MACOUN MARSH UPDATES

We were pleased to announce that a new species of bird was seen yesterday- the Hoary Redpoll (Image above).  This small pale bird of the high Arctic is a rare winter visitor.  It is whiter than the Common Redpoll and it may be found with the Common form in large flocks.  That places us at 101 bird species seen at Macoun Marsh over the past 8 years. 

This little guy was crawling around along the icy shore today.  It is a Caddisfly larva and it is the youthful stage of the Caddisfly, an insect.  It attaches leaves around it and it uses them as a home to hide in. 

MINUTES OF SATURDAY'S BIODIVERSITY YOUTH MEETING

Chair- Sarina (University of Ottawa)

Attendees were mostly from Ottawa, Canada with 3 youth skyping from New Brunswick, Waterloo- Ontario, and Panama. 

AGENDA

DISCUSSIONS:

1- THIRD INTERNATIONAL YOUTH SYMPOSIUM in Auroville, India:

Many new developments here- this could be a pre-event to the COP11 Youth events. 

When? Late September- Early October, 2012

Who? 150 Youth- divided into 2 groups

How? Youth would submit proposals from their home country/ panel of judges will review proposals in accordance to specific guidelines. 

Organizers will create a "survival guide" and supply list for students coming from outside India

2. DEVELOPING THE BIODIVERSITY BLOG

Youth will take on the responsibility to contact some of our partners to place their updates on our blog.  We will focus on their international work first- then national, then local. 

Here are the following organizations we will distribute between the youth:

Jane Goodall’s roots and shoots- Anastasia (Ottawa)/ Jessica (Ottawa)

POWER Halton- Bethany (Waterloo, Ontario)

The Otesha Project- Madeleine (Ontario)

Little Rays Reptile Zoo- Jessica (Ottawa)

International Forestry Students Association (Indonesia)- Gillian (Ottawa)

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo- Sarina (Ottawa)

Canadian Museum of Nature- Mike (Ottawa)

David Suzuki Foundation- Kirsten (British Columbia)

Teens for Planet Earth- Keegan (Ottawa)

USC Canada- Sarina (Ottawa)

Earth Rangers- Bethany (Waterloo, Ontario)

Tapir Preservation Fund- Eric (Panama)

Robert Bateman’s Get to Know your wild neighbours’- Gillian (Ottawa)

Ashoka’s youth venture- available 

Its one humanity.org- available 

Onemoregeneration.org – available

Youth for conservation in Kenya- Luke (Ottawa)

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust- Mike (Ottawa)

Other- Stephen (Ottawa)

Other- Tim (Ottawa)

DID YOU KNOW?

Scientists have identified about 10 percent of all living things.

Les scientifiques ont identifié environ 10 pour cent de tous les organismes vivants.  

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE, DINNER- OTTAWA, CANADA

Discussion:

Can one person really
make a difference?

Guests included (From left to right):
David Chernushenko, Ottawa City Councillor, Capital Ward, and former Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada, Tim Lougheed, former President of the Canadian Science Writers’ Association, Mike Léveillé, Executive Director of Biodiversitymatters,

Jessica Walsh-Moreau, Youth activist with Biodiversitymatters 

Some up-coming conferences that youth can be involved in!

 

May 16-19, 2011- 6th Annual International Symposium on Environment, Athens, Greece (National Technical University of Athens)

 

May 22, 2011- Ottawa Youth Conference on Biodiversity- Ashbury College, Ottawa, Canada

 

April 28, 2011- Youth Action, Montreal http://youthactionmontreal.org/2011-conference_keynote-speakers.php# 

 

September 8-12, 2011- Second World Biodiversity Congress, Sarasak, Malaysia 

 

September 23-25, 2011- Youth Summit for Biodiversity by Ontario Nature, Canada
 

December 20-22, 2011- National Conference on Environment and Biodiversity of India, New Delhi, India- Students welcome.

 

September, 2012- Third International Youth Symposium on Biodiversity- Auriville, India (In connection with COP11)

 

September 30- October 5, 2012- Eco-Summit, Columbus, Ohio State University

 

For more youth- related conferences and alerts see: http://www.conferencealerts.com/environment.htm

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust- Short Clawed Otters

Name Durrell's otter pup - We're delighted to announce that four healthy short clawed otter pups have been born at the wildlife park. After the success of last year's eBay auction to name twin baby ring-tailed lemurs, (Tigger & Piglet), we hope to raise additional funds by repeating this campaign with one of our already popular otter pups.  For more information on these pups please see http://www.durrell.org/Home/Ebay//

Image by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

International Biodiversitymatters Youth Meeting- this Saturday

Please contact us if you would like to be involved in local or international events connected to biodiversity conservation.  E-mail us at lmleveille@rogers.com

EARTH HOUR 2011

At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour and people will commit to actions that go beyond the hour.  Join the effort!

http://www.earthhour.org/Homepage.aspx

World Water Day Message

Message from Ahmed Djoghlaf, CBD Executive Secretary, on the occasion of World Water Day 2011. http://www.cbd.int/doc/speech/2011/sp-2011-03-22-water-en.pdf

SOIRÉE CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE, Canada

SOIRÉE CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE,
AVEC REPAS ET FILM

Sujet :

Est-ce qu’une seule personne
peut faire la différence?

 

Invités spéciaux à confirmer :

Mike Léveillé, Executive Director of BiodiversityMatters

Tim Lougheed, former President of the Canadian Science Writers’ Association

David Chernushenko, Ottawa City Councillor, Capital Ward, and former Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada

avec le film
Visionnaires planétaires

LE VENDREDI 25 MARS
À 18 H
240, RUE McLEOD, OTTAWA

25 $
20 $ pour les membres

Réservations obligatoires à l’avance.

613-566-4791

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE, DINNER (Canada)

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE, DINNER
AND DOCUMENTARY EVENING

Discussion:

Can one person really
make a difference?

Guest experts:

Mike Léveillé, Executive Director of BiodiversityMatters

Tim Lougheed, former President of the Canadian Science Writers’ Association

David Chernushenko, Ottawa City Councillor, Capital Ward, and former Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada

Featuring the movie
Earth Keepers

FRIDAY, MARCH 25
AT 6:00 P.M. 240 McLEOD STREET, OTTAWA

$25
$20 for members

Advance registrations required.

613-566-4791

World Water Day: March 22, 2011

World Water Day is the official UN-designated day dedicated to water issues.  It's a key date to champion the right of people everywhere to affordable, safe drinking water, close to home. 

We are made out of water, we use water to clean ourselves, we drink water, we play in water, we need water. 

Mainstream BioDiversity

The goal of Mainstream BioDiversity is to communicate, educate, raise public awareness and help us all to take actions on and for  BioDiversity and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).  Each issue strives to take a theme relevant to BioDiversity and the CBD and consider it from the international to the local/individual level. It is trying to reach out everyone and anyone looking to learn and engage for BioDiversity and the CBD. Comments,  feedback, suggestions and content are welcome.

Link to the webpage http://www.powerhalton.ca//ProjectsPrograms/MainstreamingBioDiversity/tabid/144/Default.aspx

Macoun Marsh Update- Ottawa, Ontario

A few images from this weekend.

Male red-wings arrive at the marsh early to set up territories.  Females will arrive in a few weeks.

The Eastern cottontail loves to hide under our outdoor classroom.  He will even eat the bird seed!

A House finch eating winter berries.

 Red squirrels are usually very loud!  They do not hibernate in the winter.

Redpolls are common now.

World Water Day: March 22, 2011

World Water Day is the official UN-designated day dedicated to water issues.  It's a key date to champion the right of people everywhere to affordable, safe drinking water, close to home.

What can I do on World Water Day?

Donate your voice and get involved- see http://www.worldwaterday.org/

Convention on Biological Diversity

The Secretariat invites children and youth, the leaders of tomorrow, to take action for the protection of life on Earth. Surf with them and learn how!

http://www.cbd.int/youth/

EU grants EURO 2 million to overseas biodiversity projects

Brussels, 1st March 2011
Environment: EU grants  EURO 2 million to overseas biodiversity projects
The European Commission is to give an additional  EURO 2 million to the
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem
services in its Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and
Territories. Known as BEST, the Voluntary scheme for Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services in Territories of European Overseas will fund pilot
projects in these areas, which are home to exceptional biodiversity,
and host more endemic species than the whole of continental Europe
combined. The financial support was originally suggested by the
European Parliament.

DIVE IN!

Do you think that Americans throw out too much food?  Check out
http://www.divethefilm.com/press.aspx

DID YOU KNOW?

50 new species, mostly insects and plants, are described every day. 

50 nouvelles espèces, des insectes et des plantes surtout, sont décrites chaque jour. 

Source: ROM- Toronto, Canada

Releasing Galapagos Hawks

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust together with the Galapagos National Park and other partners, released twenty Galapagos Hawks on February 17th and 18th back to the islands where they were captured. The planning process for a recent operation to remove invasive, non-native rodents to protect native species identified that Galapagos Hawks would be at risk during the operation. To mitigate this risk, the restoration project partners captured the hawks from Rábida, Bartolomé and Bainbridge islands prior to the start of the rodent eradication in early January. All the hawks were captured without incident and taken to temporary aviaries on a nearby island, where they were maintained in excellent health throughout the six-week holding period, putting on an average of 100 grams each by the release date. Prior to release, each hawk was fitted with a back-pack style telemetry transmitter that will allow it to be tracked and monitored for over a year. No hawk mortalities occurred during the entire operation.

http://www.durrell.org/Latest/News/20-Galapagos-Hawks-released-back-to-islands/
Image above from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Sylvia Earle: Oceans at risk because of 'luxury tastes'

The world renowned American oceanographer, Sylvia Earle, is convinced that our seas, and therefore our planet, are in grave peril.

You can watch the full discussion on BBC World News on Wednesday 16 March 2011 at 0430, 0930, 1530, and 2130 GMT and on BBC News Channel at 0430 and 2330.
Follow Hardtalk on Twitter to find out who is coming up on the programme.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/9426475.stm

Challenge:Future

Challenge:Future Global Youth Think Tank is steaming ahead- and this is our big week! With only few days left to create your team and compete in C:F Competition 2011/12, time is ticking! Don’t lose the chance to get your hands on EUR 20.000!

Fifteen conservation issues to watch

Experts in Trends in Ecology & Evolution list 15 issues that may impact conservation efforts this year and beyond. Check them out- some may surprise you. 

http://news.mongabay.com/news.xml

Macoun Marsh Update- Ottawa, Ontario

A few images from this weekend.

Cooper's Hawk

Waiting for lunch!

Hairy Woodpecker

Water on ice

Male Cardinal

Bohemian waxwings drinking on the ice.

Fox hair at a den

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH OUR FRIENDS IN JAPAN

Our thoughts are with the friends and families of those caught in today's natural disaster in Japan. 

DID YOU KNOW?

99 percent of all known species are smaller than a bee. 
99 pour cent de toutes les espèces connues sont plus petites qu'une abeille. 

MAPPING SEAMOUNTS IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC

There is so much more to discover in the world's oceans.  Scientists aboard Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego's research vessel Melville are mapping a series of colossal and previously uncharted undersea mountains in remote areas of the South Atlantic Ocean.  Some are over 14,700 feet high and 87 miles across!  See http://geology.com/press-release/south-atlantic-seamounts/

CAMBODIAN VILLAGERS FIGHTING TO SAVE THEIR FORESTS

Cambodian villagers are fighting to save their forest from rubber companies and they have been rebuked by their local government. Two days in a row local authorities prevented some 400 Cambodian villagers from protesting at the offices of the Vietnam-based CRCK Company, which the villagers contend are destroying their livelihoods by bulldozing large swaths of primary forests. Authorities said they feared the villagers would have grown violent while protesting.  Please see this story: http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0310-hance_preylang.html

In the North Atlantic, Oceanic Currents Play a Greater Role in the Absorption of Carbon Than Previously Thought

The ocean traps carbon through two principal mechanisms: a biological pump and a physical pump linked to oceanic currents. Check out http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110309132015.htm

Café Scientifique with the Canadian Museum of Nature- Ottawa, Canada

Friday, March 25- Café Scientifique with the Canadian Museum of Nature

The Café scientifique discussion provides the opportunity to share different views on the question at hand in a relaxed atmosphere, where all opinions are welcome. Starts at 6pm. “Can one person really make a difference?” NFB’s production of “Earthkeepers”/ Community Guests- David Chernushenko (City Councillor of the Capital Ward), Tim Lougheed (former President of the Canadian Science Writers’ Association and environmental activist), Michael Leveille (Biodiversitymatters.org, Macoun Marsh project, ASLA teacher)

INTERNATIONAL WOMAN'S DAY

Women have come together around the world to celebrate International Woman's Day.  This is especially important this year as this is the 100th anniversary of this day! Check:  http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Sustainable Apparel Coalition

Last week a group of leading apparel and footwear brands, retailers, manufacturers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic experts, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. Check it out at http://www.apparelcoalition.org/news

COSTA RICA UNVEILS MASSIVE NEW MARINE PARK

Costa Rica announced this week the creation of a vast new marine park a few hundred miles offshore.  See http://www.costaricanewssite.com/costa-rica-unveils-massive-new-marine-park

DPM Teo opens Lor Halus Wetland biodiversity haven (Singapore)

A good news story from Singapore at

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_641763.html

Ottawa, Canada to host local Biodiversity Gathering

International Biodiversity Day on May 22 will be celebrated with a youth gathering of local schools at Ashbury College in Ottawa, Canada.  For more information on this event please keep your eye on our blog!

Oil Spills in Peru's Amazon rainforest

A new report has uncovered 90 oil spills by Pluspetrol in northern Peru's Amazon rainforest over the past 3 years. Check out http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0303-hance_oilspills_peru.html

MINUTES OF THE YOUTH MEETING FROM FEBRUARY 26, 2011

MINUTES:

Due to the failure of the server at the ASLA school we had to quickly relocate the meeting to the home of Michael and Chloe Leveille.  Fortunately we were still able to reach Lemuel, Chafic, and Eric

DISCUSSIONS:

1- THIRD INTERNATIONAL YOUTH SYMPOSIUM in Auroville, India:

Hoping to connect with Belgium team (GYBO- Willem Laermans) and Japan team (Rieko Kusama). Both wish to run youth events in 2012)

2. NEW PARTNERS- Jim Ries (onemoregeneration.org), Youth for conservation in Kenya

3. YOUTH SUMMIT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

A wonderful conference on Community Engagement in Montreal, Quebechttp://youthactionmontreal.org/

4. DEVELOPING THE BIODIVERSITY BLOG

    Youth will take on the responsibility to contact some of our partners to place their updates on our blog.  We will focus on their international work first- then national, then local. 

    Here are the following organizations we will distribute between the youth

Jane Goodall’s roots and shoots

POWER Halton

The Otesha Project

Little Rays Reptile Zoo

International Forestry Students Association (Indonesia)- Gillian

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Canadian Museum of Nature

David Suzuki Foundation

Teens for Planet Earth

USC Canada

Earth Rangers

Tapir Preservation Fund

Robert Bateman’s Get to Know your wild neighbours’

Ashoka’s youth venture

Its one humanity.org

Onemoregeneration.org,

Youth for conservation in Kenya- Luke Goldsmith

5. LOCAL ISSUES

LOCAL YOUTH CONFERENCE ON SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2012 (International Biodiversity Day)

Proposed location: Asbury College, Ottawa- has been confirmed

EASTERN COUGAR DECLARED EXTINCT

The Eastern cougar, a likely subspecies of the mountain lion, was officially declared extinct today by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  This ends 38 years on the Endangered Species List (ESA). The cougar had not been confirmed since the 1930s, although sightings have been consistently reported up to the present-day.  Sightings are likely Western cougars or house pets.  For more info check out

http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0302-hance_easterncougar.html

MACOUN MARSH UPDATE- OTTAWA, CANADA

Imagine finding a trackway in the snow that illustrates the last moments of a little shrew's life!  A large Cooper's hawk descends upon this little animal to carry it away!  What an amazing sight- and here it is!  Poor shrew!  

YOUTH MEETING FROM SATURDAY, FEB. 26

 

 

On Saturday February 26th, the Biodiversity Matters Youth Board had their second meeting for 2011. It was held in Ottawa with several youth from around the Ottawa Region and we had three youth that skyped in from the USA, Mexico and Panama. The meeting discussion covered a number of different issues including the Third Youth Symposium in India in 2012, possible activities for May 22nd  2011- Biodiversity day, activities for the year of youth, and the year of forestry! There is a possibility that Ashbury College will host a special one day event on May 22.  Our team will divide our offical listing of partners between us so we can post our partner's work regularily.  We also discussed how to get more youth communicating on our blog- please spread the word! We want to hear from you! We are planning our next Biodiversity Youth Board Meeting on Saturday March 26th at ASLA. We would like to expand the group of youth, so if you are interested bring a friend, please contact us.  All are welcome!