| Save the caribou
The Alberta Wilderness Association has launched a new campaign to try to save the threatened woodland caribou of northern Alberta.
The association is calling on the provincial government to introduce a moratorium on all industrial activity in the prime woodland caribou habitats until caribou numbers increase. As well, the group is asking the government to permanently protect caribou habitat in the Little Smoky, Chinchaga and Kakwa areas of northern Alberta.
"If we’re going to keep caribou in the province it will require a big commitment," says Nigel Douglas, outreach co-ordinator for AWA.
Douglas says the government has done enough research on woodland caribou and now it’s time to take concrete action.
"You can keep on researching these animals as they disappear but that doesn’t keep them from disappearing," he says.
Part of the challenge in saving the woodland caribou is they’re not as "popular and photogenic" a cause as the grizzly bear. Woodland caribou aren’t on most people’s radar screens, says Douglas.
However, Douglas says without quick action the woodland caribou could disappear from Alberta. The biggest threat to their existence is habitat fragmentation caused by development, says Douglas.
Health care policy
The Alberta group Friends of Medicare is hoping to force politicians to make their positions on health care clear before the upcoming federal election on June 28.
The group is asking political candidates to sign a "medicare protection pledge" in which they promise not to implement any new privatized health care. If candidates sign the pledge they also promise to do everything in their power to protect and expand public health care in the country.
Arusha open house
Arusha Centre will be holding an open house and annual general meeting on June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Old Y Building on 12th Ave. S.W.
At the open house, Arusha Centre’s new community information centre will be unveiled. The centre includes a library with information on a variety of topics, including globalization, international and community development, anti-racism and urban and environmental sustainability. The information is in the form of books, videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs and periodicals. The new information centre is also a gathering place for activist groups.
For more information, call 270-3200.
Mad cow scientist
A British researcher with a controversial theory about how mad cow originated in the U.K. will be speaking in Calgary on June 1 at the W.R. Castell Central Library.
Mark Purdey believes that the mad cow epidemic started in the U.K. after cows were given mandatory treatment for a fly infection.
As well, David Crowe of the Alberta Reappraising AIDS Society will offer some provocative commentary on the AIDS pandemic.
The event runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Correction
The Calgary Blues and Roots Festival takes place from August 12 to 15 at McMahon Stadium. More information is available by calling 245-9080 or visiting www.bluesandroots.com.
GlobalFest takes place from August 18 to 30, and includes six nights of fireworks and 16 pavilions spread throughout the city.
Incorrect information appeared in our Summer Guide in last week’s issue. We apologize for the errors. |
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