News

Events

1 September 3– Green Drinks
Green Drinks is an informal once-a-month get together of individuals who are working for the environment, be that in government, consulting, ENGO's, or in your spare time. If you're green, you're invited. Come out to make new friends, reconnect with old acquaintances, and unwind at the end of your week.
~Starting at 5 PM, Lo Pub (330 Kennedy St)
~For more info: greendrinkswpg@yahoo.ca

2 September 9 & 23– Backyard Composting Workshops
Discover the secret whys and hows of backyard composting. Learn the five key steps. A FREE workshop presented by Resource Conservation Manitoba/Green Action Centre.
~Thursday, Sept 9, 7-8pm, St. James Library, 1910 Portage Ave
~Thursday, Sept 23, 7-8pm, Pembina Trail Library, 2724 Pembina Hwy
~For more info and to register: Compost Info line 925-3777 or http://www.resourceconservation.mb.ca

3 September 9 – November 4– Push Pedal Stride Art Show
An art show inspired by active transportation
~Opening reception Sept 9, 7-11 pm
~Graffiti Gallery, 109 Higgins Ave
~For more info: 667-9660 or www.graffitigallery.ca

4 September 11-12– Winnipeg Green Lifestyle & Organic Living Show
Discover all the things you love only greener! Experience over 90 exhibits; organic cooking demonstrations, eco play zone, artisan food village, and environmental organizations in Manitoba (Eco-Network will be there!) Elizabeth May will speak Sunday at 1pm.
~$10, seniors $8, children 12 & under free.
~Winnipeg Convention Centre
~For more info: http://www.winnipeggreenshow.com

5 September 11 & 12- Giveaway Weekend
A great opportunity to find a new owner for those reusable unwanted items taking up space in your home, keeping them out of the landfill. Gather up all your unwanted household items, mark them "FREE", and place them at the curb on your front street.
~For more info: http://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/recycle/giveawayWeekend.stm

6 September 11– Celebrate Local Foods: A Locally Grown Dinner
The dinner will feature local foods ranging from carrots to oats, wild rice and pasture-fed, hormone-free beef. Following dinner, food producers, farmers, and growers will be on hand to talk about their craft, share their stories, and answer questions.
~6 pm, Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre
~$31 for members, children under 12 $15.50, $37 for non-members, children under 12 $19.50
~To reserve your seat call 467-3300, for more info: http://www.oakhammockmarsh.ca/

7 September 11– Tall Grass Prairie Preserve Restoration Day
Join the Nature Conservancy of Canada as they begin the work on restoring and enhancing a 160 acre NCC property in the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve. Following a Barbeque lunch, our staff will take you on a guided hike pointing out the natural wonders of the property.
~Meeting time 9:30 am, directions and meeting location provided in volunteer package
~Some lifting may be required, protective footwear is required
~For more info and to register: http://www.natureconservancy.ca

8 September 12– Ciclovia
An eco-friendly, healthy-lifestyles festival that closes the north side of Broadway from Osborne to Main Street, creating a network of car-free streets from Assiniboine Park all the way to The Forks. During the day, watch for fitness classes, farmers' market, kids' zone, bike demos, craft market, music and much more.
~Starts at 11 am, 3 pm concert at The Forks Scotiabank Stage
~For more info: http://www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com/home/events/ciclovia/

9 September 12– Spirit of the Prairie Festival
Join the Living Prairie Museum in honouring the beauty of the tall grass prairie, its cultures and all its gifts during their 17th Annual Spirit of the Prairie Celebration. Enjoy watching the release of a rehabilitated bird of prey at 3:00 p.m., listen to the engaging storytelling of Métis author Joe McLellan, and take a stroll through the tallgrass prairie preserve during a guided hike.
~Admission is by donation
~12 - 4 pm, Living Prairie Museum, 2795 Ness Ave
~For more info: 832-0167

10 September 16– Farmers’ Feast
Join the Organic Food Council of Manitoba for a perfect evening celebrating the very best of Manitoba's harvest. This gourmet, outdoor feast unites some of Manitoba's best chefs with the freshest food from Manitoba's fields and farms.
~6:30 pm, St. Norbert’s Farmers’ Market
~Tickets are $40 (bring your own wine glass and get a free drink!)
~For more info and to purchase tickets: http://www.farmersfeastmanitoba.com/

11 September 17-19– Harvest Moon Festival
The Harvest Moon Festival celebrates the harvest season and local food production, while providing an opportunity to link those from rural and urban communities. Fair Trade Fair, performers, workshops, restaurant stage, silk screening and more!
~Clearwater, MB
~Weekend pass- $45 for adults, $30 for youth, Friday only-$20 for adults, $15 for youth, Saturday only $30 for adults, $20 for youth, children under 12 are free
~For more info:http://www.harvestmoonsociety.org/?page_id=8

12 September 18 – 26– Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Every September, Canadians head to their local shorelines to remove litter and make a positive difference in their community. There are multiple locations across Winnipeg and Manitoba.
~For more info and locations: http://shorelinecleanup.ca/

13 September 19– Open Farm Day
The public can tour a farm to see up close how a farm runs and participating farmers can showcase their operations, sell produce, highlight farm business life and educate Manitobans about locally produced food and Manitoba's agriculture industry.
~For more info: www.manitoba.ca/agricultureor call 204-821-5322

14 September 22- Car Free Day
Winnipeg joins thousands of cities all over the world by closing part of our territory to car traffic for Car Free Day. Albert Street from McDermot to Bannatyne will be closed to traffic for the day. Join us there for games, trivia, a piñata, on-the-street yoga, displays, workshops, giant chess, street art, face-painting, delicious food, street hockey and more!
~For more info: www.greenleafforward.ca

15 September 24– Shop Outside the Box
An ethical purchasing expo bringing together a variety of retailers and service providers who support worker and community ownership, fair trade principles, environmental sustainability, local employment, organic products and locally produced goods.
~8 am – 3 pm, Manitoba Hydro Lobby, 371 Portage Ave
~For more info:http://www.lite.mb.ca/events.htm#expo

16 September 26– EcoShift
A day of environmental awareness highlighted by ecological demonstrations, youth and student initiatives and a local "Green Vendor Showcase". The day will conclude with a keynote address by renowned environmental advocate, Dr.David Suzuki.
~9:30 am -2 pm, Asper Jewish Community Campus, 123 Doncaster St
~Tickets for Suzuki talk $20, 7:30 pm
~For more info: www.eco-shift.ca

17 September 26, 28, 29– Kayak Film
Kayak is a theatrical production that has the main character, Annie Iverson, questioning her environmental practices when her son's radical environmentalist girlfriend comes into the picture.
~7 pm, Canwest Centre for Theatre and Film (University of Winnipeg)
~For more info: www.femfest.ca

18 September 27-28– Bike Shorts Film Festival
The Bike Shorts Film Festival has been shown in a number of Canadian Cities in the past 10 years, including Winnipeg in 2008 and 2009. This is a new version with new films.
~7 pm, Cinematheque, 100 Arthur St
~$10, email Don English at donengl@mts.net for tickets
~For more info: http://biketothefuture.org

19 September 28 – True Stories: Experiences in Building Net-Zero Energy Homes Conference
Through presentations and unique group discussion periods, we will examine real-life examples of ultra low environmental impact homes built in Manitoba and Alberta.
~The Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion St
~$100 includes breakfast, lunch and two breaks
~For more info: http://wwwcmhc-schl.gc.ca

20 October 2 - Save Our Seine Anniversary Dinner
Save Our Seine River Environment Inc. (SOS) is celebrating 20 years of grass roots environmentalism with this anniversary dinner. Have a chance to chat with the many volunteers and friends of SOS who have dedicated their time and efforts to protecting and enhancing the 26-km Seine River greenway in Winnipeg. Learn how SOS was formed two decades ago by a small group of concerned neighbours.

Tickets are $60, and can be purchased by contacting SOS at saveourseine@gmail.com. The evening will include dinner and entertainment at the beautiful Seine River Residence.

A raffle fundraiser has been launched, entitled Body, Art and Soul, the raffle features 10 unique prizes, including art of premiere artists such as Robert Bateman. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10, and can be purchased at the following locations:

Doug Christie Physiotherapy, 400 Tache (Lower Level)
Manitoba Eco-Network, 303 Portage (3rd Floor)
On The Edge Glass Studio, 329 Cumberland (2nd Floor)
Photo Central, 499 Notre Dame Avenue
Chocolatier Constance Popp, 1853 Portage
sosraffle2010@gmail.com

The raffle will be drawn on Oct 2 at the dinner.

For more information please visit http://www.saveourseine.com/

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Notices/Resources

1 Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators
Environment Canada has updated results for the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators(CESI) initiative.

Key findings at the national level are as follows:

Air quality: Exposure to ground level ozone levels has increased in Canada 13% between 1990 and 2007. There were no significant changes in exposure to fine particulates for the period 2000-2007.
Water quality: The majority of rivers and lakes in Canada have fair or better water quality. Of the sites monitored, 82% rated freshwater quality as “excellent”, “good” or “fair”, and 18% rated freshwater quality as “marginal” and “poor”.
Greenhouse gases: Canada’s 2008 greenhouse gas emissions decreased 2.1% from 2007 levels.
Protected areas (new this year): Canada has protected 9.4% or 939,993 square kilometers of its land as of mid-2009. About 0.6% of its marine territory has been protected. There has been an increase of approximately 81% of the overall area protected since 1990.

CESI is produced by Environment Canada in partnership with Health Canada and Statistics Canada, and supported by provincial and territorial contributions. CESI tracks environmental results for air quality, water quality, greenhouse gases and protected areas. This update builds on previous releases yearly from 2005 to 2008. Future updates will occur as individual indicator data becomes available, so check the site regularly.

2 Bicycle Valet Winnipeg
Bicycle Valet Winnipeg is a new (July 2010) project of Bike to the Future. Its aim is to work with event promoters to offer a Bicycle Valet at events to reduce traffic and parking congestion, and encourage active transportation use in Winnipeg. Having a safe place to park their wheels (bicycles, skates, skateboards, running strollers) will encourage people to choose an active lifestyle, and increase the use of Winnipeg's growing active transportation infrastructure.

With the support of sponsors and event promoters, Bicycle Valet Winnipeg will provide this free service to active transportation users.

Visit: www.bicyclevaletwinnipeg.ca

3 Aviva Community Fund Competition
Aviva is asking people to share ideas to create positive change in their community. The most popular ideas, as chosen by Canadians, will have a chance to share the $1,000,000 Aviva Community Fund.

You can submit your idea starting Sept. 27.
Voting begins Oct. 4
For more info:http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/

4 Celebrate Parks Video Contest
Did you know that Canada's first national park was created 125 years ago? Happy Birthday Banff!

To celebrate the occasion, you are invited to create a short video about one of Canada's national parks. Tell the world why you think the park you've chosen is so amazing -- and you could win a trip for two to Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories, a Flip camera, or other great prizes!

For more info: http://celebrateparks.ca/

5 Online tool of North American industrial pollution
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (Canada, Mexico and the United States) recently released Taking Stock Online, which provides the latest integrated North American data and most comprehensive picture of industrial pollution across North America. It documents the release and transfer of 5.7 billion kilograms of toxic pollutants in 2006 from industrial facilities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with data on releases to air, water, land and underground as well as off-site disposal.

The online tools allow you to explore information on pollution from industrial facilities, create customized queries and download your results in a variety of formats, including for viewing in Google Earth and Google Maps.

6 Encyclopedia of Life website
The Encyclopedia of Life is an unprecedented effort to gather and share scientific knowledge about all living things in a single online resource, giving each of us a breathtaking view of our amazing world.

Biodiversity refers to the richness and variety of life on Earth, and this diversity provides the food, fuel, medicine and other essentials on which we rely. However, knowledge of biodiversity has been scattered all over the world, slowing research and understanding and denying access to many. With an untold number of species going unstudied and even extinct before their roles and relationships with other organisms are understood, it’s crucial that we take action before it’s too late. There ha s never been a more urgent need for an all-encompassing resource like the Encyclopedia of Life.

Visit: www.eol.org

7 One Ocean Pledge
The ocean and its many creatures have been sustaining life on this planet for far longer than we have existed. Now this vital and remarkable life source is in peril and we are responsible. Every second breath we take is a breath given by the ocean. Every day we enjoy is a result of its enormous power. It regulates temperature and climate, provides us with food and energy and enriches us simply by being there. Now the ocean is in crisis and we know why. Five major issues threaten its survival. All of them can be stopped. Take action. Pledge to do your part. Make a difference for today and tomorrow.

Find out more: http://oneocean.cbc.ca/pledge

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News/Action

1 Government of Manitoba News Releases
The following news releases can be viewed at: http://mbeconetwork.org/index.php/news/

Province Supports Manitoba Eco-Network Work (Sept. 1)
Communities take leadership role in reducing greenhouse gases (Aug. 27)
Strategic water conservation plan to be developed by province, International Institute for Sustainable Development (Aug. 23)
Proposed incinerator and biomass rules (Aug. 23)
- NOTE: Comments will be accepted until Sept. 30
Manitoba awarded A-plus for energy efficiency (Aug. 20)

2 Province orders halt of compost operation
September 1, 2010
CBC Winnipeg

The Manitoba government has ordered to Samborski Garden Supplies' to cease its composting operation.

As of this Sunday, the Winnipeg company will no longer be able to pick up organic waste for its composting business, which was launched about two years ago.

The company had been collecting the waste from businesses — including the MTS Centre, Costco and numerous restaurants — and composting at its McGillivray Boulevard site for sale to city gardeners.

But people living in the city's Whyte Ridge neighbourhood have been complaining about the smell.

That prompted the province to issue an order for the company to stop picking up any new organic material as of Sept. 5.

John Samborski said he understands the residents' concerns and tried to buy a different site south of the city near the Brady Road landfill, but was turned down by the rural municipality, which said the area is not zoned for that purpose.

"I feel for them. We've been trying to work and improve our operations everyday out here," he said.

"We're not trying to be bad neighbors. We're not trying to do anything wrong."

He said the business has grown fast. Two years ago, he was taking in four tonnes of organic waste a week. Now, it's close to 100 tonnes.

Samborski wants the province to change the zoning around the landfill site to allow him to move there. He has requested that but nothing has happened.

"They don't care, they just want us out of here," he said. "Maybe we should be out of here, but we have our rights too, and we're going to exercise our rights to the full extent that we have to."

Samborski has invested $1 million into the composting business and doesn't intend to just walk away from it.

He has been in touch with a lawyer but won't say what his next move will be.

3 Consumerwatch: Eco-friendly School Supplies
August 23, 2010
CTV Consumerwatch

Rachael Vickery is getting ready to head back to school this fall.

But, instead of buying new supplies, the eco-conscious university student is going another way.

"I'll try and use old binders, left-over looseleaf, I'll use that (and) try and buy recyclable pens and pencils."

But, some shopper say costs have to be considered as well.

"If the price was fairly comparable, I would probably go for more eco-friendly products," says back-to-school shopper, Adria Baker.

When we looked at Staples, we found prices were quite a bit higher when it came to pencils, as much as 70 cents more for pencils made from trees in sustainable forests and 30 cents more for pens.

But, a Roots binder made from recycled chipboard was actually 13 cents cheaper than the Zwipes plastic and vinyl zip up.

The eco-friendly Post-It option was the same price as the original Post-Its.

Some earth friendly writing pads were only two cents more.

And a flash drive made from bamboo just $2 more than a traditional drive.

Mike Dutka of Staples says, "if you look at most eco friendly products now, they've come down a lot in price in what most people think they would cost and they also have really good quality built into them because people are looking for good quality in eco-responsible products."

A recent poll by Angus Reid and Staples found 94 per cent of its back to school shoppers said they would consider buying more eco-responsible supplies this year.

That's good news to Resource Conservation Manitoba, since it has some real concerns about traditional back to school supplies.

"You think of those typical vinyl binders or vinyl erasers. Those are made with chemicals that emit dangerous gases like VOCs. It's not really healthy for your kids to be exposed to these kinds of things," says RCM's Josh Brandon.

Before taxes, the eco school supplies were four dollars and sixteen cents more than traditional school supplies. But, it's an added cost, consumers like Rachael Vickery are willing to spend to be a little more gentle on the environment.

Greenwashing is big concern. Some companies may use green looking labels to appear as though they are environmentally conscious, but those labels may be misleading.

People need to look for logos like Ecologo, Forrest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative on products which indicate they are sustainable.

If you don't find any of those, ask your retailer questions about the product and the manufacturer.

More and more companies are aware of Greenwashing and generally don't want to be caught doing it, but only an educated consumer can stop it.

*Products priced out at Staples. They may be cheaper or more expensive at other retailers.

4 Woodland caribou habitat destroyed, caribou facing unknown future
August 20, 2010
Manitoba Wildlandsand Wilderness CommitteeNews Release

Forest fire in northwest Manitoba decimates caribou core habitat, forcing herd to find safety elsewhere

The shy and sensitive woodland caribou in northwestern Manitoba are in crisis, after a forest fire destroyed their core habitat this summer. The Wilderness Committee and Manitoba Wildlands are calling on the Manitoba government to pause all industrial activity-including mining, logging, and hydroelectric development-in the NAOSAP caribou range for at least one year, until it is possible to determine the effect the forest fire has on caribou, and where the caribou have moved to.

In June 2010, a 50,000 hectare forest fire burnt the forest northwest of Grass River Provincial Park, halfway between Flin Flon and The Pas. According to Manitoba government caribou data, this region was the core habitat of the NAOSAP woodland caribou range. Caribou are very susceptible to disturbance in their habitat, and can not live in areas burnt by fire. The forests surrounding this fire are being fragmented by industrial logging and mining operations, which caribou also avoid.

Due to the unusually large size of the forest fire, and the intensity of industrial activity surrounding the NAOSAP core habitat, the Wilderness Committee and Manitoba Wildlands are calling on the Manitoba government to pause all industrial activity through the next four important caribou activity cycles-fall breeding, winter foraging, spring migration, and summer calving.

After this cycle, it may be possible to determine the effects of the forest fire on the ability of caribou to find safe habitat and successfully rear their calves.

Manitoba Liberal Party Leader Jon Gerrard is calling on the Minister of Conservation and the NDP to provide immediate protection to the NAOSAP herd by pausing industrial development for one year.

"I want the NDP to take urgent action on creating a long-term conservation plan for Manitoba's Woodland Caribou herds and that this plan should include the following measures:
- Annual census of the most at risk herds as determined by a working group of stakeholders including conservation, First Nations, Metis and environmental stakeholders
- Complete provincial census of Woodland Caribou every two years
- More stringent guidelines for industrial development in Woodland Caribou migratory, foraging, calving areas."

- 30 -

Eric Reder. Wilderness Committee, 997-8584
GaileWhelan-Enns, Manitoba Wildlands, 981-3783
Michelle Nyhof, Liberal Caucus, 771-2513

5 Teens carry 30 per cent more BPA than rest of population
August 16, 2010
Globe and Mail

Teenagers may carry the highest levels of bisphenol A – about 30 per cent more than the rest of the population, according to the first national survey about the compound conducted by Statistics Canada, but exposure to the estrogen-mimicking chemical is widespread, with detectable levels in 91 per cent of Canadians.

The survey, released Monday, found that the average level of BPA, as the substance is known, was just over one part per billion, an exceedingly small amount, but still a thousand times higher than natural levels of estrogen found in the body.

Statistics Canada said its data, based on urine samples collected from more than 5,400 people aged six to 79, suggest there is “continual widespread exposure in the Canadian population” to BPA. The Statscan sampling is the largest such effort done to date in the world.

“Although BPA may constitute a health risk, no guidance values are currently available in Canada for urinary BPA,” the federal agency said of its findings.

The everyday chemical is used to produce everything from CDs to the liners of nearly all tin cans, and has emerged as one of the most debated substances in use because of concerns that exposures amount to receiving an extra dose of estrogen.

Two years ago, Canada was the first country in the world to propose declaring it a toxic substance, although it has yet to do so. Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have announced that they are conducting safety of the chemical.

Read the full story here.

Take Action to ban BPA with Environmental Defence