We profile local community leaders on a weekly basis, as well as occasional book reviews, on social media. Once a month we repost them on our website for those of you who may not be active on social media.
Community Leaders
British Columbia - Residents of Nakusp, BC, are proud protectors of the Western Toad. Check out the village mural by Debra Rushfeldt and the toad tunnel at Summit Lake Provincial Park where Toadfest was held on July 30 and 31.
Alberta - CPAWS Northern Alberta is one of the sponsors of Parkbus, free transportation from Edmonton to Elk Island National Park. It’s a great opportunity for people who don’t have a car.
Alberta - Everyone is welcome to attend the Alberta Star Party hosted by the Calgary Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, September 6-8, 2024. There will be a sky tour, a scavenger hunt, and talks on black holes and neutron stars as well as asteroid occultations.
Saskatchewan - For Peat's Sake is hosting the Women's Protecting the Land Camp, Aug. 16-18, to inspire and empower women to reclaim our power to protect the land. Topics will include water in Northern Saskatchewan, muskeg, and plant knowledge/medicine walks. Register by Aug. 1.
Manitoba - Indigenous students, staff, and faculty in the University of Manitoba’s Indigenous Birding Club enjoy time in nature and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous knowledge of birds. Photo credit: Bailey Hendry
Books
In Dare to Bird: Exploring the Joy and Healing Power of Birds, Melissa Hafting explains how photography and birding helped her cope with grief and mental health issues while also connecting with young birders from diverse backgrounds.
In The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler, humankind discovers intelligent life in an octopus species with its own language and culture, setting off a high-stakes global competition to dominate the future.
Look around you. You may spot a bee pollinating a flower, dew collecting on a leaf, or a spider weaving a web. Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature by Rachel Williams and Freya Hartas invites you to pause and watch 50 nature stories as they unfold.
In Tracking Giants: Big Trees, Tiny Triumphs, and Misadventures in the Forest, Amanda Lewis set out to track down some of BC’s biggest trees. She discovered it’s small joys and not checklists that help us feel more connected to nature.
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/26095665221
EcoFriendly West informs and encourages initiatives that support Western Canada’s natural environment through its online publication and the Nature Companion website/app. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Mastodon, or subscribe by email.