Sharing practical, eco-friendly solutions with Kanata
 |
Sunday, February 26th, 2012. 1:00 p.m.
Meet at the parkling lot on Goulbourn Forced Road near the Beaverpond
Families are welcome
Come for a Sunday afternoon walk in the South March Highlands near Kizzel Pond to find out what happens in the forest in winter. The walk will be led by Martha Webber, a local naturalist and expert on the flora and fauna of the South March Highlands. Be prepared for all types of weather and to walk in the woods. Please leave your dog at home, if you have one. The walk will be approximately two hours, but if you need to leave after an hour, we will be looping back towards the parking lot half way. Please RSVP info@kanataenvironmentalnetwork.com, so we can let you know if the event is cancelled due to weather conditions.
Thursday, March 8th, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Hall D, Mlacak Centre, 2500 Campeau Drive
Speaker: Paul Beckwith
So far this winter, the weather has been unseasonably warm. Many people are celebrating the reduced shoveling, the glove-free days, and the lower heating bills. At the same time, some of us are quietly concerned about the implications, and wondering if the unusual weather is related to changes in the global climate system.
To help us understand the workings of the global climate system, we have invited Paul Beckwith from the University of Ottawa to talk about his research in climatology. The presentation will include current measurement data of the Arctic sea ice that are raising concerns about the possible loss of the polar ice cap in the near future.
The presentation will also detail the global repercussions of warming in the Arctic including: methane release from sea beds, thawing permafrost, thinning high-altitude ozone, and the effect on global ocean and air currents. The presentation will be geared to a non-scientific audience.
Paul Beckwith studied engineering physics at McMaster University. He has worked in the high-tech sector in Kanata. He is currently completing the Ph.D. program in climatology and teaching part-time at the University of Ottawa.
To view slides from a recent presentation to scientific audience
click here.
 |
Organized by the new Kanata South Community Gardens Association and Just Foods. The workshops will be held in the upstairs meeting room of Sobeys at Hazeldean and Terry Fox between 6 and 8 pm. Stay tuned for details.
- April 17th - Beginner Organic Gardening Workshop by David Hinks
- June 6th - Jam making workshop by Just Foods
- July 8th - Natural Pest Control Workshop by George Bushnell
- August 1st - Salsa Making Workshop by Just Foods
The beautiful, natural areas in Kanata are facing threats from some natural invaders. Dog Strangling Vine, Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard are just three of the plants that pose a risk to the woodlands and greenspaces we enjoy for walking, dog-walking, jogging and admiring nature’s beauty.
Sarah Dehler, the V.P. of the Briarbrook and Morgan’s Grant Community Association, and an active member of KEN and the Ontario Invasive Plant Council, will share information on the key starting points for individuals interested in what they can do to control these natural invaders. The presentations and discussions on invasive plants will take place on:
- Monday, March 5, 7:30 p.m. Kanata Hazeldean Community Association general meeting, 64 Chimo Drive.
- Tuesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. Bridlewood Community Association general meeting, Eva James Memorial Community Centre, 65 Stonehaven Drive
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., Beaverbook Community Centre, 2 Beaverbrook Road
MAP -- Entrance at west end near the tennis courts
This presentation, by Gord Henderson, will focus on the issues of water management in the Kanata area: storm water management, sanitation sewers, and the effect of development on natural water systems and flood plains. In the meantime, you can read some background Info.
We would like to thank all of our KEN members, both current and past, for supporting KEN through their ten or fifteen dollar donation. We would also like to thank the local businesses that have offered discounts to KEN members. KEN is run by volunteers, but we do have some expenses. The funds we have raised have helped us cover our costs including web hosting and printing.
Going forward, we are going to discontinue the membership program in its current form. In April 2012, businesses will no longer offer discounts to KEN members. The main reason is that the discounts are very seldom exercised, making it difficult for new staff members at the businesses. Of course, we still welcome you to join KEN, and we are thinking of new perks and special events for KEN members. Please stay tuned. If you have any suggestions or questions, email info@kanataenvironmentalnetwork.com.
The South March Highlands are in first place in the Great Places in Canada competition. To nominate the South March Highlands online visit Great places in Canada.
Seedy Saturday March 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre in Britannia Park
Water and Energy: Issues for Canada. KEN's April presentation will feature Daryl McMahon speaking Wednesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. Beaverbrook Community Centre.
The Economics of Happiness If you missed KEN's showing of the film, you can watch it during a free, on-line conference March 23rd to 25th. For details visit The Economics of Happiness.
Earth Week Plastic Challenge is back! KEN is encouraging everyone to think about the plastic they use. The good news is, the City of Ottawa is now accepting many more types of plastic in the blue bin. However, it is better to avoid using single-use, throw-away plastic items in the first place! So, start thinking about the plastic items you would like to reduce and avoid. This year Earth Week runs from April 16th to 22nd. Join us for our Earth Week Plastic Challenge on Facebook.
What is KEN?
The Kanata Environmental Network (KEN for short) is a volunteer-run organization in the community of Kanata, Ontario. We share information about practical, ecologically-friendly solutions with Kanata residents, and work towards a green and healthy future.
