Thanks to Polyvalente W.A. Losier Environment Committee for inviting me to visit and participate in their Eco-Expo. I heard more than 800 students floated through the gym yesterday – no wonder my voice is really hoarse today! Here are some photos of a few of the folks I had the chance to meet and chat with! – Joanna

On May 17, the provincial government released documents containing new measures and recommendations on the oil and gas industry in New Brunswick. The documents, prepared by the Natural Gas Group, include 116 recommendations to ensure the environmentally responsible management of the industry, and are divided into short-term (104) and long-term (12). In addition, the government announced it will put in place a maximum fine of $1 million for breaches of the Oil and Natural Gas Act.

The Natural Gas group is now seeking feedback on the new measures and recommendations, and the public is invited to provide comments until July 18, 2012.Led by environmental expert Professor Louis LaPierre, the group will be conducting a citizen engagement tour across the province to collect feedback on the discussion paper. Stopping in selected communities across New Brunswick, they will offer a public open house as well as a public meeting, where citizens will be allowed to ask questions regarding exploration, development or other topics of interest.

The documents are available for download and can be found in the shale gas area of our public consultations page.

Here is a list of host communities for the tour:

●    Wednesday, June 6 - Chipman
●    Monday, June 11 - Stanley
●    Monday, June 18 -Salisbury
●    Tuesday, June 19 - Hillsborough
●    Wednesday, June 20 - Grand Falls
●    Thursday, June 21 - Bathurst
●    Friday, June 22 - Bouctouche
●    Monday, June 25 - Blackville

Feedback can also be made by contacting the Natural Gas Group at 1350 Regent Street, Room 150 Fredericton, NB E3C 1G6 Fax: (506) 453-3671 Email: naturalgas@gnb.ca

The Natural Gas Group is also open to meeting privately with groups or associations, who are asked to e-mail their requests.

I just have to say it Scott Vaughan is one cool Environment Comissioner! Check out his frank 2012 report on how Canada’s faltering on our climate change commitments and the at times overlooked impacts of contaminated sites. Click here to access the whole report online.

I also included one of his videos here but, click here, if you want to watch some more of his videos – they make his job seem accessible.

The NBEN’s staff are taking the challenge will you? June 3- June 9^th the National Commuter Challenge gets underway and competitors are asked to try and find active ways to get to work! We here at the NBEN are challenging you as an individual or group to enter today.

Why not join it:

• Is a week-long event during Canadian Environment Week (June 3 – 9, 2012)
• Is a friendly competition between Canadian cities and workplaces
• Encourages Canadians to leave their cars at home
• Rewards walking, cycling, carpooling/ride-sharing, taking transit and telecommuting
• Celebrates active and sustainable transportation
• Is nationally hosted by Sustainable Alberta Association
• Is locally hosted by City Coordinators who support workplaces

Click here for the rules and to enter

In response to the federal government’s recent attacks on environmental groups, through budget cuts and weakening environmental regulations, the country’s leading environmental organizations are planning a black out campaign- vowing to darken their websites on June 4^th 2012.

The Sierra Club has called the government’s approach a “war on nature and democracy”, and blacking out websites is one way they are planning to do to fight back. Help spread the word via social networks and visit the website for more information: http://BlackOutSpeakOut.ca,

If you want to take personal action consider signing the petition to Save Canada’s Environmental Laws: http://www.envirolawsmatter.ca/

There's a great new internet resource that anyone working on climate change issues will find handy.  This look at the global world gives a good idea of exactly what is going on. The intro video is one and a half minutes long and fascinating to watch. 

Check it out by clicking here!

Four million dollars have been awarded in the 2012 Environmental Trust Fund announcements. The projects are divided into six categories:

●    sustainable development (59 projects, $1,609,500);
●    restoration (11 projects, $238,000);
●    protection (36 projects including 20 Environmental Risk Assessments, $444,500);
●    education (70 projects, $1,344,250);
●    conservation (17 projects, $390,500); and
●    beautification (two projects, $36,000).

The media annoucement is at http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2012.04.0359.html

And a complete list of awards at  http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0373/0002/ETFAwards.pdf

The chart below illustrates the awards by sector.