[Sust-mar] NEWS FROM THE NOVA SCOTIA ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK

[NSEN]

NEWS FROM THE NOVA SCOTIA ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK - May 27, 2010

Please find below events, consultations, and news from the Nova Scotia
Environmental Network. Kindly circulate. Thank you!

Happy Biodiversity Day May 22! Canada Environment Week and HRM Bike Week May
31-June 5: http://www.halifax.ca/bikeweek/ and World Environment Day &
International Trails Day on June 5! Enjoy!


(1)
BIOMASS: A CRITICAL LOOK AT USING OUR FORESTS FOR ENERGY MAY 31
With Jamie Simpson, Forestry Program Coordinator, Ecology Action Centre
Monday, May 31
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Loyola 170, Loyola Academic Complex,
Saint Mary's University, 923 Robie St.
Come to this free, public discussion to learn more about forest biomass and
how it fits into the Nova Scotia Power Inc.-New Page deal, and the New
Renewable Energy Plan for Nova Scotia. Find out about the Natural
Resources’ Expert Panel reports on Biodiversity and Restoring the Health of
Nova Scotia’s Forests. Can forest biomass be sustainable? Will it threaten
biodiversity in Nova Scotia?
Speaker: Jamie Simpson has a background in forestry, forest ecology and land
conservation. He is currently the Forestry Program Coordinator at the
Ecology Action Centre and is the author of the new book "Restoring the
Acadian Forest." He has an undergrad in Biology from Acadia University and a
Master of Science degree in Forestry from UNB. He's also a registered
professional forester and the recipient of the 2010 "Langille Honour in the
Woods" award for promoting responsible forest management. *There will be
draw prizes too!
Event is in recognition of United Nations Year on Biodiversity 2010.
Organized by the Nova Scotia Environmental Network, the Ecology Action
Centre and Saint Mary’s Community-Based Environmental Monitoring Network.
See poster attached. For more information, phone 902-454-6846 or visit: www.
nsen.ca


(2)
NSEN’S ANNUAL BOOK CLUB ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY!
“The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest
Problems” by Author Van Jones.
Saturday, June 5 at 2-4 p.m.
Tynes Room, Alderney Gate Library, Dartmouth
Join the Nova Scotia Environmental Network's Annual Book Club on World
Environment Day. We will discuss Van Jones’ award-winning book “The Green
Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems” - get
the book and participate in the dialogue. We will also watch a short
video-clip "Green for All" about the possibilities for a new economy. The
book is available to borrow at the HRM Public Libraries. Organized by the
Nova Scotia Environmental Network. For more information, please phone NSEN
(902) 454-6846, email nsen at cen-rce.org or visit online at: www.nsen.ca


(3)
SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION (SENSE) NETWORKING MEETING, LOCKEPORT, JUNE 7
Regional Networking Meetings: The next SENSE: Sustainability Education in
Nova Scotia for Everyone Regional Networking meeting will be held on Monday
June 7 in Lockeport. Come to visit and share with sustainability leaders in
the Lockeport area. Learn about Lockeport's Integrated Community
Sustainability Plan. The two schools in Lockeport are the first schools east
of Ontario to become a part of the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network
(ASPnet), a global organization that promotes peace, culture and human
rights.  The event will be hosted at the Beach Centre from 10AM -2:30 PM.
This is an exciting opportunity to learn about community sustainability
initiatives in a town with Nova Scotia's first designated UNESCO ASPNet
Schools. Please let us know you plan on attending, we will be organising
transportation for participants from halifax and surrounding area.
Sam Juru
Sustainability Education Coordinator
E: esd_novascotia at lsf-lst.ca
T: 902.454.6846
F: 902.454.6841
www.nsen.ca/education.php


(4)
NSEN LAW & POLICY AND ECELAW - DISCUSSION ON CEEA JUNE 10
An Update on Canadian Environmental Assessment on June 10, 2010
East Coast Environmental Law (ECELAW) - and - NSEN Law and Policy Caucus
Present a lunchtime discussion:
Thursday June 10, 2010 from 1 to 2:30 pm
Room 429, Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue,
Dalhousie University
Halifax NS. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) establishes the
national process that we use to evaluate the impacts a wide variety of
projects including mines, pipelines and ocean aquaculture: How is CEAA
applied in Atlantic Canada? Deep in the 2010 Federal Budget Bill are changes
that significantly weaken one of the country's most important environmental
laws: How might these changes affect Nova Scotians?
CEAA is up for a 7 year parliamentary review starting 2010: How might it
evolve?
With guest Mike Atkinson, Director, Atlantic Region, Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency
For information contact Deborah Carver, Executive Director, ECELAW
Tel: 902 489 7997
Email: dcarver at ecelaw.ca
Deborah Carver
Executive Director
East Coast Environmental Law
ECELAW
1 902 489 7997
dcarver at ecelaw.ca
www.ecelaw.ca


(5)
NSEN SOLSTICE SOCIAL: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL &
SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION ON  JUNE 25
 Are you interested in learning more about environmental education and
networking with environmental educators in Nova Scotia? If so, please join
us on June 25th for this year’s Solstice Social: A Professional Development
and Networking Day on Environmental Education, hosted by the Nova Scotia
Environment Network (NSEN), SENSE and the Environmental Education Caucus
(EEC).
Friday, June 25th, 9am - 4pm:Universalist Unitarian Church
5500 Inglis St. (near South Bland St.), in Halifax’s South end
What: This is a full day event dedicated to environmental education and will
include excellent professional development sessions on environmental
education topics, and plenty of networking and sharing opportunities.
Potluck: Please note we will be having a potluck lunch and snacks so please
remember to bring a potluck item to share! Plates, cups and cutlery will be
provided.
Cost: Free! We encourage people to become members or renew their memberships
to NSEN (http://www.nsen.ca/join.php). These memberships help NSEN, the EEC
and SENSE (Sustainability Education in Nova Scotia for Everyone) promote
environmental education in Nova Scotia.
Sessions include: Environmental Education in the Classroom, Bringing the
Outdoors In: Ideas for using Technology in Enviro Ed,  Traditional
Ecological Knowledge, Geocaching,  School/ Community Garden Projects
If you are interested, please register by June 18th, by emailing Joliene
Stockley:  stockjl at gv.ns.ca


(6)
NSEN ANNUAL GATHERING SEPT. 10-12, PICTOU
NSEN will partner with Sierra Club of Canada - Atlantic Chapter and the
Pictou County Watershed Coalition for a fabulous annual provincial gathering
at the beautiful Stonehame Lodge & Chalets in Scotsburn, Pictou County:
http://www.stonehamechalets.com/
Gathering will include celebation & dance, key note, panel on sustainable
economic development, sustainableforestry, toxic tour with visit to Boat
Harbour, film screening, hikes, & more… More details will come soon at www.
nsen.ca


(7)
RCEN 2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 17-19, MONTREAL, QC
Canadian Environmental Network's (RCEN) Annual meeting.
“Conserving Biodiversity Pays: The Values of Ecosystem Services”
More details: http://www.cen-rce.org/eng/index.html


(8)
THE TATAMAGOUCHE MODEL OF EDUCATION, DESIGN AND LEADERSHIP: LEVEL I
This foundational program will enable you to design relevant and effective
projects or programs, and enhance your abilities to offer facilitation
leadership. It draws from a number of sources including human relations
training, popular adult education, participatory development, spiritual
growth, and organizational planning. The model combines theory and practice
in “action-reflection” cycles through which participants learn from their
own experience and efforts. It is this participatory, “hands-on” learning
process, combined with inputs from contemporary adult education, human
development and social change theory, which constitute the heart of the
model. This transformational “Tatamagouche Model” is now foundational for
many community education programs throughout the Maritimes. Program Start:
August 08, 2010 7:00 P.M. / Program End : August 13, 2010 1:00 P.M. Cost:
$725 ($345 tuition + $380 meals/accommodations) More info:
http://tatacentre.ca/programs/details/1458

*Highly recommended professional development!


(9)
PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS FOR COASTAL MANAGEMENT IN NS
Give your input on Coastal Management in Nova Scotia. The complete schedule
for the Public Oceans Network (PON)’s public consultations is as follows:
*       May 26  - HRM (Dartmouth)
Venues and locations are available at http://www.gov.ns.ca/coast in addition
to these public consultations the PON plans targeted private meetings with
special interests.  The public is invited to give input via the Department’
s website, (http://www.gov.ns.ca/coast/views.htm ) or via written
submission.  For more information and directions to the open houses visit:
www.gov.ns.ca/coast  Telephone: (902) 424-2894
*Read the State of the Coast report:
http://www.govns.ca/coast/state-of-the-coast.htm


(10)
NS CONSULTATIONS ON CONTAMINATED SITES: DEADLINE JULY 6
In 2007 the government made a commitment under the Environmental Goals and
Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA) that Nova Scotia would have clearer rules
concerning cleaning up contaminated sites in our province by the year 2010.
Theses rules will ensure that measures are in place to protect public
health, protect the environment and stimulate economic development. This is
your chance to tell Nova Scotia Environment how we can make the rules around
cleaning up contaminated sites clearer and easier to follow. Nova Scotia
Environment is proposing a variety of options to manage contaminated sites
in the province. We need to know what you think of each idea. As such we are
providing you with a document which presents the options we are proposing.
The discussion paper "Cleaning Up: Help us make contaminated land safe and
productive" may be downloaded from the following site:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/contaminatedsites/docs/Consultation_Cleaning.Up.pdf
 In this discussion paper you will find:
●	ideas tied to particular concerns we have received
●	some information about the ideas
●	questions for you to answer about the ideas
Comments:  Public comments on the discussion document will be accepted until
July 6, 2010. We invite you to comment in a variety of ways.
Online: Comments can be submitted via our online consultation form at https:
//www.gov.ns.ca/nse/contaminatedsites/policy.consultation.comments.asp
 In writing: Written comments can be sent to:
Contaminated Sites Management Development Project c/o Policy and Planning
Branch P.O. Box 442
Halifax, NS   B3J 2P8
E-mail: policy at gov.ns.ca
Fax: (902) 424-0644


(11)
RCEN LAUNCHES ECO JOBS, EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERING WEB SERVICE
The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) is excited to announce the launch
of three new services, in partnership with Planetfriendly and GoodWork
Canada:
*	Eco Events Calendar http://calendar.rcen.ca/
*	Eco Jobs Board  http://jobs.rcen.ca/
*	Eco Volunteer Opportunities http://volunteer.rcen.ca/
Along with news and information from the environmental NGO sector, the RCEN
website now features these dynamic, user-driven resources to help connect
Canadians of all backgrounds with rewarding opportunities.
Getting Involved Just Got Easier
*	Find the most relevant, up-to-date environmental events and
opportunities;
*	Post your events and opportunities where they'll be seen by Canada's
environmental community, non-profit groups and green businesses of all
sizes.
To post an event or opportunity, just use the submission form (e.g. go to
http://jobs.rcen.ca and click "Add a Job"). RCEN member organisations
receive a 10% discount when posting job opportunities.


OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
(A)
50 Years of Climate Science with Nobel Prize Winning Sir John Houghton on
May 27
Sir John Houghton, CBE, FRS will speak on 50 Years of Climate Science in
Halifax!
Sir John Houghton is considered one of the most outstanding and effective
environmental scientists of his generation. He played a key role in the
development of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) that was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He has been a
professor at Oxford University, the Director General of the British
Meteorological Office and Chair of Working Group I of the IPCC. He is the
President of the John Ray Initiative connecting environment, science and
Christianity.
Thursday, May 27, 2010 3:30pm
Room 117, Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science,
Dunn Building, Studley Campus, Followed by a reception.


(B)
Get ready for this year's BIKE WEEK OPEN STREET PARTY, hosted by the Halifax
Cycling Coalition It's a chance for the whole family to ride, roll and play
on the streets without traffic!
Sunday, May 30th
2-5pm
Find us on the inside lanes around the North Commons Come out for kids
races, police bike rodeo, kids corner, contests, prizes, bicycle
maintenance, music, demonstrations, or just enjoy the free flow ride all
around the Commons.
Feed Nova Scotia will be collecting donations so remember to bring a food
item for them!
www.halifax.ca/bikeweek/
www.cyclehalifax.ca

(C)
"Negotiating the Climate Change Web: A Community Vision" May 29
Saturday May 29th, 2010
11am - 5pm
Kenneth Rowe Building, Dalhousie University
This innovative gathering is an opportunity to bring together Nova Scotian
stakeholders - including government, NGOs and the public - to discuss the
interrelationships between trade, environment, society and climate change.
It is about engaging the abilities and experience of community members to
strive toward true sustainability by conceiving recommendations and goals
applicable to issues being addressed in the G8 and G20 meetings.
The meetings held this April in Halifax were the first occasion for G8
countries to discuss plans to provide climate change mitigation funding to
developing countries, as agreed upon during the Copenhagen meetings. Canada
is the only G8 country that has yet to define its commitment. It is crucial
that citizens in every province are aware of the issues involved in climate
change and engaged in formulating cross-national strategies to address those
issues. "Negotiating the Climate Change Web: A Community Vision" is a
one-day forum for education, discussion and visioning pertaining to the
climate crisis. The forum will also discuss the G20 focus on how countries
will achieve their 2009 commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. This
topic is particularly relevant in Nova Scotia where interest in renewable
energy is at an all time high.

While discussions abound on climate change’s association with weather
pattern shifts and natural disasters, little is communicated about its
implications for international trade and political dynamics.  This event
will establish breakout sessions to focus on three under-represented aspects
of the climate change web: trade policy and climate change; climate change’
s impact on the global south (emphasizing indigenous and feminist
perspectives); and climate change and society.  A fourth breakout session
will bring climate change home, discussing its direct impacts on Nova Scotia
and local mitigation efforts.

The format for the event is designed to maximize input from community
members. It will begin with an opening gathering and light lunch. From
there, attendees will split into the four breakout groups. During these
breakout sessions, participants will be tasked to determine, through
discussion, their top 5 recommendations for policy change in their given
focus area. These recommendations will be shared during a plenary session
where all participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback to
local leaders, should they choose. The day will end with a keynote address.

This conference is coordinated by the Nova Scotia Coalition for Climate
Action (http://groups.google.ca/group/ccdayofaction) and the Dalhousie
College of Sustainability
(http://sustainability.dal.ca/College_of_Sustainab.php).

(D)
St. Margaret's Bay Connector Meeting: Wednesday, June 9 at 7 pm at the Black
Point fire hall.
Important meeting on the proposed St. Margaret's Bay Connector, June 9th, 7
pm, Black Point Fire Hall, 8579 St Margaret's Bay Road (map from Halifax).
Here's what the fire hall looks like and a link to the number there if you
get lost: http://www.halifax.ca/fire/BlackPoint.html
The issue at hand concerns a proposed connector road from HWY 103 to St.
Margaret's Bay Road (Trunk 3) between Exits 5 and 6. The project will cost
approximately 10 million dollars and could have impacts on coastal erosion,
wilderness protection, and quality of life and safety in homes and community
venues (like sports fields) along the route. In the larger picture: one
wonders why this investment is needed now, rather than improving rail,
public transit in rural areas, etc. There is a particularly dramatic photo
of what the road would look like and other information here:
http://www.protectthebay.ca/default.htm.

(E)
2010 Avon Peninsula Bio Blitz in the Wisqoq Valley May 29
The Wisqoq Valley is located on the Eastern end of the Avon Peninsula
watershed common. We will be meeting on the Ferry Road halfway between
Poplar Grove and Belmont at 9:00 am. We will break off into teams and walk
into Wisqoq for the day. Please bring your own field supplies, lunch and
water, insect repellent and suitable clothing for a day out in the woods.
The Avon Peninsula contains some of the richest flora biodiversity in
Eastern Canada. There is good chance that someone may even discover a new
community of the endangered ram’s - Head Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium
arietinum)! Please be advised that you will be walking in a karst
environment with potential
for difficult and dangerous terrain. You are responsible for your own
safety. For more information please contact: Matt Smith at mcssmith at hotmail.
com or call 902‐757‐2382. Please respond by May 24th.

(F)
Garden Party & Eco-Auction at noon on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at Saint Mary's
Boat Club.
This is the place to get weekend get-a-ways, beautiful art, and plants for
your garden. All funds raised support the Ecology Auction Centre. So please
come to the "Garden Party & Auction."  Enjoy music and refreshments, bid on
services and buy local! The Ecology Action Centre (EAC) is Nova Scotia's
largest and most active environmental organization. Since 1971, the EAC has
been working to build a healthier, more sustainable Nova Scotia. With the
help of loyal supporters like you the EAC will continue to be an intelligent
independent voice on environmental issues in Nova Scotia for many years to
come. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. More info:
www.ecologyaction.ca

(G)
Hope for Wildlife Society's Annual Open House
5909 Highway 207, Seaforth
Sunday August 29th, 12pm-4pm
Event held Rain or Shine
Wildlife Displays and Demonstrations, Tours, Horseback Rides, Barbeque,
Auction, Facepainting, and much more - fun for the whole family.

*******************

More events listed on www.nsen.ca

Please feel free to post your events, announcements, jobs, and action alerts
to our web site: www.nsen.ca and click on Connect!

For any questions or concerns, please contact NSEN.

Happy Canada Environment Week!

Tamara Lorincz
Executive Director (NSEN)
Nova Scotia Environmental Network
55 Willowbend Ct.
Halifax, NS Canada B3M 3L3
Phone: 902-454-6846
Fax: 902-454-6841
Office Hours : M, W, F 10AM-5PM
Email: nsen at cen-rce.org
Web Site: www.nsen.ca
*NSEN : Connecting for a Sustainable Future*