Homegrown initiative seeks Atlantic Salmon conservation

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, Labrador – June 10, 2011: Today the founding members of the Friends of the Eagle River (FOER) marked Canadian Rivers Day with a presentation to students of Queen of Peace Middle School. FOER is a new group formed to promote Labrador’s spectacular Eagle River and the soon-to-be-established provincial waterway park.

In February 2010, the governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada committed to protecting the Eagle River watershed and its world-class Atlantic salmon ecosystem through the establishment of the Mealy Mountains/Akamiuapishku National Park Reserve and an Eagle River Provincial Waterway Park.

“In Labrador, a new way of managing parks has emerged,” said Larry Innes, executive director of the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI). “As the federal government did with the Mealies, the provincial government must work side-by-side with Aboriginal partners and local communities to establish the Eagle River Provincial Waterway Park; this will protect the ecological integrity of the land, without sacrificing the traditional activities of the people who live there.”

FOER was launched by the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), CBI, and local outfitters to support final steps in the establishment of the Eagle River Provincial Waterway Park.

Read Canadian Boreal Initiative’s complete news release.

Some new paths, some new poems, and some special guest poets

In honour of the UN International Year of Forests 2011, join Marlene Creates as she leads a walk with readings of site-specific poems in The Boreal Poetry Garden — six acres of boreal forest where she lives in Portugal Cove.

After the walk, we will gather around a bonfire and have some refreshments while we enjoy a reading by an invited guest poet.

Plus, a new art installation by Marlene Creates will be launched:

Our Lives Concurrent for 58 Years Until the Hurricane, Blast Hole Pond Road, Newfoundland 2010.

with the assistance of ecologist Andrew Trant

Sat. July 16 with guest poet Mary Dalton

All events at 7:30 pm and weather permitting.

Limited to 25 people. Advance registration required.

For directions and to register:

marlene.creates@nf.sympatico.ca

or phone 709.895.1020

$15 general; $10 for students, seniors, unwaged.

with the assistance of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council

About The Boreal Poetry Garden

This project uses words in situ to commemorate certain fleeting moments of Marlene Creates’s interaction with the place where she lives. Within these six acres there is a multitude of microhabitats: dark spruce and fir thickets; a steep wooded droke; a windblown tolt with goowiddy and tuckamore; a rattling brook called the Blast Hole Pond River; an overgrown bawn; and moss-covered volcanic rock up to 1,000 million years old. The Boreal Poetry Garden was featured on Bravo! TV.

Wow! Enchanted! Bewildering! What a place for reverie. –RR

Moss cushioned steps, smart words, chuckles… a wonderful sensory experience. –CD

Walking along the wooded trails, my feet, my ears, eyes & nose are Happy, Happy, Happy. –SD

Magical, momentary, evocative, grounding — beautiful. –KK

If you require roasted marshmallows or sublime poetry, please visit Blast Hole Pond Road. –JM

What: Guided Nature walk around Long Pond with Nature NL

When: This Thursday evening at 7 pm

Where: Meet at the Fluvarium Parking Lot

Who: All those who want to have a great walk along the trail and learn a little something about the critters and plants we share St. John’s with

As summer begins and thoughts turn to time spent outdoors, please plan to join Orion writers Richard Louv and David Sobel, national experts on reconnecting ourselves and kids with nature, for a discussion of Louv’s The Nature Principle and Sobel’s Wild Play, on June 16th at 7 p.m. (EDT). They will be joined by filmmaker Camilla Rockwell whose new documentary film, Mother Nature’s Child, is opening minds regarding our powerful connection to nature developed over millennia.

What do we risk as a result of our societal disconnect with nature? What is our responsibility to our kids in this regard? Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reset your assumptions about the hows and whys of immersing ourselves in the natural world, and to ask these experts your own questions.

The event will be moderated by Orion staff and is free, but registration is required.

Date & Time

Date: Thu, Jun 16, 2011
Time: 07:00 PM EDT
Duration: 1 hour
Host(s): Erik Hoffner

ReadyTalk Support Information

http://test.readytalk.com  Test your computer for compatibility prior to the meeting.

For technical support:
U.S. and Canada: 800.843.9166
International: 303.209.1600
Email: help@readytalk.com
Web:  http://www.readytalk.com/support (Conferencing Support)

Path: Brock’s Head Path (Portugal Cove to Bauline)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 18th, 2011, 9:30 am
Duration: 5-6 hours
Distance: 16 km
Rating: Difficult
Type: Regular hike
Meeting Location: Meet at the Community Centre in Bauline.
Leader: Bill Walker bwalker@nlh.nl.ca  737 1487(h), 690 3431(c)
Co-Leader: An experienced hiker selected from among the participants.
Notes: This is an undeveloped path. For the northern section expect boggy sections and abundant windfall. Tough, long trousers and sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support are essential.

Path: Stiles Cove Path (Pouch Cove to Flatrock)
Date/Time: Sunday, June 12, 2011, 9:30 am
Duration: 8 hours
Distance: 15.1 km
Rating: Moderate/Difficult
Type: Regular hike
Meeting Location: Meet in Flatrock in the St. Michael’s Church parking lot.
Leader: Marian Dawe mdawe29@yahoo.ca / 368 2489
Co-Leader: An experienced hiker selected from among the participants.
Notes: The spectacular Stiles Cove Path, spanning Pouch Cove to Flatrock, can readily be divided into three sections; Pouch Cove to Shoe Cove, Shoe Cove to Stiles Cove and Stiles Cove to Flatrock. This hike will cover all three sections.

Contract Job Posting

Geo-spatial Technologist

Model Forest of Newfoundland Labrador

The Model Forest of Newfoundland and Labrador is currently seeking an individual for a position to start a position to assist with geo-spatial creation, data editing and verification for the duration of the contract.  The position is scheduled from June 13^th, 2011 to March 31^st, 2012. A description of the job duties is attached.  Qualifications would normally have been acquired with completion of a degree in geography, bio-geography, biology, 3 year diploma in Geographic Information Systems or a diploma in fish and wildlife/forestry with a minimum of 6 months experience in geo-spatial data editing.   Education or work experience in field collection measurements using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is a requirement; experience working with legal descriptions is a definite asset.  This position involves considerable use of computer technology in a highly computerized environment to ensure effective and efficient execution of duties, including data management, cartography, GPS utilization and digitizing using ESRI ArcGIS.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to:

Glenda Garnier
Model Forest of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc.
Box 68, Corner Brook, NL
glendagarnier@mfnl.ca
(709) 637-7300

Applications must be received by the Model Forest on June 8, 2011 by 1:00 pm to be considered for this job posting.

Geo-spatial Technologist

Definition of Work

 Inspect digital map products against known benchmarks, interpreted aerial photographs and legal descriptions to ensure accuracy and completeness and perform edits as required; undertaking a variety of quality control procedures on digital maps to ensure a high degree of accuracy and standardization; placing features using cartographic techniques to ensure final map products are aesthetically pleasing; creation of digital reference indices and supporting documentation.  This will be done in conjunction with staff from wildlife division to ensure all enquiries are addressed promptly and efficiently.  This position may also provide GIS support for wildlife field activities as required.  A willingness to work for short periods in a field environment may be a requirement for verification of management boundaries.

 Illustrative Examples of Work 

• Collects information on management boundaries from other government departments and DNR district offices and wildlife current/historical files
• Enters all data into an appropriate spreadsheet, word processing software and databases as required
• Works with conservation officers and public regarding potential issues with descriptions.
• Conducts other related duties as required.

 Experience and Training 

Demonstrated educational and work experience in cartography, database maintenance skills and GIS experience is required.  Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal skills are essential.  Applicants must be able to work independently and in a group environment.  Experience working with GPS technology with respect to outdoor related activities including backcountry and remote locations would be an asset. Experience in public relations (particularly with the hunting public and other government departments) would be an asset.

Duration of Work 

This is a contract position:  June 13^th, 2011 – March 31^st, 2012, based on a 35 hour work week.

Payment Schedule 

Payment will be made through the Newfoundland and Labrador Model Forest at a rate to be determined.

 Interview Contact Information

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted, interested applicants should ensure that their contact information is valid and up to date as interviews will be scheduled for June 9^th and June 10^th, 2011.

Keynote Speaker: Anne Madden, Education Coordinator, MUN Botanical Garden

What better day to hold this teleconference? Join us on the first day of summer to learn about what every gardener, community garden, and eco-minded kitchen cook needs to have: Compost! Anne will give an overview of the different composting methods available to gardeners in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the backyard composter and vermicomposting (worm bins).

Register before Friday, June 17th by contacting Rick Kelly at richardkelly@foodsecuritynews.com or by calling 709.237.4026.

About Food Security Network (FSN) teleconferences: Participants to FSN teleconferences call in to a free 1-800 number which connects them to the presenter and all the other participants. Before the teleconference FSN distributes, via email, the call-in instructions as well as a PDF presentation to follow along with on your own computer.