Network News and Events
NLEN Conference: How to Build a Green Platform
The NLEN AGM, Luncheon and Conference is an annual provincial gathering of people and organisations interested in seeking solutions to the environmental issues facing Newfoundland and Labrador. With federal and provincial elections on the horizon, we have asked leaders within the environmental community to present “green policy recommendations” on a variety of issues – climate and energy, environmental health, and land and marine resource management. All interested individuals and organisations are invited to join the discussion “How to build a green platform”! This is a free event.
The purpose of the event is to:
1. Facilitate networking and partnership building amongst groups
2. Raise public awareness of environmental issues facing our province and explore and promote solutions to those problems.
AGENDA
| 1:00-4:00 pm | CONFERENCE – “How to Build a Green Platform” |
| 1:00-2:30 pm | HEALTHY COMMUNITIES – HEALTHY LANDSA province-wide ban on cosmetic pesticide use Councillor Sheilagh O’Leary (Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides – NL) Mine / mill waste and freshwater ecosystems >> Questions and discussion Ecosystem-based forest planning Conserving our Land >> Questions and discussion
|
| 15 minute break | |
| 2:45-4:15 pm | ENERGY & CLIMATEStrengthening environmental oversight of the offshore oil sector Dr. Ian Jones (Seabird Ecology Research Group, Memorial University) Certifying “green” energy initiatives >> Questions and discussion Opportunities for emissions reductions, and green energy production Northeast Avalon regional sustainable transportation initiative >> Questions and discussion |
| WRAP-UP | |
Who should attend?
– Community groups and individuals
– Educators, Students & academic community
– Government officials
– Newfoundland and Labrador businesses pursuing sustainability
Contact for more information:
Chris Hogan
Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network
709-753-7898
nlen.ed@gmail.com
Celebrate National Wildlife Week at Salmonier Nature Park: Backyard Habitat/Wildlife Watching Workshop
Celebrate National Wildlife Week at Salmonier Nature Park!
Meet your “Wild Neighbours of the Forest“
April 10-16, 2011
Saturday, April 16
Join Ralph Jarvis, Manager of Salmonier Nature Park, for a Backyard Habitat/Wildlife Watching Workshop.
Learn how to turn your backyard into a healthy habitat for wildlife.
Space is limited for this workshop. Participants must pre-register by calling 229-7888 by April 6. As the park is not open to the public, only those registered will be admitted.
Schools Go Wild at the Launch of the Robert Bateman “Get to Know” Contest!
Local Schools visit the park on April 12, 13 and 14 to officially launch and participate in the Robert Bateman Art, Writing, Photo and Video Contest. Local artist, Elizabeth Dawe, will lead an art workshop before students head out to “Meet their Wild Neighbours of the Forest” and gather ideas for their submissions to the contest. (Schools must be pre-registered).
NLEN E-Update: April 4, 2011
Letter to Editor: Time for a cosmetic pesticide ban
Why is it taking so long for our provincial government to make a decision regarding banning the sale and use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes ?
Close to 24 million Canadians, or 79.6% of Canada’s total population are presently benefiting from enhanced protection from unwanted exposure to synthetic lawn and garden pesticides This figure includes the best provincial protection provided under Ontario’s Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008 and Quebec’s 2003 Pesticide Management Code as well as Nova Scotia’s, New Brunswick’s and PEI’s Pesticide Acts .
Our former premier Mr Williams did an excellent job in promoting Newfoundland and Labrador as being a have province – no longer a poor cousin to the rest of Canada. However, on the issue of controlling and regulating environmental contaminants such as pesticides we are lagging far behind nationally.
Back in 2003 the Province’s Wellness Advisory Council prepared and submitted recommendations to the Minister of Health and Community Services which led to the development of the government policy document Achieving Health and Wellness: Provincial Wellness Plan. One of the eight Wellness Priorities “ in this plan was to create and maintain “environments which promote good public health” involving “ those aspects of human health and disease that are determined by physical,chemical, and biological factors in the environment such as contaminants in food, air, soil and water.”
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, the Cancer Society, the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and other organizations had been asking the former minister of Environment and Conservation, Charlene Johnson, for a ban since 2009. However this is far from a relatively new issue. Over the past twelve years there have been many requests to our provincial health and environment ministers from health and environmental organizations and from individual citizens asking for improved legislation and, regulation of pesticides.
Over a month ago the Environment Minister, Ross Wiseman stated publicly that:
“I don’t want to put a day or a week on it, but I appreciate the length of time this has been in the public domain and discussed,” Wiseman said. “I appreciate too that there’s an upcoming summer, a time when these pesticides are used.” He also said said ‘he hopes to bring forward a recommendation to cabinet in the very near future”.
Well the days, weeks, months and years are passing by and it looks like another spring and summer will soon be upon us when we– our children, grandchildren, and pets will again be exposed to cosmetic pesticide contaminants in food, air, soil and water. But maybe, hopefully, wishfully the Ministers of Health and Environment are now working together on this issue and they will introduce in this session of the house new legislation similar to or better than Ontario’s. This would also be a start to working on a priority in the provincial government’s Wellness Plan in promoting wellness through better protecting our environment, and uss from exposure to toxic pesticides.
Bob Diamond
Stephenville
This letter to the editor was originally published in the Telegram on April 2. It is republished with permission of the author.
“Going Green!” at The Suncor Energy Fluvarium!
Did you know that frogs can tell us if the stream is clean?
April 22 is Earth Day, how can we make a difference?
Learn how we can help our freshwater friends by Going Green ourselves!
Saturdays & Sundays at 1:30pm April 2 – May 1, 2011
Program runs approx. 45-60 minutes
Preregistration is recommended Fluvarium
Kids Club Weekend Programs Have you heard?
Kids ages 5–10 and their families are invited to join Fluvarium Kids!
Receive updates, collect stickers, and earn a Fluvarium Kids Fresh Water Friends certificate when you attend sessions in four different months!
This Fluvarium Kids program is Family Fun and includes an outdoor component, game, story and craft!
Fluvarium Kids programs are complimentary with admission. Ask about our Annual Family Pass.
For more information contact: Denise Hennebury – 754-3474 – dhennebury@fluvarium.ca
Celebrate National Wildlife Week at Salmonier Nature Park: Three workshops
Celebrate National Wildlife Week at Salmonier Nature Park!
Meet your “Wild Neighbours of the Forest“
April 10-16, 2011
Sunday, April 10
Join Wildlife Division staff for a “Wild” time by participating in one of these fantastic workshops:
Ø Species at Risk (see a live peregrine falcon up close)
Ø Trees, Shrubs and Plants of Newfoundland and Their Medicinal Uses
Ø Coyotes in Newfoundland
Ø Wildlife Rehabilitation (get the inside story on the animals at Salmonier Nature Park)
Space is limited for all workshops. Participants must pre-register by calling 229-7888 by April 6. As the park is not open to the public, only those registered will be admitted.
Schools Go Wild at the Launch of the Robert Bateman “Get to Know” Contest!
Local Schools visit the park on April 12, 13 and 14 to officially launch and participate in the Robert Bateman Art, Writing, Photo and Video Contest. Local artist, Elizabeth Dawe, will lead an art workshop before students head out to “Meet their Wild Neighbours of the Forest” and gather ideas for their submissions to the contest. (Schools must be pre-registered).
In the news: Conservationists hopeful about forest management plans
Conservationists are lauding the province for withdrawing the central Newfoundland forest management plan from the environmental assessment process.
“We see it as a good news story, or a lukewarm one anyway,” said Ian Goudie of Canada Parks and Wilderness Society-Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter (CPAWS).
The withdrawal of the five-year operating plan for forest management districts 10, 11, 12 and 13 includes Abitibi lands.
Read The Telegram’s complete story.
FEASt Annual General Meeting
April 30th
Sobey’s Community Room, 8 MerryMeeting Rd.
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Find out what FEASt has been up to, help to sway the course for the coming year, and get involved as a member of the Board of Directors!
Spring FEASt Fest
April 16th
St. Thomas Anglican Church, 8 Military Rd.
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Mark your calendars: A day of workshops, free local food, and information to get you excited for the growing season!
More details to come soon! — http://www.feastnl.ca/
Newfoundland & Labrador Environment Network 