Eating a truly local diet for a year poses some tricky questions. First in a series.
By Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon Published: June 28, 2005 From TheTyee.ca
It's strawberry season. James and I are at the Ellis Farms u-pick on Delta's Westham Island, crouching between long rows of the bunchy green plants, plucking the big berries and dropping them gently into small buckets. We imagine their future with cream and in pies. I lick the sweet red juice from my fingers. "If I make jam we can have strawberries all year," I say. James asks with what, exactly, I plan to make the jam? Sugar? One of the planet's most exploitative products, shipped in from thousands of kilometres away?
"But what," I reply, "will we eat all winter?"
More: www.thetyee.ca/Life/2005/06/28/HundredMileDiet/
July 5-6, 2005 East Kootenay Workshop at College of the Rockies
July 7-8, 2005 West Kootenay Workshop at Selkirk College
BC forest communities are seeking new sources of long-term economic well being. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) include wild foods, decorative greens, ecotourism, natural health products and native plants for landscaping and restoration. This two day workshop will provide an introduction to this diverse sector, including how to recognize plant species, wreath and tincture making demonstrations, how we can incorporate NTFPs into forest management and the economy, and a hands-on demonstration of community-based NTFP inventory.
This workshop will be of interest to entrepreneurs, forest land owners and managers, and community development organisations both aboriginal and non-aboriginal.
Workshop Price: $119.00 (includes 1 year KFIS membership, 2 lunches and 4 coffee/treat breaks) limited scholarships are available.
For more information, view our website at www.kfis.ca
Sponsored by SER-BC and the Galiano Conservancy Association
September 30 to October 2, 2005, Galiano Island, B.C.
SER-BC’s annual conference will take place September 30 to October 2 on Galiano Island. The conference will include a get together on Friday evening, a day of presentations, a banquet, and a day of field trips.
The theme of the conference for 2005 is Restoration in the Rainshadow. The focus of the conference will be on restoration projects, needs and issues in the ecosystems of the Coastal Douglas Fir zone, including riparian and tidal ecosystems.
A digital proceedings of the conference will be published.
SER-BC invites the submission of abstracts of papers or posters for presentation at the conference. Submissions may deal with restoration research, projects, methods, requirements or issues within the CDF zone, and may address ecological, social, economic, historical or other dimensions of restoration. The deadline for submission of abstracts is July 30 2005. Submissions should be e-mailed to Robert_Seaton@brinkman.ca, as attachments in Word format.
Submissions should include the following information:
Accepted authors will be notified by approximately August 15 2005, and will be requested to prepare a complete paper and submit it in PDF format by Sept 15 2005. No presentations will be made without submission of a full paper for the proceedings. Papers should ideally be submitted in the formats used by the journal Restoration Ecology. However, recognizing that this is short timeline, and that some projects may not lend themselves as readily to the format of a standard scholarly paper as others, submitted papers may be more informal in format or approach where this is appropriate. Submission of PowerPoint presentations for the proceedings will not be accepted.
We look forward to hearing about your work, and seeing you at the conference.
In August 2005, the Centre for Non-Timber Resources at Royal Roads University is hosting an international series of events focusing on non-timber forest products (NTFPs), in Victoria.
The following is a brief description of the three initiatives. For more information and to register, go to http://www.ntfpvictoria2005.ca.
1. A Future Beneath the Trees Symposium
An international symposium on non-timber forest products, community economic development and forest conservation, August 25-27, 2005. Attracting 150 researchers from across B.C. and around the world, this symposium at Royal Roads University will address the opportunities and challenges of commercial development of non-timber forest products and the impacts of commercialization on rural communities and forest ecosystems. This event will create an invaluable legacy of expertise and shared experience that will benefit researchers, decision makers, communities and entrepreneurs throughout B.C and around the world.
2. Buy BCwild Conference
An industry conference for businesses in the NTFP sector, August 27-29, 2005. Taking place at Royal Roads University this event will support the expansion of markets for B.C. non-timber forest products and help businesses acquire and develop techniques to grow sustainably and contribute to rural economic development in their communities. The conference will involve 150 B.C. businesses and business experts in two days of workshops and meetings that will enhance business skills, knowledge and competitiveness of participants. An important objective of the conference is to encourage the growth a recognized, respected NTFP sector and the creation of an industry voice.
3. Shop the Wild 2005 Tradeshow and Festival
This event will profile many products and business opportunities the NTFP sector has to offer and will launch the sector into the public spotlight. The event is expected to attract up to 5,000 visitors and will feature an open air market, entertainment, lectures, demonstrations, a Wild Chef cook-off, garden and forest tours, and much else.
First Nations businesses and communities will play an instrumental role in both conference and the trade show.
The purpose of the Centre for Non-Timber Resources (CNTR) is to support and encourage sustainable utilization of non-timber forest resources in B.C. and in the temperate and boreal regions of the world. The principal focus of the centre is the wise use of non-timber forest resources to diversify and sustain rural and resource-dependent economies. Activities of the CNTR include research, education and capacity-building, policy development and industry-building. The NTFP sector continues to show strong growth potential. The last formal estimate of contribution to the provincial economy was over $600 million in 1999.
To support and acknowledge this sector, the CNTR has recently published the first directory of non-timber forest product businesses. Buy BCwild (2005), the B.C. Directory of Buyers and Sellers of Non-Timber Forest Products, is a free advertising opportunity for B.C. businesses that offer products or services, excluding timber, that are derived from the forest. 20,000 free copies of Buy BCwild are being distributed throughout the province and available on the web at no charge. The directory will be distributed through tourist info centers, b & bs, aligned retailers and direct to other businesses. The vision is to create a resource that connects consumers and other businesses to the vast array of products the province has to offer.
For more information on the NTFP sector or the conference, or to obtain a free copy of the Buy BCwild directory, contact the CNTR at:
Centre for Non-Timber Resources, Royal Roads University
or contact Michael Keefer Email (preferred): Mkeefer@kfis.ca or Tel: 250-489-0917
B. Call for Papers SER-BC 2005 Restoration in the Rainshadow
*Author(s) Name
*Author(s) Affiliation (if more than one author, affiliation for each author should be given)
*Contact information, including Name (if more than one author), address, e-mail, and telephone.
*Type of presentation (poster, paper, or other medium)
*Abstract of the presentation or poster (not more than 250 words)
C. International series of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) events in Victoria
2005 Sooke Road, Victoria, B.C. V9B 5Y2
E-mail: ntfp@royalroads.ca
URL: www.royalroads.ca/cntr
Phone: (250) 391-2600 ext. 4328
Fax: (250) 391-2563
III. Jobs, Requests for Proposals, Graduate Studies, Grants
I am looking for a RNS student (or other) that wants to help out on a stream channel reconstruction project on the north end of the Saanich Peninsula. Peninsula Streams Society is working with the Tatlow Streamkeepers Group to reconstruct a 250 metre section of Tatlow (Chalet) Creek that was previously ill-used as a sheep farm. This project will involve channel excavation, meander placement, new rock riffles, spawning gravel introduction, riparian planting etc. Funding for heavy equipment, gravel, rock, etc. is in place and excavation should begin about mid-August. Photo-point monitoring stations by a recent RNS have been established.
This project would suit a student looking for a 390 project - in fact, more than one final project could be derived here....if you are interested in helping out, please call me......
Ian D. Bruce, R.P.Bio. Dip.RNS.
Executive Coordinator
Peninsula Streams Society
Tel:250-363-6596 FAX:250-363-6746
The Parks Canada Species at Risk team at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site is hosting a volunteer day on Saturday July 9, 2005. The last one we ran on June 18 was successful but we were hoping for more volunteers to show up. I would like to invite anyone who is interested in Garry Oak Ecosystem restoration to contact me as soon as possible to let me know if there is enough interest. Removal of Scotch Broom, Spurge Laurel, Himalayan Blackberry and English Ivy is the focus our efforts. Our restoration work is ongoing and volunteers are welcome to join us at any time including trips to the Gulf Island National Park Reserve.
Volunteer Position
Title: Species at risk volunteer
Where: Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site meet at entrance kiosk
When: Sat. July 9, 2005 starting at 9:45am.
Description / Background
Parks Canada is concerned with the conservation of Garry Oak Ecosystems and is working hard to restore this unique and threatened west coast feature at one of its National Historic Sites. Fort Rodd Hill N.H.S.C., located 14 km north of Victoria is home to Garry oak meadows and rocky outcrops that are home to a diversity of native plant species including seven species at risk.
The spread of invasive species threatens this ecosystem; therefore much of our restoration efforts focus on removal of invasive species, the most prevalent of which are scotch broom and spurge laurel.
If you would like to help restore this threatened ecosystem at Fort Rodd Hill N.H.S.C. please contact:
Todd Kohler, Parks Canada, Species at Risk Technician
Cell: (250) 812-8133 Fax: (250) 478-8415
Email: todd.kohler@pc.gc.ca
Please bring sturdy shoes, long pants, water and sunscreen, and your own pruners, loppers and gloves if possible.
To learn more about Garry Oak restoration please visit the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team website at http://www.goert.ca/orphs/welcome.htm
www.marketsinitiative.org
Position: Markets Campaigner, Full-time
Application deadline: Jul 15, 2005
Start Date: August 15, 2005, or as negotiated
Location: Toronto or Vancouver
Markets Initiative is looking for a dynamic person to work with our successful team in helping to safeguard the world's ancient and endangered forests by shifting Canadian business practices. Markets Initiative needs a creative and strategic person to lead our work with Canadian newspaper publishers and their suppliers.
Deadline: 5:00pm PST, Friday July 15, 2005
More: www.planetfriendly.net/gwd.php?id=985
CPAWS Edmonton Executive Director
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Edmonton Chapter is seeking a dynamic, proven leader with a passion for wilderness and CPAWS' mission. As one of Canada's oldest non-profit conservation groups, CPAWS Edmonton has experienced significant growth and conservation success over the last 5 years. The Chapter works to establish new protected wilderness areas and to ensure the ecological integrity of existing ones.
The executive director will work with a staff team of four (volunteer coordinator and 3 conservation campaigners) to fulfill CPAWS Edmonton's conservation mission. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day business of the Chapter, the E.D. will help to further develop and lead the implementation of the Chapter's fund development and communications plans. He/she will energetically present the CPAWS message to donors, foundations, government officials, corporations, and conservation peers.
More: www.planetfriendly.net/gwd.php?id=992 and
SOCIETY PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
www.spec.bc.ca/job/index.php
The Land Conservancy
www.conservancy.bc.ca/regioncontent.php?regionack=vi§ionack=employment
Civic Info BC
www.civicinfo.bc.ca/16.asp
Canadian Environmental Jobs site
www.canadianenvironmental.com/envirojobs/
Jobs for Nature and Heritage Interpreters and Eco Tour Guides
www.naturepark.com/jobs/
Jobs in Environmental Companies in British Columbia
www.ejobs.org/states/brccom.html
British Columbia Government Postings site
www.postings.gov.bc.ca/index.html
Federal Government search site
www.jobsetc.ca/toolbox/job_search/jobSearch.do?lang=e
Federal Government - Vancouver Island jobs
www.jobs.gc.ca/jobs/victoria_e.htm
Inforain ( U.S.)
www.inforain.org/jobs/jobbase.cfm#directory
Contact:
Peggy Faulds, Program Coordinator
Arts and Science Programs
University of Victoria
Box 3030, Victoria, BC
Canada V8W 3N6
Phone: 250-721-8463
Fax: 250-721-8774
Email: pfaulds@uvcs.uvic.ca
Questions, comments or feedback always welcome.
contact: Editor/ Eva Johansson
Email: rnseditor@uvcs.uvic.ca
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Disclaimer: The information in this Newsletter has been posted in good faith and has not been verified for accuracy. The organizations and individuals mentioned in the Newsletter are not specifically endorsed by UVic or the RNS program. All links were active at time of transmittal but will not be maintained in the archive.