Archives for 2014

A law was just passed that gives oil, gas and mining companies the power to open up BC’s provincial parks for industrial activity. Resource companies will now be able to drill exploratory wells, build roads and dig giant test pits, all in the name of pipeline and transmission line “research”.

To sign the petition or to learn more please go to http://action.sumofus.org/a/bc-parks-open-oil-gas-mining/?sub=fb

Come join us on Saturday, May 17th, 2014 to have a lot of fun and help birds at the same time! Nature Saskatchewan’s Last Mountain Bird Observatory (LMBO) is hosting a Baillie Birdathon event in the Last Mountain Regional Park which is just west of Govan (please call the NS office if you need directions). Plan to get together with our Birdathon leader Marla Anderson, on May 17^th, to enjoy a morning of birding around Last Mountain Bird Observatory. It will be fun, challenging, and a great learning experience Come on your own, or bring your friends and family - everyone is welcome!   If you have binoculars, then don’t forget to bring them along too. Please meet at 8 am at the LMBO banding station, and then everyone can walk around the park as a group, and have lunch together at the park concession. Last year, leader Gabriel Foley had a total species count of 101 birds at the LMBO and area! 

More than 7,000 people from across Canada (and from several countries around the world) participate in and/or sponsor Birdathons in May of every year. During a 24-hour period, “birdathoners” attempt to find as many bird species as they can, sponsored at a flat rate, or on a per-species basis.

Help fundraise for the Last Mountain Bird Observatory and become a part of the 2014 Baillie Birdathon by registering & finding sponsors. You can sponsor yourself, a participant, or our Birdathon leader. A tax receipt is issued for all sponsorships of $10 or more. 

To register for the Baillie Birdathon contact Nature Saskatchewan (1-800-667-4668 or 306-780-9273), call Bird Studies Canada (1-888-448-2473 ext.210), or visit BSC at www.bsc-eoc.org to download your Birdathon Participant kit – be sure to name “Nature Saskatchewan” as your sponsoring club on the registration form so that funds will go to LMBO (about 60-90%). The remainder supports bird conservation in Canada.

Can’t make it to LMBO?  You can do your own Birdathon: sign up, find sponsors and get out in May to see as many species as possible in one day at a location of your choice!  Go alone or with a friend. Check with your local nature club – a bird enthusiast may be leading a local Birdathon that you can join (consider sponsoring the leader if you are not planning to sign up for the Baillie Birdathon yourself).  Thanks and Happy birding!

As a start to our year-long festivities, Nature Canada is launching a photography contest designed to get Canadians outdoors and to encourage you to explore and fall in love with nature across the summer months. It’s a simple way for you, your family and friends to enjoy nature whether nearby in your neighbourhood, at your cottage or during your summer vacation. It is our hope that by spending time in nature you will experience and learn about our natural heritage.

From June 1st to August 31st, amateur photographers and nature enthusiasts alike can share their nature photos with Nature Canada. A select few from a variety of categories will be chosen by our panel of judges, and will be posted on the Nature Canada website in September for voting by the public. The winning photo(s) will be featured in our yearly calendar sent to our nature-loving members, amongst our variety of other prizes!

This contest is open to members of Nature Canada as well as youth, amateur and professional photographers. Please follow this link for complete rules and regulations.

So go outside, breath in the fresh air, and take some photographs while you’re at it!

For any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Nicole at nmiddleton@naturecanada.ca or at (613)562-3447 x229.

(posted from http://naturecanada.ca/initiatives/photo-contest/)

Two resolutions have been put forth for discussion at the 2014 Fall Meet. They are below:

Census time is here once again. If you have not already completed your census please follow the link provided and find the appropriate form. www.naturesask.ca/census

Every response is important  and very much appreciated. If you have any questions or prefer to report your census over the phone please feel free to call Beth at 306-780-9417.

At the 2014 Fall Meet three resolutions were passed. If you should have any questions about any of these resolutions please feel free to contact the Nature Saskatchewan office at info@naturesask.ca or 306-780-9273. To find PDF versions of all three resolutions please go to www.naturesask.ca/useful-resources/2014-resolutions

Plan to attend the 2015 Native Prairie Restoration and Reclamation Workshop. The theme is "The Building Blocks of Restoration." The event will take place January 28 & 29, 2015 in Saskatoon at the TCU Place, and we are pleased to announce Chris Helzer, from The Nature Conservancy as well as "Prairie Ecologist" fame as a keynote speaker!

Please go to:  www.pcap-sk.org/upcoming-events-workshops/2015-nprrw for further details.

The Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association (YFBTA) will be hosting the 2015 Spring Meet on behalf of Nature Saskatchewan. The meet will be held Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20. Nature Saskatchewan’s Annual General Meeting will be held Sunday morning, June 21. The meet will be centered in Saltcoats.

Deatils regarding tours and program, registration deadlines and costs, accommodations will be posted as they become available.