Mon, Nov 1: Information sessions – Bottled Water Education Campaign
4:00-5:00 pm, 5:00-6:00 pm and 6:00-7:00, The Landing (UC 3018), MUN (St. John’s)
MUN Student’s Union and its coalition partners are launching an education campaign surrounding the many adverse affects of bottled water. MUN signed a Water Pledge just last year, committing to the progressive elimination of the distribution of bottled water. Over the course of November MUN Student’s Union will need a lot of volunteers to help get the word out! Whether you are concerned about the environment, health, human rights, or social issues, this campaign is for you. If you or your student group are interested in joining our team, please come out to one of our volunteer information session at ONE of the times listed above. If you can’t make one of these sessions, or want to learn more, please email Meghan McCarthy, Executive Director of Campaigns, MUNSU at campaigns@munsu.ca.

Tues, Nov. 2: A Christian Perspective on Climate Change
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.), 101 Mt Scio Road (next to Rainbow Riders), St. John’s
Come and reflect on care of the environment as an essential expression of our faith and discuss direct action for protecting, sustaining and repairing Earth. Presenters: Sister Mary Tee from MCEJ & Krista Perry from Conservation Corp. Space is limited; please call 722-0082 to register.

Tues, Nov 2: Coastal Matters – Step Zero to Fisheries Closures in Western Newfoundland
12:30 – 1:30 pm, Room 104, RecPlex, Grenfell Campus (Corner Brook)
Fisheries closures are commonly used to protect fish stocks. Each closure is uniquely shaped by the circumstances in which it develops. Voluntary closures, in particular, are extraordinary in that they are initiated by local fishes. Yet, not all initiatives proceed to implementation. Such is the case with the snow crab closure in the Bay of Islands, which was discussed earlier this year, but not implemented. We will present the preliminary findings of our investigation about what happened with the snow crab closure. For instance, we asked how and why the idea about the closure was conceived, how it was perceived and communicated, and what expectations fish harvesters had of the closure. We also examined the ecological and social conditions at the time the closure was discussed, comparing to the present. Presenters: Kim Olsen (Masters Student, Memorial University) and Dr. Ratana Chuenpagdee (Canada Research Chair in Natural Resource Sustainability and Community Development). The Coastal Matters series is sponsored by Humber Arm ACAP. For further information contact info@acaphumberarm.com or 637-2883.

Wed, Nov 3: Public presentation: “They are Shocking Fierce and Dangerous Entirely: A Natural History of the Newfoundland Wolf.”
7:00 – 8:30 p.m., The Rooms, St. John’s
This year the Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the first natural history society in Newfoundland. To celebrate this anniversary the Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is sponsoring a number of presentations at The Rooms during October and November. Join presenter Mr. John Maunder (Former Curator of Natural History, Newfoundland Museum). Admission to this presentation is free. For further information on the NHS visit: http://naturenl.ca/

Thur, Nov 4: Public presentation: “Coyotes, caribou and other critters …. Wildlife research, landscape ecology and citizen science”
2:30 – 3:30 p.m., The Rooms, St. John’s
Join presenter Dr. Yolanda Wiersma (Biology, MUN). This talk is sponsored by the Natural History Society. Admission fee for this talk includes free coffee/tea at The Rooms Café. For further information on the NHS visit: http://www.nhs.nf.ca/.

Thur-Sat, Nov 4-6: Public talks: Green Building in Northern Climates – Lessons for Newfoundland & Labrador from Alberta’s Net Zero Energy Houses
Thur, Nov 4, 7:00 pm, Room LC301, Grenfell Campus, Corner Brook
Fri, Nov 5, 12:30 pm, Room 1008, College of the North Atlantic, Corner Brook
Sat, Nov 6, 12:30-2:30 pm, Local Green Building Tour, Register by Nov. 1 (contact info. below), Corner Brook
A net zero energy building is one that produces on site, over the course of a year, as much energy as it consumes for everything: heating, domestic hot water, and electricity.  This is a daunting challenge in northern climates with cold winters and periods of limited sunlight.  Achieving net zero energy in this context requires a combination of aggressive conservation measures and the creative use of new energy sources. The lessons from successful net zero houses in Edmonton, Alberta, offer valuable guidance to anyone involved in planning or building projects, new or retrofit, that aim to substantially reduce environmental impacts.  The presentation will focus on the materials and techniques used to reduce overall environmental impact and to achieve net zero energy use. Join presenter Peter Amerongen, president of Habitat Studio & Workshop Ltd. Peter Amerongen has been designing and building energy efficient houses since the last oil crisis. Over the years he has experimented, innovated, and borrowed shamelessly to build environmentally responsible houses as economically as possible. He has designed and built an exemplary demonstration house, the Riverdale NetZero Project (www.riverdalenetzero.ca) under CMHC’s EQuilibriumTM Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative, as well as four more net zero energy houses. These events are organised by the Environmental Policy Unit at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. For more information, contact Karen at epu@swgc.mun.ca or 637-6200, Ext. 6534.

Sat, Nov 6: Green Keys Tour – Concert of original piano music and eco-showcase
7:30 pm, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Queens Road (St. John’s)
This family-friendly concert is one of 50+ in a yearlong cross-Canada tour by Frank Horvat promoting eco-sustainability. All the piano music performed are original compositions and improvisations. It’s a mix of classical and popular styles – from Liszt to Satie to Philip Glass. The highlight of the concert is the performance of the composition, “Earth Hour” – a continuous 1-hour piano piece inspired by, and performed in the dark. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Frank Horvat’s new CD, “A Little Dark Music”, will to the World Wildlife Fund – CDs available online and at the show. The tour is sponsored by Bullfrog Power, Quality Hotel St. John’s and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church sponsoring this event. Please visit www.frankhorvat.com/performance/tour/stjohns.html where you can find out all the info about this concert. Admission is free.

Sun, Nov 7: East Coast Trail Association Events – Beaches Path (Witless Bay to Mobile)
Meet at 10:00 am, End of Gallows Cove Road on the south side of the harbour in Witless Bay
This Beaches Path Trail is rated for Beginners, Seniors or a Family hike.  This easy path is suitable for novice hikers and families. Duration: 3 hours; Distance: 7 km. The pace will be slower than normal. No dogs.  Your Leader will be Elizabeth Yeoman.  Contact her via 579-1849 or eyeoman@mun.ca.

Sun, Nov 7: Public presentation: “Animal Tracks and Signs in Winter” Family Fun Day Program
2:00 – 4:00 p.m., The Rooms, St. John’s
Join presenter Dr. Michael Collins (Biology, MUN). This talk is sponsored by the Natural History Society. For further information on the NHS visit: http://www.nhs.nf.ca/.

Mon, Nov 8: Public talk: Green Building in Northern Climates – Lessons for Newfoundland & Labrador from Alberta’s Net Zero Energy Houses
7:00 pm, Room ED1020, MUN, St. John’s
See full description of this presentation above (Nov 4-6 events in Corner Brook). This event is organised by the Environmental Policy Unit at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. For more information, contact Karen at epu@swgc.mun.ca or 637-6200, Ext. 6534. Or contact Chris Hogan at the NLEN at nlen.ed@gmail.com or 753-7898. Individual meetings with visiting presenter Peter Amerongen can be arranged on request.