[Sust-mar] News from the Nova Scotia Environmental Network - public events, announcements

[NSEN]

NEWS FROM THE NOVA SCOTIA ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK

Happy Fall! Some information about public meetings and events with the Nova
Scotia Environmental Network (NSEN). You are welcome to participate!


PLEASE JOIN US CELEBRATION OF SHIP HARBOUR LONG LAKE WILDERNESS AREA OCT. 19
Join Minister of Environment, Sterling Belliveau along with Minister of
Natural Resources John MacDonell
invite you, your colleagues, staff and friends to  attend an event
celebrating the designation of Ship
Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area.
Monday, October 19 from 11am - 12pm
Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth Waterfront, at the bottom of Ochterloney
Street
Event Highlights: Remarks by ministers and special guests. Photo video
presentation. Reception and Displays.
Remember to RSVP:  by email to protectedareas at gov.ns.ca, or by calling
424-2117.


BIG NEWS! NDP to legislate ban on uranium mining
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
Wed. Oct 14 - 4:32 PM
A moratorium on the exploration and mining of uranium in Nova Scotia will be
turned into law by the provincial government. The ban has been in place
since 1981, but was only in the form of a cabinet policy statement. 
Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell says enshrining the ban in law
fulfills a promise made by the NDP. He says a legislated moratorium will
make it more difficult for future governments to rescind or change the law.
The legislation is modeled on an Australian law. It will allow mining
operations that encounter uranium in the course of looking for another
mineral to continue as long as the uranium is present in quantities less
than .01 per cent by weight.
More info: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9013633.html


LAW AND POLICY CAUCUS MEETING OCT. 20
Next Meeting: Tuesday October 20th Weldon Law School, Dalhousie University,
6061 University Ave. Room 452  at  6.00pm. We will discuss recruitment and
communication strategies and a list of possible immediate and longer term
issues and action items that they would like to see the caucus take on.
Let's work on improving environmental rights in Nova Scotia: please see
Friends of the Earth Canada's report "Standing on Guard: Environmental
Rights in Canada" - Nova Scotia received a failing grade:
http://www.foecanada.org/images/stories/pdfs/enviro_rights/enviro_rights_rep
ort_v5_final.pdf For more information, please contact Sam at
caucus_nsen at cen-rce.org


INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR CLIMATE ACTION ON OCTOBER 24TH (GET INVOLVED IN NS)
On October 24th, an international climate campaign called 350 is asking you
to organize an action in the place where you live, something that will make
that most important number visible to everyone: "350 - as in parts per
million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for
CO2 in our atmosphere". People in more than 1000 communities around the
globe have already announced plans. At each event, people will gather for a
big group photo that somehow depicts 350, and upload that photo to the web
350.org. By the end of the day, there will be a powerful visual petition
linking together the entire planet that can be delivered to the media and
world leaders. For more information about 350 and the October 24th events,
visit http://www.350.org. To get involved in NS actions and join the NS Day
of Action list serv, please contact Janelle Frail:
Janelle Frail
Climate Change Centre
Clean Nova Scotia
902.420.7942
jfrail at clean.ns.ca
www.clean.ns.ca/ccc
*In Halifax, please join NSEN at the Commons from 2-3:50 pm. Please be sure
to post your events to www.nsen.ca 


WATER & WATERSHED CAUCUS MEETING CONFERENCE CALL OCT. 26
Monday, Oct. 26 at 9:30 am
For call-in details and to join this caucus, please contact: 
Jocelyne Rankin, B.Sc., M.E.S., Water Coordinator
Ecology Action Centre, 902.442.5046
water at ecologyaction.ca
More info here: http://nsen.ca/water.php 


ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CAUCUS MEETING OCT. 30
Friday, October 30 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Sackville Rivers Association, 45 Connolly Road, Lower Sackville
Public meeting on environmental education. Learn more about environmental
education initiatives in Nova Scotia. Find out about the great community
work of the Sackville Rivers Association. Connect with green educators. Join
our NSEN Environmental Education Caucus (EEC). For more information, please
contact our chair Dr. Lisa Kretz, Doctorate of Philosophy. The EEC is a
caucus of the Nova Scotia Environmental Network. For more information,
please phone: 902-454-6846, email nsen at cen-rce.org or visit us online at
www.nsen.ca


BIOSOLIDS & WASTEWATER
The Government of Nova Scotia just released new guidelines on biosolids use
and application. Please see them here:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/docs/BiosolidGuidelines.pdf  Our biosolids
caucus was in the news - please see the Herald article "Biosolids concern
council" here: http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1146137.html f you'd
like to get involve d in our biosolis caucus, please contact Marilyn Cameron
here: p.m.cameron at ns.sympatico.ca 


MINING CAUCUS CALL & MINING MATTERS ON NOV. 16 & 17
Our Mining Caucus had a very successful meeting with the Minerals Branch of
the Dept. of Natural Resources on Sept. 11. Our next teleconference will be
on Tues. Nov. 3 at 10am if you would like to join, please contact the chair
Gretchen Fitzgerald of Sierra Club email: gretchenf at sierraclub.ca or call
444-3113. She will also be the representative on the panel at the Mining
Matters for Nova Scotia Conference 2009 November 16 and 17, 2009. The theme
of the conference this year is "Towards a Sustainable Mining Policy for Nova
Scotia."
A mining and minerals conference intended for all audiences. Free. 
LOCATION: Westin Hotel, Halifax
DATES: November 16 and 17, 2009
For further information: Diane Webber, Phone (902) 424-3053,
webberde at gov.ns.ca
http://www.gov.ns.ca/NATR/MEB/oh/index.asp 


WATER, WETLANDS, AND COASTS: CREATING THE BEST POLICIES FOR NOVA SCOTIA NOV.
3
Tuesday, November 3 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Room 305, Weldon Law School, Dalhousie University, 6061 University Avenue
Hear from representatives of the Department of Environment and the
Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture on the progress on the provincial
water strategy, the draft wetlands policy, and the coastal strategy at this
free, public event. These strategies are in various stages of development
and consultation. The water and wetlands strategies are legislated
commitments under the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act.
There will be respondents from the environmental community sharing their
perspectives as well. Find out more about how you can get involved in
creating the best policies for our water, wetlands and coasts for our
province. Copies of the draft wetland strategy and submission information
will be available. Reception to follow.  Organized by the Nova Scotia
Environmental Network. For more information, please phone: 902-454-6846,
email nsen at cen-rce.org or visit us online at www.nsen.ca


THE EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD:FILM & DISCUSSION ON GROWING FOOD IN OUR SCHOOLS AND
COMMUNITIES
Sunday, November 15
2:30-4.30 p.m.
Thomas Raddall Room, Keshen Goodman Library, 330 Lacewood
Guest speakers: Kathy Aldous, Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School Garden &
Garity Chapman, Urban Garden Coordinator of the Ecology Action Centre. Free
public film and discussion on growing food and gardens in our schools and
communities. Come to watch this inspiring film by Slow Food Nova Scotia and
learn about the story of the Summerville community working with students,
staff and friends of Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School. The harvest goes
beyond good local food; to include curiosity, community involvement and
unexpected curriculum connections. Kathy Aldous will explain how they
started the school garden at Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School. Garity
Chapman will present on community gardens from her recent research trip to
New York, Philadelphia, Toronto and Montreal. Some great gardening draw
prizes. Find out how you can get planting next spring at your school or in
your community! A project of SENSE: Sustainability Education in Nova Scotia
for Everyone and NSEN's Community Garden Caucus. Organized by the Nova
Scotia Environmental Network. For more information, please phone:
902-454-6846, email nsen at cen-rce.org or visit us online at www.nsen.ca


MEDIA TRAINING 101 WORKSHOPS
Full day workshops on the basics of media relations for community organizers
by Optimum Cossette Communications and the Nova Scotia Environmental
Network. All workshops run from 9:00 AM-4:30 PM (Check-in & Coffee 8:30 AM).

Workshop Dates and Locations:
.	Monday, Nov. 23, Annapolis Royal Firehall, 5 Saint Anthony Street,
Annapolis Royal
.	Tuesday, Nov. 24, Continuing Technical Education (Room 121A), 5269
Morris Street, Halifax
.	Wed., Nov. 25, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, 40 Horseshoe Cr.,
Truro, NS (Jenkins Hall: Riverview Room)
.	Friday, Nov. 27, Southend Community Centre (Woodill Room), 28
Hillview Ave., Sydney
Workshop Description: This one-day training session is ideal for
individuals/organizations intending to do any outreach to media. The goal of
this workshop is to acquaint participants with the functions of the news
media and equip them with basic skills, which they can immediately apply to
advancing education, publicity, and advocacy goals of their
organizations.You'll learn: the inner workings of the media - Who are the
media, What do they do and why it matters; Leveraging media opportunities -
How to place a story in the paper; How to prepare a media kit; Tools and
techniques for communicating with media - The difference between an
advisory, a press release, a PSA; and How to get your message across -
Developing key messages that count. Workshop fees include nutrition breaks,
lunch and a media toolkit binder of reference material and templates.
Funding has been generously provided by Mountain Equipment Coop. Workshop
presenters from Optimum Cossette Communications, experts in advertising,
media & public relations. For the complete agenda and registration form,
please go online to www.nsen.ca Register now for the early bird rate. Space
is limited. Registration fee includes participant media toolkit binder,
nutrition breaks and lunch. Early Bird: $40 NSEN members, $50 non-members.
After Nov. 16th fee is $50/$60. Cancellation Policy: Cancellations for
registrations received in writing by Nov. 25 will get a refund less a $15
administrative fee. 


COMMUNITY GARDENING CAPACITY BUILDING: LUNCHEON MEETING WITH THE NOVA SCOTIA
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
Monday, November 30 from 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Ecology Action Centre,  2705 Fern Lane, Halifax
Join community gardening leaders and Dr. Richard Donald,Vice President,
Research, Extension and Outreach Nova Scotia Agricultural College, and Sarah
Macdonald, Manager, Continuing Education Nova Scotia Agricultural College to
discuss ways we can built capacity for greater community and school gardens
in Nova Scotia. Please RSVP there are limited seating. Light lunch provided.
A project of SENSE: Sustainability Education in Nova Scotia for Everyone and
NSEN's Community Garden Caucus. Organized by the Nova Scotia Environmental
Network. For more information, please phone: 902-454-6846, email
nsen at cen-rce.org or visit us online at www.nsen.ca


NSEN IS LOOKING FOR A NEW OFFICE! CAN YOU HELP?
NSEN is looking for an office in Halifax - the North End, Quinpool or
downtown areas would be ideal. We hope to secure a new office this September
2009. We would welcome the opportunity to share office space. Our budget is
very limited. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact Tamara:
nsen at cen-rce.org and (902) 454-6846.


RECRUITING! NSEN BOARD MEMBERS - HELP ADVANCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT IN
NS
NSEN needs new board members. To join our board, you must represent a member
organization. We strive to have a board that represents the different
regions of the province, the variety of environmental issues, and represents
racial diversity and gender parity. This is a great way to get involved with
the NSEN and to help support the environmental community in Nova Scotia. Our
board meets 10 times per year the first Monday of every month from 6:30-8:30
pm. For more information, please contact Tamara: nsen at cen-rce.org and (902)
454-6846. NSEN Annual Gathering will be on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Windhorse
Farm - new board members will be encouraged to attend.


NSEN ANNUAL ROUNDTABLE & AWARD CEREMONY ON MAR. 5, 2010
Please mark your calendars now for the NSEN Annual Roundtable & Award
Ceremony on Friday, March 5 from 9:30 a.m. -4.00 p.m. at the Nova Scotia
Public Archives, Aitkins Room, 6016 University Ave, Halifax, NS B3H. More
details to come. 


OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
(1)
Fall Foliage Tours of McNabs Island
Sunday October 18, 2009 (rain date October 25)
Time 10 am - 4:30 pm
 Join the Friends of McNabs Island Society for the annual Fall Foliage Tours
of McNabs Island Provincial Park. See the island in its autumn splendour!
Tours include: Hangman's Beach book tour, history and nature tours and the
McNab Family Cemetery walkabout.  Visit the historic island homes of "midway
king" Bill Lynch and his family. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a lunch
and drinking water.
 Location: Meet at Murphy's on the Water, Cable Wharf, Halifax Waterfront
before 10 a.m. Space on the boat is limited and available on a First Come,
First Served basis. 
 Cost: $10 members & children, $12 non-members (cash or cheque only).
 Groups of more than ten persons must pre-register with the Friends of
McNabs Island by calling Carolyn (477-0187) or by e-mailing
mcnabs at chebucto.ns.ca. Visit www.mcnabsisland.ca for more details.
 For more information contact:
Carolyn 477-0187  or email mcnabs at chebucto.ns.ca

(2)
The Business Case for Sustainability: Ray Anderson 
Tues. Oct. 20th 7:30 PM Saint Mary's University Theatre Auditorium McNally
Main, 1st Floor Online registration: www.smu.ca/sustainability Fifteen years
ago, Chairman and Founder, Ray Anderson transformed Interface, his carpet
manufacturing company, around one seemingly impossible goal: 100%
sustainability. Now, Anderson challenges all industry to share that goal: to
take nothing from the earth that can't be replaced by the earth. From the
shop floor to the board room, everyone is part of a team at Interface and
everyone makes a difference. Mr. Anderson will be signing copies of his new
book: "The Confessions of a Radical Industrialist".

(3)
FOSSIL FOOLS FILM FEST : ENJOY, LEARN, ACT (presented by EAC's Energy Issues
Committee) 
All films will take place at THE HUB, 1673 BARRINGTON ST., 2nd floor (over
Certainly Discussions to follow films.  $2.00 donation suggested.
Tuesday, October 20 at 7 pm  
 A Crude Awakening:  The Oil Crash-an award-winning documentary about peak
oil.  80 minutes.
Captain Carbon-a short lesson delivered by Halifax teens, with Captain
Carbon showing us how to reduce our carbon footprint.  10 minutes.

Wednesday, October 28 at 7 pm
Kilowatt Ours-an award-winning film that provides a solutions-oriented look
at energy, one of our most pressing environmental challenges.  56 minutes.
 Decentralized Energy: What are we Waiting For?-a short film put out by
Greenpeace that sets out a clear argument for decentralized energy. 18
minutes.

Wednesday, November 4 at 7 pm
Home-a visually stunning and emotionally stirring documentary tracing the
impact of human activity on the environment and calling for action to avoid
irreversible harm.   93 minutes.

(4)
THE WASTE REDUCTION WEEK MINISTER'S BUSINESS BREAKFAST *with Toby Heaps!
Monday October 19th, 2009
Featuring the Honourable Minister of Environment, Sterling Belliveau
The Delta Halifax Hotel, Halifax, NS
Guest Speaker: Toby A.A. Heaps, the Editor-in-chief of Corporate Knights
Magazine (**Toby is an excellent speaker)
Topic:
The Great Green Society Within Our Grasp. There are only two letters of
difference between a green society and great society but do they have more
in common than just semantics? Why the ability to seize green economic
opportunities could be the fundamental driver for which societies rise and
fall in the 21st century. More exciting details to follow from Clean Nova
Scotia...
www.clean.ns.ca

(5)
POWER OF GREEN CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2009
Where:  World Trade and Convention Centre, Halifax, N.S. 
The Power of Green Conference 2009 offers a substantial program that
includes the world's most sought-after experts in business sustainability,
leading CEOs, acclaimed environmentalists and respected policy experts.
Learn how pursuing sustainability is not only socially responsible, it can
lead to cost savings, innovation, market opportunities and competitiveness.
Our 2009 keynote speakers include the following. 
-	Ray C. Anderson, Founder and Chairman, Interface, Inc.
-	Nicholas Parker, Executive Chairman, Cleantech Group LLC 
-	Toby Heaps, President and Editor, Corporate Knights 
The conference is hosted by the Department of Economic and Rural
Development.  For more information, visit: 
<http://www.thepowerofgreen.ca/>

(6)
STOPPING GLOBAL WARMING AND RELIEVING WORLD HUNGER: MUST WE CHOOSE BETWEEN
THEM?
November 26, 2009
Lecture begins at 7:30 pm, reception to follow Potter Auditorium, Rowe
Building, Dalhousie University, University Ave., Halifax Kathy McAfee,
Department of International Relations, San Francisco State University
Contact: Claire Campbell, Department of History/College of Sustainability,
494-3668

(7)
Nova Forest Alliance Forest Forum Oct. 20 & 21
"Knowledge, Resilience and Innovation in our Forest Communities"
 Tuesday, October 20th
8:30am - 4:00pm
 Progressive and dynamic presentations on current sustainability issues
Tasty Buffet Lunch
Door Prizes
 Wednesday, October 21st
Tour of Annapolis Valley First Nation Woodlands - St. Croix
 Don't miss this old growth woodlot and talks on woodlot management,
managing for wildlife and on-site lunch in our great outdoors!
 To see the agenda and register online, visit:
 www.woodlotinfoshop.ca
 or call Wanda or Terry at 639-2921

***********

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

Thank you,

Tamara

Tamara Lorincz, BA, BComm, LLB, MBA
Executive Director (NSEN)
Nova Scotia Environmental Network 
55 Willowbend Ct. 
Halifax, NS Canada B3M 3L3
Phone: 902-454-6846
Fax: 902-454-6841
Email: nsen at cen-rce.org 
Web Site: www.nsen.ca
*NSEN: Connecting for a Sustainable Future*