Call to action

ACTION ALERT: Reinstate funding to the Canadian Environmental Network
The Canadian Environmental Network and its provincial affiliate networks need your help!

Historically, the Canadian Environmental Network and its provincial affiliate networks including the NBEN received annual core funding from the Government of Canada. This was used to facilitate networking on environmental issues across the country, coordinate national and provincial issue-based caucuses, coordinate ENGO participation in federal public consultation processes, and maintain open lines of communication between ENGOs and the federal government.
Call for Gulf-wide moratorium and arms-length review panel
Groups and First Nations in five provinces demand a stop oil and gas activities in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Oceans’ Week starts with call for Gulf-wide moratorium and arms-length review panel

Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, June 9, 2014 – Fishermen, environmentalists, First Nations, and others kicked off International Oceans’ Week with a demand to the federal, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick and Quebec governments to immediately place a moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration and development in the entire Gulf of St. Lawrence. They followed up with a call for an independent Gulf-wide review panel with thorough public consultations on whether offshore oil and gas activities should ever be allowed to proceed in the Gulf.

“Since time immemorial, the waters and shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence have been used and occupied by the Innu to the north and the Mi'gmaq to the south, for purposes including fishing, hunting, and travel. Because of these facts, we have rights that are recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and that the federal and provincial governments are obliged to consult and accommodate us in order to avoid any irreparable harm to the exercise of our rights” declared Troy Jerome on behalf of the Innu-Mi'gmaq Alliance for the Protection of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

“Today, the St. Lawrence Coalition is publishing a report on the issue of oil and gas development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which highlights the fact that the conditions are not in place to allow such activities in this precious and fragile ecosystem. Consequently, a Gulf-wide moratorium seems essential” added Jean-Patrick Toussaint from the St. Lawrence Coalition. “The Gulf is one of the last standing places on earth where no offshore oil/gas activities are underway. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to protect this beautiful ecosystem and try to restore its ecological integrity” concluded Toussaint.

The Gulf of St. Lawrence shores draw millions of visitors a year to the pristine beaches of Prince Edward Island National Park and that of the Magdalen Islands; the majestic vistas of Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail; iconic symbols like Rocher Percé in Gaspé, and the spectacular fjords of western Newfoundland. Fisheries like lobster, eel, and snow crab support thousands of families in all five provinces. Endangered blue whales, bluefin tuna, belugas, the remaining northern cod and many other valued species feed, spawn, mate, and rear young in the waters of the Gulf. All could be at risk from oil and gas exploration and exploitation.

“As recently reported in the May issue of National Geographic, the Gulf is still a bountiful, diverse ecosystem, teeming with life. It could remain so if only we took the time and effort to better understand its complexities, and see it as a whole instead of artificially dividing it into provincial jurisdictions” said Ellie Reddin from the PEI Chapter of Save Our Seas and Shores. “The offshore oil industry already has access to 85% of Canada’s east coast waters. Enough is enough. We must declare a Gulf-wide moratorium on oil and gas activities" concluded Reddin.

“Marine resources have been under various pressures, such as industrial pollution, acidification, hypoxia and climate change over the past decades. Our fishing efforts have been greatly affected and we have been forced to adapt to this reality. Fishermen and fishing associations have made tremendous efforts to sustain this renewable resource and therefore we are saying no to opening the gulf to the oil/gas industry, which would undoubtedly add yet another pressure to this sensitive ecosystem” said Greg Egilsson, Chairman of the Gulf Nova Scotia Herring Federation.

The groups also insist that a review panel and thorough public consultations on this important issue be held across the five provinces to consult with the communities and First Nations about the future of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

“Every year, thousands of residents and visitors to the surrounding communities spend over one billion dollars on recreational and tourism activities focused on the natural and cultural heritage of the Gulf and its scenic shores. Are we willing to risk such national treasures for unproven revenues that aren’t sustainable? That is why it is of utmost importance to us that all communities around the Gulf be consulted on what is a stake here…their future” said John Jacobs from Nature Newfoundland and Labrador.

“We must keep in mind that the proposed oil exploration in the Gulf is not happening in a vacuum” commented Matthew Abbott, Marine Program Coordinator with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. “Canada’s Atlantic coastal waters already face significant stress from climate change, especially due to temperature increases and ocean acidification not to mention existing tanker traffic, offshore drilling in other areas, and a host of other threats. In order to foster resilient ecosystems and maintain critical habitats it is essential that relatively intact regions like the Gulf be left to flourish” concluded Abbott.

The groups are also calling into action communities and citizens from all around the Gulf Provinces and across Canada to ask the federal and provincial governments to establish a Gulf-wide moratorium on oil and gas activities, as well as an independent, arms-length review panel on this issue.

Sign up onto the call to action at:http://action2.davidsuzuki.org/gulf

Download the St. Lawrence Coalition report at: http://bit.ly/1nT5eMT
Conservons notre N.-B.

Pendant des générations, les Néo-Brunswickois ont établi des traditions profondément ancrées et des communautés fortes qui prospèrent parmi les rivières, les forêts, les lacs et créatures vivantes qui composent notre belle province. Aidez à protéger les milieux naturels et sauvages que vous aimez afin que votre famille, vos enfants et vos petits-enfants puissent en profiter pour toujours.

Plus de 95 % du Nouveau-Brunswick n'est actuellement pas protégé et nous devons agir maintenant pour changer cela.

Le Canada s’est engagé à conserver 17 % des terres et des eaux douces d'ici 2020 lors de l’Union internationale. En tant que canadiens, nous avons la responsabilité partagée de tenir le gouvernement responsable de l'atteinte de cet objectif.
Hayes Farm - Community Led; Community Supported!

OUR 2019 CROWDFUND CAMPAIGN IS NOW LIVE!

As we get ready for our 2nd season on the farm and the new-and-improved Regenerative Farming Certificate program, we need YOUR help to continue doing this work.

We need your help to create a new generation of community-led farms, one person at a time. Help us train people to feed their communities as part of a new food and climate paradigm.

As a community-based farm, we are changing our focus from maximizing profit to maximizing production for greater community impact. With reduced revenue and public funding in 2019, we are asking for the crowd’s continued help in funding our current shortfall, so that this next cohort of farm learners (15 participants for the 2019 season!!) can get a meaningful education in feeding our (their) communities without taking on an undue burden.

Please give generously, or share the campaign widely, whatever gift you may be able to offer. No donation is too small and every effort is deeply appreciated.

We are here for community, and we need you to be here for us!

Hayes Farm - A project of NB Community Harvest Gardens Inc.
Help Create a Conservation Network in the Waters of the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is currently running a survey on a proposal to create a conservation network in the waters of the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy.They need to demonstrate overwhelming support for this project, and they need your help!

Here’s how you can contribute:
1. Engage your supporters on this and ask them to support this project by filling out the survey. This could be done through your newsletter, email blasts, phone calls, socials, etc.
2. Provide feedback on behalf of your organization by emailing them directly with a detailed letter at MaritimesMPAs@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Here is a template letter for this purpose (courtesy of local CPAWS chapters). Feel free to adjust it as you please.
Fill out the survey here!
How to build an economy for the 99%
Check out our new blog from CECNB:

We are not going back to the broken economic model we had. We will not stand by helplessly as our small businesses struggle to stay alive. We have the solutions, we know they work, and they won't cost us one more cent than we spend right now..
Nominations for 2018 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation now open!
Do you know an individual or organization that has demonstrated excellence in land conservation in our province? Nominations for the 2018 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation are open until Monday, October 1, 2018.

Successful nominees will have a significant impact on land conservation in New Brunswick through leadership, direct action, and long-term involvement as well as other significant contributions. Eligible nominees may include any individuals or organizations involved in stewardship, volunteerism, donation of lands, or building effective partnerships and must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- An individual or entity who has contributed in a sustained manner over a significant period of time;
- An individual or entity who has contributed significantly in a relatively short amount of time;
- A donor of funds or property;
- A volunteer, steward and/or member of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick;
- A corporate or community partner of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick;
- An individual who contributed significantly in the past and should be recognized posthumously.
Click here to download the nomination form!
For more information, visit: www.naturetrust.nb.ca/wp/blog/2018-lg-award-nominations or contact Danielle Andrus, Communications Manager, at danielle.andrus@ntnb.org or (506) 457-2398.
Take Action for More Nature Protection in NB!

Since 2019, New Brunswick has begun the largest increase in land protection in the province’s
history, promising to protect 10% of New Brunswick’s public land.

This month the government of New Brunswick announced almost 100,000 ha of new protected
areas. This is another step towards reaching their 10% goal. CPAWS NB is continuing to
encourage the government to fulfill their promise and prioritize both nature protection, and a
commitment to collaboration with Indigenous Nations to set out a path for future conservation
action.

Click here to send a letter to thank the government for taking this step and encourage them to
keep the momentum going!

OUR 2019 CROWDFUND CAMPAIGN IS NOW LIVE!As we get ready for our 2nd season on the farm and the new-and-improved Regenerative Farming Certificate program, we need YOUR help to continue doing this work.

OUR 2019 CROWDFUND CAMPAIGN IS NOW LIVE!

As we get ready for our 2nd season on the farm and the new-and-improved Regenerative Farming Certificate program, we need YOUR help to continue doing this work.