Forests and Biodiversity
Renner Dismisses Oilsands Toxins Report
EDMONTON — Alberta's environment minister disputed the conclusions of a controversial oilsands study Tuesday, saying it's likely that increased toxins in the Athabasca River are due to natural causes.
But Rob Renner admitted he hadn't read the paper and could point to no peer-reviewed data or studies to back up his assertion.
"My scientists are telling me that the amount of compounds that can be detected in the Athabasca River at this point in time are not a concern and are of insignificant levels," Renner said. "The fact remains that there are naturally occurring substances in the water. And if we had never set foot in the region those kinds of results would still be there."
Renner said the task ahead is to tease out what toxins in the river are from industrial development and what occur naturally from bitumen seeping into the river.... Read more »
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Forests and Wildlife
Canada's most important natural resource is its forests...
Canada's most important natural resource is its forests which provide timber, pulpwood, wildlife habitat and a wealth of recreational opportunities. But the forests are not limitless and all Canadians must share a renewed commitment to their wise use and management.
Within the conservation movement, sustainable forestry means forest practices that ensure that the structure, function and composition of the forest are maintained in perpetuity. It also entails the equitable distribution of forest resource benefits, and the opportunity for the public to be involved in a meaningful way. After all, the forests of Ontario are ours—88% of forested land is Crown land, held for the people of Ontario in trust by the provincial government.... Read more »
A Grizzly Challenge: Ensuring a Future for Alberta's Threatened Grizzlies (pdf, 39 pp.)
2010-05-28
Addresses some important questions about the status and future of Alberta’s Threatened grizzly bear population. Although a great deal of important research about the size and structure of the grizzly bear population has recently been completed, many concerns still remain about the adequacy of the province’s efforts to provide enough protection for grizzlies and their habitat to allow recovery. Report draws from the best-available science and successful experiences in the United States. Written by Jeff Gailus and jointly published by Sierra Club Canada and six other North American, national and provincial environmental organizations.
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Tree huggers, hewers cut a deal
Forestry companies and environmental groups say they have buried the hatchet and are going to work together to protect Canada's boreal forest and the endangered woodland caribou.
The two groups have reached what they called an "historic" new agreement to protect vast swaths of the ancient forest, which runs from the Yukon Territory to Newfoundland and Labrador, from the northern treeline to the Great Lakes.
The accord covers 72 million hectares of forest across the country, including 16 million in Quebec.
Additional Excerpt:There is still more to be done for the boreal forest, though, said John Bennett, executive director of the Sierra Club. The federal government and the provinces should introduce strict legislation setting out how the forests may be used, he contended.... Read more »
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Stop Terry Fox Road and Create a Park, says New Coalition
OTTAWA--The trees may be destroyed and the road bed under preparation, but citizens opposed to the extension of Terry Fox Drive in Kanata are more determined than ever to mount a wall of opposition to stop further construction work.
The newly-formed Coalition to Protect the South March Highlands is pressuring the Province and the City of Ottawa to stop the road and to create a new park instead. The Coalition has issued a Position Statement which has been endorsed by ten local and national groups, including the Greenbelt Coalition of Canada’s Capital Region, the Carp Residents Association, and Sierra Club Canada. (Statement attached.)
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