www.grist.org/article/2010-05-18-costa-rican-named-as-u.n.-climate-chief/

CBC PODCASTS

West Coast Morning Show http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/pastpodcasts.html?62#ref62

May 21/10: The Feather and Folk Nature Festival

May 20/10: Humber Valley Regional Planning

May 20/10: Trails, Tails and Tunes Festival

May 17/10: Gravel pit camper rallying support for camping on Crown land

St. John’s Morning Show http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/pastpodcasts.html?53#ref38

May 21, 2010 –
Chevron drill monitoring

May 20, 2010 – Placentia Bay spills – Part Two

May 20, 2010 – Outer Ring garbage

May 20, 2010 – Abitibi expropriation

May 20, 2010 – Aquaculture update

May 20, 2010 – Alien plants

May 19, 2010 – Placentia Bay oil spills

May 19, 2010 – River rangers

May 17, 2010 – Gravel pits rules

Labrador Morning Show http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/pastpodcasts.html?31#ref31

May 21 – The 15 Minute Community Cleanup

May 20 – Funding Cut For Environmental Action Network CLEAN

Radio Noon http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/pastpodcasts.html?38#ref53

May 21, 2010 – Crosstalk – Trouting

RESOURCES

NL Department of Environment and Conservation Wildlife Division Newsletter – Spring Issue Special focus on woodland caribou in Labrador http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/publications/wildlife/our_wildlife_spring2010.pdf

Webpage of the Week:

1) The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement: “This historic agreement signifies a new era of joint leadership – including 21 companies who are part of the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and 9 leading environmental organizations.” Learn more: http://canadianborealforestagreement.ca/

2) FLOW (Forum for Leadership on Water): “FLOW is an independent group of water experts from across Canada that encourages government action to protect our critical fresh water resources. We believe that all levels of government must work together as part of a Canada-wide strategy that effectively addresses current and emerging threats to fresh water security.”  http://www.flowcanada.org/

3) Transition Network: “A Transition Town or Initiative (which could be a village, city, university or island etc) is a community-led response to the pressures of climate change, fossil fuel depletion and increasingly, economic contraction. There are thousands of initiatives around the world starting their journey…” See: http://www.transitionnetwork.org/

& Find the 50-pg Transition Primer at: http://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/TransitionInitiativesPrimer%283%29.pdf

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The E-Update Instructions

The E-Update shares information on environmental events, actions, opportunities (job, volunteer, funding), and news.  Please send notices to nlen.ed@gmail.com by noon on Fridays.

More about NLEN

The NLEN is a non-profit, non-advocacy, member-based organization that currently serves 50 groups throughout the province. NLEN member groups are all not-for-profit and operate to conserve, protect & restore our ecosystems through action, education, & stewardship. In addition to facilitating member capacity-building and communication, NLEN serves as a point of contact for government, media and the public on environmental issues. We also organize coalition/working groups on a range of issues, and host a variety of public education events.  Web: www.nlen.ca; Email: nlen.ed@gmail.com; Tel: 709.753.7898; Fax 709.726.2764