EcoNews — Big news for protected natural areas, rallying for Rod Cumberland, and starting a new conversation about climate action in N.B.

In this edition of EcoNews, we celebrate a long-sought victory as the province commits to protect at least 10 per cent of N.B.’s land and water by 2020 — but where exactly the new spaces will be, and whether they’ll be fully protected in law, remains to be seen; we invite you to stand up for academic freedom at the upcoming Rally for Rod Cumberland in Fredericton; we reach out to Premier Higgs to start a new conversation on climate action in New Brunswick;  we bring you a snapshop of new research from northern New Brunswick looking at how ocean acidification will affect our coastal waters and oyster growers; we announce a pair of fantastic guest speakers at our upcoming annual general meeting, and more!

NEWS

New Brunswickers spoke up. The federal and provincial governments delivered: new protected areas coming for N.B.

After years of hard work and advocacy from environmental groups and nearly 2,000 letters to government from nature-loving New Brunswickers, we celebrated a major win late last month as the provincial government announced its commitment to protect at least 10 per cent of New Brunswick’s land and water by 2020. The good news brings New Brunswick more or less on par with the rest of Canada when it comes to protecting the natural spaces we love, after lagging behind the pack for years. With few details released to date, however, we’ll be watching closely to see exactly where the new protected areas will be located, and whether they will be fully protected in law. Click here to see what our Executive Director, Lois Corbett, told reporters following the announcement, and click the button below for our official statement.

A welcome back for legislators: Rally for Rod

New Brunswickers were shocked this summer when one of the province’s most trusted wildlife experts and deer biologists, Rod Cumberland, was abruptly fired from his teaching position at the Maritime College of Forest Technology. Cumberland has been an outspoken critic of the widespread use of glyphosate in our Crown forest for years. Now, the group Friends of Rod Cumberland is calling on New Brunswickers to gather in droves on Tuesday, Nov. 19 — the opening day of the fall legislative session — to call for an independent investigation into Rod’s firing. The Conservation Council will be there to stand up for academic freedom and against bullying by the forestry industry. We hope you can make it, too.

Starting a new conversation on N.B. climate action: Our letter to Premier Higgs

Remember a couple of weeks ago when Premier Blaine Higgs mused on carbon pricing and climate action? We’ve reached out to the premier asking for a meeting to start a new conversation about climate action in New Brunswick and how we can work together to protect our families and communities. We’re still waiting for a response from the premier, but you can read the letter we sent below.

Aw shucks! Ocean acidification and N.B.’s oyster growers

Our Gulf of St. Lawrence Fisheries Specialist, Anne Fauré, offers an overview of research happening in northern New Brunswick’s coastal waters to explore the impact climate change and ocean acidification will have on the province’s oyster growers. The findings from researcher Élise Mayrand and her team will be presented at a conference on ocean acidification taking place in Shippagan from Nov. 13-14. Click below for more details and how you can participate in the conference, including a unique opportunity for youth to have their say!

Announcing our AGM guest speakers!

We’re pleased to announce a pair of fantastic guest speakers will cap off our 50th Annual General Meeting, coming up Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre in Fredericton. The Hon. Mike Holland, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will speak at 1 p.m. on his priorities for our forest in the year ahead. Dr. Louise Comeau will follow with a presentation on her latest research into how climate change and extreme weather are affecting New Brunswickers’ physical and mental health. Click the link below for full details. We hope you can attend — please RSVP to info@conservationcouncil.ca by Nov. 15!

Don’t miss the NBEN’s annual Eco-Confluence on Nov. 16!

The New Brunswick Environmental Network brings together groups from across the province on Saturday, Nov. 16 for its annual Eco-Confluence in Fredericton. This is an inspiring day of community building, collaboration and workshops that you won’t want to miss. Get the full details below!

We work hard to make sure a strong environmental voice is heard in the New Brunswick print, radio and television media. Here are the latest stories Conservation Council staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary:

THANK YOU FOR READING!

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