Check out the latest edition of the Western Environment Centre newsletter, packed with news, updates, tips and reviews.

Available here: wec_newsletter_2016springsummer

Subscribe to our e-update – a weekly listing of environmental events, news and opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

September 5th E-Update Now Available – Click Here.

The Manolos L Citizens’ Response Committee is a group of concerned citizens who have organized to lobby to have a permanent solution implemented in response to the oil leaking from the sunken ship Manolis L. The following is an update on the ongoing efforts,to follow their efforts, follow them on facebook or read more on their website: http://manolisl.blogspot.ca/

Manolis L Update:

Operations are in full swing in Twillingate and Herring Neck on the technical assessment of the Manolis L. The company Resolve Marine out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida are doing the operations which involves non-invasive and invasive phases that will give a full picture of the situation. Using the latest technology and primarily local subcontractors as well as leasing the Maersk Cutter they are charting the area around, underneath the ship, marking out where the fuel is stored as well as using mix-gas divers to drill holes in those areas to determine the location, type and quantity of oil in those tanks. Weather has hampered the operations on occasion however there have been long windows of opportunity to do the operation that sees over 110 persons involved in the complicated processes.

The Manolis L Citizens Response Committee has been at the table with the Coast Guard and has been kept apprised of the situation. A meeting was held on Change Islands in late August to give an update.

The Coastguard has been supporting the efforts and transport Canada planes have been doing aerial surveillance. During the trip in which some members of the media were flown over the site the plane detected several “droplets” of oil on the water. They have not determined if this is due to the operation (drilling holes) or if the oil is leaking from another place. During the early part of the operation oil was detected leaking from around a seal that had been put in place on an original crack. Either way, oil on the water in any amount, for any reason is concerning but not surprising. A rusting sunken vessel with between 400,000 and 500,000 liters of oil inside is bound to leak and likely leaks frequently when she isn’t under such close scrutiny.
The Manolis L Citizens Response Committee is very pleased with the operations and the communication and respect offered to its members which translates into openness and respect for the people of the province who they speak for.

But they are acutely cognizant of the fact that this operation isn’t the one everyone has been waiting for. The decision to safely remove the oil from Manolis L is the important operation and that needs to be carried out very soon. They continue to advocate for a permanent solution on behalf of the people of Notre Dame Bay and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Suncor Energy Fluvarium is offering a special program that is great for youth groups such as Girl Guides and Scouts!

It is a fun way to build an interest in Freshwater Conservation while earning a Fluvarium crest!

The programs are designed to promote awareness in a ‘hands-on’ setting for community youth groups.

This program is great for unit meetings, weekend outings, or even summer camps at Pippy Park!

 Call and book your group today!

 For rates, times, and bookings contact

Denise at 754-3474 or kids@fluvarium.ca

Nature NL Talks: Atlantic Salmon Conservation in St John’s

Thursday, September 15, 7:30 pm
MUN Science Building, room SN 2067

Brittany Palm-Flawd
PhD Candidate at Memorial University

Atlantic salmon historically ran in the rivers of St. John’s, but have been locally extinct for over a hundred years. In 2012, a local not-for-profit group, the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland (SAEN), took on the challenge of bringing wild Atlantic salmon back to the Rennies River by restoring river habitats and planting fertilized eggs. In 2014, Brittany joined the research team to aid the re-introduction projects and collect information to help improve egg hatching.

For the past two years, she has conducted analysis of egg yolk quality, offspring viability, and juvenile growth to determine which aspect produces the most competitive offspring. She has also conducted habitat and fishing surveys in St. John’s to quantify which habitat characteristics enhance egg hatching and provide the best conditions for developing salmon. These research results will help improve salmon growth and survival and focus re-introduction efforts.

Brittany grew up on Long Island, New York and spent her summers surf-casting for striped bass on Montauk Point. She attended the University of New England to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology. In 2009, she became a fisheries biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service in the Gulf of Mexico and completed her Master’s degree in Marine Science. In 2014, she became a United States Fulbright Scholar and traveled to Ireland to work on Atlantic salmon, while simultaneously beginning her PhD degree at Memorial University.

naturenl@naturenl.ca
http://www.naturenl.ca 

We’re freshening things up for the Autumn here at NLEN! Make sure you’re subscribed to our e-update,  to receive information on environmental events, actions, opportunities (job, volunteer, funding), and news! It is sent out every Monday throughout the school year.

We’re currently doing a membership drive right now – and it’s a great time to do so! Annual memberships for 2017 being  processes now will start immediately and end on December 31st 2017 – So you get 2016’s Autumn months on us! Check out the membership benefits and how to join here!

Is your organization already a member? How can we help you??

• Do you have an upcoming event, are you recruiting volunteers or do you have an employment opportunities to advertise? Add opportunities weekly to our e-update by filling out the form on our website. 
• Do you have an online regular newsletter that we can add to our eupdate via hyperlink? You can also fill out the form on our website, just make sure to put in the details that it is a online newsletter! It’s be in every one of our e-updates! Same thing goes for any recently published resources you want us to share!
• Has your organization accomplish a project or just been in top form recently? We’re feeling out a new feature for our e-update and that’s Member Spotlights – Send us an email at nled.ed@gmail.com with the subject line: “Member Spotlight Submission”. Include a paragraph celebrating something your organization has accomplished recently and a short description of your organization such as your mission statement. Feel free to include an image to accompany your spotlight!

Things to look forward to from NLEN: a Provincial Environmental Organizations Directory, our Annual General Meeting, an Oceans Caucus and even more coverage of what our member groups are up to! Watch for the e-update on Mondays to for details!

For information related to review of the Gov of Canada’s Environmental and  Regulatory processes currently ongoing please see the following website and keep checking this site for the latest information on the review of the 2012 changes to the Fisheries Act:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/environmental-reviews.html?_ga=1.13486967.1506195246.1449004952

There is also a section called ”Share your Views”, which is a quick questionnaire seeking input on how the reviews should be undertaken.  Found here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/environmental-reviews/share-your-views.html

Get your Tickets and Join us!
28^th Annual Rennie’s River Duck Race Family Fun Day, Sunday, September 25, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

The party will be river side on Rennie’s Mill Road between Carpasian Road and Portugal Cove Road.
The Race starts at Herder Bridge on Rennie’s River – Ducks drop at 2:00 PM

The Rennie’s River Duck Race has been a St. John’s tradition since 1988, attracting large crowds to the banks of Rennie’s River. Help us celebrate Rennie’s 28th run at our Family Fun day! Then join us river side to watch up to 3,500 of Rennie’s yellow rubber ducks race down the river to the finish line. The first ducks across the finish line win one of 10 prizes for their sponsor.

Purchase ticket at The Fluvarium or any RBC branch!
Contact Wandalee at 709-722-DUCK or info@fluvarium.ca for tickets or more information.

For just $10.00 you can sponsor a duck or 3 for $25.00
and have your chance to win one of 10 prizes

Find the full list of prizes on our website www.fluvarium.ca or find the event on Facebook!

“Dabblers & Divers” Kids Club Program for September at The Suncor Energy Fluvarium

It is the beginning of fall migration and a great time to discover ducks! Join us as we learn more about Dabblers and Divers how they all are getting ready for their long journey south. Bring a couple of paper rolls for our craft!

Every Saturday and Sunday from September 11 – 25 at 1:30pm

Program runs approx. 45-60 minutes

This Fluvarium Kids program is Family Fun and can include an outdoor component, game, story and craft!

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 KidsFresh Water Friends certificate when you attend sessions in four different months!

Fluvarium Kids programs are complimentary with admission.

Ask about our Annual Family Pass.

For more information contact:

Denise at 754-3474 – kids@fluvarium.ca