A report on the economic value of wild Atlantic salmon shows that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans should be investing more money into protecting and conserving the resource, says the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
Author: nlened
Nominate a Geotourism destination: CPAWS-NL, National Geographic and partners
On behalf of CPAWS-NL and National Geographic we would like to thank you for the nominations to the Geotourism website to help make Eastern Newfoundlanda choice destination. Due to the overwhelming response we are happy to announce that we have decided to extend the nomination deadline to March 9th, 2012. Please continue to submit what’s so special about your place to the website www.nlgeotourism.com.
If you have any questions/concerns please contact either Tanya Edwards (tedwards@cpaws.org) or Suzanne Dooley (sdooley@cpaws.org) or call our office at (709) 726-5800.
Apply to be a Wings of Change Workshop Facilitator: Deliver Climate Education Workshops
Become a Wings of Change Facilitator!
Dear change-makers,
I’m writing you this letter because what I do right now is climate education. I’ve watched Wings of Change grow from an idea on a conference call to a few pilot classrooms to extend across the country. This spring we’ll reach 10 000 young Canadians with a youth led popular education program unlike any other and that’s something I am passionate about, excited about and insanely proud of. So passionate, excited and proud, in fact, that I just ended a sentence with a preposition.
Delivering these workshops has been, without a doubt, the most inspiring and the most exciting work I’ve ever been a part of. The concepts of climate justice and social movements may seem difficult to define to a room of academics and they certainly appear to be indecipherable to more than a few prominent politicians, yet I’ve walked into classrooms where students are discussing the intersections between climate change and social justice for the first time and it’s absolutely intuitive. It’s the kind of experience that, when faced with the dizzying scope of the climate crisis, keeps me hopeful, inspired, energized and genuinely excited to be a part of this movement. Have I mentioned how excited I am about this?
Please read the information package, listen to the podcast, check out the Wings of Change blogs or email me to find out more, and — read close now, this is the important part– fill out that application form. We are looking for engaged, enthusiastic facilitators in Atlantic Canadian communities to deliver the Wings of Change climate education workshop to Canadian youth this spring. Yeah, you can be a part of this!
Let’s put 2012 in the history books, not as the end of an era but as the time we spent building a just, liveable future for our generation and those to come.
Cheers,
Emilie Novaczek
Wings of Change, East Coast Coordinator
emilie@ourclimate.ca
Please send complete applications to emilie@ourclimate.ca by January 24, 2012. All applications will be reviewed by a panel and selections will be made as soon as possible. Interested in receiving a Wings of Change workshop in your group or classroom? Please email meghanemilymccarthy@gmail.com. For more information, visit here.
Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Supervisor (6 positions available)
Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Supervisor (6 Positions Available), Deadline March 09, 2012.
The Conservation Corps NL is looking to fill 6 Regional Supervisor positions throughout the following areas/regions: Labrador, Northern, Western, Central, Avalon and Metro. Responsibilities of the successful applicants will include: Recruit, supervise and support Green Teams; Exercise leadership in developing and maintaining positive relationships with partners; Support Team Leaders in establishing a safe and healthy work environment; Assist in facilitating workshops, debriefings, and other program activities; Promote a positive image of Conservation Corps in the community and to local media; Administrative management; Plan, monitor, evaluate and report on Green Team projects; Focus on developing personal leadership skills in yourself and the young adults you lead. Please apply with cover letter, resume and three references before Friday, March 09, 2012. Applications to be forwarded by mail, fax, or email to:
Hiring Committee, Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador
Suite 103, 10 Austin Street, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4C2
Phone: (709) 729-7266, Fax: (709) 729-7270
Email: applications@ccnl.ca
For further information about the position, please visit www.ccnl.ca.
Seeking proposals: Green Team Community Partners
Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador (CCNL) is currently seeking proposals for funding through the Green Team Program. Community Partners are eligible to receive funding and assistance from the Conservation Corps associated with hiring youth to work on their proposed community project. CCNL searches for projects that meet the following criteria; involve the enhancement, restoration and sustainable development of natural or cultural resources; provide young people with an opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork and employment skills; and demonstrate broad community / regional support and partnerships. Successful projects are those that provide opportunities for teamwork, creative thinking and problem solving and which contribute to long-term sustainable development in the region. Participants should gain solid skills through meaningful community work. Community partnerships and contributions are important as well, and are taken into account when reviewing proposals.
Not-for-profits groups are eligible to apply to the Green Team Program. Educational institutions, regional economic development boards, private sector organizations (small business), provincial and federal governments are also eligible to apply but are encouraged to partner with a local community group.
To Apply: Download application form at http://ccnl.ca/community-partners/. Complete, submit electronically or by mail.
For more information contact:
Darren Feltham
Director of Programs
Suite 103, 10 Austin St.
St. John’s, NL A1B 4C2
Tel: (709) 729-7266
Fax: (709) 729-7270
Email: dfeltham@ccnl.ca
Application deadline is February 29th, 2012
Keep Terra Nova National Park Motor Free
Environmental groups Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society, Protected Areas Association of Newfoundland & Labrador and Nature Newfoundland & Labrador are concerned about a proposal to open Terra Nova National Park to snowmobiling, which the National Parks Act does not allow. We are calling on all levels of government to support the existing ban on motorized recreational vehicle use within national parks.
Over the past several years, there has been an active lobby from some snowmobilers in communities adjacent to Terra Nova National Park to develop a snowmobile trail through the park. Parks Canada has held its ground, despite protests, illegal trail cutting and snowmobiling by a small group.
“Terra Nova National Park provides an important refuge for species like Woodland Caribou and Newfoundland Marten”, says Suzanne Dooley, Co-Executive Director CPAWS NL. “By loosening restrictions on motorized recreational vehicle use, we would put those populations at risk. Residents of this province and Canada do not want to do that.”
Dooley pointed out that most snowmobile users in NL have to put their machines on a trailer and drive to a designated trail. “This is an inconvenience that many of us deal with. It’s not unique to Charlottetown or other communities adjacent to the park. Snowmobiling is a privilege.”
“We are calling on all levels of government to stand up for our national parks and protected areas”, says Protected Areas Association’s Ruth (Godden) French. “We have very little protected land in the province, less than 6% including national parks, so we must be vigilant and ensure these areas are not compromised by motorized recreational vehicle use. Opening up this park would set a dangerous precedent to do the same in other protected areas across the province and country.”
Video clip: Woodland Caribou, Terra Nova National Park — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yudCG1-YRL8
– 30 –
For further information contact:
Suzanne Dooley
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
Phone: (709) 726-5800 / Email: sdooley@cpaws.org
Ruth (Godden) French
Protected Areas Association of NL
Phone: (709) 726-2603 / Email: rfrench@nf.aibn.com
John Jacobs
Nature Newfoundland and Labrador
Phone: (709) 738-3147 / Email: jjacobs@nl.rogers.com
Clean up the MV Canadian Miner NOW!
The MV Canadian Miner, a bulk carrier, was being towed to Turkey to be scrapped. The tow line broke and the ship is wrecked on Scaterie Island, a provincially protected wilderness area in Nova Scotia. The ship poses an environmental and navigational hazard.
The owners simply walked away, the province and the Feds dither over who will clean it up – in the meantime, the ship is breaking up and discharging asbestos, oil and chemicals.
Please consider signing a petition to urge Denis Lebel, the Minister of Transport and Darrell Dexter, Premier of Nova Scotia to take immediate action. We’d appreciate your help in circulating the petition.
To sign go to: enviroyouthnl.com
Petition submitted by:
YEA! Youth for Environmental Awareness
Visit Us on the Web www.enviroyouthnl.com
Volunteer opportunity: Editor of The Osprey, Nature Newfoundland and Labrador
Editor of The Osprey, Nature Newfoundland and Labrador
Nature Newfoundland and Labrador (http://naturenl.ca) is hoping to find one or two dynamic and committed individuals, awed by the rugged natural beauty of our province, to take on the role of Editor or Co-Editors of The Osprey, the nature journal of Newfoundland and Labrador. These unpaid positions allow both literary expression and interaction with leading naturalists from our province. The Osprey is a published four times per year. It is distributed both electronically and in hard copy to a readership that spans Canada, the US, and Europe. The journal publishes articles ranging from seasonal bird reports and discussions of important undertakings in the province with the potential to impact the environment, to nature photography and poetry. Editing, word processing, and excellent communication skills are required. Experience in basic graphic design and desktop publishing would be an asset! If you’d like to see the latest volume of The Osprey, or if you have further questions, please contact Carolyn at: cwalsh@play.psych.mun.ca
CLIMATE POLICY, CLIMATE JUSTICE: A panel on the upcoming UN climate change negotiations
(Photo: flickr.com/Fotophilius)
ST. JOHN’S – Local organisations are joining together Thursday evening, November 17, in St. John’s to host a panel discussion on the upcoming United Nations climate change negotiations. The event “Climate Policy, Climate Justice” is an effort to share information and ideas on how we can respond to the global climate crisis.
“It is crucial that we engage our communities, especially youth, in a discussion on climate change: the impacts, and solutions,” stated Meghan McCarthy of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition. McCarthy will be participating in the negotiations, being held in Durban, South Africa at the end of November, as a member of the Canadian Youth Delegation.
“According to the latest International Energy Agency report the world is moving closer toward irreversible climate change,” stated Bill Hynd of Oxfam Canada. “Inaction on climate change is simply not an option.”
“Act locally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” is the message of Fred Winsor, Sierra Club of Canada. “Many of us can do this when we step out our front door. Walk, ride a bicycle or take a bus. In many cases we do have choices. Each small choice can make a big difference. It’s up to us.”
The event is open to the public.
The event is organised by the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, MUN Project Green, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network.
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30 pm, Thursday, November 17, 2011
Venue: The Landing, UC 3018, Memorial University, St. John’s
– 30 –
For further information contact:
Meghan McCarthy
Canadian Youth Climate Coalition
709-725-5769 / meghanemilymccarthy@gmail.com
Bill Hynd
Oxfam Canada (St. John’s)
709-753-2202 / billh@oxfam.ca
Fred Winsor
Sierra Club of Canada (Atlantic Chapter)
709- 738-3781/ winsorf@nl.rogers.com
Chris Hogan
Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network
709-753-7898 / nlen.ed@gmail.com
New report: Intact Habitat Landscapes and Woodland Caribou on the Island of Newfoundland
(Photo: flickr.com/Rosino)
A new report has been released about woodland caribou on the island of Newfoundland. Woodland caribou in Newfoundland have recently experienced a steep and rapid decline. While predation on caribou calves is a key reason for this decline, habitat alteration from human land use and activities can result in functional habitat loss – a decline in caribou occupancy well beyond the immediate footprint of the disturbance. Disturbed areas also allow predators easier access to caribou herds.
Recommendations in this report include:
- The government of Newfoundland and Labrador adopt a landscape-level approach to caribou management that seeks to maintain large intact habitat landscapes across the Island of Newfoundland.
- The government of Newfoundland and Labrador apply a temporary deferral on all new forest harvesting and road building within intact habitat landscapes that support caribou until the completion of the 5 year Caribou Strategy, the 2013 Sustainable Forest Management Strategy and the conclusion of the Adaptive Management Research Project.
- The government of Newfoundland and Labrador implement the Natural Areas System Plan and prioritize protecting candidate areas that overlap with caribou occupancy areas.
For complete report, maps, video and contact info, visit the Canadian Boreal Initiative website:
Newfoundland & Labrador Environment Network 