Bulletin Fall 2008 1

It’s My Party, I Can Give if I Want To A Birthday Bash that Gives Back

Popular must-haves among today’s youth, like sleek digital cameras, Hannah Montana paraphernalia and the Nintendo Wii were far from Candice Wittig’s mind as she celebrated her birthday on April 1 this year.

Rather than request the latest toys or trendy clothes for her tenth birthday party, Candice asked six friends to follow her example and donate to the Canadian Wildlife Federation. The troupe of fourth graders raised a whopping $100 – a sum that will assist CWF’s wildlife conservation efforts.

“This was all her idea. She reads a lot about wildlife and is quite caring about the preservation of wildlife and the extinction of so many species,” says Kirk Wittig, Candice’s father.

The enthusiastic group of girls celebrated the success of their donation with a trip to “Build a Bear” in Kitchener, Ontario. But it’s the generosity of Candice and her friends that is helping shape a better environment for real bears and other wildlife to survive and thrive in. As a token of our appreciation, CWF sent the girls matching bright blue wristbands. And this isn’t the first we’ve heard of Candice either. An avid nature lover, concerned about the state of endangered species, she has independently donated her allowance to CWF several times before. By getting her peers on board to make a difference for wildlife as well, Candice proves it’s never too early to shape a bright future for critters and Canadians alike. By Laura Benn

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24/7The Canadian Wildlife Federation’s customer service reps are available 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. Call our toll free number 1-800-563-9453 anytime.Whether it’s to change your informa-tion or subscribe to one of our fabulous magazines, we’re open for business.

In This IssueVolume 22, Fall 2008

Greeting From CWF 2

Caption Contests 2

Canadian Wildlife Magazine 2

Citizenship Ceremony 3

Checkerspot Magazine 3

Envirothon 3

2009 Calendar 3

Wild BBCanada.com 3

Photoscapes 4

Seasonal gardening guide 6

CWF and OPERAencore 6

Bateman Contest 6

Conservation Awards 6

Water Worries 6

Turning plastic bags into $ 7

Bat Bags 7

Funding News 7

The Climate Change Blog 7

CWF MBNA Mastercard 7

WAG on the Grow 8

Sporting CWF wristbands, the seven Grade 4 girls from Tavistock Public School demonstrate real teamwork, together helping care for Canadian wildlife. (From left to right) Cassandra Rudnick, Alyssa Bender, Madison Biggin, Joanne Marshall, Candice Wittig, Emelia Rudnick and Gavrielle Gray.

Volume 22, Fall 2008

Your Connection to Wildlife

Vote for Canada’s Spookiest SpeciesBats, owls, snakes and spiders — what’s the creepiest wild creature that comes to mind when you think of Halloween? Vote online on our Halloween poll at cwf-fcf.org between September 15 and October 10. Keep a look out for the results on October 23, and down-load our design stencils so you can carve the ultimate jack-o’-lantern in the shape of one of these eerie species.

Send an E-cardThe seasons for spooky shout-outs, jolly well-wishing and secret admirers are almost upon us. But how do you tell the special people in your life what’s on your mind and in your heart? CWF can help! This Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day have a gander at CWF’s free wildlife e-cards, available at cwf-fcf.org/ecards. Inspired by the diversity of Canadian landscape, these critter-covered cards are guaranteed to bring some natural cheer to your home for the holidays! By choosing an electronic card over a paper one, you’re helping preserve homes and habitats too!

2 Bulletin Fall 2008

Your Connection to WildlifeWhen I was thinking about what to write for this issue I just didn’t know where to start. I love this time of year; the change of seasons, the end of summer and a time to re-focus and get things in order. This past spring CWF was proud to take part in a citizenship ceremony — what’s more iconic to Canada than diversity and wildlife? Both subjects are dear to my heart. I love this country and I love introducing new people to it. My grandparents were once new Canadians and they’ve

instilled in me a true and deep appreciation for this country and all its natural resources. This bulletin sings many of the praises of Canada from Citizenship to polar bears to our cover story about a little girl already making a difference for wildlife. I hope it inspires you to make a difference.

Enjoy.

Wade Luzny

Canadian Wildlife Magazine You’ll be impressed with the informative features and beautiful illustrations of CWF’s leading-edge Canadian Wildlife magazine. Published six times a year, a one year subscription is available for only $29 (plus applicable taxes).

Inside the new September/October issue you will find articles on how to make your garden shine with a little help from wildlife in your backyard and the effect of Cree beliefs on the moose population in Quebec. Plus, take a look inside a quarantined lab used to research pesky invasive insects and much more! Subscribe today by calling 1-888-687-6247, or visit cwf-fcf.org to subscribe online.

Arctic Hare Caption Contest WinnersWe can always count on your caption submissions to give us a chuckle. Thanks for sending them in! With 90 captions to choose from, it was tough to pick our favourites. But after careful consideration, the front runners are:

Do you hare what I hare? Ruth Hill Roberts Creek, B.C.

Back off and get your own carrots. Kyra and Mitchell Smelser Richmond Hill, Ont.

What are you afraid of? The man said rabbit, not rabid!Billie Macpherson Victoria, BC

Don’t look at me! I’m having a bad ear day.Shirley Finkbeiner Pine Falls, Man.

Me? No, no. The Easter Bunny lives two burrows down.Mike and Alexander Negraeff

It was highlights I asked for. Highlights! Gerry Jung Winnipeg, Man.

Avec ma teinte blanche et un sol dénudé de neige et de glace, je vais me faire repérer d’ici peu de temps. Où est ma tanière?Jacques Fournier La Malbaie, Que.

Please don’t yell. I can HARE you!C.Webber Halifax, N. S.

New Caption ContestGet your creative juices flowing! We’ve got another caption contest underway. Send in your funniest captions for this photo of a chipmunk stuffing its face with a peanut by filling out a form on our website at cwf-fcf.org or by e-mailing info@cwf-fcf.org with “Bulletin Caption Contest” in the subject line. And keep ‘em coming! There’s no limit on how many captions you send in. Who knows? Your caption may be one of the top picks we publish in the next issue of the Bulletin.

Tobi Ann Baumgartner

Lucie Theriault Jocelyne Hallé

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CWF Welcomes New Canadians! The Canadian Wildlife Federation was thrilled to join the Institute for Canadian Citizenship in a Citizenship Ceremony in Toronto this past May. Fifty-nine new Canadian citizens were sworn in and all received a welcome gift from CWF. Diversity, along with wildlife, has been a fundamental characteristic of Canada since its beginnings. Canadians care deeply about wildlife. CWF shares this vision and works with Canadians from coast to coast to maintain something very important — a brighter future for Canada’s wildlife.

Since its inception in 2005 by Canada’s 26th Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul, the Institute encourages active participation of local communities and grass roots organizations to establish volunteer-based committees to host citizenship cer-emonies in their respective locations. Today the community ceremonies are being held all over Canada from east to west.

CheckerspotCheckerspot magazine is dedicated wholeheartedly to climate change. With fascinating features on the effects of climate change and the tools to make a difference, it’ll empower you to tackle the issue in your own life.

Checkerspot is marking its two year anniversary with its fall/winter issue. Inside you’ll find interesting facts on climate change as well as great organic gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season.

To order your free subscription today, call 1-800-563-9453 or visit CWF’s CheckerspotMagazine.ca.

The Envirothon ChallengeCongratulations to students at the West Hill Secondary School in Owen Sound, Ont. for being crowned the 2008 Ontario Envirothon Champions. Envirothon is a North American program that invites high school students across Canada and the U.S. to put their knowledge to the test through various outdoor environmental challenges. The CWF is proud to partner with this wonderful program that shares our passion for nature and wildlife.

Sit, Relax and Stay Wild! Planning a vacation? Don’t forget to visit BBCanada.com to book your wildlife-friendly accommodation! This summer, CWF and BBCanada.com partnered to introduce the Backyard Habitat Certification for Bed & Breakfasts. BBCanada.com members from across the country were encouraged to grow wild in their gardens and apply for certification. What does this mean for you, the guest? You can now rest easy knowing that where you are staying is free from pesticides and has demonstrated a commitment to providing a sustainable place for Canadian wildlife.

Look for the Wildlife-Friendly Garden icon on member listings when making your booking!

MaRS Discovery District

MaRS Discovery District

2009 CalendarWhy wait for Earth Day when you can celebrate wildlife conservation all year round? From World Water Day to Canadian Environment Week, your calendar could be marked with tons of environmental events. Fret no more wildlife enthusiasts! Coming this winter, CWF supporters will stay in the loop with our 2009 Wildlife Calendar! The calendar is packed with brilliant images of Canada’s wildlife and peppered with species and environmental facts each month!

Wildlife Calendar

20092009Wildlife Calendar

www.CheckerspotMagazine.ca

climate change is in your hands

ROOFTOPSin the limelight

A C A N A D I A N W I L D L I F E F E D E R A T I O N M A G A Z I N E

spring/summer 2008 • vol. 3

Eco-payoffsGreening

gravesLow-impact

getaways

Checkerspot_Dept Spring08:Cherckerspot Grid 3/27/08 1:05 PM Page 1

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PhotoScapesPolar Bears are Standing on Thin IceEnvironment Canada research scientist and guest speaker at CWF’s 2008 Issues Forum, Dr. Nick Lunn, has tracked down the effects of climate change on the Western Hudson Bay polar bear population. Lunn’s team has found increasing temperatures is reducing the availability of sea ice which polar bears depend on for travelling, hunting, mating and maternity denning.

By Terri-Lee Reid

The Vanishing Great White BearsThe Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) met in Yellowknife in April, and CWF was there to learn about the status of Canada’s species that were slated for assessment, most notably the polar bear.

Using scientific, Aboriginal, traditional and community knowledge to determine the status of Canada’s wildlife that are considered to be at risk, COSEWIC as-sessed the polar bear as a species of Special Concern.

While some subpopulations of polar bears are increasing or remain stable, others are declining. And climate change is one of the culprits for these declines in the Western Hudson Bay and Southern Beaufort Sea regions. With temperatures rising, the sea ice is starting to waste away, leading to declines in the bears’ body conditions.

If the polar bear is listed as a species of Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act, a management plan will be prepared that will outline conservation measures to keep the polar bear and its habitat safe.

Bulletin Fall 2008 5

Grumbling TummiesThe early break up of sea ice means that polar bears have less time to hunt seals and build up their fat stores, causing bears to come ashore in poorer condition. This results in polar bears moving inland where they live off the fat they’ve stored and an inactive lifestyle (for 80 per cent of the time). When they do search for food, most try to snatch carcasses, but females with cubs might snack on grasses and berries to get by. However, the more they move inland, the more these great white bears increase their chances of becoming problem bears.

Oh BabyDid you know that cubs stick close to their mothers for two and a half years? As a result, female polar bears only have new litters every three years. Since polar bears breed at a slow rate, it’s crucial that the cubs survive. But Dr. Lunn has found some troubling news. Females in poor condition are having a hard time producing cubs. And while females are still producing triplets in the spring, he’s found these cubs are not surviving. In fact, Dr. Lunn and his colleagues have not seen triplets in the fall since 1996.

Breaking the IceThe work performed by Dr. Lunn and his colleagues has been

instrumental in polar bear research. He’s concluded that

there has been a 22 per cent decline in the Western Hudson

Bay polar bear population which he directly attributes

to climate change. Thanks to his research, we’ve learned

that sea ice in the Western Hudson Bay area is breaking

up three weeks earlier than it did in 1975 with numerous

consequences for the polar bears in this region.

6 Bulletin Fall 2008

Bateman Contest Winners Congratulations to the 2008 winners of the Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest! This year’s contest received well over 2000 entries from Canadian youth who shared their pas-sion for nature through art and writing. View all winning entrants online at gettoknow.ca and visit the online shop to purchase the 2009 contest calendar.

Water loggedHow many times a day do you use water? For showering, flushing, drinking, gardening — the list seems endless; however, the supply is not. From coast to coast, the quality of our marine and freshwater supply plays a role in so many aspects of our lives. At CWF, we’re taking notice of the way Canadians use water.

Recently, CWF teamed up with the University of Lethbridge to develop webisodes (waterunderfire.ca) that illustrate the strain placed on water through consumption, and the importance of awareness and conservation. Each video documents a different facet of Canada’s affected water. If we can help each Canadian learn the importance of using a little less, it could mean millions fewer gallons being processed each day.

CWF is also taking a closer look into aquaculture. Commonly known as com-mercial fish farming, aquaculture blends CWF’s focus on wildlife, habitat and water together. In August, we sent our team of conservation researchers to British Columbia to take a closer look at the fish farming industry. There are many concerns over fish farms such as disease, biological pollution, migration route interruption and the danger to other species. Even the waste created from beneath the net cages (where the fish are held) physically and chemically alters the environment by introducing antibiotics, pesticides, disinfectants, preservatives and bleaches. By visiting the farms, our researchers saw the effects of aquaculture in Canada first hand, giving CWF a greater perspective into what needs to be done. Stay tuned for photos and further findings. By Stephanie Bonner

A Friendlier Way to Give Join CWF in our effort to reduce the use of natural resources by becoming a monthly donor! And because donations are made electronically through your bank account, there’s less use of paper through communica-tion. We’re doing our best to reduce, reuse and recycle by planting trees as well as using solar power from the panels on our roof. Every little bit counts…so why not try what thousands of Canadians are already doing — tell us you want to become a monthly donor for CWF at donate.cwf-fcf.org/donate.

Wild About MusicOn April 20, in Toronto, CWF and OPERAencore! presented Wild About Music, an afternoon of music celebrating Earth day and Canadian wildlife. Richard Valdez, artistic director of OPERAencore!, and his company delighted the audience with songs of nature with all proceeds from the event going to CWF. One lucky audience member, Mary Brymer, won a signed copy of Robert Bateman’s Getting to Know print. Mary will be donating the print to her nephew’s school.

Prep your Garden for WinterNot sure what to do with your green space as summer fades away? Subscribe to the fall issue of Wild About Gardening’s Seasonal Gardening Guide, CWF’s free electronic newsletter, to learn some clever ins and outs for maintain-ing a healthy garden, no matter what the season brings. With creature features and gardening tips, fall’s guide will lead you in the right direction for garden care. Register at WildAboutGardening.org, and we’ll deliver it right to your inbox, four times a year! It’s simple, free and fun!

Congratulations to our Award Winners!CWF congratulates the winners of the 2008 Conservation Achievement Awards. Winners were selected by the CWF Board and awarded at its Annual General Meeting in Edmonton, Alberta. These Awards comprise six categories and honour an individual’s or an organization’s commitment to wildlife in Canada. Nominees include volunteers, profes-sionals, youth and conservationists from all walks of life concerned with a host of environmental topics. For a full list of this year’s winners, or to download the 2009 nomination form visit www.cwf-fcf.org.

Belle Choi

Jeff Howard, 2008 winner of the CWF Youth Conservation Achievement Award

Bulletin Fall 2008 7

Thinking Outside the Bag! “If you don’t take a bag, we’ll give the cost of the bag to the Canadian Wildlife Federation” — reads the sign at the cash register of Naturally You / Uniform Store in Barrie, Ontario.

Inspired by another retailer in the spring of last year, Deb Poss made the decision to make a donation to the Canadian Wildlife Federation for customers that chose the environmentally friendly option at her Barrie store. “A store was making a donation to charity if their customers brought their own shopping bags, and I liked the idea,” says Poss, who decided to try it out, making a slight variation to the concept. “I liked the idea, but I realized that bringing your own bag wasn’t the important thing, it was not taking the bags that really mattered.”

Poss has been the sole proprietor of Naturally You /Uniform store since 1993. The store itself is two businesses in one; Naturally You provides specialized services for women with cancer by selling wigs, hats and breast prosthetics, while the Uniform Store sells apparel to medical professionals.

Her decision to support CWF with her ‘Bag Campaign’ began in the summer of 2007 for a couple of reasons. “CWF works to help wildlife through its focus on the environment and habitat. By customers saving these bags from being wasted, we’re trying to do our part to help save the environment for wildlife too,” explains Poss.

Since last summer, her initiative has raised over $450. “What’s great for us is seeing people make the decision not to take a bag. We’re even convincing customers who are buying clean white lab coats that they don’t need a bag.” By Stephanie Bonner

Jennifer Courvoisier, Debra Poss, Alyssa DiCamillo and Jessica Cameron

Charge It!When you use your CWF MBNA MasterCard your everyday purchases will benefit Canadian Wildlife! Visit http://www.applyonlinenow.com/canada/aadpbndr now to apply.

The Climate Change BlogKermit the frog had it right; it isn’t easy being green - especially when our hectic lives trump our environmental outlook. Since combating climate change should be high on your to do list, be sure to check out Checkerspot magazine’s blog, The Ghg Spot, at ghgspot.ca.

Follow Jodi as she tries to achieve a low-carbon lifestyle and offers everyday carbon-conscious tips and lively discussion about sustainable living without a lot of technical mumbo-jumbo in between. It’s fun, real and relatable advice that works!

Funding News CWF’s Funding Program has once again awarded financial support to several critical research projects and educational programs. Among them, innovative research on the habitat and prey selection of an isolated cougar population by two researchers from the University of Al-berta. The purpose of the study is to document the ecology of the apparently isolated cougar population in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park and the adjacent region. All funded projects work towards a common goal — a brighter future for Canadian wildlife. CWF is proud to support this valuable work. For a complete list of all the spring 2008 funded programs, visit www.cwf-fcf.org.

5491 1234 5617 9123

Q&AQ. How can I stop groundhogs from eating my gardens? A. There are both scent and taste deterrents you can use that will stop groundhogs from eating your vegetables and flowers. To trick the groundhog into thinking a predator is close by, place dog hair in a nylon stocking and place it around your garden or sprinkle dry blood meal around target plants. Groundhogs don’t like the taste of garlic, onion, talcum powder or marigolds, so sprinkling these near the plants will also help ward them off. The more deterrents you use, the better your chances of success.

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Wild About Gardening Continues to GrowWe’ve dug deep and replanted. We’ve redirected and made new paths. We’ve added glorious flowers and interesting wildlife. And now our website is complete!

Come check out the newly redesigned Wild About Gardening website at WildAbout-Gardening.org, where you can find all of the great content you’ve come to expect from WAG as well as new features and functions to help you share your ideas.

We’ve made the focal point of our “garden” the Seasonal Gardening Guide, the quarterly online gardening magazine full of tips, advice and ideas for making your gardens wildlife-friendly. Read “The Editor’s Bench,” a primer on what’s new this season or any of the feature stories filled with gardening and wildlife ideas for your backyard. Browse through our departments, which highlight a specific creature, plant, garden or nursery each season.

Also on WAG, discover community gardening advice or how to go green in your gardens. Search through our database of animals or plants to identify the critter out your window or to learn more about the species you want in your garden. Plan your new garden project using our Design and Garden Planning section or get tips on how to properly maintain what you’ve already got with Garden Care. Does your thumb lack that tinge of green? Check out The Basics, a getting-started section of WAG that includes basic information for the beginning gardener on soils, seasons and plants.

Share! Find new features such as forums to share your gardening tips and tools to upload your fabulous garden photos and help build the online Native Plant Encyclopedia. Also, check out our FAQs on problem wildlife, or ask Maria, editor of the Seasonal Gardening Guide and manager of the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Habitat program.

We want to continue our conversation with you on gardening for wildlife, so WAG has introduced our blog, called Gardening Gab. Updated regularly, this online journal brims with tips, ideas, photos and podcasts on how to spruce up your garden for the birds, the bees and all of nature’s critters. Comment on each entry or tell us your thoughts and help keep the discussion on gardening for wildlife going.

Wild About Gardening is part of the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Habitat Program, which encourages Canadians to help wildlife by building viable habitat on their own properties and in their communities. By Tobi McIntyre

Canadian Wildlife Federation

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is dedicated to ensuring an appreciation of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife and habitat by informing and educating Canadians, advocating responsible human actions and representing wildlife on conservation issues.

Canadian Wildlife Federation350 Michael Cowpland Dr.Kanata, ON K2M 2W1

Websites:

www.cwf-fcf.orgwww.hww.cawww.WildAboutGardening.orgwww.WildEducation.orgwww.CheckerspotMagazine.ca

© 2008 Canadian Wildlife FederationISBN : 1-55029-204-8Charitable Registration No. 10686-8755 RR0001

For FSC Stamp

CWF-BUL08FLE

The BulletinEditor Louise HanlonAssociate Editor April OverallContributors Laura Benn, Stephanie Bonner, Tobi McIntyre, Terri-Lee Reid, Jennifer Smart, Kimberly Tabaka, Lynn VilleneuvePhoto Research Roberta AddyArt Director Dan St. JeanLayout Filippo Di TrapaniTranslator Monique Lachance

The Bulletin is published twice a year by the Canadian Wildlife Federation.