Details: Posted by Erin Carpenter; 16 May 2012; Hits: 16981

On June 9th we will symbolically join the alewife (gaspereau) migration up the St Croix in canoes, kayaks, motorized boats, and on foot to call for the opening of the St Croix River to this ecologically important fish. We will hold a rally on the water between St Stephen and Calais. What better way to support a migrating fish than by joining them!

The Passamaquoddy Alewife Group will be leading a two day, 110 mile, relay run on June 9 and 10. They will run from Sipayik, Maine to Grand Falls (where the alewife are currently being blocked) and on to Mud Lake Stream where 4000 year old alewife bones have been found. If you are interested in participating in the run, contact me directly at 506-529-8838 or [email protected] and I will pass on your information. The two events will meet at 3pm (AST) / 2pm (EST) at Calais/St Stephen for the rally.

Event details:
Date: rally at 3pm (AST) / 2pm (EST), Saturday June 9th (storm date June 10th)
Location: The rally will occur on the water between St Stephen and Calais. You may participate by canoe, kayak, row boat, or shore side. Closer to the rally you will receive detailed instructions on where to put in your boats and where to park.
Any one wishing to enter a motorized boat please contact me directly at 506-529-8838 or [email protected].

As you know, Alewife (Gaspereau) have been blocked from over 98% of their historic spawning habitat on the St Croix River since 1991 (with a Maine law enacted to this effect in 1995).The St Croix River has potential to have the largest run of alewives on the Eastern Seaboard, hosting runs up to 2.6 million in the late 80’s. After a low of 900 in 2002, alewife have made a modest comeback to 25,000 last year, still a far cry from the 80’s when they were free to run the whole river.

Restoration of alewife to the St Croix matters for the River, the Bay, and the Gulf of Maine. Alewives play a critical ecological role serving as an important source of food for groundfish, marine mammals, and a host of birds and terrestrial animals along the rivers where they spawn. Abundant alewife runs can also serve as a source of bait for the lobster fishery. They aren’t bad eating for us either!

Details: Posted by Vanessa Roy-McDougall; 15 May 2012; Hits: 7051

Nature NB’s Nature Champions

Nature NB and the Charlotte Street Arts Center invite families to become Nature Champions and participate in a Community Planting Day on May 26th (rain date May 27th) in Fredericton. The goal of Nature NB’s Nature Champions program is to offer youth (ages 6 to 12) the opportunity to participate in an action-based conservation initiative by working with the community in creating conservation spaces. These spaces will include a butterfly/bird garden, bird houses and bat houses. Youth will play an active role in the planning and implementation of each space and will work closely with knowledgeable naturalists to understand the importance of these spaces. Additionally, all spaces will include interpretative signs to educate the public on the importance of the spaces and Nature NB will create a green guide that will help engage youth in the long-term. In addition to providing learning and skill development opportunities to participating youth, creating these conservation spaces will helps increase available habitats for various flora and fauna in urban/suburban settings thus enhancing biodiversity at a local scale. Urban communities are often losing touch with their natural heritage. This disconnect leads to apathy when it comes to protecting our important natural areas. Engaging citizens, especially at a young age, can increase support and pro-active participation in conserving our natural biodiversity.

On May 26^th, we will be creating a Wildlife Friendly Space at the Charlotte Street Arts Center in Fredericton. We hope to encourage families to participate!

Background of Nature NB: Nature NB (New Brunswick Federation of Naturalists Inc) is a charitable non-profit provincial organization linking naturalists across the province. It has a mandate to celebrate, conserve and protect New Brunswick’s natural heritage through education, networking and collaboration. Nature NB has over 30 years of nature education and conservation experience and represents a strong network of over a 1000 naturalists. In addition to encouraging a better understanding of the natural environment and awakening concern for our province’s natural heritage, Nature NB recognizes the importance of actions to preserve and maintain that natural heritage. Nature NB's Summer Youth Nature Camps (SYNC) offer kids aged 9 to 14 the opportunity to explore nature through interactive programs in a fun camp setting. Nature NB also supports Young Naturalists’ Clubs and leads nature based education in schools around the province. Among other areas of activity, Nature NB leads projects related to Important Bird Areas, biodiversity and protection of species at risk. (e.g.: Piping Plover and Chimney Swifts).

This event is funded through:
NB Wildlife Trust Fund, NB Environmental Trust Fund and TD Friends of the Environment

Contact information:
Vanessa Roy-McDougall
Executive Director, Nature NB
[email protected]
www.naturenb.ca
506-459-4209

Details: Posted by Roberta Clowater; 14 May 2012; Hits: 9200

Fredericton -- One year after the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) called on the federal government to create 12 new marine protected areas by December 2012, the good news is that it is making progress in designating many of them as legal entities. However, CPAWS is concerned that the conservation measures the government is proposing once these areas are designated for protection may be too weak to be effective.

Today, CPAWS is releasing a 20-page report, “Is Canada on track to create 12 new marine protected areas by December 2012?” assessing progress over the past 12 months and noting areas of concern.

“We’re giving the federal government low marks on its progress in negotiations with other levels of government, industry and local communities to designate sites in the Bay of Fundy that we’ve highlighted as potential new marine protected areas, “ says Roberta Clowater, Executive Director of CPAWS New Brunswick Chapter.

Progress on 9 of 12 sites in past year

Out of the 12 marine areas CPAWS has highlighted for action by December 2012, CPAWS has observed significant movement by the federal and other levels of government towards designating three as protected areas, some progress in creating another six, and limited or no progress on the remaining three.

Progress towards designating marine protected areas has been most significant for three sites off the coast of British Columbia – in the Southern Strait of Georgia, in Hecate Strait and surrounding the Scott Islands. In each of these locations, the federal government has made significant advances in consultations and negotiations to establish formal marine protected areas within the past year, and is moving on to the next stages required to finalize them.

In six more locations, off Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Nunavut and Quebec, some progress towards designating new marine protected areas has been made, although more significant steps are required to move them towards completion rapidly.

No progress on protecting 3 important marine ecosystems, including Bay of Fundy

The areas where no notable progress at all has been made towards protection are in the Bay of Fundy, the South Coast Fjords off Newfoundland, and the “Big Eddy” off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

“We are very concerned with the lack of protection in the Bay of Fundy, which stands in stark contrast to the incredible ecological richness of the Bay, and its international importance for humpback, fin and endangered North Atlantic right whales, migratory shorebirds and seabirds. We would like to see Parks Canada come forward with a proposed National Marine Conservation Area that includes strong conservation measures to conserve these values into the future,” says Ms. Clowater.

CPAWS has assessed progress towards protecting these sites on two sets of criteria: one for steps taken in the process to formally establish them as protected areas, the other for creating meaningful conservation measures to protect the long-term health of these marine ecosystems. The latter measures, based on leading science, include establishment of “no take zones” for fishing and rules against other forms of industrial development such as oil and gas drilling.

In all of the 12 areas CPAWS has identified, rare and important forms of sea life deserve protection, ranging from leatherback turtles, to dolphins, right whales and other types of whales, birds including puffins and Cassins auklets, and fish including cod and Atlantic wolffish.

Canada still has huge catch-up job

“We will be watching progress carefully over the next six months to see how much closer Canada gets to meaningful protection for these 12 marine areas by the end of 2012,” says Sabine Jessen, CPAWS national oceans program manager.

“This will be an important sign of how well we’ve laid the groundwork for more marine conservation in the years ahead. Canada still has a huge catch-up job to reach our international commitment of establishing networks of marine protected areas in all of our oceans,” adds Jessen.

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For media interviews, contact:

Roberta Clowater, 506-452-9902; [email protected]

To view CPAWS’ full progress report, executive summary and more about each of the 12 marine areas, visit http://cpaws.org/campaigns/oceans

CPAWS is Canada’s voice for wilderness. Since 1963, we’ve played a lead role in protecting over 500,000 km2 of public land and water. With 13 chapters across Canada, over 50 staff and 50,000 supporters, we work with governments, industry, Indigenous people and local communities to conserve our country’s irreplaceable nature. Our vision is that Canada will protect at least half of our public land and water.

Details: Posted by Nature Trust of New Brunswick; 07 May 2012; Hits: 63495

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is very excited to tell you about the launch of our new smartphone application called Deep Map Eco. This application, available for free, lists all our preserves, highlighting the flora and fauna that call these unique New Brunswick landscapes home, and provides detailed maps and directions through your smartphone’s geolocator technology. The people of New Brunswick can also find news and updates to keep them in touch with New Brunswick’s changing face of conservation. Events and outdoor activities are also listed on the app, encouraging modern naturalists to get outdoors and discover what New Brunswick has to offer. And much more!

Now available on iTunes for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch users!

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/deepmap-eco/id516964024?mt=8&;ls=1

http://naturetrust.nb.ca/en/node/720

Details: 02 May 2012; Hits: 8011

There's a great new internet resource that anyone working on climate change issues will find handy. This look at the global world gives a good idea of exactly what is going on. The intro video is one and a half minutes long and fascinating to watch.

Check it out by clicking here!

Details: 02 May 2012; Hits: 6126

Four million dollars have been awarded in the 2012 Environmental Trust Fund announcements. The projects are divided into six categories:

●   sustainable development (59 projects, $1,609,500);
●   restoration (11 projects, $238,000);
●   protection (36 projects including 20 Environmental Risk Assessments, $444,500);
●   education (70 projects, $1,344,250);
●   conservation (17 projects, $390,500); and
●   beautification (two projects, $36,000).

The media annoucement is at http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2012.04.0359.html

And a complete list of awards at http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0373/0002/ETFAwards.pdf

The chart below illustrates the awards by sector.

	NGO	Solid Waste	Municipal	University	Industry	Autochtone	Other	TOTAL
2008	2045500	304700	525000	595500	350300	22000	26000	3869000
	53%	8%	14%	15%	9%	1%	1%
2009	2170683	315780	575000	628500	209000	38000	36000	3972963
	55%	8%	14%	16%	5%	1%	1%
2010	2290000	374200	439600	472120	189000	135600	13500	3914020
	59%	10%	11%	12%	5%	3%	0%
2011	2209300	269500	508500	661000	179000	36000	125000	3988300
	55%	7%	13%	17%	4%	1%	3%
2012	2314335	239000	412200	979300	102915	15000	0	4062750
	57%	6%	10%	24%	3%	0%	0%

Details: 30 April 2012; Hits: 15722

The NBEN congratulates the recipients of the annual Milton F. Gregg Conservation Awards presented by the CCNB on the 27th of April at the Spring into Action auction and awards evening.
The award for lifetime achievement was presented posthumously to recognize the late Florian Levesque from Balmoral. Lawrence Wuest of Stanley received the award for environmental activism. Post-Carbon Moncton was recognized for its organizational achievement and Betty Lizotte from Saint John was recognized for her volunteerism.
http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/News/news04261201.aspx

Details: 26 April 2012; Hits: 13542

Wombat Wisdom just might be the best little video ever! The wombat clearly lays out the whole global picture – in less than 1 minute!

It's an inspiration to everyone who is working for social change! Be sure to take a minute to watch it.

Wombat wisdom video - http://globalcommunity.org/flash/wombat.shtml

Details: 25 April 2012; Hits: 5601

Attention New Brunswickers,

The Gouvernment of New Brunswick is looking for nominations in regards to the 2012 Environmental Leadership Awards.

Do you know someone who has made an outstanding effort to promote solutions to environmental issues?

Click here to send your nominations.

Details: 20 April 2012; Hits: 66091

NB Forests: Have a look!

Concerned about the level of clearcutting across the New Brunswick landscape? Frank Johnston has assembled links to satellite photos that tell the tragic tale of NB forests. Keith Wilson has taken a video of clearcutting along the Cains River. Both are eye-opening!

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Please find a set of Google Map links of selected areas of New Brunswicks deforested landscape below. Clicking on the link leads to the Google map satellite view. If you have Google Earth or the Google Earth Plugin installed the Earth view is accessible from the Google Map page. The full frame view is accessed by clicking the delta next to the Print and Link icons. Clicking the Link icon gives the email send to share if any of these images are of interest.

http://www.google.com/earth/index.html

http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/

Forest Cover Acadian Region

Forest Cover North East Region

Forest Cover Claire Region

Forest Cover North West Region

Forest Cover Acadian Region, Paquetville

Forest Cover Kouchibouguac National Park

Forest Cover Camerons Mill Saint-Louis de Kent Region

Forest Cover Campbellton Dalhousie Region

Forest Cover Riley Brook Region

Forest Cover Fundy Region

Forest Cover Woodstock Region

Google Maps NB Overview

Google Maps Plaster Rock and Bathurst Region

Google Maps Fundy Park Region

Forested Landscape, Rush Creek, WI - This is a landscape where forested slopes are only harvested sustainably and wetlands are protected. Agriculture uses soil conservation practices.

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Check out Keith Wilson's three videos and some discussion on the Wilson Camps blog.

Details: 19 April 2012; Hits: 53388

The NB Government issued a press release on Thursday April 5^th (slipping it in right before the Easter weekend to make sure everyone got a chance to see it) announcing the new Species at Risk Act. This Act would replace the existing Endangered Species Act.

The Government states that this new Act is intended to improve the approach to conserving the species at risk, but at least one environmental group is not pleased with the proposed new legislation.

As stated by David Coon, Executive Director of the NBCC, in a CBC News article “It still has weaknesses we identified during consultation period last year… ”. Please click here to read the full article.

Details: 04 April 2012; Hits: 9164

One would think the Federal Government budget would be about numbers, cut and dry, instead the Omnibus Budget Bill announced on March 29, 2012 had a lot of very significant non-budgetary related add-ons. Extras like the alterations to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and Fisheries Act will drastically reduce Canada’s environmental protection powers. The worst part is these changes are passing through our democratic process as after thoughts, with little debate, due to the fact they are attached to the budget. Oh and not to forget about the Federal government’s internal cuts to any department or tool that has an environmental focus.

Thank goodness the public is discussing these issues here a few of the news articles for your own thought and discussions.

Federal Cuts:

- Budget targets environmental critics - Mike De Souza, Postmedia News

Fisheries Act:

- Feds ‘neutering’ Fisheries Act– Heather Scoffield The Canadian Press

- Harper's Underhanded Gutting of Fisheries Act Designed to Help Enbridge and Co. – Rafe Mair Common Sense Journalism

- Take Action – Fisheries Act – Georgy Haymen Sierra Club Blog

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act:

- Canada' Environmental Assessment Law is Under Attack - Mining Watch Canada

- Évaluations environnementales – Ottawa pourrait noyer le poisson - Guillaume Bourgault-Côté Le Devoir.com

- Budget shortens environmental review process – Max Paris, CBC News

- Changements aux evaluations environnementales: une mesure du budget qui choque – Radio Canada

Details: Posted by Roberta Clowater; 30 March 2012; Hits: 10508

(Fredericton) – Le Nouveau Brunswick est toujours traînard en matière de conservation - Le plan d'aménagement forestier des terres de la Couronne nuit encore.

La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada, section Nouveau-Brunswick (SNAP NB), dit que le nouveau plan d'aménagement forestier des terres de la Couronne, annoncé aujourd'hui par le ministre des ressources naturelles, est un pas en arrière pour la conservation.

Roberta Clowater, directrice exécutive de la SNAP NB dit, « Le nouveau plan d'aménagement forestier des terres de la Couronne réduit la conservation globale des habitats fauniques et zones tampons riveraines. C'est troublant parce que nous savons que les scientifiques qui spécialisent dans la recherche des animaux sauvages pensent que les niveaux actuels de conservation risquent de ne pas pouvoir maintenir tous les types d'animaux sauvages indigènes dans la province. Aujourd’hui le gouvernement a approuvé un plan pour aller encore plus loin de ce qui est nécessaire. C'est la mauvaise direction pour la conservation. »

Clowater a dit, « Alors que le plan approuve une augmentation dans les aires protégées de 4 % des forêts de la Couronne à 8 % des forêts de la Couronne, ceci assurera la protection de seulement 4,5 % de la province. Ceci n’approche pas ce qui est nécessaire pour assurer la conservation de nos rivières, nos aires de nature sauvages et notre faune sensible. Le Nouveau-Brunswick possèdera toujours la plus petite proportion d’aires protégées au Canada, seulement au-dessus de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. De plus, les nouvelles aires protégées viendront de la vieille forêt actuellement conservée donc il y a effectivement une perte nette de conservation. »

« Étant donné les préoccupations concernant le changement climatique et l'incertitude sur comment bien nous protégeons nos milieux sauvages et nos eaux, nous sommes très préoccupés par la décision de passer d'un plan de 5 ans à un plan de 10 ans. Nous croyons que c'est un geste risqué, qui nous offre des objectifs de conservation très limitées et ne fournit pas la flexibilité nécessaire pour améliorer la conservation pour une autre décennie. »

« La SNAP NB apprécie que le ministre a pris le temps d'examiner le plan d’aménagement approuvé par le gouvernement précédent qui aurait sévèrement nuit à la conservation des terres publiques. Nous sommes heureux que le ministre a consulté avec la communauté environnementale et reconnu la valeur de la conservation de l'habitat dans ses décisions,» a souligné Clowater.

La SNAP a recommandé qu'au moins 17 % des terres de la Couronne (8,5 % de la province), y compris les plus importantes sections de forêt ancienne, soient désignées d'ici 2015 comme zones protégées permanentes sans exploitation forestière ou minière. Ceci nous rapprocherait au niveau des autres provinces, où le montant moyen des terres protégées est près de 9 %.

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Contactez: Roberta Clowater – 506-452-9902; [email protected]

Pour plus d’information sur la SNAP NB, SVP visitez le www.cpawsnb.org

Details: Posted by Roberta Clowater; 30 March 2012; Hits: 13472

(Fredericton) The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, New Brunswick Chapter (CPAWS NB) says the new Crown forest management plan announced today by the Minister of Natural Resources is a step backwards for conservation.

Roberta Clowater, Executive Director of CPAWS NB, said, “The new Crown forest plan reduces the overall conservation of wildlife habitats and riverbank buffers. This is disturbing because we know that wildlife researchers believe that current conservation levels may not be enough to maintain all the kinds of native wildlife throughout the province. The government has now approved a plan to go even further below what is needed. This is the wrong direction for conservation.”

Clowater said, “While the plan approves an increase in protected areas from 4% of Crown forest to 8% of Crown forest, this will result in only 4.5% of the province being protected. This is not even in the ballpark of what is needed to ensure conservation of our rivers, wilderness areas and sensitive wildlife. New Brunswick will still have the lowest protected areas proportion in Canada, only above PEI. As well, the new protected areas will come from the currently conserved old forest, so there is actually a net loss in area to conservation.”

“Given concerns about climate changes and uncertainty about how well we are currently conserving habitats and water, we are very concerned about the decision to go from a 5 year plan to a 10 year plan. We believe this is a risky move, one that locks us into very limited conservation objectives, and doesn’t provide the flexibility to improve conservation for another decade.”

“CPAWS NB appreciates that the Minister took the time to review the forest plan approved by the previous government, which would have severely rolled back conservation on public land. We’re pleased that the Minister consulted widely with the conservation community, and recognized the value of habitat conservation as in important factor in his considerations,” noted Clowater.

CPAWS had recommended that at least 17% of Crown land (8.5% of the province), including the largest patches of old forest, be designated by 2015 in permanent protected areas, where no logging or mining would take place. This amount would move us closer to the level in other provinces, where the average amount of land protected is nearly 9%.

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Contact:

Roberta Clowater, 506-452-9902; cpawsnb{at}nb.sympatico.ca

CPAWS is New Brunswick’s voice for wilderness. For more information on CPAWS NB and our conservation work, please visit www.cpawsnb.org

Details: 28 March 2012; Hits: 42960

Florian Levesque will be deeply missed by many people from across the province of New Brunswick. His life and work were an inspiration to all and he was a true champion for his community and the environment. His contributions to environmental causes made a real difference for this province and will not be forgotten. Our deepest condolences to his friends and family.

__________________________________________________

Saying goodbye to Florian Levesque
By Tracy Glynn

Inka Milewski calls Florian Levesque a giant in New Brunswick’s environmental and social justice wars. Florian, 53, died on March 23rd while jogging.

"He was my friend and fellow strategist. He was a happy, creative and generous person that lived and breathed his commitment to the people around him and the community he lived in," said Milewski who worked with Florian on numerous files aimed at protecting the environment and people of northern New Brunswick. Florian was a driving force behind efforts to stop the Bennett toxic waste incinerator from operating in Belledune. He was also active on campaigns to protect the public forest of New Brunswick and make community forestry a viable option in the province.

Florian's environmental activism was rooted in principles of environmental justice, which led to the NB Media Co-op recruiting him as their founding environmental justice advisor. His wise and witty commentary graced many columns of newspapers, airwaves of radio stations and email inboxes of organizers in a variety of environmental and social movements. Recently, Environnement Vie, a co-operative that thrived with Florian's direction and dedication, held workshops throughout northern New Brunswick on how to live more sustainably. He wanted to start a school that imparted knowledge of the forest and how to protect and restore it.

Florian lived in Ontario for decades and returned to his native home of Balmoral, near Campbellton, in 1993.

Florian's activism was not limited to New Brunswick. He was a member of Solidarité Acadie-Palestine and donated generously to the Canada Boat to Gaza campaign, which is determined to break Israel's blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

He believed in the power of stories, art and theater to change the world. He was a passionate speaker and storyteller. As the character, Monsieur Flo, he got children to open up their imaginations to a world of possibilities. His life story inspires all those fighting for environmental and social justice.

Florian is survived by his partner Alexandra (Alex), his son Jeremy, his parents, siblings and in-laws. His family asks that donations in his name be made to Environnement Vie or Amnesty International.

__________________________________________________

Obituary

C’est avec énormément de tristesse que la famille de Florian Levesque annonce son décès, survenu à Balmoral, le vendredi 23 mars 2012, à l’âge de 53 ans. Né le 8 mars 1959 à Balmoral, il était le fils d’Emilien et de Lucienne Levesque.
Outre ses parents, il laisse dans le deuil sa conjointe, Alexandra Jones, et leur fils, Jérémy; sa soeur et ses frères: Carole (Serge), Jean (Line) et Mario (Adrienne), tous de Balmoral; les parents d’Alexandra: Michael et Karen Jones de Balmoral; les soeurs d’Alexandra: Victoria (Paul) de Toronto, Ontario, et Ariane (Daryl) de Cold Lake, Alberta, ainsi que 10 neveux et nièces: Jean-Daniel, Maxime, Mathieu, Francesca, Anne-Renée, Alyssa, Kristel, Vanessa, Charlotte et Julia.

Ses grands-parents paternels et maternels l’ont précédé dans la tombe.
Connu pour son travail d’artiste et son engagement communautaire, il aura mené de front de nombreux projets avec la complicité de gens de milieux variés.
Journaliste au début de sa carrière, il a quitté sa région natale pour travailler en Ontario en tant que journaliste et relationniste. Il est revenu chez lui en 1993 pour travailler à la radio communautaire. Par la suite, à son compte personnel, il a oeuvré comme consultant en communication sur des dossiers acadiens et artistiques d’envergure. Il vivait de sa plume. Il publiait des livres pour enfants et a créé le personnage de Monsieur Flo, conteur haut en couleur. Plus tard, il a ajouté le personnage de Lévêke pour rejoindre le public adulte avec son message environnementaliste, unificateur et spirituel. Il a présenté ses spectacles partout au Canada et en Europe.

Sur le plan communautaire, il a été engagé dans la lutte contre les changements à l’assurance-emploi, un mouvement appuyé par les communautés acadiennes, québécoises, anglaises et autochtones de la région. Plus tard, il s’est fait remarquer comme catalyseur dans la lutte contre l’implantation de l’usine de traitement de sols contaminés Bennett. Cette lutte a aussi rassemblé les différentes communautés de la région et sa réussite était pour lui une grande fierté. Avec les membres de la Coop Environnement-Vie, il a organisé des projets porteurs d’espoir comme des conférences sur des thèmes tels que les médecines alternatives et un projet d’école de la forêt.

Il a aussi exprimé son avis sur la politique, l’environnement, la communauté et la vie en général, dans un billet hebdomadaire du journal provincial L’Étoile. Florian Levesque aura incité les gens de sa région à la réflexion, à prendre parole et à agir. Il était l’exemple en ce sens.

Les visites auront lieu au Salon funéraire Savoie, 47, rue Alexander, à Campbellton, le mardi 27 mars, de 14h à 16h et de 19h à 21h et le mercredi 28 mars, de 14h à 16h, suivies immédiatement d’une réception à la salle communautaire de Balmoral. Un don à la Fondation Environnement-Vie ou à Amnistie internationale Canada serait apprécié par la famille.

Ceux qui désirent signer le registre des invités, faire un don ou envoyer un message de condoléances à la famille de Florian Levesque peuvent le faire en visitant le site Internet (www.salonsavoie.ca).

La direction des funérailles a été confiée aux soins du Salon funéraire Savoie de Campbellton (753-7200).

Details: 15 March 2012; Hits: 5976

Congratulations to the province on the release of the two new energy maps showing the potential for micro-hydro and solar in the province. These maps join the wind atlas. Check them out at http://www.gnb.ca/0085/index-e.asp .

Details: 02 March 2012; Hits: 10018

Groupes qui appuient la déclaration pour la conservation des terres de la Couronne

Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research
Atlantic Salmon Federation / Fédération du saumon de l'Atlantique
Campaign for Pesticide Reduction, Quispamsis
Canaan-Washademoak Watershed Association, Cambridge-Narrows
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - New Brunswick Chapter / Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada - Chapitre du N-B
Centre culturel et sportif de Cormier Village
Comité d'environnement de la Polyvalente W.-A.-Losier Tracadie-Sheila, Tracadie-Sheila
Comité d'intervention de la mine d'or Elmtree, Alcida
Comité VerTige, comité environnemental de l'École Mathieu-Martin, Dieppe
Community Forests International, Sackville
Conservation Council of New Brunswick Inc. / Conseil de conservation du Nouveau-Brunswick
Cornhill Area Residents Association
Eco-Action Mount Allison, Sackville
Environnement Vie, Balmoral
Falls Brook Centre, Knowlesville
Fredericton Fish and Game, Fredericton
Fredericton High School - Environmental Club
Friends of Mount Carleton Provincial Park Inc. / Les Ami(s) du Parc du Mont Carleton, Plaster Rock
Friends of Musquash
Friends of Rockwood Park, Saint John
Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station / Centre de recherche sur la vie marine de Grand Manan
Groupe de développement durable du Pays de Cocagne Sustainable Development Group Inc.
Knowlesville Art and Nature Centre, Knowlesville
Meduxnekeag River Association, Woodstock
Nature Moncton
Nature NB
Nature Trust of New Brunswick / Fondation pour la protection des sites naturels du Nouveau-Brunswick
NB Federation of Woodlot Owners / Fédération des propriétaires de lots boisés du Nouveau-Brunswick
New Brunswick Community Land Trust / Société des Terres communautaires du N.-B.
New Brunswick Salmon Council / Conseil du saumon Nouveau-Brunswick
New Brunswick Wildlife Federation / Fédération de la Faune du Nouveau-Brunswick
Our Environment, Our Choice, Kent County
PANE, for a New Perspective on Energy / PANE, pour une nouvelle perspective sur l'énergie
Post Carbon Greater Moncton / Grand Moncton Post Carbone
Public for the Protection of the Forests of New Brunswick / Public pour la protection des forêts du Nouveau-Brunswick, Kent County
Quality of Life Initiative, Southfield
Ruffed Grouse Society of Canada
Rural Research Centre, Truro, NS
Saint John Chapter of the Council of Canadians, Saint John
Saint John Local of Cinema Politica, Saint John
Sentinelles Petitcodiac Riverkeepers
Sierra Club Canada - Atlantic Chapter / Sierra Club du Canada – Section du Canada Atlantique
STUdents for Sustainability, St. Thomas University, Fredericton
Sustainable Energy Group, Woodstock
Upper Miramichi Stewardship Alliance, Ludlow

Details: Posted by Nature Moncton; 23 February 2012; Hits: 7358

Nature Moncton March Meeting
Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Guest Speaker: Emile Gautreau

Subject: Native Culture and Mother Nature

Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location Rotary Pavilion, Mapleton Park

.Emile will be giving Nature Moncton an insight into his native culture and the
importance of showing respect to all Mother Nature has to offer. Each
aspect of nature has a spirit from the tiny ant to the large maple
tree. As naturalists we must show Nature respect if we want to learn
what Mother Nature has to offer us.

Émile Gautreau from Amherst, Nova Scotia is a Métis elder and a
highly- esteemed spiritual leader within his community.
When he was around 23 he went into the far north and the
Dene people told him he was one of them. They eventually they made him
an honorary member of their tribe. They taught him who he was, and
taught him the culture of his people.
His career has involved the air force for five years, before going to
work for the provincial government for 2 years. This was followed by
work with the Canadian Forestry Service involving forest biology and
forest botany and etymology. He did this for 15 years and then
was ready to learn something else. He transferred from Canadian
Forestry Service to Correctional Services Canada. He went into the
social work field and eventually became a parole officer until he retired.
He was involved with the Department of Culture, Recreation, and
Fitness in Nova Scotia, and while there taught courses in survival,
woodsman ship, and edible plants for 20 years.

Nature Moncton Meeting Site

The monthly meeting site of Nature Moncton takes place every third Tuesday of the month, except in December which is the second Tuesday of that month, is at the Rotary Pavilion, Mapleton Park.

From intercity, proceed North on Mapleton Road (off Mountain road) 2.4 km to a set of lights. At this set of lights, turn immediately left following the Rotary Pavilion signage the short distance into the Pavilion which is situated aside the trails leading into Mapleton Park.

Coming from the TCH, take the Mapleton Road exit # 454. At the first set of lights coming into the city (South on Mapleton Road) turn right into Mapleton Park and the Rotary Pavilion which is less than 1 minute from the TCH.

Details: Posted by Roberta Clowater; 21 February 2012; Hits: 9454

(Fredericton) – Le 16 février, Roberta Clowater, Directrice générale de la section néo-brunswickoise de la SNAP, présenté une liste de noms au Premier ministre Alward, à l’Edifice du Centenaire ; une liste des noms de plus de 10 000 Canadiens et Canadiennes qui lui demandent de protéger au moins 10 % du dernier plus grand bassin versant sauvage de la province.

La présentation de ce message de la SNAP aura lieu juste avant, et pour coïncider avec, l’aboutissement d’un nouveau plan pour les terres publiques (de la Couronne) par le Ministère des Ressources Naturelles du Nouveau-Brunswick.

« Ce fut une inspiration pour nous de voir tant de personnes – surtout des Néo-Brunswickois et des Québécois – qui ont à coeur la protection de cette aire sauvage extraordinaire dans la Restigouche, et qui veulent s’assurer que ces valeurs soient protégées, » déclarait Clowater.

La SNAP a fait valoir à la population que c’était l’occasion de protéger la Restigouche – fameuse pour ses rivières de saumon sauvage, ses montagnes de forêts brumeuses et sa faune sauvage – par l’entremise des médias sociaux, tel que Facebook, et en partenariat avec Mountain Equipment Co-op.

« Le nombre de personnes qui ont répondu à l’appel renforce réellement notre message au Premier ministre Alward que la province doit passer à l’action dès maintenant pour protéger plus de nos zones sauvages, surtout celle de la Restigouche. Nous avons tâté le pouls de l’inquiétude du public vis à vis l’avenir des merveilleuses aires sauvages de notre province – et maintenant nous demandons au gouvernement de passer à l’action, » expliquait Clowater.

« Il est inadmissible que le Nouveau-Brunswick se classe avant-dernier au Canada dans le pourcentage d’aires protégées, comparé aux autres provinces et territoires. On ne fait pas notre part égale pour protéger les zones sauvages et la vie sauvage, ainsi que les emplois importants en loisirs et en tourisme qu’elles soutiennent au Nouveau-Brunswick, » ajoutait Clowater.

« Afin que le Nouveau-Brunswick s’approche de la moyenne canadienne, le gouvernement doit s’engager à protéger tout au moins 17 % des terres publiques (de la Couronne) de la province d’ici 2015, ce qui représenterait 8,5 % de la province. Ceci ferait en sorte que les sections les plus sauvages de la Restigouche et de la province soient protégées de manière permanente contre le développement et l’activité industrielle. »

Présentement, seulement 3 % du Nouveau-Brunswick est protégé d’une manière permanente, comparé à presque 9 % des terres dans les autres provinces. La Nouvelle-Écosse s’est fixée une cible de 12 % de l’ensemble de la province d’ici 2015 et elle est bien en avant du Nouveau-Brunswick dans l’atteinte de son objectif.

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Contactez: Roberta Clowater – 506-452-9902; [email protected]

Pour plus d’information sur la SNAP ou sur la campagne pour la protection de la Restigouche, visitez le http://restigouchesauvage.ca ou www. cpawsnb.org

Details: Posted by Roberta Clowater; 21 February 2012; Hits: 10413

(Fredericton) – On February 16, CPAWS New Brunswick Chapter Executive Director, Roberta Clowater,

An open letter from
the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources ,
on Canada’s commitment to diversify our energy markets and the need to further streamline the regulatory process in order to advance Canada’s national economic interest

Canada is on the edge of an historic choice: to diversify our energy markets away from our traditional trading partner in the United States or to continue with the status quo.

Virtually all our energy exports go to the US. As a country, we must seek new markets for our products and services and the booming Asia-Pacific economies have shown great interest in our oil, gas, metals and minerals. For our government, the choice is clear: we need to diversify our markets in order to create jobs and economic growth for Canadians across this country. We must expand our trade with the fast growing Asian economies. We know that increasing trade will help ensure the financial security of Canadians and their families.

Unfortunately, there are environmental and other radical groups that would seek to block this opportunity to diversify our trade. Their goal is to stop any major project no matter what the cost to Canadian families in lost jobs and economic growth. No forestry. No mining. No oil. No gas. No more hydro-electric dams.

These groups threaten to hijack our regulatory system to achieve their radical ideological agenda. They seek to exploit any loophole they can find, stacking public hearings with bodies to ensure that delays kill good projects. They use funding from foreign special interest groups to undermine Canada’s national economic interest. They attract jet-setting celebrities with some of the largest personal carbon footprints in the world to lecture Canadians not to develop our natural resources. Finally, if all other avenues have failed, they will take a quintessential American approach: sue everyone and anyone to delay the project even further. They do this because they know it can work. It works because it helps them to achieve their ultimate objective: delay a project to the point it becomes economically unviable.

Anyone looking at the record of approvals for certain major projects across Canada cannot help but come to the conclusion that many of these projects have been delayed too long. In many cases, these projects would create thousands upon thousands of jobs for Canadians, yet they can take years to get started due to the slow, complex and cumbersome regulatory process.

For example, the Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline review took more than nine years to complete. In comparison, the western expansion of the nation-building Canadian Pacific Railway under Sir John A. Macdonald took four years. Under our current system, building a temporary ice arena on a frozen pond in Banff required the approval of the federal government. This delayed a decision by two months. Two valuable months to assess something that thousands of Canadians have been doing for over a century.

Our regulatory system must be fair, independent, consider different viewpoints including those of Aboriginal communities, review the evidence dispassionately and then make an objective determination. It must be based on science and the facts. We believe reviews for major projects can be accomplished in a quicker and more streamlined fashion. We do not want projects that are safe, generate thousands of new jobs and open up new export markets, to die in the approval phase due to unnecessary delays.

Unfortunately, the system seems to have lost sight of this balance over the past years. It is broken. It is time to take a look at it.

It is an urgent matter of Canada's national interest.

The Hon. Joe Oliver
Minister of Natural Resources

Media may contact:

Patricia Best
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007

or

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447

NRCan’s news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.

http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media-room/news-release/2012/1/3520

Details: 10 January 2012; Hits: 8330

Muzzling Opposition – the easy way to win a debate

Before the hearings for the Northern Gateway Pipeline could even get underway the federal government came out verbally swinging and jabbing discrediting environmental groups by calling them radical because of their opposition to the project. The comments by the Prime Minister and Minister Joe Oliver indicate that the federal government has already taken the side of development -so really what is the point of discussing the matter further in the environmental review panel? Funny it seems that the review will be put under time limitations muzzling the amount of time for citizens, aboriginal groups and social and environmental groups are to state their concerns and case.

Read away it is quite the show:

-"Radicals working against oilsands, Ottawa says: Environment groups 'threaten to hijack' system, natural resources minister says", CBC News, January 9, 2012

-"Foreign influence foolish target" , Edmonton Journal, January 10, 2012

-"Weighing the risk of pipeline spills Enbridge says it's using the latest technology to prevent what opponents say is inevitable", The Vancouver Sun, January 6, 2012

-"Environmentalists sound alarm over Tory stand on pipeline review", Globe and Mail, January 9, 2012

-"Northern Gateway Pipeline Hearings To Start As Tories Slam 'Radical Groups', Plan Looser Enviro Rules", Huff Post, January 12, 2012

-"Le Canada voudrait faciliter l'approbation de nouveaux oléoducs", Radio Canada, Januray 9, 2012

- "Now I'm a radical ...", Blog, John Bennett, Sierra Club, January 9,2012

Details: 21 December 2011; Hits: 17303

A petition signed by 5000 New Brunswickers who are opposed to herbicide spraying was presented to the legislature on December 8. Check out this CBC interview with Tracy Glynn.

The text of the petition is as follows;

STOP SPRAYING OUR FOREST

A petition to ban herbicide spraying of the public forest in New Brunswick

To the Honourable the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick assembled:

The Government of New Brunswick is going to massively expand the

spraying of herbicides over our public forest, and at public expense.

This follows the decision to allow industry to triple the area of

conifer plantations in areas of naturally growing forest. Young conifer

plantations are sprayed with herbicides to control broad leaf/deciduous

trees and shrubs.

Broadleaf trees and shrubs are an important food source for a variety of

forest wildlife. Spraying herbicides to kill broad leaf trees and shrubs

destroys the food source and habitats of many forest dependent species.

With approximately 90 per cent of its forested land under public

ownership, the province of Quebec listened to public concerns and banned

herbicide spraying of its public forest in 2001. We call on the

provincial government of New Brunswick to do the same and ban the

spraying of our forest.

Details: 21 December 2011; Hits: 7903

Sixty-one First Nations communities along the Fraser River watershed have announced an alliance to protect the Fraser River watershed and have declared their opposition to the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline. “We will not allow the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, or similar Tar Sands projects, to cross our lands, territories and watersheds, or the ocean migration routes of Fraser River salmon.” If you want goose bumps check out their powerful website.

Eighty-five British Columbia business leaders have made a joint call on the provincial government to reaffirm and strengthen its leadership on climate change. ir As Canada pulls out of Kyoto, these business leaders believe that BC’s carbon tax is a benefit to the province’s businesses, communities and ecosystems alike.

Open Letter to the Citizens of British Columbia, December 19, 2011

Business leaders urge B.C. to “Stay the Course” on climate leadership, Media Release, Tides Canada, December 19, 2011

Details: 15 December 2011; Hits: 8005

Monday, December 12, the Environment Minister Peter Kent announced the decision to remove our country from the Kyoto Protocol, saying it “does not represent the path forward for Canada’’.

What is the way forward? What’s the action plan? Why aren’t we thinking of others ways to be energy mindful? How are we going to reverse climate change? Is it by keeping the Alberta Oil Sands? I don’t think so.

Kent stated that “Canada, though, cannot do it alone,” -that is true but pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol is not helping improve the climate change situation either.

Here are links to stories about this decision:

December 13, 2011-The Gardian,United Kingdom-Video- ''Canada withdraws from Kyoto protocol on climate change''
December 12,2011-National Post-''Canada pulling out of Kyoto accord''
December 13, 2011-The Globe and Mail- '' So, we’re out of Kyoto. What next?''

Details: Posted by Community Forests International; 12 December 2011; Hits: 15362

Come see why this property is so important.

http://forestsinternational.org/projects/conservation-of-working-lands/

Since early 2009, CFI has been working with organic farmers and sustainable woodlot owners Clark Philips and Susan Tyler, as well as the New Brunswick Community Land Trust (NBCLT), in order to develop a succession plan for a unique 650 acre farm and Acadian Forest woodlot called Whaelghinbran Farm. Clark (74) and Susan (72), have been farming organically and practicing ecological forestry on their woodlot for over 40 years. By carefully harvesting and marketing timber they have begun a process of restoration, working to achieve the health and diversity found within the Acadian Forest Eco-region prior to European settlement. In order to continue this legacy, Clark, Susan, CFI and the NBCLT are working to uphold the principles and techniques employed at Whaelghinbran Farm through a working lands conservation agreement. CFI intends to steward the farm and woodlot under the conservation easement with a community of interested organizations and individuals, and is striving to establish a rural training centre on site.This training centre will provide students from the region with the knowledge, skills, and network necessary to become involved in a movement rooted in ecologically-based working lands in the Acadian Forest Eco-region. The multi-stakeholder community-based ecological forestry practiced at Whaelghinbran will also provide a strong example of alternative approaches to woodland management in the region.

Details: 07 December 2011; Hits: 6878

The significance of recent cuts to environmental research and monitoring was not lost on our European counterparts. Even in the midst of an economic upheaval Europeans noticed our national funding cuts and the Guardian wrote a scathing article about Canada’s moral compass and decision to cut key environmental funds but in the same breath drop more than 60 billion dollars on military equipment. The Guardian reporter Leahy specifically noted the funding cut to the Canadian Environmental Network and the impact that will have on two-way communication between the public and federal government. The importance of the CEN as a communication conduit is reflected in the ENGO letter of support written on November 10th with four and a half pages of signatories. Minister Kent’s lack luster response to this letter requesting CEN funding reinstatement showed only the federal government interests in a one way communication system. PDF version of both letters are downloadable below.

Click here to read the Guardian Article “Canada Cuts Environmental Spending”

The letter of support for the Canadian Environmental Network to Peter Kent in response to RCEN’s funding cut – PDF is downloadable below.

Details: 07 December 2011; Hits: 13119

Maybe the environmental movement should re-consider wearing green this year and take its cue from Pink Shirt Day - an action with the motto that “we as a society will not tolerate bullying anywhere.” Currently though we are tolerating the Harper Government acting just like a bully – defined as “a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.”

The proof you ask! Well here are some links to stories of the Harper Government’s national and international bullying efforts!

International Climate/Environmental quarreling:

-You want this, well then you need to do that - “Durban Talks Progress as Host Urge Canada Not to Bully”
-We’re Out! – “ Canada Will Not Renew Kyoto Commitment”
-Bullying is old hat 2009 Copenhagen – “Canada’s image lies in tatters. It is now to climate what Japan is to whaling”

Durban – another international meltdown!

Ok - 2011 experienced a major nuclear meltdown but the world is about to see another international mess –governments/politicians talking climate. The two just do not mesh because national governments, such as Canada, are looking to protect the national gross domestic product index and multinational investors. To add to it, very little press is passing the depth of this story along. Luckily, we do have some fresh eyes and voices in Durban with worthwhile stories to share.

-“Youth in Durban wonder if negotiators are listening”
-Kent Crashers –“ Americans and Canadians skeptical about Chinese climate offer”
-Durban Week One WWF summary of Durban
-“Canada Slammed at the Durban Climate Talks”

Ongoing Updates from Durban

Canadian Youth Climate Coalition youth delegates have amazing daily updates, podcasts, videos, etc…probably the best coverage out there click here to explore their site.

Click here to link to Climate Action Network – ongoing Durban news updates.

Details: 01 December 2011; Hits: 15524

NB 2026 Initiative on Learning

Presentation by Roberta Clowater and Janet Thomas

On the 26^th of October, the Steering committee of the Sustainability Education Alliance responded to an invitation by the NB2026 Initiative on Learning and met at the Conservation Council’s Conserver House in Fredericton. First off, Roberta Clowater explained the project background and purpose. This project is sponsored by NB2026, a citizen group that was established about three years ago under the Graham government. NB2026 is a non partisan group, involving politicians from all camps, citizen leaders, big and small business, academics, social workers and environmentalists from the four corners of the province. The long term aim of the project is to make a cultural shift whereby lifelong learning becomes a core value of all New Brunswickers.

With only 12% of New Brunswickers being able to read at an advanced level in a society more and more concentrated around a knowledge economy, it is understandable why Premier Alward endorses the idea that our province has to prepare for a cultural shift. We need a long-term plan on where we want to be in 2026 and lay out a road map. This ambitious project will come up with a plan to address New Brunswick’s challenges: literacy, a qualified workforce, citizens with an opinion and children that can envision an interesting life in their community. We need to become a learning province in order to embrace the future.

The NB 2026 Initiative on Learning is modelled on the poverty reduction process that Janet Thomas helped to implement while working in the social development sector. She explained that this first Outreach phase is designed to inform citizen groups about the project and to invite their participation. More than 3,500 people received an Outreach presentation over the past 6 months. The Public Dialogue phase, starting in November, will invite individuals to province-wide public dialogues. 22 public dialogues will be held in 17 communities beginning in early January, 2012. In the third phase, a carefully selected team of citizens from around the province will then debate the input provided by New Brunswickers to create options for an action plan. Around a year from now, in the final phase, this draft action plan will be presented to a group of leaders from all sectors of New Brunswick society. This group will decide which actions will be included in the final plan, as well as who will undertake each action item.

This is not a typical consultation process whereby a plan is developed and presented to Government for their action. Instead, like the poverty reduction plan, since developing a learning culture is the responsibility of every New Brunswicker, all sectors of our society will be expected to come to the table prepared to commit themselves to action. Government will be just one of the sectors represented around the table. This will be a wonderful opportunity to work collaboratively amongst the sectors.

Lifelong learning is crucial for new Brunswickers, because it affects all areas of our lives. Besides job quality and economic security, at stake are our health, quality of life, cultural identity, our openness to diversity, our ability to engage in the political process and our environmental literacy. The Sustainability Education Alliance of New Brunswick understands that this is an opportunity to collaborate in order to assure that the green agenda will find a central place in New Brunswick’s learning agenda.

Details: 28 November 2011; Hits: 8258

A coalition of national environmental groups has published recommendations for a Green Budget for the federal government. The budget covers 1) Species at Risk, 2) Freshwater Resources 3) Energy Efficiency and 4) Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform.

Click here for the 2012 Green Budget

Details: 28 November 2011; Hits: 9461

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearings for the operating license to restart Lepreau are this week in Saint John. They can also be seen live through webcasting. The Saint John chapter of the Conservation Council has been working hard getting ready for these hearings and their intervention is available. Click here for more information and additional files.

Details: 28 November 2011; Hits: 9473

The report of the Crown Land Task Force, chaired by Norm Betts, has been been released to the public by the Department of Natural Resources. The Department is inviting the public to make comments with a deadline of January 13. Click here for the report.

Details: Posted by Emily M; 28 November 2011; Hits: 22325

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Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Inuit cultural and human rights advocate, will be presenting at Mount Allison University on November 29. This talk will be taking place on the evening of the second day of COP 17 in Durban, South Africa.

Details: Posted by Emily M; 16 November 2011; Hits: 8054

On Tuesday, November 29th at 7:00pm Inuk activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier will present in Mount Allison's Convocation Hall. Sheila Watt-Cloutier is the former International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, and will be speaking about the impacts and implications of climate change on the Arctic and the connection between human rights and climate change.

The lecture is entitled “Not the Time to COP Out”, and will coincide with the second day of the COP-17 negotiations in Durban, South Africa. If you cannot be in Sackville, we hope to have you virtually attend. The lecture will be streamed live on the IsumaTV website, http://www.isuma.tv/, and it is our hope to organize satellite viewings in groups, or you may view from your home computer. It promises to be an exceptional and engaging lecture, and we would like to share it as widely as possible across Canada.

If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail Emily Mann at [email protected].

Details: 15 November 2011; Hits: 6619

New Brunswick is a rich province; this is not captured by our provincial Gross Domestic Product, because we are rich in life sustaining resources. Allen Curry's article, “Address NB's environmental debt”, highlights that NBers are incurring environmental debt hand over food -something seldom discussed but Curry clearly shows a conversation about this debt is needed.

Details: 07 November 2011; Hits: 84961

Environmental Trust Fund applications being accepted for 2012-13

Media release - Environmental Trust Fund applications being accepted for 2012-13

Environmental Trust Fund website

Details: 28 October 2011; Hits: 6671

Mining Watch Canada video which uses excerpts from the diary of a negotiator to reveal the difference between the oral negotiations and the final written treaty in Northern Ontario.

Details: 28 October 2011; Hits: 22717

Hot off the Press!

Climate Change Action Plan Progress 2010-11 Report

Climate Change Action Plan Progress 2010-11 Report Summary

Details: 25 October 2011; Hits: 8100

For Immediate Release

October 25, 2011

This past weekend three environmental awards were presented to New Brunswick citizens and environmental groups in honour of exemplary service to their community. The prizes, awarded by the New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN), recognize significant efforts by citizens and citizen groups toward the protection and restoration of New Brunswick’s environment.

Sabine Dietz, a director of the board of Nature NB and a member of many other non-profit groups, was the recipient of the Samaqan Award. Dietz is currently working at the provincial level as coordinator for the Regional Adaptation Collaborative which involves many types of agencies and governments and is focused on a number of projects that evaluate areas of concern, identifying infrastructure at risk, mitigation, and adaptation. According to Mary Ann Coleman, Executive Director of the NBEN, “Sabine is being given this award in recognition of her determined and steadfast devotion to building a collaborative movement to protect New Brunswick coasts and coastal communities from the impacts of climate change”.

Sabine Dietz and Stephanie Merrill

Photo 1: Left to right – Sabine Dietz, Nature NB, winner of Samaqan Award, Mary Ann Coleman, Executive Director, NBEN, Stephanie Merrill, Conservation Council of NB, winner of the Gaia Award.

The Gaia Award was presented to Stephanie Merrill, Freshwater Program Coordinator with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. According to Coleman, “Stephanie has poured her heart and soul into working with community groups across the province.” The prize recognizes “her inspirational and stalwart effort to build a province-wide movement dedicated to protecting New Brunswick communities from the perils of shale gas fracking.”

The Phoenix Award is dedicated to those who have been through the fire. “In this province, the community of Penobsquis has been in the public eye for the past few years.” said Coleman. “They lost their well water due to industrial activity and, since then, have had to fight many battles on many fronts in search of compensation for their loss.” The 2011 Phoenix Award was presented to the Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis “in recognition of their unfaltering commitment to defending their community and home from the environmental impacts of industrial expansion in the face of a multitude of obstacles.”

Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis 640x426

Photo 2: Members of the Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis accepting the Phoenix Award; Brenda Lee Morrell, Gordon Fraser, Mary Ann Coleman, NBEN Executive Director (presenting the award), Beth Nixon, Garry Thomas and Beth Norrad.

The awards were presented at the 20^th anniversary of the NBEN which was held during the Annual General Assembly in New Maryland on October 22, 2011. During the assembly, member groups of the NBEN attended various workshops, discussions and field trips in the area. As well, in celebration of the 20th anniversary, participants enjoyed a local food buffet and the music of the Fredericton band, Weak Size Fish.

The New Brunswick Environmental Network is a non-profit communication network of over 90 citizen environmental groups from across the province. The goal of the Network is to encourage communication among groups and between groups, government and other sectors.

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Details: 21 October 2011; Hits: 7611

We have truly appreciated all the support and letters that come forward since Environment Canada announced they were pulling their core funding. A Facebook group and a petition have been set up at. Please visit and add your support.

Details: 14 October 2011; Hits: 7659

Yesterday’s announcement by Environment Canada that is withdrawing its financial support of the Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) after 30 years, is a blow to the New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN). With five staff and an office in Moncton, the NBEN depends on the modest core funding of $22,000/year it receives through the CEN as the nucleus around which it builds its annual budget. The money supports services to environmental and conservation groups across the province, including communication among member groups, communications between member groups and government departments, democratic decision-making, caucus work and working bilingually.

Over 90 New Brunswick citizen based groups are members or associates of the New Brunswick Environmental Network. These groups include large groups with a national focus and small grass-roots groups who meet around a kitchen table. For a complete list of groups visit http://www.nben.ca/en/about-us/nben-members-and-associates .

According to Randy Nason, Grand Lake Watershed Guardians and NBEN chairperson, “It’s a sad day when the federal government withdraws funding from a truly national institution such as the RCEN and its affiliates right across the country. When the Grand Lake Watershed Guardians began our work to protect Grand Lake, it was the NBEN who linked us up with other organizations interested in watershed protection to help us hit the ground running,” said Nason.

“The New Brunswick Environmental Networks and it national counterpart, the Canadian Environmental Network, provide a valuable service to environmental groups and citizens. At a time when Canadians are demanding more environmental protection in a changing climate, it is unfathomable that this core funding would be eliminated”, says Simon Mitchell of the Meduxnekeag River Association and Chair of the NBEN Programs Committee.

The Canadian Environmental Network was established more than 30 years ago by the handful of provincial environmental organizations, including the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. The objective was to provide the necessary national infrastructure to help citizen-based groups collaborate across the country and link them with decision-makers in Ottawa.

“Our organizations have spent decades building a uniquely Canadian institution that reaches from the grassroots and local communities to the halls of power in Ottawa, the provincial capitals and the United Nations itself,” said David Coon, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, and a past Chair of the Canadian Environmental Network. It is a sad day for Canada, but we will do our best in New Brunswick to ensure that the New Brunswick Environmental Network gets through this crisis so it continues to play the pivotal role it plays in the life of our province,” said Coon.r

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Media Contacts:
Randy Nason, Grand Lake Watershed Guardians, NBEN Chairperson, (506) 339-5448
David Coon, Conservation Council of New Brunswick, (506) 466-4033, (506) 461-1023
Simon Mitchell, Meduxnekeag River Association Inc., NBEN Programs Committee Chairperson (506) 328-8227, (506) 449-2009
Michel Desjardins, Post Carbon Greater Moncton, (506) 389-8221, (506) 381-1580
Dan Stote, Centre culturel et sportif de Cormier Village - EcoParc, NBEN representative to the RCEN, (506) 532-3625, (506) 532-3014
Mary Ann Coleman, New Brunswick Environmental Network, (506) 433-6101

Details: 16 September 2011; Hits: 12131

St. Andrews…..The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) reports that farmed salmon escapees are entering the MagaguadavicRiver in southwest New Brunswick and the DennysRiver in downeast Maine. “This indicates that another unreported sea cage breach has occurred in the Bay of Fundy,” said Jonathan Carr, ASF’s Director of Research and Environment.

Mr. Carr continued, “Recently, farmed salmon in the same size range are showing up in these rivers, which suggests that the fish are all part of the same escape event. None of the sizes match up with the last three breaches of containment that were reported by the industry late last fall.”

There have been ten farmed escapees caught at the fish ladder on the MagaguadavicRiver, weighing on average 5.4 kg (12 lbs,) and three escaped fish each weighing around 6 kg (13 lbs.) caught in the weir on the DennysRiver. “Fish of that size category are currently being grown in Passamaquoddy Bay, indicating that this is where the breach has occurred,” continued Mr. Carr.

Whereas escaped salmon can be captured and removed on the Magaguadavic and Dennys rivers, there is no way of doing this in many other rivers in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine. There is a Government of New Brunswick regulation that requires the aquaculture licensee to notify the Registrar of Aquaculture within 24 hours of a confirmation of a breach of containment of 100 salmon or more, and to have a containment management plan in place within 48 hours.

Mr. Carr continued, “Government needs to take a leadership role in monitoring, reporting and enforcement to ensure transparency and accountability regarding escapes. As it stands now, the onus is on ASF to monitor escapees on the MagaguadavicRiver and to report to government and the public on escapes. In view of the dangers farmed escapees present to wild populations, government needs to be much more proactive in enforcing the regulations that do exist.”

When escapees interbreed with the few endangered wild salmon that remain in the Bay of
Fundy, the fitness and survival of these wild Atlantic salmon populations can be harmed. On September 8, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) confirmed the endangered status of the wild populations of the inner and outer Bay of Fundy. The COSEWIC report noted that:

“ …growth of the Canadian aquaculture industry has coincided with severe decline in wild populations in the nearby rivers in the Bay of Fundy.”

“In North America, farm-origin salmon have been reported in 87% of the rivers investigated within 300 km of aquaculture sites.”

“Even small percentages of escaped farmed salmon have the potential to negatively affect resident populations, either through demographic or genetic changes…There have been many reviews and studies showing that the presence of farmed salmon results in reduced survival and fitness of wild Atlantic salmon.”

These statements by COSEWIC emphasize the need to keep farmed and wild salmon apart.

Mr. Carr concluded, “The continuation of escapes into the wild underscores the need for closed containment systems such as the one ASF and the Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, are working on together. Our pilot research is providing information that will determine the feasibility of closed containment as an important alternative to open sea cage culture.”

The Atlantic Salmon Federation is dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and the ecosystems on which their well being and survival depend.

ASF has a network of seven regional councils (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Maine and Western New England). The regional councils cover the freshwater range of the Atlantic salmon in Canada and the United States.

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ASF Contact: Muriel Ferguson, Communications 506 529-1033 or 506 529-4581

Details: Posted by Tracy Glynn; 15 September 2011; Hits: 16331

The proposed Sisson Tungsten/Molybdenum/Copper mine near Stanley, New Brunswick, has the potential to create significant negative impact on, and catastrophic risk for:

• Atlantic salmon habitat vulnerable to changes in the hydrologic regime and heavy metal deposition.

• The Nashwaak Watershed, a valuable economic and ecological resource, currently one of the post pristine watersheds in New Brunswick.

• Wetland habitats.

• Extensive areas of economically valuable hardwood and mixedwood Acadian Forest, a forest type under stress.

• Human health and safety in the Nashwaak Watershed, and in the open-pit itself, due to an unacceptable level of risk of failure of the extensive and high tailing dams.

• Human and ecological health due to air emissions of dust with elevated levels of arsenic and lead in an extensive area of the projected dust plume of this mine.

Take action and intervene on the Environmental Assessment process and demand the greatest assessment and protection here.

Please feel free to copy/adapt the materials in your letters to government.

Deadline for this action alert: October 3, 2011.

Details: 15 September 2011; Hits: 9184

STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:

An Environmentalists’ Tool Kit

Published by the New Brunswick Environmental Network Revised 2011

(Original Publication 1994)

Cette publication est aussi disponible en français

INTRODUCTION

New Brunswick is blessed with extensive forest lands, great rivers, beautiful coastlines, and closely-knit communities. In every community, there are committed citizens working for the protection and restoration of these precious resources. This commitment is reflected in the rapid growth of the environmental movement: from the twenty founding groups of the New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN) in 1990 to 87 member groups in 2011.

The work of these citizen groups is valuable to their communities. This work is often difficult. It demands a commitment of time and energy, and it takes its toll on the people and on the organizations. A major role of the NBEN is to support environmental groups in their work, and, to this end, the Environmentalists’ Tool Kit was developed. The tools in this kit are intended to help strengthen organizations. They consist of practical tips on strategizing, organizing, working with other people, and on taking care of yourself.

The kit was designed to be a reference, something that could be pulled off the shelf to find needed information quickly and easily. The sections stand alone and can be easily printed for circulation within an organization. In this way, members of a group can work together to address the challenges that they face as an organization.

Part 1: Environmental Issues: From Problem to Solution

Part 2: Volunteer Development

Part 3: Relating to the World: Community and Media

Part 4: Wailing the Information Blues

Details: 01 September 2011; Hits: 20431

"Going big or going home" is not longer a tag line but the way our world runs -big projects, big budgets, big hair and I am normally quiet opposed to XL anything but the large civil disobidience action in Washington seems to me appropriate. It is like environmentalist are fighting fire with fire; check out the Stop the Pipeline! protest updates.

Details: 18 August 2011; Hits: 27815

The public has until October 3, 2011 to comment on the Sisson Brook Mine Draft Terms of Reference. Review the linked documents and then vocalize your opinion!!

News release: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=51594

Public notice: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=51592

Draft Terms of Reference document: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=51654

Details: Posted by Tracy Glynn; 17 August 2011; Hits: 132674

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Details: 11 August 2011; Hits: 5724

Civil disobedience takes root when governing party’s actions are influenced by a few and the general citizens’ power and ability to influence is removed…is that where New Brunswick and Canada is now?

Canada says oil, gas industry organized PR strategy for oilsands, The Gazette

Shale gas protesters to end blockade, CBC News

Un barrage contre le gaz de schiste près de Fredericton, Radio Canada

Details: Posted by Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee; 10 August 2011; Hits: 9468

DATE: August 9, 2011

TOPIC: Thompson Brook Restoration Project Complete

DETAILS: The Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee (KWRC) recently completed a habitat assessment and restoration project on Thompson Brook. This project was carried out with the cooperation of Jeff and Marta Floyd and support from our funding partners. The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund and, the Sussex Fish and Game Association provided the KWRC with sufficient funding to assess 2.3km of Thompson Brook and enhance 1647m² of riparian and aquatic habitats through native tree stock along degraded riparian areas and through restricting cattle access to the stream. KWRC staff worked through the summer of 2009 and 2010 installing fencing, planting trees, and monitoring the sites ecological health. The site now possesses a flourishing riparian area and provides greater fish habitat thanks to the efforts of the past two years.

Thompson Brook is located just east of Apohaqui, New Brunswick. It is not a large stream but it plays an important role in the overall health of the Lower Kennebecasis Watershed. As a cold spring fed stream it buffers the warmer temperatures of the main river during the warm summer months. This helps maintain water quality and fish health and with this small stream now in a healthier state, so to is the Kennebecasis River.

RESOURCES: http://www.kennebecasisriver.ca

PHOTO: (Thompson Brook sign panel)

The KWRC and its partners have been posting signs like this at each of their restoration sites so that funding partners are recognized and so that the public recognize a habitat restoration project.

(TB Restoration Efforts)

Throughout the planting seasons of 2009-2011 KWRC staff erected and maintained restrictive riparian zone fencing and planted over 450 potted coniferous and deciduous trees.

CONTACT: Ben Whalen, Project Manager, KWRC

(506)433-4394

[email protected]

Details: 08 August 2011; Hits: 10362

A new Pesticides Team has formed under the Collaborative Effort on Children's Environmental Health. The team is focusing on the use of cosmetic pesticides in New Brunswick, particularly in children's play areas. Please contact the NBEN if you are interested in participating.

Details: 05 August 2011; Hits: 7038

Have you been wondering what is going on in Lubicon Territory? The Lubicon Cree are in the centre of a tar sands debacle.

Details: 05 August 2011; Hits: 6663

Between last month's cuts to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and this week's loss of 776 jobs at Environment Canada, environmental groups are concerned.

700 Environment Canada jobs on the chopping block, The Star

Cuts to gut environment watchdog, Montreal Gazette

Ottawa abolit 776 postes en environnement, Le Devoir

Details: Posted by Tracy Glynn; 02 August 2011; Hits: 13992

The Rural Community of Upper Miramichi, Central NB Woodmen’s Museum and the Conservation Council of New Brunswick are proud to present the Upper Miramichi Forest Festival on Sunday, August 21st from 11am-4pm at the Woodmen’s Museum and Upper Miramichi Community Park (6342 Route 8, Boiestown). The first ever forest festival will also mark the official opening of the Upper Miramichi Community Park.

The forest festival will feature:

Morning run with the Miramichi River Runners

Wild blueberry pancake brunch

Vendors displaying wild berry jams & jellies, fiddleheads, crafts, wreaths and soaps.

A “Taste of Metepenagiag Tour” with berry teas and a demonstration of sealing a birch bark canoe with spruce gum.

Learn how to make cedar shingles, inoculate logs for shitake mushrooms and make soap.

Laugh out loud at a play by the The Saplings Theatre Production.

Join a forest scavenger hunt designed for all ages and learn how to identify the variety of flora and food in our forest.

Enjoy a game of horseshoes or washers, face-painting, tours of the Museum grounds and forest games for kids.

Learn about Upper Miramichi’s community forest initiatives. Check out a showcase of maps of Upper Miramichi’s forest produced by Mojo Mapping, Fundy Model Forest, the Rural Municipality of Upper Miramichi & the Conservation Council. Videos and literature on community forestry initiatives will be on hand for you to check out.

Enjoy a great day with family and friends and discover the many wonders and opportunities that our forest provides.

For more information, visit Upper Miramichi Community Forest Partnership at http://www.uppermiramichicommunityforest.org/

Detailed schedule coming soon!

Details: Posted by Tracy Glynn; 02 August 2011; Hits: 13148

Check out submissions by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the Canadian Wildlife Federation on the proposed elements of the New Brunswick Species at Risk Act on July 15, 2011.

Details: 28 July 2011; Hits: 5536

Communities rely on strong support from a number of sources, including volunteers, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. That support could include activities like raising funds for community projects, giving employees time to volunteer or creating a new after-school program for at-risk youth, to list only a few examples.

Every day, local businesses, not-for-profit organizations and thousands of individuals volunteer their time, energy and skills to improve the well-being of families and communities across the country. They help make Canada stronger by creating change and inspiring hope.

The Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards is a new program that has been created to celebrate these Canadians who make a difference. A total of 17 awards will be given at both the regional and national level. Recipients will be eligible to identify a not-for-profit organization to receive a grant for $5,000 (regional award) or $10,000 (national award).

Those chosen for the awards must be nominated. The first call for nominations opened on July 12 and will close on September 9, 2011. Award recipients will be recognized at an award ceremony to be held in early 2012.

Do you know an individual or group, a business or not-for-profit organization that is making a difference in your community? Recognize their contributions and show your appreciation by submitting a nomination.

To learn more about the Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards, please visit http://www.pm.gc.ca/awards or call 1-877-825-0434.

Details: 19 July 2011; Hits: 40152

The Canadian Rivers Institute has released a comprehensive report on the Saint John River. Read the report at

http://www.unb.ca/research/institutes/cri/_resources/pdfs/criday2011/cri_sjr_soe.pdf" http://www.unb.ca/research/institutes/cri/_resources/pdfs/criday2011/cri_sjr_soe.pdf

News articles about it can be found at

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/search/article/1422474

Details: Posted by Brenna; 14 July 2011; Hits: 8274

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2011

Maude Barlow addresses Assembly of First Nations convention, supports First Nations calls for internationally recognized human right to water

Moncton, NB -- Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians, addressed the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly this morning, pledging her and her organization's full support for First Nations struggles for access to clean water and sanitation, which Canada and the provinces are now required by international law to provide as a human right for all peoples.

"Almost one year ago to this day, the United Nations acknowledged that water and sanitation is a fundamental human right, equal to other rights that are enforceable under international law. Even though the Harper government shamefully abstained from the vote recognizing the right to water, it is nonetheless bound by an obligation to ensure the peoples of Canada enjoy that right," said Barlow in her speech to the AFN.

"The human right to water and sanitation is being violated right here in Canada. First Nations' homes are 90 percent less likely to have running water than the homes of other Canadians," says Barlow. "The Harper government cannot hide from this fact. It is now under international obligation to redress this travesty."

Water is a prominent theme in resolutions to this year's AFN convention. One calls on the AFN to advocate for the application of UN General Assembly Resolution on the right to water and sanitation in Canada "as a supporting mechanism for the implementation of Indigenous Rights, Title, and Treaty Rights in Canada." Another asks that prior and pre-extinguished water rights of First Nations in British Columbia be addressed and given priority over short- and long-term water rights to third parties in First Nations' territories.

There is a resolution asking for a government investigation into the impacts on water of shale gas developments on First Nations lands, and another which asks the AFN to continue to support the Tsilhqot'in Nation struggle in B.C. against the proposed New Prosperity copper mine, which has been rejected once by the federal government based on independent panel findings it would have "significant adverse environmental effects on fish and fish habitat, on navigation, on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by First Nations and on cultural heritage, and on certain potential or established Aboriginal rights or title."

"The Council of Canadians is very keen to work with the Assembly of First Nations to address the crucial issue of water and sanitation on First Nations communities across the country and to use the two historic UN resolutions recognizing the human right to drinking water and sanitation to dramatically improve the situation," said Barlow at the close of her speech. "That is why we need to work together to see justice done and ensure the dignity of clean water and sanitation to everyone in this country and around the world."

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More information and to arrange interviews:

Stuart Trew, Council of Canadians: (647) 222-9782; [email protected]

Emma Lui, water campaigner, Council of Canadians: (613) 298-8792; [email protected]

Details: Posted by Vera; 11 July 2011; Hits: 24378

-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
Atlantic Provinces Urged to Increase Climate Change Action
Halifax, Nova Scotia – July 8 2011 - A coalition of Atlantic Canadian environmental groups have released report cards outlining the progress Atlantic Provinces have made on their commitments under the 2001 Climate Change Action Plan of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP). The annual NEG-ECP meeting is being held in Halifax July 11-13.
The Atlantic Canada Sustainable Energy Coalition (ACSEC) has monitored the progress of NEG-ECP members toward their objectives since 2001. ACSEC is a coalition of non-governmental organizations comprised of the Ecology Action Centre, Sierra Club Canada – Atlantic, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, and the Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island.
“The NEG-ECP Climate Change Action Plan has provided the framework for the region’s provincial and state policies on energy and climate change over the past decade,” explains Catherine Abreu, ACSEC’s Regional Facilitator.
Each of the Atlantic Provinces, except for PEI, fell short of achieving the 2010 milestone of reducing emissions to 1990 levels. In 2009, the last year for which data are available, greenhouse gas emissions in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland were 9.5%, 15.4% and 2.7% above 1990 levels, respectively. Provinces revised their commitment to reducing to 1990 levels by 2012.
ACSEC members agree that more aggressive regional greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets are required to avoid destabilizing the global climate. To support Atlantic Provinces meeting their 2012 goal and reducing emissions further by 2020, a second phase of the NEG-ECP Climate Change Action Plan must be implemented.
ACSEC urges the NEG-ECP to adopt a scientifically relevant target of 25% below 1990 GHG levels by 2020 in a second commitment period of the regional Climate Change Action Plan.
NB
NL
NS
PEI
Overall Grade
B
D-
B
B
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A
C+
B+
A
Energy Efficiency
A
D-
A
B-
Renewables
B
F
B
B+
Transportation
D
F
D
D
Regional Policy Integration + Cooperation
A-
A-
A-
A-
Overall, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island received mid-range grades on their progress. Newfoundland and Labrador received a failing grade. Regional cooperation and energy efficiency are areas where the Atlantic Provinces have made significant strides. More aggressive action on renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions is required in each of the Provinces. Reducing emissions from transportation is an area that receives very little attention in the region.
“The glaring gap in Atlantic Canada’s efforts to do its share to fight global warming is in the area of transportation,” says David Coon of New Brunswick-based Conservation Council. “Emissions from transportation are on the rise in every province,” adds Tony Reddin of the Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island. While PEI’s total emissions are down from 1990 levels, road transportation emissions have risen 22%. “Priority must be placed on creating public transportation infrastructure in the Atlantic Provinces and developing an integrated sustainable transportation plan for the region,” concludes Reddin.
“The creation of an Atlantic public transportation authority to develop and operate public transportation for the region is required. If we can have a regional lottery organization to coordinate gambling, we should be able to do the same for public transportation,” says ACSEC Coordinator, Catherine Abreu.
Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province that has not yet implemented policies mandating increased electricity generation from renewable sources. Gretchen Fitzgerald of Sierra Club’s Atlantic Canada chapter says continued and increased support for renewables is essential. “The Provinces can do a better job of developing complementary policies that enhance the role of renewables in Atlantic Canada. Investing in provincial and regional grid systems and moving away from large-scale, centralized electricity production will help us get there.”
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia lead the way in the area of efficiency. Both provinces have Energy Efficiency Agencies. “Energy efficiency and conservation are the most economical ways to simultaneously reduce emissions and save rate payers money,” says Brennan Vogel of Nova Scotia-based Ecology Action Centre. “Further establishing aggressive and innovative efficiency programs and services for all fuel types, including home heating fuels, can transform energy use and reduce emissions in the region.”
“We’ve seen unprecedented cooperation between the Atlantic Provinces on energy issues in recent years,” observes Abreu. ACSEC members agree that regional initiatives like the Atlantic Energy Gateway and NEG-ECP are vital, especially in the absence of strong Federal-level guidance on energy and climate change policy. “We emphasize that such initiatives must include representation from all levels of concern in Atlantic Canadian communities. ACSEC also cautions against losing sight of the ultimate goal – reducing emissions and turning the tide on climate change.”
ACSEC would like to see the NEG-ECP improve regional communities’ abilities to adapt as they confront the already extensive impacts of climate upheaval.
In 2007 an interim review of the Climate Change Action Plan suggested regional governments focus their efforts on four priority areas. ACSEC has graded each of the Atlantic Provinces on their progress in these areas as well as their emissions reductions.
For copies of the Nova Scotia Report Card and more information, contact:
Catherine Abreu
Regional Coordinator
ACSEC
902 442 0199
[email protected]
Brennan Vogel
Energy Coordinator
Ecology Action Centre
902 442 0199
[email protected]
For Newfoundland, New Brunswick, & PEI, Contact:
Gretchen Fitzgerald
Director
Sierra Club Canada – Atlantic Canada Chapter
902 444 3113
[email protected]
David Coon
Executive Director
Conservation Council of New Brunswick
506 458 8747
[email protected]
Tony Reddin
Energy Coordinator
Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island
902 675 4093
[email protected]

Details: 07 July 2011; Hits: 99618

The power of networks is shown by these eleven groups who collaborated together on a media release as a way to voice a shared opinion - their release speaks for itself, enjoy.

July 7, 2011

Shale Gas Community Groups in New Brunswick Express Concern

New Brunswick - The Citizens for Responsible Resource Development's (CRRD) media conference announcing support for the continued development of the shale gas industry in New Brunswick does not express nor represent the views of many of the community based groups that have been formed to address the issues of this relatively new and highly controversial industry in our Province.

Many New Brunswicker's are still unaware and unfamiliar with this complex industry. We, the undersigned, are looking forward to continuing to work in our communities and with each other to educate and inform residents of the potential impacts of a shale gas industry in New Brunswick.

Hampton Water First
Harvey Environmental Action Team (HEAT)
Maliseet Grand Council
Our Environment, Our Choice
Quality of Life Initiative
Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis
Friends of Mount Carleton Provincial Park Inc.
Corn Hill Area Residents Association
Ban Fracking NB
Council of Canadians
Action Memramcook

Details: 28 June 2011; Hits: 10834

Gotta love it! Check out this Fracking song!

Details: 28 June 2011; Hits: 13565

AECL sale to SNC-Lavalin near - CBC News

Details: 28 June 2011; Hits: 7995

Big news: I’m having a baby!

I will be taking a break from the NBEN for a year-long maternity leave. My last day in the office will be June 30.

My husband and I are very excited to welcome our new family member into the world. I am looking forward to spending a year at home with the little one.

Never fear, I will still keep in touch with the NBEN and all the environmental goings-on in the province, via the NBEN’s new website of course! I look forward to returning to work next summer.

Details: 25 June 2011; Hits: 6819

The government’s position on asbestos is creating a lot of controversy. There is a poll on CBC where you can register your opinion. There is a an online petition and a crazy video which shows the lighter side. The Globe and Mail has a comprehensive column on the issue.

Details: 25 June 2011; Hits: 6354

Plan, Do, Check, Improve - Check out Environment Canada's first
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Progress Report

Environment Canada has just released its first Progress Report on the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). The Report describes actions taken to implement the requirements under the Federal Sustainable Development Act since the tabling of the FSDS. It outlines the 'plan, do, check, and improve' approach to reporting on sustainable development by focusing on progress made on setting up the systems needed to implement the FSDS. The Report also lays the foundation for future reporting by outlining how results will be measured and shared.

Some of the key accomplishments to date include:

Establishing a Sustainable Development Office;
Putting in place a management framework for the FSDS;
Putting in place a way to integrate Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies into the expenditure management system for the first time;
Developing greening government operations targets, implementation strategies, and guidance;
Revising the guidelines for strategic environmental assessment requiring consideration of, and public reporting on, FSDS goals and targets; and,
Establishing a performance measurement system for the FSDS to effectively monitor and report on progress. This includes a suite of environmental indicators and performance measures for Themes I-III, and common performance measures for Theme IV.

The FSDS, tabled in Parliament in October, 2010, sets out sustainable development goals, targets, and implementation strategies organized under four priority themes:

I. Addressing climate change and air quality;
II. Maintaining water quality and availability;
III. Protecting nature; and
IV. Shrinking the environmental footprint - beginning with government

For more information, check out the 2011 FSDS Progress Report here!

Details: 16 June 2011; Hits: 13373

Atlantic Salmon Federation

First of Its Kind Study on Value of Wild Atlantic Salmon Underway

For immediate release

June 15, 2011

St. Andrews…. The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) has engaged Gardner Pinfold Consulting Economists Ltd. to carry out the most comprehensive study of the economic benefits of wild Atlantic salmon to eastern Canada ever undertaken. The results are expected by mid summer with a September media launch.

ASF has long-term plans to share the study’s findings with the general public, anglers, First Nations, community leaders, elected officials and politicians, government officials, Legislative Committees, fisheries critics, and internationally, through the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO).

The study is a past, present, and future analysis, the scope of which includes the worth of wild Atlantic salmon to recreational fishing, First Nations, tourism, conservation and education, and the existence and other non-use values of the species.

Bill Taylor, President of ASF, said, “Federal funding for the restoration of wild Atlantic salmon has collapsed. Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s priority appears to be towards developing commercial ventures, such as the salmon aquaculture industry, rather than to restore wild Atlantic salmon. This is driven by the view that the aquaculture industry has measurable contributions that appeal to elected officials and communities. Government needs to understand that the recreational and First Nations food fisheries for salmon are important industries that provide economic benefits, jobs, and have significant cultural importance. We hope that the data that Gardner Pinfold provides will convince government to put more money into conservation and restoration of this species, and we will embark on a long-term plan to convince government leaders to do so.”

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) publishes economic surveys on the value of all recreational fishing in Canada, including Atlantic salmon, every five years. “The Gardner Pinfold study may provide additional data that gives a fuller picture, resulting in a higher value for the recreational salmon fishery than is reported by DFO, ” continued Mr. Taylor, “but the trend that the DFO reports portray, regarding a loss of benefits from the recreational salmon fishing industry since 1995, is alarming and cannot be ignored.”

The 1995 DFO survey indicated that the revenues from recreational salmon fishing in Quebec and Atlantic Canada at that time was $191 million. That value had decreased to only $62 million by 2005, according to the DFO survey. This is a 68% drop in the value of the recreational salmon fishery in terms of today’s dollars.

According to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), recreational salmon catches in Canada were about 30% higher in 1995 than in 2005. “It is reasonable to conclude that even restoring salmon runs to 1995 abundance will help restore about $100 million in annual revenues through recreational fishing alone,” said Mr. Taylor. He continued, “Other benefits to First Nations and the general public reinforce the need for attention to wild salmon.”

The study components are a review of existing data and literature, two surveys (one of anglers and one of the general public), and interviews with key informants such as First Nations, private camps, and non government organizations. It also includes case studies of the local salmon economies of four rivers: the Grand CascapediaQC, the Miramichi NB, the Margaree NS, and the Exploits NL. The study will take into account the value of the conservation movement and restoration activity by volunteers and the corporate sector, and provide a value for salmon fisheries when salmon populations are restored.

Mr. Taylor concluded, “ASF expects the study to provide valuable information on the true worth of the species now and when restored, information that should help strengthen government policy and actions to conserve wild Atlantic salmon.”

The Atlantic Salmon Federation is dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and the ecosystems on which their well being and survival depend.

ASF has a network of seven regional councils (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Maine and Western New England). The regional councils cover the freshwater range of the Atlantic salmon in Canada and the United States.

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ASF Contact: Muriel Ferguson, Communications 506 529-1033 or 506 529-4581

Details: Posted by Tracy Glynn; 14 June 2011; Hits: 97376

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Details: Posted by Tracy Glynn; 14 June 2011; Hits: 16468

The Conservation Council of New Brunswick is raising concerns with Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Crown Lands and Forest Act. The bill, which got Royal Assent today, June 10, amends the Act so that the government "shall compensate the licensee for other expenses of forest management in accordance with the regulations (Paragraph 38.2.b). The Act currently states that it "may reimburse the licensee for other expenses of forest management as may be provided for by regulation or by agreement."

"We are concerned that changing the law to require the Minister to compensate forest companies opens the door wide open to pay pulp and paper companies for reductions in their wood allocations. Would this mean that we would be forced to pay companies for loss of revenue for environmental protection measures? Would this mean that the forest management requirement for wildlife habitat zones in which only selection cutting is permitted would make the licensee eligible to be compensated for the difference in cost between clearcutting and selection cutting? Would it mean that forestry companies could be compensated for the value of wood fibre unavailable to it?" stated David Coon, CCNB's Executive Director.

The Department of Natural Resources will be reducing the annual allowable cut for softwoods and hardwoods on Crown lands in 2012 as the amount of softwood plantations were supposed to yield by now has not materialized, while hardwoods have been overcut.

"It is rare that legislation actually removes the discretion of a Minister in New Brunswick, but that is what replacing the word 'may' with 'shall' accomplishes," stated Tracy Glynn, CCNB's Forest Campaigner. "What is the justification for this?" Glynn asked. "We need to know what regulations are being contemplated."

"Compensation is the holy grail that the Irving's have been seeking since they and other licensee's wrote the Minister demanding compensation back in 2001, which we obtained and leaked to the media. The resulting public outcry was deafening," added Coon. "Now we see compensation being written into the Crown Lands And Forest Act itself."

Half of New Brunswick's forest is Crown land. The right to manage New Brunswick's 3.4 million hectares of publicly-held forests has been transferred to mostly multinational companies including J.D. Irving Ltd., Fornebu Lumber Company, Twin Rivers (formerly Fraser Papers) and AV Group (AV Nackawic/AV Cell).

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David Coon, 458-8747
Tracy Glynn, 458-8747

Details: Posted by Tracy Glynn; 14 June 2011; Hits: 20253

CCNB Action - Jim Irving, President of J.D. Irving Ltd., has been travelling the province seeking support from business audiences for keeping the wood allocations to mills at 2007 levels. The problem, according to CCNB Action’s Executive Director David Coon, is the forest on Crown land has been overcut and can no longer sustain such high quotas.

“The amount of wood cut from Crown land in 2006-2007 was double what was cut in 1966-1967. We have seen the amount of wood cut from Crown lands on a five-year average increase by roughly 80% over the past 40 years from 2.7 million cubic metres per year in the late 1960’s to almost 5 million cubic metres in the past decade ,” said Coon.    “The bottom line is we have overcut the public forest so wood quotas have got to be reduced in 2012,” he said. “The good news is private woodlot owners across this province have plenty of wood to sell that can make up the difference and create work at the same time,” said Coon.

Half of New Brunswick’s forest is found on Crown land, while 30% of the forest is owned by private woodlot owners.

Five Year Average    //    Volume of Wood Cut from Crown Land (millions of cubic metres)*
1967-1972                      2.7 million cubic metres
1972-1977                      3.7 million cubic metres
1977-1982                      3.1 million cubic metres
1982-1987                      3.5 million cubic metres
1987-1992                      4.4 million cubic metres
1992-1997                      4.4 million cubic metres
1997-2002                      4.9 million cubic metres
2002-2007                      8.0 million cubic metres

*Data from DNR’s Timber Utilization Survey

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Contact: David Coon, 458-8747

Details: 13 June 2011; Hits: 59028

New Brunswickers are invited to comment on a proposed Species at Risk Act intended to provide an improved approach to conserving plants and animals in danger of disappearing from the province. New Brunswickers have until Friday, July 15, to comment on the proposed act.

Details: 06 June 2011; Hits: 13611

When we pray for water, we are praying for life

INVITATION

“Water is a gift of life”

The Maliseet Grand Council is calling people together from throughout the territory, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike, to council with one another; to honour the sacred gift of water, and give voice to growing concerns. You are asked to bring water from the area where you live, and speak on behalf of that which has no voice of its own. We are responsible today for what we leave to our children and grandchildren.

WHERE: At the old Burial Grounds next door to the Government House on the Woodstock Road, in Fredericton, NB

WHEN: July 09, 2011

HOW: Ceremony

First Light; Sunrise ceremony
Breakfast
10:30 am Gather around the sacred fire at the old burial ground (next door to Gov. House)
11:00 am - Introductions & Opening Ceremony
12:00 Noon - Luncheon & refreshments
1:00 pm Talking Circle( people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to sit on)
4:30 pm Supper ( pot luck – bring your own plate, cup, & utensils )
Talking circle
Elders: lighting of the sacred pipes

Elders: Closing statements

Water is returned to the River, Land & Sea

WHY:

Water is a gift of life. Our rivers, lakes, brooks, streams, and clean fresh water supplies are at risk.

The health and well being of our children, & grandchildren; (including those yet unborn) is not for sale or short term gains to benefit a few.

Details: 06 June 2011; Hits: 9558

Canadian Wildlife Federation – Water Worth It! Video Contest

Rivers to Oceans Week, beginning World Oceans Day June 8 and encompassing Canadian Rivers Day June 12, is fast approaching and the Canadian Wildlife Federation is celebrating with the Water's Worth It! video contest. The contest is your opportunity to celebrate the water that makes Canada special and to make a real difference in the health of your local water body.

Send us a one-minute video telling us what’s so special about your local body of water and why it’s worth conserving. If you win, CWF will contribute $2,000 in funding towards a water-conservation project in your area. Our contest has been extended and we are now accepting entries until June 20, 2011, with online voting to choose the winner at RiverstoOceans.ca, from Canada Day until July 7.

You can also visit RiverstoOceans.ca for a variety of water-related resources including lesson plans, water ecology videos and information about Canadian aquatic species. Does your group or organization have a Rivers to Oceans Week event you want to promote? Email [email protected] to list it on our Rivers to Oceans Week Event Map. Check back often to find out about water-related events and activities happening across the country.

Together, we can make water conservation mainstream.

Details: 01 June 2011; Hits: 13260

I’ve been reading the April issue of New Internationalist – it’s all about labour in China and it’s mind boggling. I can’t distinguish the difference between that situation and slavery. Often workers live in dormitories at their workplace, away from their family and friends, they are not allowed to strike, wages are low and conditions are arduous. Some people resort to suicide as a form of labour protest.

Details: 01 June 2011; Hits: 9984

Biological control program will target sawfly infestation

Details: 27 May 2011; Hits: 10510

When Canada speaks up for you at the Earth Summit next year, what will they say? “We Canada” is about action, about telling our leaders that they must take a stand for sustainability, leading up to and during the Earth Summit. See http://earthsummit.ca/ to get involved.

Details: 26 May 2011; Hits: 31068

For immediate release May 26, 2011

Editor’s Note: For a backgrounder to this press release click document below:

http://asf.ca/docs/media/2011backgrounder-may15.pdf

St. Andrews, NB ….. At an international treaty conference in Ilulissat, Greenland from June 4 to 6, the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) will fight to save thousands of large Atlantic salmon from being killed in Greenland and Canadian fisheries.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), in its recently-released scientific advice to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO), states there should not be any harvest of wild Atlantic salmon in the ocean at Greenland and in the Labrador Sea. Mostly large egg-bearing females, these salmon are of prime importance to the seeding of the rivers of Labrador, the Maritimes, Quebec, and Maine.

These two-sea-winter (2SW) salmon are threatened with harvest throughout their long migration, not only at Greenland, but also along the coast of Labrador and in various Canadian rivers. Bill Taylor, President of ASF, said “Despite advice provided by ICES every year for the past ten, that the total number of 2SW salmon in the ocean is well below the number required to meet minimum North American conservation requirements, they continue to be killed in gill net fisheries in Greenland, Canada, and St. Pierre and Miquelon.”

NASCO has been successful since 2003 in reaching agreement with Greenland to limit its salmon fishery to internal consumption only, but the number of salmon this fishery killed ballooned from 12 tonnes in 2003 to 43 tonnes in 2010. ICES states that 80% or 10,000 of the large salmon killed at Greenland in 2010 were of North American origin.

In addition, ICES estimates an unreported harvest at Greenland of 10 tonnes (another 2,500 salmon). Some of these salmon are from endangered populations, protected under national legislation in the United States and populations that have been recently designated as endangered, threatened or of special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Canada continues to allow the kill of large salmon in recreational fisheries in Quebec and First Nations fisheries in all provinces and a resident food fishery in Labrador. “Measures taken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to stop the retention of large salmon in the recreational fishery in Labrador and allow one less tag for salmon caught as by-catch in the resident food net fishery in Labrador are welcome, but do not go far enough”, said Mr. Taylor.

DFO reported a kill of 7,800 large salmon in Aboriginal and 3,200 in recreational fisheries in 2010. “This significant harvest weakens Canada’s negotiations at NASCO to reduce the Greenland harvest,” continued Mr. Taylor. In addition, significant numbers of Atlantic salmon are taken illegally in Canada, and this unreported catch has been estimated by Canada to be at least 18.4 tonnes and would include many large salmon.

Returns of 2SW salmon in 2010 decreased from 2009 by 65% in Labrador, 51% in Newfoundland, and 14% in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Decreases in populations in Canada that are designated as endangered amounted to 11% along the coast of Nova Scotia and in the Bay of Fundy and 2% in the United States, where all remaining wild Atlantic salmon are listed as endangered. There was an increase of large salmon in Quebec of 7%. The estimated abundance of 2SW salmon in North American rivers was 12% lower than the estimated average abundance of the previous ten years, and was the second lowest of the last 40 years.

Mr. Taylor concluded, “In view of these sobering numbers, it is astonishing that Canada still allows the kill of large Atlantic salmon. It is of paramount importance for international negotiations that Greenlanders see that Canada is doing its utmost to conserve its salmon in home waters.”

ASF urges Canada to comply with the NASCO-agreed precautionary approach in fisheries management, and to implement management plans for all salmon fisheries that end the killing of large spawners, especially in rivers that are not even meeting minimum conservation targets. ICES estimates that, last year, only 62,470 2SW salmon returned to North American rivers, and this was before further harvests took place by in-river fisheries. Canada’s leadership is required at NASCO to strengthen negotiations with Greenland towards maintaining a zero commercial quota and reducing Greenland’s internal consumption harvest of wild Atlantic salmon.

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Contact: Muriel Ferguson, St. Andrews, NB:: 506-529-1033 (direct); 505-529-4581 (switchboard) and e-mail [email protected]

NASCO is similar to a United Nations of wild Atlantic salmon, comprised of countries that have a population of the species spawning in their rivers and/or migrating through their jurisdictions. These signatory nations are Canada, the United States, Norway, Denmark representing Greenland and Faroe Islands, the European Union, and the Russian Federation. At the annual NASCO conferences, these nations are represented by their federal governments for agreement negotiations and resolutions to conserve and restore wild salmon populations across the North Atlantic.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) is dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and the ecosystems on which their well being and survival depend. ASF is an international, non-profit organization with headquarters in St. Andrews, NB and regional offices in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Maine. It has a network of Regional Councils in the five eastern provinces and in Maine and Western New England and 125 affiliated river organizations. ASF is represented at NASCO as one of 34 accredited non governmental organizations from North America and Europe and on the Canadian and US delegations.

Details: Posted by CCNB Action; 17 May 2011; Hits: 14583

Concours de poésie et chanson

2011 est l`année internationale de la forêt et CCNB Action organise un concours de poésie et chanson avec thème « Dans les Bois ». Les poèmes et chansons peuvent être en français, anglais ou malécite. Cette compétition est pour les étudiants des écoles élémentaires, secondaires et pour les adultes de tous les âges. CCNB Action planifie de publier un rapport des meilleurs poèmes et chansons après que les prix seront distribués en Septembre. Il y aura un tarif pour participer que couvera les coûts d`imprimante et quelques uns des prix.

La date limite est le 21 Juin et tous les détails et formulaires d`inscriptions se retrouvent sur notre site web : www.ccnbaction.ca

Pour plus d`information par rapport à l`année internationale des forêts, rendez-vous sur Youtube et visionner le vidéo de Yann Arthus Bertrand sur les forêts de la terre.

Français : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOUsOoTqx_U

Details: Posted by CCNB Action; 17 May 2011; Hits: 14303

Poetry and song lyric competition

2011 is « The International Year of Forests », and CCNB Action is organising a song lyric and poetry competition with the theme « Into the Woods » . Entries can be made in English , French and Maliseet.

This competition is for participants from elementary schools, high schools and adults, and we plan to publish an anthology of the best poems and lyrics in the fall after the prize giving in September . There is a small entry fee for hig schools tudetns and adults which will cover printing costs, and some of the prizes.

Closing date is June 21st , and all details and entry forms are on our website : www.cccnbaction.ca.or contact Alison at 506 - 458 8747 .

For more about the International Year of Forests – go to YouTube and watch Yann Arthus Betrand’s captivating short film on the world’s forests, commissioned by the United Nations.

English : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYVml6iZYxU

Details: 15 May 2011; Hits: 23369

France to ban fracking! According to Sierra Club Canada.

Details: 15 May 2011; Hits: 8050

Lots of discussion on CBC site about the Conservation Council's media release on the wetlands!

Details: 11 May 2011; Hits: 9924

Fredericton – CCNB Action has identified 16 wetlands where it believes the Minister of Environment has failed to carry out her ministerial responsibilities to protect the environment by relieving developers of their legal obligations under the Clean Water Act and the Clean Environment Act.

According to New Brunswick law, any infringement on a wetland, or its buffer, that is greater than one hectare in area is required to have a permit as per the Watercourse and Wetlands Alteration Regulation. If a wetland is greater than two hectares in area, developers must also register their proposed development under the Clean Environment Act’s Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation so it can be reviewed by environment department staff.

However, in March, Environment Minister, Margaret-Ann Blaney suspended permitting processes and environmental reviews for all wetlands which do not to appear on the “Regulated Wetlands” map posted on the GeoNB website (http://geonb.snb.ca/geonb/). The Regulated Wetlands map was created through aerial photography by the Department of Natural Resources and is in no way complete. There are significantly sized wetlands that exist on the ground that are not included in the GeoNB map.

CCNB Action has acquired evidence of 16 wetlands that are not included on the Regulated Wetlands map that the Minister is now using to regulate developments in wetlands or their buffers that Department of Environment staff had previously confirmed as wetlands according to the legal definition set out in the Clean Water Act. As they do not appear on the map, Minister Blaney has informed the developers that they need not comply with the laws governing wetland protection in the Clean Environment Act and the Clean Water act – cancelling Environmental Impact Assessments that had already been in initiated in many cases.

“The Minister says these wetlands do not exist even though they are clearly there for all to see”, said Stephanie Merrill, CCNB Action’s Freshwater Protection Program Coordinator. "Roughly 50% of our wetlands are not on her map, so we have one big problem”, said Merrill.

“The Minister of Environment has a duty to uphold the laws enacted by the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly to protect our wetlands," said David Coon, Executive Director for CCNB Action. "To wish them away for half our wetlands because they have been expunged from a map on the internet is magical thinking. The Minister is bound to uphold the regulations she is in charge of administering and enforcing - to not do so is wrong”, said Coon.

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Media Contacts:

David Coon, Executive Director: 458.8747
Stephanie Merrill, Freshwater Protection Program: 458.8747
Raphael Shay, French media contact: 458.8747

Details: 04 May 2011; Hits: 18239

Wow - what you miss during the election battle. Alberta Oil Spill

Details: 03 May 2011; Hits: 13559

Some new information about shale gas environmental impacts was recently released. Read the Cornell University study, Methane and the Greenhouse-Gas Footprint of Natural Gas
from Shale Formations. This is important information for New Brunswickers to know during this time of discussion and debate around the development of the industry.

Mnister of Environment, Margaret Ann Blaney, responds to the report in a CBC news article providing insight to NB government's stance on the issue.

Details: 03 May 2011; Hits: 11917

Congratulations to the winners of the Milton F. Gregg Conservation Awards!

Details: 03 May 2011; Hits: 15637

Dear NBEN members and associates,

The NBEN is organizing a briefing with the Department of Natural Resources for member and associate groups. The goal of the briefing will be to fully understand the proposed changes for the 2012-2017 Crown lands management plans. These changes will reduce the existing level of conservation forest (30.4%) to either 23% or 25%. The new level of conservation forest, slated to begin in 2012, was a decision taken by the last government, but the current government is considering whether to proceed with these changes or not. There is strong opposition to the changes as the conservation forest includes stream buffer zones, deer wintering areas and old growth forest habitat.

The briefing will take place on Tuesday, May 10, 9-11 a.m. in Fredericton. Mike Sullivan and Steve Gordon will represent the Department of Natural Resources. If you are interested in participating, please advise the NBEN by Thursday, May 5. Thank you, Mary Ann

Details: 03 May 2011; Hits: 10473

Nominations are now open for the 2011 Environmental Leadership Awards. The deadline is Friday, May 27.

There are six award categories this year:

●    Lifetime achievement: any individual with at least 15 years of outstanding contribution to protecting the environment;
●    Individual youth: any youth younger than 18;
●    Youth group: any group, class or school whose members are younger than 18;
●    Individual: any individual 18 or older;
●    Business: any private-sector enterprise; and
●    Communities, groups and organizations: any city, town, village, local service district, not-for-profit organization or group whose members are 18 or older.

For more info.

Details: 03 May 2011; Hits: 14506

Interesting news from California!

Check out this article: "California faces future risk with carbon gold rush"

Mary Ann

Details: 29 April 2011; Hits: 26080

We asked all the candidates in Atlantic Canada to respond to 7 questions that are of concern to Sierra Club members ... and the responses are now compiled!

We believe we have made some headway in educating candidates on many of these issues, and are very grateful for the time they took to answer us during what is a very grueling and stressful time.

What remains is for them to keep their commitments, once they are elected.

We were disappointed that more candidates did not respond to our questionnaire: two candidates from the Liberals and Conservatives answered our questions. The NDP Party took the time to summarize their responses, and we received individual answers from a total 9 Green and 12 NDP candidates.

Key points of agreement in the answers we received:

the need to encourage renewables and green jobs in our region (but we need to tell folks WHAT renewables to support and HOW MUCH to support them);
the need to fix our fisheries by reforming Department of Fisheries and Oceans;
support for cleaning up Boat Harbour was across the board, except in Peter MacKay's response (somewhat ironic because the site is located in his riding!);
the need for better regulation of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas ("fracking"), with many Green Party candidates calling for a ban; and
support to repeal the change in the Fisheries Act that would allow Sandy Pond (and lakes and rivers across the country) from becoming waste dumps.

Areas where we need to get to work on are:

Conservative received an "F" in our Sierra national grading on climate change, and their lack of support for renewables and green jobs hurts our region. Their support for the Lower Churchill mega-project while wiping out support for renewables (wind, solar, etc.) will leave many communities unable to participate in our green energy future;
Individual Liberals said they would protect Sandy Pond from becoming a waste dump for mines, but their party's commitment to do so was vague;
shutting down Point Lepreau nuclear power plant (Conservatives, Liberals did not agree to do so) while the NDP want reforms and no more subsidies to nuclear and fixing regulations but made no commitment to shut down the plant; and
protecting the Gulf of St. Lawrence for oil and gas development (only the Green Party agreed to protect the Gulf from oil), while the Liberals and NDP want better regulation and thorough review.

On May 2nd, we will begin he 41st Parliament of Canada. Some of the candidates who answered these questionnaires will be in Ottawa, representing you. Let's use these commitments to help us achieve a healthier and sustainable Atlantic Canada.

Summary of Candidate's responses

1. Support for Renewables
2. Protect the Gulf of St. Lawrence fro Oil and Gas
3. Point Lepreau Nuclear Power Plant Decommisssioning
4. Save Sandy Pond
5. Fix Our Fisheries
6. Take Action on Fracking
7. Clean Up Boat Harbour

If you would like to see what candidates in your riding or province answered, please go here.

Please circulate ! And for goodness sake VOTE.

Details: 29 April 2011; Hits: 11051

CCNB will present its annual Milton F. Gregg Conservation Awards in Fredericton Saturday night at the Spring into Action fundraiser.

The award for lifelong achievement will be presented to Robena Weatherley from Cambridge-Narrows. Elizabeth McLaughlin of Moncton will receive the award for environmental activism. Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis will be recognized for its organizational achievement and Hampton-based Dave’s Produce Packs will receive the business achievement award.

The recipients will be honoured on the evening of Saturday April 30th at the Conservation Council’s annual Spring into Action fundraiser to be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fredericton.

http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/Aboutus/miltonfgregg_awards.aspx.

Tickets to the event are available from the Conservation Council at 180 St. John St, Fredericton, 458-8747, [email protected] or can be purchased at Westminster Books and True Food Organics.

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CCNB’s 2011 Milton F. Gregg Conservation Award Recipient Biographies

Lifetime Achievement - Robena Weatherley, Cambridge-Narrows

Robena is a forest ecologist by training, one of the first women in that field. Robena and her husband Alan are the driving forces behind the Washademoak Environmentalists, a group committed to preserving the Lake, and the Canaan-Washademoak Watershed Association. Robena has undertaken scientific studies of the watershed , and successfully tackled siltation caused by bad forestry practices and shoreline erosion from home and cottage developments.

Environmental Activism – Elizabeth (Beth) McLaughlin, Moncton

Elizabeth McLaughlin, who worked as a teacher for years, is an effective environmental organizer and motivator. She organized opposition to the Jaakko Poyry forestry recommendations and has worked tirelessly to make people aware of the dangers of nuclear power. Beth is passionate about building sustainable communities and operates a business with this focus.

Organizational Achievement - Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis

The 60-plus member Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis have been fighting for justice in their community where 40 families lost their drinking water and many have suffered property as a result of industrial activity in the area. Potash mining and natural gas production both occur within the community. The group has conducted research, media interviews, public outreach, meetings with government officials, tours for politicians, and intervened in public tribunals on behalf of their community.

Business Achievement - Dave’s Produce Packs, Hampton area

Situated on the outskirts of Hampton, along the Kennebecasis River, Dave’s Produce Packs provides one hundred plus families in the greater Saint John area with fresh, local, organic produce on a weekly basis. Dave Wolpin, Sydney Bliss, Dan Aurell and Alex Thomas are the team of eco-conscious market gardeners who operate this business enterprise which also provides local fruits, free range eggs, and locally baked bread to their customers.

Details: 28 April 2011; Hits: 10839

Oui pour plus d'habitats de la faune! Non à plus de coupe à blanc!

Quand : mardi le 10 mai à midi
Ou : L’Assemblée législative à Fredericton

Le plan de 50 ans pour la gestion forestière du gouvernement du
Nouveau-Brunswick déterminera le sort de notre faune.

S'il vous plaît, joignez vous à nous le mardi 10 mai à Fredericton pour
envoyer un message clair que nous ne voulons pas que nos zones de
protection des habitats coupées à blanc. Au lieu, nous voulons un plan
de 50 ans qui protège et restaure la riche diversité d'animaux, plantes,
arbres, rivières et cours d'eau dans notre forêt.

De la partie, des orateurs et une bannière 318 pieds de long appelant à
la fin de la coupe à blanc de nos forêts signées par des milliers de
personnes à travers les Amériques. La bannière a visité de nombreux
endroits d'Hawaï à Ottawa et est maintenant au Nouveau-Brunswick.

La Nouvelle-Écosse s'est engagée à ne plus financer l'épandage
d’herbicides sur leurs forêts. Ils vont également réduire de moitié la
superficie de coupe à blanc. Le Québec a interdit les épandages
d’herbicide il y a plus de 10 ans. Le Nouveau-Brunswick devrait suivre
l’exemple de ses voisins et abandonner la foresterie destructive.

Si vous souhaitez faire du covoiturage, contactez Tracy au
[email protected]

Pour plus d'informations sur les habitats fauniques, visitez le site:
http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/fr/Acadian-Forest-Action/Wildlife_Habitat_Alert.aspx

Details: 28 April 2011; Hits: 14660

Yes to More Wildlife Habitat! No to More Clearcutting!

When: 12 noon on Tuesday, May 10
Where: New Brunswick Legislature, Fredericton, NB

The government of New Brunswick's 50 year forest management plan will
determine the fate of our wildlife.

Please join us on Tuesday, May 10 in Fredericton to send a strong
message that we don't want our habitat protection zones clearcut,
instead we want a 50 year plan that protects and restores the rich
diversity of animals, plants, trees, rivers and streams in our forest.

The rally will include speakers and a 318 foot long banner calling for
an end to the clearcutting of our forest signed by thousands of people
from across the Americas. The banner has visited many locations from
Hawaii to Ottawa and is now in New Brunswick.

Nova Scotia is committed to reducing the area of clearcutting by half
and no longer funding the herbicide spraying of their forest. Quebec
banned herbicide spraying of their public forest a decade ago in 2001.
New Brunswick should follow our neighbours into the 21st century and
abandon destructive forestry.

Interested in carpooling? Contact Tracy at [email protected]

For more information on wildlife habitat, visit:
http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/Acadian-Forest-Action/Wildlife_Habitat_Alert.aspx

Details: 26 April 2011; Hits: 8309

So the way I see it, the most important part of a network is the members and associates who form it. That’s why I dedicated most of this week to identifying and calling potential groups that would fit in well with the NBEN. Chatting with people gave me insights on what they value most, and where they dedicate their time. This allowed me to make several connections with other groups who are working on the same issues. That’s when it hit me: let’s not re-invent the wheel! Let’s work together to strengthen our capacities and our province’s environment. The more we connect, the more we succeed.

If you know a group who has the environment at heart, don’t hesitate to invite them to become a member or associate of the NBEN.

Details: 26 April 2011; Hits: 27677

Happy Earth Day! There are many environmental events going on around the province in the next couple of weeks, both in celebration of Earth Day and otherwise. Read more on our website.

On the election front, many environmental groups are trying to bring attention to environmental issues. The Sierra Club of Canada just released its election report card, which grades the five major parties based on their platforms. Closer to home, the Petitcodiac Riverkeeper surveyed candidates in ridings surrounding the river and was delighted by the support from most parties.

Renee Beaulieu will be finishing her contract with the NBEN this week. We would like to thank her for the great work she’s done for the NBEN and we wish her the best in her future endeavours!

Back in March, the NBEN hosted a province-wide conference on education focused on sustainability. The final report from the conference is now available.

The ETF award list for this year has been announced. See http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0373/0002/ETFAwards.pdf.

Details: 21 April 2011; Hits: 18309

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Details: 20 April 2011; Hits: 18912

MONCTON, April 20, 2011 - Like for every federal election, Petitcodiac Riverkeeper submitted a
survey to candidates of ridings surrounding the river, which are Beauséjour, Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe
and Fundy Royal. The Riverkeeper is delighted by the support received, despite the lack of understanding
that seems to exist with the conservative candidates over the issue.

The first question was about their support for the Petitcodiac River Restoration Project. All candidates
support the Petitcodiac River Restoration with the exception of conservative candidates, Rob Moore of
Fundy Royal and Evelyn Chapman of Beauséjour. Without a clear answer, Robert Goguen, Conservative
Party candidate in Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, wants to wait until the monitoring phase is over " to
evaluate when and how to proceed with the next phase."

The second question concerned the candidates' commitment to ensure that the federal government
financially contributes at least half the cost of the Petitcodiac River Restoration Project. Candidates of the
Liberal Party, NDP and Green Party have responded positively to this question. While the liberal Dominic
LeBlanc believes that “the restoration project of the Petitcodiac River must be completed", conservative
Robert Goguen will ensure federal funding only "if it is the wish of the residents of Moncton-Riverview-
Dieppe and the other levels of government."

According to the Riverkeeper, the Conservative candidates’ position is disappointing. "The federal
government has been a partner in the restoration project since the beginning. Its continued participation is
expected; almost all candidates recognize that” says Marco Morency, executive director of Petitcodiac
Riverkeeper. "We're at the end of a long process that involved the most comprehensive environmental
impact assessment ever conducted in New Brunswick. The federal government is engaged in this process
and it has to remain engaged until the project is completed "he adds.

As for the positions taken by the Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe Conservative candidate, Robert Goguen,
Marco Morency highlights that since the causeway gates were open in April 2010, preliminary results
exceed expectations of all observers and restoration receives the support of four out of five voters in the
region. Petitcodiac Riverkeeper carries out a survey for each federal election since 2000.

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INFORMATION:
Marco Morency | Tel. 388-5337 | Cel. 863-5114 | [email protected]

BACKGROUND

The Petitcodiac River causeway was built between 1966 and 1968. Since then, it has altered the river’s
tidal bore, the socio-economic activities that existed along the waterway, and the ecosystem. This
includes negatively affecting aquatic species native to the river, most notably the now endangered inner
Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon.

The Petitcodiac River causeway was declared illegal in March 2001 by former federal Minister of
Fisheries and Oceans, Herb Dhaliwal, following the tabling of the Niles Report. This triggered a
comprehensive joint federal-provincial environmental impact assessment in 2002, completed in 2005,
which recommended the construction of a partial bridge to completely restore fish passage and comply
with the Federal Fisheries Act. The federal-provincial agreement of 2002 stipulated that the federal and
provincial governments would share the costs of the Petitcodiac River Restoration Project equally.

The Petitcodiac River Restoration Project, valued at approximately $70 million, was initiated in July 2008
and comprises of three phases: preparation (Phase 1, completed in March 2010), the opening of the
causeway gates and monitoring (Phase 2, which will continue until 2012) and the construction of a partial
bridge, which should normally start in spring 2012. You can read the project description at
www.petitcodiac.com for further details.

RESULTS SUMMARY - see attachment

News from Groups

An open letter from the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources , on Canada’s commitment to diversify our energy markets and the need to further streamline the regulatory process in order to advance Canada’s national economic interest

Business leaders urge B.C. to “Stay the Course” on climate leadership, Media Release, Tides Canada, December 19, 2011

Environmental Trust Fund applications being accepted for 2012-13

Photo 1: Left to right – Sabine Dietz, Nature NB, winner of Samaqan Award, Mary Ann Coleman, Executive Director, NBEN, Stephanie Merrill, Conservation Council of NB, winner of the Gaia Award.

INTRODUCTION

Check out submissions by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the Canadian Wildlife Federation on the proposed elements of the New Brunswick Species at Risk Act on July 15, 2011.

Interesting news from California!

Mary Ann

An open letter from
the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources ,
on Canada’s commitment to diversify our energy markets and the need to further streamline the regulatory process in order to advance Canada’s national economic interest