EcoWest News, March 3, 2026

Welcome to EcoWest News, a weekly round-up of news and resources that you can put to use in addressing environmental issues and protecting the wild in your community.

Biodiversity

Protected areas are created to safeguard ecosystems and mitigate against regional overdevelopment. Their boundaries shouldn’t be altered to benefit private development as is currently the case with year-round resorts in Alberta. [CBC]

“Major investments in wastewater treatment have contributed to significant ecological recovery in the Grand River downstream of the Kitchener and Waterloo, ON wastewater treatment plants … The resilience of river communities is astounding, this study shows that these communities just need us to take action to reduce pollution in order for significant recovery in ecological health to occur.” [UWaterloo]

Pollution

As new satellites replace old ones, most satellite operators move the old ones into Earth’s upper atmosphere where they burn or disintegrate into smaller pieces. As the number of satellites increases, this waste could significantly alter atmospheric chemistry. [The Conversation]

Agriculture

Precision agriculture was intended to increase agricultural sustainability, but pesticide and fertilizer use have increased since the onset of precision agriculture, and it results in less control for individual farmers and greater consolidation. [Inside Climate News]

Transportation

Live events come with a major environmental footprint. To obtain overall reductions, audience travel behaviour must change. Ed Sheeran travelling by train to Melbourne may appear symbolic, but it normalizes low-carbon options and reinforces environmental values. [The Conversation]

Shared bike and scooter trips rivalled travel on some of Seattle’s most massive roads and bridges the day of the Super Bowl parade, making it clear that walking, biking, and transit are resilient options to keeping the city moving under unusual circumstances. [Seattle Bike Blog]

Making a Difference

Seniors for Climate Action Now has launched a Break Through Climate Silence campaign, aimed at cultivating climate conversations to propel climate action. Steering committee member Rolly Montpellier says talking about the climate crisis “openly and visibly” is essential to prevent climate action from stalling. [The Energy Mix]

StyleCycle doesn’t simply hand out garments — they style complete outfits, wash and repair each piece, and thoughtfully pair items to help recipients feel confident and cared for. Minor fixes extend a garment’s life and support circular fashion. [McMaster News]

The 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count had record-breaking levels of participation around the world. The year-on-year results are valuable: “Birds tell us how the environment is doing, because they’re moving, they’re eating, they really rely on different areas and spaces, not just one specific place”. [Inside Climate News]

Cities across Europe are banning fossil fuel advertising (fossil fuel companies, cruises, airlines and airports) on billboards and municipal spaces as they promote and normalise polluting activities. It’s too early to know the full impact of the bans, but previous similar campaigns brought about change. [BBC]

DIY

Residents often fear that reporting a bear in their neighbourhood will result in it being killed, but that’s not necessarily the case. If conservation officers are aware of a situation, they may be able to ensure it doesn’t escalate by encouraging residents to remove attractants and directing bears back to natural food sources. [The Tyee]

Microwave meals are convenient, but microparticles and toxic chemicals from the plastic containers leach into the food and ultimately our landfills. [EuroNews]

Nature’s Wonders

Caribou are the only deer species in which females grow antlers. New research suggests that the antlers are a post-partum snack, providing the female deer with an added dose of protein, calcium, and phosphorus. [Smithsonian Magazine]

From elephant seal pups and an octopus Mum to mosaic sea stars and a living wreck: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 [The Guardian]

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/55038733238

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 BlueSky, X, and Mastodon, or subscribe by email.