NCC is inviting you to go birding on NCC properties (and elsewhere) in the Codroy Valley from May 28^th and 29^th. Thanks to the Royal Bank’s support for NCC’s Conservation Volunteers program, NCC is able to pay for one night accommodation in the Cottage Country Cabins (or another cabin of your choice). NCC will also have hot dogs/hamburgers on hand for meals (although the Saturday pot luck is something to look forward to). This year, we have made efforts to reduce paper so we’re asking that you register on-line. The link below will bring you to the appropriate page. If you do not wish to receive any NCC mailings, please remember to check the appropriate box (it’s at the beginning of the registration form).

We request that you register by May 13^th. If you are unable to register, contact us by the 13^th and we’ll do it for you. Our 2011 Shell Intern, Dan Myers, will be helping with the logistics this year. He is preparing maps and forms for you to assist with species observations on NCC properties.

Meet: 8:30 AM, Saturday May 28^th Wetlands Building, Upper Ferry

Link: http://www.natureconservancy.ca/site/Calendar/1653812546?view=Detail&id=100724

ACAP Humber Arm is pleased to announce our next Coastal Matters speaker’s series will be a joint presentation by Alan Kirby, Environmental Technology Instructor at College of the North Atlantic.  Mr. Kirby has titled his presentation  Storage/Demand Analysis for Blue Gulch Watershed: A Case Study.  An abstract for the presentation can be found below. 

The presentation will take place 12:30 – 1:30pm, Thurs, May 26^th in the Lecture Theatre at College of the North Atlantic, Corner Brook.  Please feel free to bring your lunch.  Tea and coffee will be available.

Coastal Matters presentations are free of charge and open to the public; RSVP’s not required.   

PRESENTATION ABSTRACT
Storage/Demand Analysis for Blue Gulch Watershed: A Case Study

This presentation has two main objectives: (1) to present the methodology used on the Blue Gulch watershed in western Newfoundland to determine the mean annual runoff from which the storage/demand for the watershed was evaluated, and (2) to present the results of the same hydrological assessment using future changes in precipitation forecasted by a number of Global Climate Models (GCMs).

The purpose of the proposed dam on Blue Gulch Pond was to provide sufficient storage of runoff from the watershed to meet the future municipal water demand for the Town of Pasadena.  It was also necessary to comply with a Department of Fisheries and Oceans directive for an instream flow requirement of 25% of the mean annual runoff in Blue Gulch Brook for fish migration and habitat health.  The original work was done in 2002 using very limited streamflow data (17 years). 

This presentation considers the additional flow data collected since 2002 and predictions of GCMs.  The effects of the additional data and predicted climate changes on the original design storage capacity are discussed in the context of uncertainties in predictions using limited streamflow data and future climate conditions.  From the analysis it can be concluded that precipitation and mean temperature, as projected by GCMs, decreased the net annual watershed streamflow by 5% and increased the required storage volumes by 56% over values not adjusted by climate models.

Sheldon Peddle | Executive Director
ACAP Humber Arm Environmental Association Inc.

P.O. Box 564 | Corner Brook, NL | A2H 6E6
phone 709.637.2883

Saturday, June 4, 2011

The Town of Torbay sets the stage in 2011 for the East Coast Trail Association’s Hiking fund raiser.

• The Kinsmen Centre, 8 Kinsmen Place, Torbay
• Minimum $40 donation per person. (Exception: children under 16 years of age are not obliged to contribute the donation.)
• Registration begins at 8:00am

Mark your calendars now and start assembling your fund raising team. Check out Registration details, hike information, and more.

Western Environment Centre presents: Moose, Wind, and Black Earth: Gardening in Western Newfoundland

Thursday, May 12, 8 pm

College of the North Atlantic, Corner Brook – Room 207

Anne Marceau and Michael Burzynski have worked and gardened in Rocky Harbour for 22 years. Using photographs, they will discuss some of the techniques that work best for growing vegetables (and flowers) with local soils and weather conditions. Among other things, the talk will explore: composting, raising early crops in greenhouse and cold frame, using row covers to lengthen the growing season, growing unusual vegetables, beating the wind, keeping records.

Michael Burzynski and Anne Marceau are naturalists with backgrounds in biology and a long-standing interest in plants, both wild and cultivated. Their garden in Rocky Harbour was featured in Harrowsmith — Country Life Magazine in 2009.

Please RSVP to info@wecnl.ca or 709.634.9470

Space is limited!

St. John’s Clean and Beautiful will be having its Take Pride Take Action Spring  Clean-Up Campaign beginning May 15th and running till June 15th. We encourage all businesses, community groups, schools, neighbourhoods, youth groups, tenant associations and individuals with pride in their City to register for a clean up.

Register by calling 570-0350 or email sjcab@cleannandbeautiful@nf.ca.

We are happy to supply the garbage bags, organize for the bags of litter to be picked up and also will provide some giveaways!

The City of St.John’s will be celebrating Arbor Day on Wednesday June 1st @ 10:30 am in Bowring Park.The City is planting many trees to replace the ones that were lost during Hurricane IGOR. All residents of the city are welcome to come out and celebrate Arbor Day.

Members and friends of the Humber Natural History Society – here is our May presentation:

How to say ‘Toilet’ in Fourteen Languages

Date & Time: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 7:30pm

Guest Speakers: Tina Leonard, Quitter

Location: Grenfell Campus, MUN LC301

In February 2010, my sister and I bought Round-the-World plane tickets, quit our jobs as psychologist and ecologist, and headed out to see the world for a year or until our dollars ran out, whichever came first. Fourteen countries, 29 flights, 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 10,000 smiles, and 213 days of incredible people and places made for an unforgettable experience. Come see photos and learn a little about the Hmong hilltribe peoples in Vietnam, endangered Orangutans in Borneo, Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, Hagia Sophia in Turkey, and how to go for 8 months with just a passport, a 30 L pack, and your sister.

The Public is Welcome!    Bring a Friend! See You There!

What: Extraordinary Birds from the Winter of 2010/2011 in Newfoundland: The Most Exciting Winter Ever?

How did they get here? Why did they come? What does it mean?

Who: Bruce Mactavish, bird tour guide extrodinaire

When Thursday 19 May, 7:30

Where: MUN Botanical Gardens on Mt. Scio Road

sponsored by Nature NL (formerly the Natural History Society)