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Canadian Environmental Network
Manitoba Eco-Network gratefully acknowledges the support of Manitoba Conservation
Eco-Journal
Volume 14, Number
4
September/October 2004
PDF
Version(2.49 MB)
The New Water Protection Act: Possibilities
and Pitfalls
by Glen Koroluk
Remembering Cec Muldrew
by Anne Lindsey
New Healthy Home Store Opening
by Liz Dykman
Making the Big Move: The Eco-Centre Relocation Project
by Anne Lindsey
Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board Seeks Input
Highlights of Children’s Health and
the Environment Conference
by Kimlee Wong Morrisseau
Mosquito Fogging Prompts Civil Disobedience:
Trap Count Data Contradictory
by David Nickarz
Winnipeg Wild!
Idle-Free at Work
by Rachel Van Caeseele, Climate Change Connection
Member Group Profile: Environmental Youth Centre,
Thompson, MB
by Twila Makuch
The New Water Protection
Act: Possibilities and Pitfalls
By Glen Koroluk
Remember the fall of 1999? The Eco-Journal reported back then that “Environmentalists were guardedly optimistic” and the “proof will be in the pudding” in describing Gary Doer’s election win. At that time, many were anticipating a great change in direction for environmental protection as the past eleven-year Tory regime focussed overly on sustainable development rhetoric. However, since coming into power, Gary Doer has spent most of the time disassembling and reassembling various areas of environmental responsibility in government.
Doer’s first announcement as premier was to establish his cabinet which saw the Ministries of Environment, Natural Resources and the energy section of the Ministry of Energy and Mines become the Ministry of Conservation. With little forethought put into the amalgamation creating the conservation super-ministry, and headed by a minister who many thought did not have the adequate credentials, environmental priorities and initiatives took a back seat in Doer’s first term.
Pre-election water strategy announcement
Five years later, in Doer’s second term, and now on our third
Conservation Minister, we have a cabinet configuration, which includes
a new Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Ministry of
Water Stewardship (the first of its kind in Canada) as well as Conservation.
Water Stewardship was born from the consultation process initiated
back in the fall of 2001 when public input was sought to develop
a strategic plan for water in Manitoba. “The Manitoba Water
Strategy” was thus released in April of 2003 days before Doer
called an election for his bid as a second term government.
The Water Strategy calls for the development of an integrated water planning and management system, the review and consolidation of water legislation and the development of mechanisms for financing water management and planning.
It is with these principles that the Honourable Steve Ashton introduced the “Water Protection Act” for a first reading in the Legislature in spring 2004.
The Water Protection Act or Bill 22 finally got its say this past September 13, 2004 in a special inter-sessional standing committee of Legislature dealing with the bill. All told, 14 organizations and 2 private citizens expressed their concerns to the standing committee. While agricultural industry representatives, municipalities and conservation organizations praised the intent of the Water Protection Act, which, “is to provide for the protection and stewardship of Manitoba’s water resources and aquatic ecosystems”, differences of opinion as to how, and if Bill 22 could accomplish this task became apparent.
Described by government, the Water Protection Act is designed to protect water at the source, which would complement the recently passed Drinking Water Safety Act. Five key components are contained within the Act which include water protection measures, watershed planning, establishment of a Water Council, establishment of a Water Stewardship Fund and consequential amendments to other acts, such as the Water Rights Act and Planning Act to ensure conformity.
Water protection measures will be accomplished by enshrining water quality standards, objectives and guidelines into the legislation, designating areas of land as well as water as water quality management zones (with an initial focus on limiting nutrients) and controlling the importation of invasive species. The Minister of Water Stewardship will also have the authority of declaring a state of water shortage, which would allow him/her to curtail the use of water during severe drought periods.
Will the act protect our water?
Gaile Whelan Enns, Manitoba Wildlands Director, raised concerns
about the reactive nature of the Act, coordination with other Manitoba
acts respecting water use, and the need to identify and protect
headwaters and other sensitive water sources immediately. “We
provided a list of terms not defined in the Bill, and pointed out
that the basis for watershed planning must be identification of
source waters. It is also difficult to tell which of the many Acts
regarding water resources will prevail. We recommended a compliance
review of all water law in Manitoba.”
In their presentation, Ducks Unlimited demonstrated that wetlands
are extremely important as a natural filter for watersheds, by limiting
nutrient runoff (such as nitrogen and phosphates from farmland).
Ducks Unlimited recommended that wetlands conservation should be
explicitly identified under the purpose of the Act with a “no-net-loss”
of wetlands target.
Over the evening a wide range of other comments were heard on Bill 22. The main concerns, as expressed by the agricultural industry and municipalities included: the lack of an appeal process for decisions made in the act; the need for compensation programs for producers should they lose their water rights in times of drought; and, the ability of government to limit development in watershed areas. It is also unclear as to how the City of Winnipeg and capital region fits into the overall plan of watershed planning. With five watersheds and over 700,000 people, the capital region will require special attention when it comes to watershed planning.
Lack of funding and consultation
Other concerns included the lack of funding for implementing various
aspects of the Act including watershed planning, and the substantial
requirement for better and meaningful consultation. Without new
financial and human resources, the Water Protection Act will merely
become a piece of paper that collects dust, much like other underutilized
environmental legislation in Manitoba such as the Energy Act, the
Sustainable Development Act, the Contaminated Sites Remediation
Act and numerous sections of the Environment Act.
Bill 22 is termed as “enabling legislation” which means most of the nuts and bolts of the legislation will be developed through regulations. It is imperative that the public gets more involved in the consultation process and development of the regulations for standards, zones and conservation programs. It is also important that grassroots water organizations in Manitoba get their foot in the door and take the initiative to help government decide how a watershed management authority should be set up, what terms of reference to include and who should belong in the authority.
Watershed authority has limited power
As it stands, a watershed planning authority has no real power delegated
to it, unless a conservation district, a planning district board
or a municipal council has been designated as an authority by the
government. The government could also designate any other person
or entity as a watershed planning authority. It has been shown in
Minnesota that, in order for a watershed planning authority to be
successful, it must have the capability to permit some water-related
activities and to raise money through taxes or fees. They must also
be able to assist in water data collection in partnership with higher
levels of government.
Will the Water Protection Act protect our water? The proof will be in the practical results, and I’m guardedly optimistic.
For a copy of the Water Protection Act (Bill 22), go to http://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/index.php. For a copy of all 16 presentations made to the committee, try www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/hansard/2nd-38th/indexssc.html. For those who want to get more involved on water issues, you can contact Glen Koroluk at 947-3082 or gkoroluk@mb.aibn.com.
Remembering Cec Muldrew
by Anne Lindsey
I’m sad, once again, to have to report on the passing of
another of Manitoba’s special citizens—someone who has
supported the Eco-Network for many, many years—Cecil Muldrew.
Cec was known to everyone involved in any cause for peace, justice
and the environment. He was a generous, energetic and passionate
soul—whether it was about the value of a vegan diet, about
the need for planting trees, or the need to end war.
In his career as an educator, Cec was revered and respected by colleagues and students alike. In retirement, he continued to educate, and moreover, to “activate”. A veteran of World War II, Cec was outspoken about the injustices of conflict, and played an active role in Veterans Against Nuclear Arms and Project Peacemakers. He spent his last years living a simple, but in his words, enriching, life at Victoria Beach—where he became involved in the Manitoba Model Forest and enjoyed his other passion, nature, to the fullest.
At his memorial service, the following words, written by Mark Belletini, were spoken. They are reprinted here, because this is so accurate a description of Cec, and so much what he would want of his fellow travellers.
And now, let us turn our face toward our living:
Go in peace.
Live simply, gently, at home with yourselves.
Act justly.
Speak justly.
Remember the depth of your compassion.
Forget not your power in the days of your powerlessness.
Do not desire to be wealthier than your peers
And stint not your hand of charity.
Practice forbearance.
Speak truth or speak not.
Take care of yourself as bodies,
For you are a good gift.
Crave peace for all people in the world,
Beginning with yourselves,
And go as you go with the dream of that peace
Alive in your hearts.
New Healthy
Home Store Opening
By Liz Dykman
Dom Rutigliano (at right) and Robert Bachart show some of their
products for ‘green’ building and renovating. Pic by
Liz Dykman.
Robert Bachart and Dom Rutigliano are on a mission to get people using healthier, more energy-efficient products in their homes and commercial buildings. The co-owners of “Eco: The Healthy Home Store” are passionate about the products they sell. Motivated by concern for the next generation, they want to provide green alternatives for builders and renovators. Since Canadians spend so much of our time indoors, it means a lot to have healthy buildings. Dom is especially concerned about spaces where young children are present. A father of small children himself, he is concerned about the amount of toxic substances that are used in buildings, particularly because there are so many safer options. “Name a product, and I’ll find you a green alternative,” he says.
Two years ago, Robert started researching green building products. A former owner of a gas station, he wanted to have a career that he could believe in. He teamed up with Dom, who brought marketing and advertising experience, to form the business. For about a year they sold products wholesale from a warehouse, but found they needed to be able to show people how well the products performed. They were up against the commonly held beliefs that environmentally friendly products either cost an exorbitant amount, or just plain don’t work.
Do it right, from the beginning
A few months ago, Dom and Robert started renovating a retail space
on Dakota St. in Winnipeg, using their alternative products. The
showroom features various floor coverings: linoleum, bamboo, cork,
and FSC certified hardwood, an energy efficient lighting system
with automatic shutoffs, a dual flush toilet, and recycled cotton
insulation.
Aesthetically, there is no argument. The floor and roofing samples showcased in the store are lovely. And in terms of price, the owners emphasize that the products do not cost much more. Comparing their environmentally friendly products to conventional products of equal quality, Robert estimates that prices are in general only 10-15% more, and some products even cost less. Along with low and zero VOC paints, the store offers a line of reprocessed paints that are cheaper than conventional products. Soy-based expanding foam is the same price as the conventional petroleum-based product and the soft, touchable cotton insulation costs only about a dime more per square foot, and is so much nicer to work with than fibreglass.
Especially when building new, Dom wants to see people “do it right from the beginning.” Even if it costs a little bit more to install something like a dual flush toilet, it pays for itself in lower water bills. Efficient lighting reduces energy use, and using products such as recycled plastic lumber closes the loop on materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.
One of the other obstacles faced by the business is the difficulty in finding Canadian suppliers. Although they would prefer to source their products from Canadian companies, it is not always possible. Robert and Dom blame a lack of regulations that would make reuse and recycling of things like paint mandatory in Canada. They feel that the U.S. is at least 2-5 years ahead in setting these types of environmental policies. They would also like to see the use of greener building products mandated in this country.
Other examples of products at the store include a paint additive that provides insulating properties; outdoor flooring made from recycled tires, natural fibre carpet, and environmentally friendly cleaning products. Although their emphasis has been on building and renovating materials, the store will also offer a variety of eco-products for the entire home; cardboard furniture, CD racks made from reclaimed chopsticks and picture frames made from bicycle parts. You can check out their expanding line of products at www.ecoelements.ca. The site features tons of facts and tips about energy use, recycling and waste.
One of only two such stores
One of only two such stores in Canada, Dom and Robert hope to expand
to other provinces, and also hope to offer online shopping on their
website in the near future. Their grand opening is expected to be
near the end of October.
You can find the store at 2-827 Dakota St., and reach them at (204) 255-3779, or toll-free at 1-866-326-4412 or email Rob and Dom at info@ecoelements.ca.
Making the Big Move: The Eco-Centre
Relocation Project
By Anne Lindsey
We’ll be right next to this (just planted) way-cool, rooftop
prairie grasslands garden! Photo by Anne Lindsey.
The wheels are in motion for the Eco-Centre’s big move to the Mountain Equipment Co-op Building. This project has been in the works for a long time, and now it’s becoming a reality! Many readers will have received our letter back in July seeking donations towards the costs of developing the building’s third floor. The response has been fantastic! Thank yous are due to all the generous members of the Eco-Centre groups who have contributed so generously. All of them will be recognized in the space itself. If you haven’t contributed yet, we haven’t quite reached our target, and there’s still time! Call Liz at 947-6511 to find out how you can become a partner in the Eco-Centre relocation project.
Humming with activity
Keep in mind that the new Eco-Centre will house the Manitoba Eco-Network
(along with our GIS Centre and the Alice Chambers Memorial Library),
Resource Conservation Manitoba (including all their projects on
active transportation, climate change, and composting), the Boreal
Forest Network, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Western Canada
Wilderness Committee and Climate Change Connection. Just as it is
currently, the Eco-Centre will be a busy and lively place.
We are now looking at a move-in date of early spring. Between now
and that time, the third floor will be humming with activity as
floors are laid, office spaces created and all the other details
of construction take place. And we’re doing this as “green”
as possible, in keeping with the rest of this award-winning structure.
For anyone who doesn’t know, the MEC building, totally renovated in 2002, was originally three buildings destined for demolition. CentreVenture owns the building, which Mountain Equipment Co-op decided to take on as its new location in Winnipeg, as a signature Green Building. Using innovative design and deconstruction techniques, local architect Dudley Thompson, working together with Gerry Humphreys of Milestone Project Management, was able to create a new building using 95% of the materials from the former buildings—at the same time diverting 3,700 tonnes of waste from landfill. The building was designed for energy and water efficiency and meets Canada’s highest environmental standards. It is one of the most environmentally-friendly buildings in North America, incorporating composting toilets, low emitting building materials, and its newest addition—a tall-grass prairie rooftop garden (conveniently adjacent to the third floor office space!).
The groundwork
The third floor of MEC has remained vacant till now, and is basically
a shell requiring full development for use. Hence our fundraising
efforts! MEC set the groundwork for us with their enthusiasm about
the positive spinoffs that will result from our groups co-habiting
with them in the building. They agreed to extremely generous terms
for the rent and leasehold improvements, making it possible for
us to even consider a move.
Next up to the plate was the Winnipeg Foundation, which embraced our proposal to relocate as a consortium of groups, and committed funds early on. Successful applications to both the Community Places Fund (Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism), and the Manitoba Community Services Council, combined with the support being shown by our community of members has given us the confidence to go forward with this ambitious project.
We want to recognize as well, the support and advice of Dudley Thompson at Prairie Architects who believed in the possibilities and the good fit of this project right from the start. Prairie Architects, along with Milestone Project Management, are a storehouse of expertise and connections for environmentally sound building in Winnipeg, and we are looking forward to working with them as the development progresses.
Mixed feelings
Amongst all the excitement of planning, there is a touch of sadness
for me at least, at the prospect of leaving our niche in the Exchange
District. Our office here at 70 Albert Street has been home for
nearly 10 years. It’s a neat space in many ways—open
and bright, some describe it as “funky”. And there’s
no question that it has been affordable to a bunch of groups on
tight budgets. We have great relationships with other occupants
of the Exchange, especially Mondragon, the Underground Café,
our friends (and Eco-Network member groups) in the Hammond Building,
Warehouse Artworks, Albert Street Burgers, Emerge, and the Craftspace
Gallery. What a terrific bunch of people there are around here!
But the good news is that we won’t be far away in our new
spot, and we’ll have the added benefits of better accessibility,
and what we feel will be a great synergy with the staff and members
of Mountain Equipment Co-op. And of course, being in a Green Building
will provide a terrific opportunity to showcase many of the principles
that our groups espouse.
Please stay with us as we make the big step, and we look forward to the day that we can invite all our friends up to celebrate the new space.
Note: The next big event on the fundraising agenda is a fun opportunity: a benefit Dance Party on October 9. DJ’s Co-op, Hunnicutt and Zan are contributing their considerable talents for what promises to be a lively evening. Uptown Magazine and 101.5FM are also lending their support. Tickets are $10, available from us. (DJ Co-op, by the way, is none other than Tim Hoover, one of our student Organic Lawn Care Educators on this past summer’s project).
Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board Seeks Input
The Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board was established in July 2003 to “help the public identify and implement actions needed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loadings in Lake Winnipeg to pre-1970s levels”. The first interim report of the Board will be prepared in December of this year, and they are currently seeking input (suggestions, comments, advice) from the public on how to protect the lake. Input can be given in writing, by phone, or by email. Contact information: Bill Barlow, Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board, PO Box 305 Gimli, MB R0C 1B0 Phone: 204-642-4899, Email: wilbar@mts.net
More information on the Board may be found at www.lakewinnipeg.org and about the government’s Lake Winnipeg Action Plan at www.manitoba.ca/lakewinnipeg, and brochures are also available at the Eco-Centre.
Highlights of
Children’s Health and the Environment Conference
By Kimlee Wong Morrisseau
The Youth Perspectives Panel: Claire Kelly (left), Sara Hosseini,
and Brennan Manaokeesick (right).
From June 3rd to the 5th 2004, the Environmental Committee of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg hosted Exposed for Life: A Conference on Children’s Health and the Environment. This was the first time such a forum was held in Winnipeg to specifically look at how children are uniquely affected by the environments they live, learn and play in.
The Conference offered workshops on toxins, water, food, climate change, our built environment, community planning and the benefits of green spaces. Particular attention was given to how Aboriginal and poor communities are disproportionately affected by waste and pollution while receiving little of the benefits from industry and technology.
Raising awareness
The goals of the conference were to raise awareness and initiate
discussion on the ways our choices directly impact the health of
our children. While much of the information is worrisome, the Conference
also highlighted many options that people have to reduce negative
impacts and offered suggestions for enhancing children’s well-being.
Presenters included doctors, First Nation activists, university
professors, community educators, public health officers, and youth
from across Canada.
The past ten years have seen a growing number of scientists highlighting the unique susceptibility to environmental contaminants that children carry due to their biology, development and behaviour. While our regulations assume that children are smaller versions of adults, scientific evidence and biology proves this assumption false.
Childhood pact to spread message
The conference opened with keynote addresses from Jean Dominic Lesveque
Rene and Dr. Sandra Steingraber. A childhood cancer survivor, Jean-Dominic,
a 20 year old engineering student from Montreal, explained how when
he was a patient in the cancer ward at ten years old, he and the
other children found reason to link pesticides to their condition.
As children began to die, a pact was made that whoever survived
would spread the message on the dangers of pesticide use. As one
of the survivors, Jean-Dominic has made presentations to audiences
across North America. In closing, Jean-Dominic admitted that he
was not a scientist. His ‘expertise’ comes from living
through cancer and educating himself.
Dr. Sandra Steingraber followed by discussing the science surrounding pesticides’ role in the development of cancer, particularly the cancer that Jean-Dominic survived. Dr. Steingraber holds a PhD in biology, has authored several books and advised governments around the world on environmental health issues. Dr. Steingraber calls on us to adopt the precautionary principle, a topic that opened the Conference the following morning. The precautionary principle supports preventive action when there is a risk to health or habitat, without waiting for scientific certainty or consensus. In North America, our regulatory system operates on an opposing premise. Here, we allow development until there is enough scientific ‘proof’ of harm. In the case of chemicals, industry and regulators assume we can find a safe ‘dose’ that people can ingest without causing serious health problems. As we are finding out, the problem with this type of approach is that it assumes we are all healthy, white males, that we are only exposed to one chemical at a time and that these chemicals do not accumulate in our bodies.
Different responses
In truth, people, especially children, respond differently to exposures,
we are inundated with a “chemical soup” mixture on a
daily basis and many chemicals accumulate in our bodies over our
lifetime.
For myself, the Conference underscored the importance of any number of initiatives supporting healthy, clean alternatives to our more destructive habits at the grassroots level in Manitoba. There are organic food co-ops, organic caterers, non-toxic cleaning, lawn care and pest management companies, a bicycle courier service, etc.. These initiatives are poorly networked, under-funded, and operate within a growing but still select audience. There needs to be more awareness of these resources in mainstream audiences. Governments and consumers should put their money where their values lie.
There is a need for more education and action within health and public policy makers. The Ontario College of Family Physicians recently hosted a conference to educate health professionals on environmental health issues. Southern Ontario and Canada, the United States and Mexico have formed coalitions to specifically deal with children’s environmental health.
The risks of keeping the status quo are far greater than imagined. Action needs to happen now. Dr. Steingraber explained how we learned from the thalidomide experience that it is not so much the dose that makes the poison but the timing that determines if and how a child will be damaged. Children are being harmed by levels below our regulatory limits and the mixtures of chemicals we are exposed to are just now beginning to be studied.
Last but not least, poverty and environmental justice are at the heart of our crisis. The struggle for social justice and aboriginal rights support the struggle for a healthy environment.
A video of the conference is being produced and a report will soon be available. For more information, please contact: Kimlee at 775-0916 or email neechi@mts.net.
Mosquito Fogging Prompts
Civil Disobedience: Trap Count Data Contradictory
By David Nickarz
Click for Graph of Mosquito Trap Counts
On Saturday, July 17, 2004, six activists successfully blockaded the fogging trucks at the entrance to 3 Grey Street, the fenced compound of Winnipeg’s Insect Control Branch. No malathion fogging took place Saturday or Sunday night. Monday night was a different story. The insect control staff decided to wait until two in the morning to resume fogging. About ten activists stuck it out and waited.
When police cars showed up, we knew it was time. Three activists decided to sit down in front of the trucks. Sara Peloquin, Glenda Whiteman and I put ourselves in a position of arrest. Sara and I went limp and were carried off the road by police. Glenda didn’t go quietly. It took five police officers to overpower her and put her under arrest as she struggled to free herself. Glenda was charged with public mischief and causing a disturbance. Sara and I were given two tickets under the Highway Traffic Act with fines totaling $310.00 each.
A few days later, Carrie Boles blockaded a fogging truck in front of her parents’ home. She had been fogged twice that evening while riding her bicycle in Wildwood Park. She bravely stood in front of a truck alone until police arrived. She received an $80.00 fine.
Trap counts exposed in media coverage
It all started with Helen Falding’s article in the Winnipeg
Free Press on July 17th, entitled “How well does fogging work?
Mosquito counts nearly identical in sprayed, unsprayed areas.”
The article examined the mosquito trap count numbers that the Insect
Control branch finally released after years of prodding by activists
and reporters.
The trap count numbers really speak for themselves. Mosquito populations fluctuate due to rain and temperature, and the fogging doesn’t appear to have any effect on population numbers. Mosquito fogging simply does not work.
For example, on July 2, the areas of the city containing four traps were sprayed. Within two days the mosquitoes caught in the traps went from several hundred down to almost zero. This looks as if the fogging has had some effect, right? Wrong. If you look at the other traps on the same date, they also fall to near-zero within two days. In some cases after fogging, the numbers actually increase (see July 5, 14 and 24).
Guideline violations
On July 24, the areas of Winnipeg fogged had trap counts of one
and zero. Not only does fogging not work, but it is sometimes used
when there are no mosquitoes! Fogging also took place in winds above
the stated policy of 10 km/hr-in winds gusting up to 46 km/hr. They
also fogged during a low of 4 degrees, well below the 12 degrees
stated in policy guidelines.
On July 13th, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers changed the pesticide use permit to allow more fogging. If trap counts fall below an average of 25 for three days, the fogging has to stop. The government amended the permit to allow resumption of fogging after only one day of trap counts over 25. Stan Struthers called the three-day wait a “loop-hole” that had to be closed. This act of political opportunism happened when some residents complained that they missed out on the fogging due to the permit requirements.
The battle continues
After the first blockade, this issue garnered national media coverage.
Dan Moroz did an extensive interview on CTV’s Canada AM, and
Glenda and I did interviews with Global National TV. On the night
of the arrests, I did a live interview that was broadcast nationally.
We kept the issue in the papers for more than a week solid. The
issue was all over the radio airwaves. Both Winnipeg newspapers
printed articles on the fogging controversy, pointing out that other
means should be used to reduce mosquito habitat such as draining
standing water. Our actions brought the issue into the media and
sparked a serious public debate. My act of civil disobedience resulted
in a $310.00 fine-and it was worth every penny.
When will Winnipeg emerge from the dark ages of mosquito control? Fogging could end as early as next year, but I’m not that optimistic. I think it will happen in 2-5 years. Meanwhile we have to keep the pressure on. A number of people have told me that they are willing to join me on the blockade next year and put themselves in a position of arrest.
Winnipeg Wild!
WinnipegWild.net links healthy urban community with healthy natural
world
What is your favourite park or wilderness area within reach of Winnipeg? Go to www.Winnipegwild.net to fill in a short survey about your favourite spot and why these wildlands are important to you.
The relationship between healthy cities and healthy wildlands is a two-way relationship. People in Winnipeg breathe clean air filtered by Manitoba’s boreal forest, recreate in the region’s various parks and wilderness areas, and take solace in the knowledge that there will always be places where they can enjoy wilderness and wildlife. Without the support of the people of Winnipeg these wildlands may not persist.
Linking Winnipeg residents with wildlands
Winnipeg Wild is a new project developed by the Manitoba chapter
of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Manitoba) and
Wildcanada.net to illustrate the important links between residents
of the City of Winnipeg and the surrounding wildlands and wildlife.
The first step is this online survey.
In the fall, comments from the survey will be displayed on www.WinnipegWild.net and new action tools will be built into the web site that allow you to get involved in the decision making process about your favourite wilderness areas.
Winnipeg Wild is made possible by The Winnipeg Foundation. Wildcanada.net launched Calgary Wild in May 2004 and projects are anticipated for Victoria, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Moncton.
CPAWS is a charitable conservation organization whose mission is to protect wilderness and ensure nature comes first in the management of protected areas. For more information, see www.cpawsmb.org or call (204) 949-0782.
Idle-Free at Work
By Rachel Van Caeseele, Climate Change Connection
Idling occurs wherever there are vehicles—including your workplace parking area. Fortunately, anti-idling campaigns can be just as widespread.
Take action against climate change! Roll out an anti-idling program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality at your workplace. Let your co-workers know that running their vehicle for 10 seconds burns just as much fuel as restarting the engine.
Make workplace an Idle-Free Zone
The Office of Energy Efficiency offers this easy step-by-step plan
to make your workplace an “Idle-Free Zone”:
1. Declare your workplace an “Idle-Free Zone”.
2. Place anti-idling posters around high-traffic areas of your office
(e.g. the water cooler). Post Climate Change Connection’s
“Idle-free Zone” signs in parking areas.
3. E-mail facts and figures on the benefits of turning idling vehicle
engines off to your employees. Include a link to the Idle-Free Zone
and Climate Change Connection Web Sites.
4. Publish a “Turn It Off” story in your employee newsletter.
5. Hand out an anti-idling information card and a window decal to
employees with their pay stub.
6. Hold an organization-wide contest with prizes for vehicles that
display the anti-idling decal.
7. Save money on fuel: implement measures to reduce idling by drivers
of your fleet. Develop and implement an organization-wide anti-idling
policy. Consider participating in a “fleet challenge”
with similar organizations, businesses or industries in your community.
Besides reducing climate-changing emissions, introducing an anti-idling
program at your workplace brings benefits that will appeal to even
the most committed idler. Boons to your business include:
• It will save money. Your colleagues will keep up to $80
a year by shutting off their idling engines. Company fleets could
save much more! Molson Canada estimates that it saves $225,000 a
year from the idling-control program for its fleet.
• Strong public support. The campaign is a terrific community-based
environmental improvement initiative. It will generate a great deal
of interest in the local media.
• It demonstrates responsible municipal leadership.
• It is a simple solution to an environmental problem: anyone
can just turn the engine off.
• Idle-free campaigns are a great way to kick-start (or boost)
environmental workplace or community action plans.
• Because idling generates widespread interest and happens
at many locations throughout the community, anti-idling campaigns
are often most effective when supported by creative, mutually beneficial
partnerships.
Ready to reduce workplace idling?
Ready to reduce idling at your workplace? Great. The Office of Energy
Efficiency is ready, too. Their website features a toolkit of information
and downloadable education materials like posters, brochures, and
decals. Everything you need to make your workplace an idle-free
zone. Visit: oee.nrcan.gc.ca/idling.
Signs and decals are available free of charge from Climate Change Connection. Call (204) 943-4836 or visit www.climatechangeconnection.org.
Member Group Profile: Environmental
Youth Centre, Thompson, MB
By Twila Makuch
Along with a variety of other projects, EYC trains youth in Thompson
to replant clearcuts like this one. Photo by Twila Makuch.
The Environmental Youth Centre is a not-for-profit organization of the Thompson Boys and Girls Club. Our mandate is to act as a centre for youth oriented environmental stewardship, in order to encourage awareness of environmental issues and responsible ecological practices in northern communities. The Centre began in January 2003, and to date has initiated many hands-on projects with northern youth, including recycling, climate change prevention, composting, sustainable forestry activities, and operation of an environmentally friendly landfill.
NTFP harvesting
Currently, we are establishing a Non Timber Forest Product (NTFP)
Regional Centre in Thompson. NTFP, put simply, is all goods of both
plant and animal origin that are derived from forests, other than
timber and firewood. Some examples include mushrooms, sweet grass,
berries, floral greens, medicinal herbs, and tea leaves.
The establishment of a NTFP Regional Centre will encourage local economic development and sustainable use of forests. Community residents will have the opportunity to train in NTFP harvesting techniques and gain experience with small business opportunities.
The Environmental Youth Centre also created a partnership with the Manitoba Conservation Forestry Department in Thompson and has implemented a Northern Tree Planting Training Program. The program has employed and trained 26 youth from the Thompson Region in tree planting techniques, sustainable forestry practices, GPS, map and compass use, and tool equipment and maintenance. This program allows youth to obtain the experience required to attain employment with the large tree planting organizations that frequent the north every season.
These are just a few of the programs we have implemented thus far. Others include the Conservation Caravan, fish waste composting, pinecone collecting, brush clearing, Sturgeon and Rainbow Trout rearing, and waterway cleanup. We are in partnership with Manitoba Advanced Education and Training, Environment Canada Eco-Action, Sustainable Development Initiative Fund, City of Thompson, Manitoba Conservation and numerous other Provincial and Federal organizations.
If you have any questions regarding our programs or the centre, please feel free to call Twila Makuch at (204)-778-1940 or email at envyouthser@mts.net.
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