© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2024
In this edition of EcoNews, we take a stand against glyphosate spraying in New Brunswick forests, urging the provincial government to finally ban harmful herbicide spraying. Read on to find out how to support us in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge and how to join our Plastic Free July bottle drive. Also, see why we joined a call to make Canada’s housing plan more environmentally friendly and check out some updates on various events!
Time to ban glyphosate spraying in New Brunswick forests
Every year, thousands of kilometres of New Brunswick’s forests are sprayed with glyphosate-based products despite strong public opposition and significant health and environmental concerns. The provincial government continues to resist calls for a ban, ignoring evidence of harmful effects.
That’s why we wrote a letter to the provincial government urging a complete ban on glyphosate and other harmful herbicides to prioritize community and environmental health over industrial interests.
Support us in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge!
This month we are participating in CanadaHelps’ Great Canadian Giving Challenge. Every donation of $3 or more supports The Conservation Council and enters us into a draw to win an additional $10,000 donation. That means your contribution could make even more of a difference to our important work!
Time is running out to donate. Support our crucial work as New Brunswick’s top environmental organization by clicking below.
Make Canada's housing plan more energy efficient
We need to confront the need for more housing alongside the climate crisis. Our buildings need to be affordable to heat and cool and must protect us from extreme heat and power outages exacerbated by climate change. Simply, the affordable housing we need won’t be affordable unless it is energy efficient.
That’s why we signed on to this letter sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling for Ottawa to integrate Canada’s building codes into the housing plan to ensure our homes are affordable, healthy and resilient.
We want your empty bottles and cans this July!
As part of our Plastic Free July activities, we are holding a bottle drive at the Conservation Council!
If you want to participate, please bring your refundables to the Conserver House (180 St. John St. in Fredericton) between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Let us know if these times don’t work for you, and we will make arrangements!
Finding giants in the Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is a sanctuary for over a dozen whale species, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Last September, our marine specialist intern, Vincent Scully, took a whale-watching excursion in Saint Andrews that revealed this ecosystem’s profound beauty and fragility. Read Vincent’s story by clicking below:
EarthFest excitement
We had a fantastic day celebrating our planet at EarthFest on Minister’s Island on June 16. Our team had so much fun meeting you, spreading the word about our programs and doing educational and entertaining activities with everyone. We’re looking forward to next year!
Celebrating composting
Our friends at the Compost Council of Canada are hosting the 34th Annual Organics Recycling Conference from Oct. 2-4 in Niagara, Ont.! We had great fun when the compost crew came to Fredericton in March for their Soil Safari. Mark your calendars if you’ll be in the Niagara area in early October for this event featuring tours, presentations and exhibits!
Schoodic River Alewife Run recap
On May 27, we laced up our running shoes and celebrated the removal of the Milltown Dam and the incredible journey of alewives during the Schoodic River Alewife Run! Established in 2012 by the Schoodic Riverkeepers and other groups on both sides of the river, the run marks the spring return of alewife to the river in a truly unique and beautiful way. We can’t wait for next year’s run!
We work hard to ensure a strong environmental voice is heard in New Brunswick’s print, radio and television media. Here are the latest stories Conservation Council staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary:
CCNB in the News
June 17 | “Even if the province disagrees with the carbon tax, I do think it’s their responsibility to present the information as accurately and as transparently as possible.” That’s what Dr. Moe Qureshi, our director of climate solutions, told the CBC after the provincial government launched a misleading web page about the federal carbon charge.
The website exaggerated the costs that consumers are likely to experience this year and failed to mention the rebates that Canadians receive through the pricing system. The New Brunswick government has a responsibility to tell the public the truth about the carbon price, Dr. Qureshi said, not to play misleading politics. Read the story.
May 28 | New Brunswick’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters are blowing past their emissions caps. However, as Dr. Moe Qureshi tells the CBC, the industrial carbon tax means these big industries now have to pay for pollution, incentivizing them to make changes. Read more.