Author: nlened

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Environmental Damages Fund (EDF)

For your interest, the next deadline for applications to the Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) is April 1, 2011.  For more information on EDF, the funds available in your province, and application requirements, please consult the EDF website at:  http://www.ec.gc.ca/edf-fde/.  In addition, you can also call our office directly at 1-800-663-5755 or (902) 426-3716 and discuss project ideas in advance of the deadline.  If you wish to submit project proposal drafts for feedback, they will be accepted for a preliminary review up until March 18, 2011.

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Pour votre intérêt, le 1 avril 2011 est la prochaine date limite pour faire demande au programme de fonds pour dommages à l’environnement (FDE).  Veuillez consulter le site web:  http://www.ec.gc.ca/edf-fde/ pour  de plus amples renseignements concernant le FDE, les fonds disponibles dans votre province et les critères de demande pour une application.  De plus, vous pouvez téléphoner directement à notre bureau au 1-800-663-5755 ou au (902) 426-3716 et discuter de vos idées de projet avant la date limite.  Nous accepterons les ébauches de projets proposés jusqu’au 18 mars 2011 afin de faire une revue préliminaire et de vous fournir nos commentaires.

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Earth Day Fair … Call for Participants

The Suncor Energy Fluvarium is hosting our Earth Day Fair on April 21, 2011.

This event will be open to the general public and we are looking for you to help us celebrate.

Does your organization promote green living, recycling, conservation and other Earth friendly ideas?


The theme of the fair is: “Challenge Yourself”

If you are interested in having a booth and offering ideas for how people can get involved in protecting our Earth come on board and be a part of our Earth Day Fair 2011!


For more information and to get involved please contact the event coordinator:

Denise Hennebury: 709-754-3474 or dhennebury@fluvarium.ca

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Free Public Lecture: “Re-defining Old Growth and Biodiversity in the Boreal Forest: A Context for Globally Rare Lichens in the Newfoundland Landscape”

The February meeting of

The Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador:

 

Dr. Ian Goudie, an environmental scientist and consultant, will address the topic “Re-defining Old Growth and Biodiversity in the Boreal Forest: A Context for Globally Rare Lichens in the Newfoundland Landscape” 


Where and When:  MUN Botanical Garden (306 Mt. Scio Road), February 17 at 7:30 p.m.


Increased scientific research into the boreal forest demonstrates the important presence of old-growth stands that support species and species assemblages not found in post-industrial forests. With increasing trends toward international certifications of various forest industry corporations, defining and managing for the pre-industrial forest condition (PIC) has become a major objective in some jurisdictions of Canada. Old growth forests play an important role in sustaining biological diversity of the boreal forest. Cyanolichens and other poorly studied taxa are endemic to old growth forests, and the increased listing of these species under endangered species legislation is evidence of a fragmented forest landscape in trouble in Newfoundland. Ecosystem-based management and protection of high value forest (HVFs) are viewed as steps toward evolving forest management into the new millennium.


For further information, please contact R. E. Anderson (Past-president), 864-8771

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MI Ocean Net – Youth and the Oceans Conference Series 2011

GREAT NEWS! The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University is about to kick off its 2011 series of
MI Ocean Net Youth and the Oceans Conferences. Over 1,000 junior and high school students, teachers, speakers,
volunteers, media, and numerous organizations are expected to gather all across NL. The Youth and the Oceans
Conferences series present youth with fresh ideas to ocean sustainability issues here in NL. These young minds
will be exposed to their role in some fairly challenging issues specific to NL and more importantly to the multitude
of opportunities to study, train, and work on those issues right here in NL. Each conference ignites the energy and
determination of youth to get engaged and take the first steps towards the education and training they’ll need to
create positive change in our beautiful province.

MI Ocean Net’s next Youth and the Oceans Conferences will take place in:

• St. John’s – Thursday, February 24 (The Marine Institute)

For more information on speakers, how to attend/volunteer, or how your group could host a booth and interact
with our delegates please contact Justin Dearing at justin.dearing@mi.mun.ca or 709.778.0328. You can also visit
http://www.mi.mun.ca/mioceannet.

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Letter to the editor – Why do we allow it?

A few years back, I noticed companies were using a toxic product here in Newfoundland which was banned by Health Canada.

I wanted to know why. I was tossed around from government department to department only to find out that while diazinon was indeed banned for use in the rest of Canada, the government decided to allow some uses here in Newfoundland while it “exhausted the supply.” Yes, we’ve become the Third World dumping ground for toxic chemicals. Why? Because we allow it, that’s why. I am ashamed at the number of people who are ignorant to the health and environmental effects of spreading toxic lawn chemicals all around our communities every summer.

Let it sink in people — lawn chemicals? Lawn chemicals which poison pets, people and the environment. Is there any need?

Obviously, the rest of Canada does not think so since more than 80 per cent of Canada’s population has protection. Are we going to be the dumping ground for companies to dump chemicals which are unwanted in the rest of Canada?

Local and national doctors and specialists will be key speakers at a public forum sponsored by the Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides Newfoundland and Labrador (CAP-NL), which will be held on Feb. 17.

This very informative event will take place in the Foran Room at St. John’s City Hall at 7 p.m.

When Canada’s most respected health authorities tell us pesticides threaten our health, we should all be listening. Here is your chance to listen learn and discuss the serious pesticide issue in Newfoundland.

Judie Squires
Portugal Cove

This Letter to the Editor was originally published in the Telegram on February 4, 2011. It can be accessed at
http://www.thetelegram.com/Opinion/Letters-to-the-editor/2011-02-04/article-2198121/Why-do-we-allow-it%3F/1 . It is republished by NLEN with the permission of the author.

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Food Security Network NL – Office Manager

The Food Security Network of Newfoundland & Labrador is seeking an Office Manager for an initial 6-month contract, with the opportunity for renewal for additional 6-months. FSN is a provincial, non-profit organization (founded in 1998) with the mission to actively promote comprehensive, community-based solutions to ensure physical and economic access to healthy food for all.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Office Manager will act as front line staff for the organization and will work with project staff and board members to achieve the following key duties:
• Handle routine office procedures such as emails, phone calls, filing, photocopying, mailings, and word processing
• Record and distribute minutes for teleconferences, project meetings, and other events
• Assist bookkeeper with data entry
• Manage payroll and accounts payable
• Coordinate logistics for events and meetings (space rental, catering, materials, supplies)
• Develop monthly board meeting materials (staff reports, work plans, agendas)
• Draft letters of support, submissions, other written materials
• Proof read content for proposals, materials, submissions, etc.
• Monitor and maintain office inventory and supplies
• Maintain and update the FSN Food Security Initiative Inventory
• Complete administrative duties for FSN projects (maintaining financial and narrative reports, administering payments)
• Provide other project support as required

Requirements:
• Experience using computer software including Microsoft Office 2007 (word, excel, powerpoint, etc.) and Simply Accounting
• Experience in office administration and clerical work
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team player
• Exceptional organizational and office management abilities
• Post-secondary training or equivalent experience/skill set
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Interest in food security

Experience with non-profit organizations and a commitment to working from a community-focused development perspective will be strong assets. Valid driver’s License and access to car is an asset.

Salary range for this position will be $15-$16/hr for 20 hrs per week, commensurate with relevant experience.
See www.foodsecuritynews.com for more information and to apply by February 11th, 2011.

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Regional Public Transportation Committee meeting (Northeast Avalon)

The new Regional Public Transportation Committee is holding its first meeting on Wednesday, February 16 at 7pm in room SN 2025 in the Science Building at Memorial University. The committee is looking to begin a dialogue on developing a strategy to implement a regional public transportation pilot model in the Northeast Avalon area. Everyone is welcome!

Please contact Nicole Renaud at nicoler@sierraclub.ca for more details.

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Film Screening: "Fresh" – New thinking about what we're eating

Friends of the Gully (an environmental group at Holy Trinity High) and Torbay Environment and Trails Committee are teaming together with sponsorship from the Food Security Network to screen the movie “Fresh” on Thursday February 10 at 7.30 pm in the Resource Centre of Holy Trinity High School, Torbay. “Fresh” takes a careful look at how our food is usually produced which is a little scary and so it also suggests some healthier and more sustainable alternatives. This event will also be a kick off for a new Torbay Gardening Club which will meet monthly to share expertise and inspire gardeners and would-be gardeners to grow food locally. All are welcome. The event is free and snacks made of sustainably grown food will be served.

For trailers and info on the film: http://www.freshthemovie.com/

For further information on the screening: Helen Spencer (Torbay Environment and Trails Committee) at hspencer90@hotmail.com.

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MI Ocean Net – Youth and the Oceans Conference Series 2011

The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University is about to kick off its 2011 series of MI Ocean Net Youth and the Oceans Conferences. Over 1,000 junior and high school students, teachers, speakers,volunteers, media, and numerous organizations are expected to gather all across NL. The Youth and the Oceans Conferences series present youth with fresh ideas to ocean sustainability issues here in NL. These young minds will be exposed to their role in some fairly challenging issues specific to NL and more importantly to the multitude of opportunities to study, train, and work on those issues right here in NL. Each conference ignites the energy and determination of youth to get engaged and take the first steps towards the education and training they’ll need to create positive change in our beautiful province.

MI Ocean Net’s next Youth and the Oceans Conferences will take place in:

Pasadena – Thursday, February 10 (Pasadena Academy)

For more information on speakers, how to attend/volunteer, or how your group could host a booth and interact with our delegates please contact Justin Dearing at justin.dearing@mi.mun.ca or 709.778.0328. You can also visit www.mi.mun.ca/mioceannet.

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MI Ocean Net – Youth and the Oceans Conference Series 2011

The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University is about to kick off its 2011 series of MI Ocean Net Youth and the Oceans Conferences. Over 1,000 junior and high school students, teachers, speakers,volunteers, media, and numerous organizations are expected to gather all across NL. The Youth and the Oceans Conferences series present youth with fresh ideas to ocean sustainability issues here in NL. These young minds will be exposed to their role in some fairly challenging issues specific to NL and more importantly to the multitude of opportunities to study, train, and work on those issues right here in NL. Each conference ignites the energy and determination of youth to get engaged and take the first steps towards the education and training they’ll need to create positive change in our beautiful province.

MI Ocean Net’s next Youth and the Oceans Conferences will take place in:
Bonavista – Tuesday, February 08 (Discovery Collegiate)
For more information on speakers, how to attend/volunteer, or how your group could host a booth and interact with our delegates please contact Justin Dearing at justin.dearing@mi.mun.ca or 709.778.0328. You can also visit www.mi.mun.ca/mioceannet .