Author: nlened

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Muskrat Falls and Methylmercury Talk by Trevor Bell

Nature NL April Public Lecture

April 20th, 7:30PM
SN2067, Memorial University
Free parking in Lot 15B by the Music School when the gates are open.

For Nunatsiavut, the downstream impacts of the Muskrat Falls project on their people and homeland are potentially too devastating to leave to chance, or to Nalcor’s speculative calculations. To address this uncertainty, Nunatsiavut initiated the Lake Melville: Our Environment, Our Health project. They assembled a team of independent researchers from Memorial University, the University of Manitoba, and Harvard University to carry out a detailed study of Lake Melville estuary, and most notably the downstream fate of methylmercury—a particularly nasty toxin for humans that is abundantly produced in newly flooded reservoirs.

The results of the methylmercury research led by Harvard University not only substantiate the Joint Review Panel’s scepticism of Nalcor’s claims of “no measurable effects” downstream, they also indicate that under the current Nalcor plan for reservoir clearing, there will likely be significant bioaccumulation of methylmercury in the Lake Melville food web.

Trevor Bell is University Research Professor in Geography at Memorial University. For over three decades he has studied landscape history from a variety of perspectives, including climate change impacts and human-environment interactions. He has played an important role in the ArcticNet NCE, both as project leader and coordinator of the eastern Arctic integrated regional impact assessment. One of these ArcticNet projects, Nunatsiavut Nuluak, co-led with Tom Sheldon, former Director of Environment for the Nunatsiavut Government, focused on Labrador fiords including Lake Melville. Trevor has led the recent development of the SmartICE initiative, which supports safer travel for sea-ice users and shipping in northern coastal regions. SmartICE is a recipient of the 2016 Arctic Inspiration Prize. He is a founding member and co-lead of CACCON, the Circum-Arctic Coastal Communities Knowledge Network.

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“Exploring the Limestone Barrens of NL” Book Launch in Corner Brook

Tuesday April 11th, 7:30PM
FC2014, Grenfell Campus

Corner Brook launch of “Exploring the Limestone Barrens of Newfoundland and Labrador”. While wildflowers are prominent in the book, other organisms and features of the limestone barrens are also described. Written by Michael Burzynski, Anne Marceau and Henry Mann.There will be an illustrated presentation by the authors, who will also be available to sign books afterwards. Bring your copy to be autographed or take the opportunity to purchase one while all three authors are available to personalize it. Humber Natural History Society helped to support the publication of this book by the Gros Morne Cooperating Association.

Refreshments will be served.

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CPAWS Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter Annual General Meeting

April 12th, 2017, 6:30 PM
172 Military Rd Gathering Place, St. John’s, NL

 

Guest Speaker: Dr.Rodolphe Devillers , “Towards better scientific approaches for selecting new marine protected areas”

Election of New Board of Directors

If you have an interest in the environment, and would like to become more involved in the protection of our natural resources, please join us for an exciting evening!

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Newfoundland and Labrador has a mission to promote the systematic establishment of new terrestrial and marine protected areas and to foster effective management of existing protected areas in the province.

We would love to see you there!

For more information please contact us at  (709) 726-5800 or email at nlcoordinator@cpaws.org.

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Maple Syruping with the Friends of Pippy Park

 

Nothing says “Spring is coming” more than the sweet hobby of making your own maple syrup. Maple syruping has become a hot hobby in Newfoundland over the past few years. Due to the popularity of tapping maple trees, Friends of Pippy Park are hosting weekend workshops all throughout March and a Maple Syrup Festival on April 2nd! We’ll teach you: To identify tap-able trees; What materials you will need; How to tap a tree sustainably; and How to boil sap into syrup.
To attend a weekend workshop, meet at the maintenance yard at the end of Nagle’s Place just before Pippy Park HQ; parking is available in the yard and also a short walk away at Pippy Park Headquarters. The grove is a short walk into the trees from where we meet up. Winter footwear is required as getting up close to the trees may involve going over snowbanks. Weather permitting, one of the Mobile Goats will be in attendance! (Follow the links for google map pins.)
Are you a school teacher or extracurricular leader? Have a group of 10+ children you’d love to bring to Pippy Park? We’ll do our best to host a private weekday workshop! Use the contact information below or send us a facebook message! We also have some (albeit limited) bilingual abilities for those in French immersion!
We will be celebrating the season’s harvest on April 2nd with a Maple Syrup Festival and all are welcome! If you’re harvesting your own maple syrup this year, bring a small mason jar to be judged by a panel led by Andrea Maunder of Bacalao – Nouvelle Newfoundland Cuisine! The festival takes place at North Bank Lodge, Nagle’s Place from 12 noon until 3pm, this will be a rain or shine event but be sure to follow the event on facebook in case of extreme weather.
The festival will also include maple syrup samples, tapping demonstrations,  hot chocolate and live entertainment for the kids with a visit from the Mobile Goats as well as songs from everybody’s favorite children’s entertainer, Terry Rielly, AKA the Teddy Bear Man.
While supplies last, maple tapping spiles will be available (Cash Only) at the weekend workshops and the festival as well as 15 Mount Scio Road, the Pippy Park Headquarters at 6 spiles for $20 between 9 and 4pm on week days. Purchases and donations support the initiatives of the Friends of Pippy Park including this annual festival and our family community garden.
The Friends of Pippy Park seek to engage citizens in sustainable activities in order to protect and conserve Pippy Park. For more information or to get involved contact us at friendsofpippypark@gmail.com or, to stay in the loop, join us on facebook at www.facebook.com/friendsofpippypark
Contact for All Maple Syrup Inquires:
Steve McBride
Maple Syruping Coordinator
Friends of Pippy Park
friendsofpippypark@gmail.com

FoPP new logo

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A Renewal of Our Calling to Safeguard the Wellbeing of People and the Planet

Pope Francis reminds us that “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue”. He specifies that this is not an optional or secondary aspect of our faith experience.

Let us gather for one hour during the following weeks in solidarity with fellow Canadians to reflect, pray and discuss on what we can do for Earth.

Dates: Tuesdays – March 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. (followed by cup of tea and snacks)

Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice
101 Mount Scio Road (next to Rainbow Riders), St John’s

To Register: Phone 722-0082 or Email: teersm@hotmail.com

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ACTION ALERT: Reinstate funding to the Canadian Environmental Network

The Canadian Environmental Network and its provincial affiliate networks need your help!

Historically, the Canadian Environmental Network and its provincial affiliate networks received annual core funding from the Government of Canada.  This was used to facilitate networking on environmental issues across the country, coordinate national and provincial issue-based caucuses, coordinate ENGO participation in federal public consultation processes, and maintain open lines of communication between ENGOs and the federal government.

In 2011, as part of the across-the-board cuts to civil society organizations by the previous federal government, all federal funding to the RCEN and its provincial affiliate networks was cut.  This left the national network and most of the affiliates with functioning primarily on a voluntary basis with limited capacity to do their work.

There is hope that the current government will provide for renewed funding in its upcoming budget.  This funding is crucial for the survival of the national network and many of the provincial affiliate networks.  A proposal has been submitted.  It now needs strong and immediate support from environmental groups and individuals across the country.

This is where you come in!

Please take a few minutes to write to Prime Minister Trudeau and your MP telling them why you value the RCEN, your provincial affiliate network, or environmental networking at the national level in general.  Feel free to use the template letter provided below.  You can personalize it based on your experience or simply copy and paste.

Trudeau’s email is justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca and you can find your MP’s email here:  http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members

Mail may be sent postage-free to any Member of Parliament. The mailing address for any member of parliament’s hill office is:

Hon. [Name of MP]
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Let’s show our federal politicians that a strong, well-connected grassroots environmental community is essential to a strong Canada!

 

Draft Template Letter:

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

I am writing to ask that annual core funding to the Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) be reinstated.

Historically, the RCEN provided a crucial link between environmental groups across the country, both large and small.  This link was vital in helping communities address environmental issues right across the country and ensuring a robust approach to the development of environmental policy in Canada.

Since funding was cut in 2011, the RCEN and most of its provincial affiliate networks have been functioning primarily on a voluntary basis with limited capacity to do their work.  This is not acceptable.  A strong, well-connected grassroots environmental community is essential to a strong Canada.  I urge you to reinstate core funding for this crucial work immediately.

Sincerely,

[Your name here]

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Youth Eco Internship Program

Youth Eco Internship Program (via the YMCA of Greater Toronto)
*Specifically, but not exclusively, looking for St. John’s, NL based Eco-organizations to participate.

The Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP) gives professionals in the Eco/Green sector a chance to help youth with barriers to education under the age of 30, build skills, develop confidence and benefit from the guidance and support of a workplace mentor. Prior to their internships, the selected youth will participate in a 3 week pre-employment training at their respective YMCA, to help them gain essential tools needed to be successful in their internships. They will be compensated for their time during those 3 weeks. Internships are offered in both official languages, are full-time and practical with broadly based assignments that help a motivated person develop transferable skills needed to be successful. The 12 week internship program provides a subsidy reimbursement of the respective province’s minimum wage, for up to 37.5 hours per week, plus 4% vacation pay as well as MERCs to eligible employers/host organizations. The ultimate objective is to help youth with barriers to education find permanent employment in the Green/Eco sector following this internship program.

To participate, employers must:
· have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years;
· have a minimum of 5 full-time employees (though some flexibility);
· provide proof of, WSIB (Worker’s Safety and Insurance Board) or equivalent, and a minimum of $2 million general liability insurance;
· and must work in the Green/Eco Sector or contribute to environmental sustainability as an organization.

If interested or for more information about the program, requirements for employers, etc. please contact  paul@sustainabilitynetwork.ca 

Or

YMCA contact in Toronto:
Jesse Abell
Bilingual Job Developer, Youth Eco Internship Program
YMCA of Greater Toronto
2200 Yonge Street, Unit 300, Toronto, ON   M4S 2C6
T: 416-928-3362 e 22629  F: 647-439-4502 E: jesse.abell@ymcagta.org

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Do Monkeys go to Heaven: Faith and Evolution

Sponsored by Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice

This session will explore the following questions:
• What is evolution?
• Why the fuss about evolution?
• How have we responded?
• Does evolution rule out God’s existence?
• Theology of Evolution

Guest Speaker: Rev. John McCarthy SJ
Scientist, author and Jesuit priest, John McCarthy SJ, was recipient of the 2002 Canadian Environment Awards Gold Medal (Lands and Forests category) for his work in boreal forest conservation in Newfoundland. He regularly speaks on the subject of Christian faith and ecology and publishes on lichenology as well as ecological theology and spirituality. A new lichen has been named after him – Acarospora maccarthyi K. Knudsen & Kocourk.

Feb. 15th, 2017
7:15-9:15 pm.

The Lantern
35 Barnes Road, St. John’s

RSVP by February 13th by calling 722-0082 or emailing mcej@live.com
This event is Free.