We are very excited to announce the launch of Green Teacher’s 2011 Webinar series. We hope you’ll join us in one or more of our 30 FREE webinars on various environmental education topics this year. Almost 800 non-formal and formal youth educators filled out our online survey and helped us choose the topics for these webinars. Each session will feature a 20-30 minute presentation, and 30-40 minutes for you to ask a question of our presenter.

The topics and dates for our first four webinars are below. For more details, and information on how to register, please visit http://greenteacher.com/webinars. Once again, these webinars are offered free of charge, and we hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to explore these current popular topics in environmental learning with us.

We’ll be announcing more webinars very soon, so check back frequently – OR click here and join our listserv to receive email notices of upcoming webinars.

Webinar #2: February 22, 2011, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EST
Webinar Topic:  “How to Create Engaging Environmental Education Programs Using a Narrative, Storyline Approach”
Presenter:  Alan Warner

Stories organize and provide meaning in our lives, yet educators typically teach through outcomes and activities. Young people become more engaged when they come to the learning context with a purpose or role that is meaningful to them, where they become the actors or leaders in a story (e.g., detectives, aliens, adventurers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, etc.). This webinar presents the framework for a storyline/narrative approach to program design, enabling participants to apply the concepts and develop storyline ideas for their learners in their classroom, outdoor or community learning contexts. The result is adventurous, meaningful and engaged learning.

We are very excited to announce the launch of Green Teacher’s 2011 Webinar series. We hope you’ll join us in one or more of our 30 FREE webinars on various environmental education topics this year. Almost 800 non-formal and formal youth educators filled out our online survey and helped us choose the topics for these webinars. Each session will feature a 20-30 minute presentation, and 30-40 minutes for you to ask a question of our presenter.

The topics and dates for our first four webinars are below. For more details, and information on how to register, please visit http://greenteacher.com/webinars. Once again, these webinars are offered free of charge, and we hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to explore these current popular topics in environmental learning with us.

We’ll be announcing more webinars very soon, so check back frequently – OR click here and join our listserv to receive email notices of upcoming webinars.

Webinar #1: February 17, 2011, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EST
Webinar topic:  “Sustainability 101: Teaching the Ecological Footprint”
Presenter:  Susan Santone

Looking for ways to effectively teach sustainability “basics”? This webinar will highlight strategies and activities for teaching fundamental sustainability concepts using the Ecological Footprint as a context. Preview examples of hands-on, engaging activities to teach human-environmental impact, the Commons, interdependence, policies, and other topics essential to effective instruction on sustainability.

Who should attend? Educators interested in getting started with or reviewing essential sustainability concepts.

The application period for this year’s Science Horizons youth internship program is now open.  Environment Canada is accepting applications until February 28, 2011.

Science Horizons is a Government of Canada employment program offering young scientists the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and work experience for environment-based careers.

Through funding and collaborative partnerships with successful applicant organizations, Science Horizons offers promising young, post-secondary graduates hands-on experience working on environmental projects lasting from 6 months to 1 year. During these projects, they are guided under the mentorship of experienced scientists and program managers. Up to a maximum of $12,000 in Science Horizons funding is available for each approved project.

Employers interested in applying for funding for a Science Horizons intern are encouraged to consult the Science Horizons web site (www.ec.gc.ca/sci_hor) for complete details and to access the application.

This year, applications will be accepted online only.

Applications will be received by the Science and Technology Branch of Environment Canada, who are available to respond to your requests for additional information about the Science Horizons program at science.horiz@ec.gc.ca.

* * *

La période d’inscription pour le programme de stages « Horizons Sciences » est maintenant ouverte.  Environnement Canada acceptera vos demandes jusqu’àu 28 février, 2011.

Horizons Sciences est un programme d’emploi du gouvernement du Canada qui offre aux jeunes scientifiques l’occasion de développer des connaissances et des compétences professionnelles pour un emploi durable dans le domaine de l’environnement.

Grâce à des fonds et à des partenariats de collaboration avec des organismes bénéficiaires, Horizons Sciences permet à de jeunes scientifiques ou diplômés prometteurs de niveau post-secondaire d’acquérir une expérience pratique en prenant part à des projets environnementaux ayant une durée de six mois à un an. Pendant ces projets, ils sont guidés sous le mentorat et l’encadrement de scientifiques ou de gestionnaires de programme chevronnés.  Dans le cadre d’Horizons Sciences, un financement maximum de 12 000 $ est offert pour chaque projet approuvé.

Les employeurs qui s’intéressent à soumettre une demande sont encouragés à consulter le site web « Horizons Sciences » (www.ec.gc.ca/sci_hor) pour tous les détails et pour accéder à la demande.

Cette année, les demandes seront acceptées en ligne seulement.

Les demandes seront reçues par la Direction des Sciences et de la Technologie, qui est disponible à répondre à vos demandes de renseignements supplémentaires concernant le programme Horizons Sciences à l’adresse science.horiz@ec.gc.ca.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.