Time's Running out to Protect the Peel!

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Photo Credit - National Geographic.

Dear Larry, Time’s running out to show your support for the Peel! An historic decision is about to be made about the future of Yukon’s world-famous  Peel Watershed. The Yukon Government is about to throw out six years of hard  work and compromise by a diverse range of stakeholders on the Peel Commission's  proposed management plan for the region, in favour of a proposal they developed  unilaterally which would allow roads and surface access throughout the region. The battle for the protecting Peel Watershed has become as much an issue of  supporting democracy as it is one of protecting the landscape. Speak up now to  protect the Peel. We need YOUR voice to support the Peel Commission’s Final Recommended Plan  for the Peel. If we don’t act now to protect the Peel, it will be too late.  Take action NOW!

Starving Polar Bears (podcast)

living on earth

Polar Bears have long been the poster species for the problem of climate change. But a new paper in Conservation Letters argues that supplemental feeding may be necessary to prevent polar bear populations from going extinct. Polar bear expert Andrew Derocher from the University of Alberta joins Host Steve Curwood to discuss how we can save the largest bear on the planet. Details here.
OR; Listen to the podcast, here:

Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference

On February 19 - 22, 2013 the Alberta Prairie Conservation Forum and the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists will jointly host the 10^thPrairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference (PCESC). Details here.

PLT photo (r.) Cape May Warbler. "Use of certain insecticides to control spruce budworms causes steep declines in Cape May Warbler numbers. Logging, especially in the western portion of the species' range, may eventually pose risks to the Warbler because of reduced availability of the mature forests needed to support spruce budworms." (Source - Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Chalk River's Spent Reactor Rods to be Shipped Through Valley

Ottawa Citizen

'Expedited' approval being sought for shipment of highly radioactive material. Details here.

PLT: PSSST...Government of Canada...news flash....Nuclear is not "alternative" or "sustainable" energy! It is misguided, expensive and dangerous. Find another way!

Obama Climate Change Poll Finds Majority Supports 'Significant Steps' To Tackle Problem

Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- A wide majority of Americans support President Barack Obama's call to take action on climate change, according to polling…Details here.

Saskatchewan Predicts 'Above-Normal' Spring Runoff

Manitoba Co-Operator
That's assuming about-average precipitation from here out. Details here. 

Six Unions: One Voice

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

This Wednesday, February 13, the six unions operating on the University of Manitoba campus will unite with one voice. Details here.

Manitoba's Sustainable Pastures

Perennial polycultures and Managed Intensive Rotational Grazing (MIRG)

By Lydia Carpenter - Manitoba Eco-Journal

Permanent Pasture stands can be maintained by use of perennial polycultures that imitate the diversity of natural ecosystems. A diverse grouping of plants consisting of grasses, forbs, and woody species can make up a perenni- al polyculture and be used as pasture for grazing animals (ruminants), including cattle, sheep and goats. Animals on a perennial polyculture can contribute to nutrient cycling and an increase in soil organic matter. Established, maintained and healthy perennial pastures have also been shown to have a large capacity for carbon sequestration.

On our farm in Western Manitoba, we have counted over 30 different species of both native and non-native perennials and biennial forages, including nitrogen-fixing legumes such as alfalfa, pea-vine and various species of clover. These plants populate our permanent pasture that maintains a flock of sheep, a herd of goats and seasonal pro- duction of pasture-raised poultry. 

PLT photo.

Safeguarding Manitoba's Seal River

Manitoba Eco-Network

The largest remaining undammed river in this province's north, the wild, unspoiled essence of the Seal and the lands that feed it, hold a mythic quality in the hearts and minds of those aware of it natural richness. Details here. 

Another Manitoba river which, to me, evokes similar sentiments, is the Waterhen, above. PLT photo.

Curbing Food Waste for Human and Environmental Health

World Watch Institute

It is said that the US alone wastes enough food to fill every empty stomach in Africa! Details here. 

PLT: This is sooo outrageous! When will something be done?

Organic salad. PLT photo

Oklahoman Youth Pastor Suspended From KXL Construction Equipment, Locked to Machinery.

Great Plains Tar Sands Resistance

A youth pastor locked himself to machinery being used to build the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline near Schoolton, Oklahoma this morning. He's taking action to protect the North Canadian River and the health of the towns and land it runs through from being irreversibly damaged by leaks and spills... Details here.