International Polar Year, or IPY (2007-2009) is by far the most exciting international scientific and educational opportunity of this century. For the next two years, all eyes will be focused on the physical, social and human dimensions of our planet's polar regions. Watch this blog for news related to Canadian outreach and education efforts related to IPY. Of particular interest to educators! Note: This blog is created independently of any official IPY organization

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Caribou in the News end of October 2010

First Nations people, scientists meet to save caribou
Winnipeg Free Press
The North American Caribou Workshop has registered 400 environmentalists, aboriginal leaders, government regulators and scientists, twice as many as ...
See all stories on this topic »


Consultations taking place on George River Caribou
St. John's Telegram
Consultations are taking place in Labrador today and Wednesday on the management of the George River caribou herd. Preliminary census results, from a ...
See all stories on this topic »


Board approves hunt for Nelchina caribou
Anchorage Daily News
AP The Alaska Board of Game has decided to proceed with a community harvest of the Nelchina herd, the state's most sought after caribou. ...
See all stories on this topic »
Bathurst caribou plan to help preserve herd
CBC.ca
The Bathurst caribou herd's population has dropped from about 128000 in 2006 to 32000 last year, according to NWT government surveys. ...
See all stories on this topic »
 Flying in Caribou Country - 2008_1.pdf 1783520 - geology.gov.yk.ca ...
By findpdf
1783520, 2008_1.pdf by geology.gov.yk.ca: Flying in Caribou Country. How to minimize disturbance from aircraft. 2008. Thank you to all the ... aircraft, mineral exploration, government, mining industries and regulatory agencies. for ...
Last Added PDF eBook Collections - http://www.findpdf.us/

Friday, October 15, 2010

Webinar: Benthics in Antarctica

Join us for upcoming real-time events with PolarTREC teacher, Tina
Sander, and scientists looking at the benthic, or seafloor dwelling
organisms, in Antarctica! Participants will learn more about the unique
ecology of the sea floor and how scientists are studying this unique
ecosystem.

These events are hosted through the PolarTREC PolarConnect (formerly
Live from IPY!) program, and participants will have a chance to learn
from the scientists, ask questions, and chat with others during the
presentation.

EVENT 1:
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
10:00 AM ADT (11:00 AM PDT, 12:00 PM MDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 2:00 PM EDT)

EVENT 2:
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
3:30 PM ADT (4:30 PM PDT, 5:30 PM MDT, 6:30 PM CDT, 7:30 PM EDT)

EVENT 3:
Friday, 3 December 2010
9:00 AM ADT (10:00 AM PDT, 11:00 AM MDT, 12:00 PM CDT, 1:00 PM EDT)

Registration: To register for any of these free events and to receive
instructions on how to join, go to:
http://www.polartrec.com/polar-connect/register

For more information about the science that Ms. Sander is involved in,
please read her journals at:
http://www.polartrec.com/expeditions/antarctic-seafloor-ecology

Webinar: Measuring Melts & Metals : Implications for Marine Ecosystems

Announcing the next webinar in the COSEE-OS "ROLE Model" webinar series:
Measuring Melts & Metals : Implications for Marine Ecosystems

WHEN: October 20 at 7PM Eastern [3PM Alaska, 4PM Pacific, 5PM Mountain, 6PM
Central]

Register here:<http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/102010_Webinar_Presurvey> ]

Or contact, medea.steinman@maine.edu; http://cosee.umaine.edu/

******************************
Featuring : Dr. Ben Twining (Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences) and
Annette deCharon (COSEE-Ocean Systems)

Think melting icebergs only affect sea level or ocean salinity? Dr. Twining
will discuss his recent research in the Arctic focusing on the role of
icebergs in the ocean's nutrient cycles and carbon uptake as they act as a
source of chemicals (such as iron) that enrich the biological communities
around them - with potential global-scale implications. Using a suite of
technologies (including remotely operated vehicles and planes) Dr. Twining
has been collecting data to reveal what's going on in the ocean - even under
the surface of the ice. The second portion of the presentation will feature
COSEE-OS director Annette deCharon describing different concept mapping
activities that encourage team building, reflection on personal and career
pathways, and exploring diverse individual perspectives.

About the webinars:

What do the carbon cycle, ocean technologies, aerosols, coastal pollutants
and climate change models have in common? You can learn about all of them
from world-class researchers -- and get customizable versions of these
scientists' interactive concept maps -- from the comfort of your living
room! Free and easy to attend, ROLE Model webinars offer direct access to
scientists as well as take-home resources that can be used immediately. All
you'll need in order to participate are a telephone and an Internet
connection!

Webinars are held every other Wednesday at 7PM ET/4PM PT. Registering allows
you to contribute your own questions for scientists to answer during the

Monday, August 30, 2010

More events

Hello again,
Forgot to include the Canada Science Policy Conference and the web page for the Northern Contaminants Program Results Workshop has just been posted,


Canadian Science Policy Conference
October 20-22, Montréal, Québec
Themes:
·        Increasing the productivity of Canada’s economy using science and technology
·        Global perspectives on science and technology
·        Creating and retaining scientific talent in Canada
·        A glance at bioscience in Canada
·        Major issues in Canadian science policy

Northern Contaminants Program Results Workshop
The aim of the NCP Results Workshop is to evaluate the state of knowledge and the status of work conducted under the NCP for the year 2009/2010. Presentations, posters and panel discussions will revolve around contaminant-related themes and will focus this year on issues related to mercury and its significance to Northerners. The workshop will also provide an excellent opportunity to develop NCP proposal ideas prior to the NCP Call for Proposals in November 2010. It will encourage program participants to network, discuss their results, and co-ordinate future work.


Bob Van Dijken
Yukon IPY Coordination Office

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

International Polar Year 2012 Conference

International Polar Year 2012 Conference: "International Polar Year 2012 Conference Canada is hosting the final wrap-up conference for International Polar Year . On December 9, 2009 the Government of Canada announced that the International Polar Year “From Knowledge to Action” Conference will be hosted in Montreal, Quebec, April 22-27, 2012. The Conference will be chaired by Dr. Peter Harrison, Stauffer-Dunning Chair and Director of the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and co-chaired by Dr. Karl Erb, Director of the United States National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs. It is expected that the Conference will attract science, policy and political delegates from around the world to present scientific research findings and to consider the policy implications of their work. The Canadian IPY Program Office is leading the planning and coordination of the IPY 2012 Conference, in partnership with the National Research Council.

Upcoming science meeting, workshops and conferences that may be of interest


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Van Dijken [mailto:Bob.VanDijken@cyfn.net]
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 4:00 PM
Subject: Upcoming science meeting, workshops and conferences that may be of interest

Hello everyone,
Hope you had a good summer with the right mix of work and play.  Just wanted to send out a list of various science related gatherings that may be of interest in the next four months.

6th Canadian Conference on Permafrost
Sept. 12 – 16, Calgary, Alberta
The Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS), the Calgary Section of the Canadian Geotechnical Society and the Canadian National Committee of the International Permafrost Association (CNC-IPA) invite you to the 63rd Canadian Geotechnical Conference and the 6th Canadian Permafrost Conference.
http://www.geo2010.ca/
 
American Association for the Advancement of Science Arctic Division AAAS
Sept 13 – 16, Anchorage, Alaska
This year’s theme:  Water: Integrating Health, Habitat and Economy
Increasingly rapid global change now presents Alaska with emerging challenges. Many of these lie at the interface of water and society as an ever crowded world grapples with balancing quality, supply and demand. Water is life and our approaches to its management, conservation and utilization will determine the survival and well-being of billions of people, both today and for the foreseeable future. How do we develop the North such that it is resilient and responsive? Please join us as we seek a better understanding of the issues that surround water ranging from food security to its role in health and sustaining our economy.
http://arctic.aaas.org/


Northern Contaminants Program Results Workshop
Sept. 28 – 30 Whitehorse
On behalf of the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) Management Committee, I am pleased to announce the 18th Annual NCP Results Workshop to be held September 28 - 30, 2010 at: 
Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

The aim of the NCP Results Workshop is to evaluate the state of knowledge and the status of work conducted under the NCP for the year 2009/2010 and to plan for future activities. Presentations, posters and panel discussions will revolve around contaminant-related themes. A special session on mercury will be one of the key themes for the workshop this year which will likely cover a wide range of activities including research, monitoring, human health, risk assessment, education, communications and the process for dissemination of results to communities. 

Workshop registration will be available via the NCP website in the coming weeks.

Please mark your calendars now for this exciting workshop.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact one of the following people:

Workshop Logistics: Natasha Chartres Natasha.Chartres@ainc-inac.gc.ca /
819 994-7455 or Manon Bédard Manon.Bedard@ainc-inac.gc.ca / 819-994-7451, or Pat Roach Pat.Roach@ainc-inac.gc.ca / 867-667-3283
Workshop Program : Simon Smith Simon.Smith@ainc-inac.gc.ca  / 819-997-9448 or Jason Stow Jason.Stow@ainc-inac.gc.ca / 418 614-2374

Alaska Quicksilver Summit (mercury)
Oct. 27 – 28, Anchorage, Alaska
Interesting in mercury? Like to eat fish? Wondering about mercury sources in Alaska? If so, join us at the Alaska Quicksilver Summit, October 27th-28th at the Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood. Facilitated discussions planned about sources, methylation, bioavailability, measurement methods, current projects and activities to reduce mercury and minimize its effects.
http://events.SignUp4.com/AQS10


Understanding Circumpolar Ecosystems in a Changing World:  Outcomes of the International Polar Year
Nov 3 – 6, Edmonton, Alberta
Northern ecosystems are increasingly becoming a high-profile topic on the political agenda. Most of the circumpolar regions are seen as pristine landscapes, which have experienced radical changes in climate, vegetation, and animals. Air temperature rises during the last 30 years have been associated with warming and disappearing permafrost, changes in growth rates of dominant trees, natural and anthropogenic disturbances, and changes in vertebrate populations. The causal links among these changes and their implications for the functioning of the circumpolar region and the people who live there are not completely understood. To understand the current and future structure, diversity, and functioning of the circumpolar region, it is important to understand how climate and disturbance interact and the implications of these interactions for ecological, economic, and cultural sustainability of the circumpolar region. The conference will include sessions on these and related topics in terrestrial environments (not oceans).
http://www.eas.ualberta.ca/ipy/

Arctic Wildlife Observatories Linking Vulnerable EcoSystems (WOLVES)
Nov. 18 – 20, Laval, Quebec
ArcticWOLVES (Arctic Wildlife Observatories Linking Vulnerable EcoSystems) is an International Polar Year project studying the tundra ecosystem. Its major aims are to improve our understanding of the tundra food web and associated ecosystem processes, assess current impacts of climate change on wildlife, and predict future ones through modelling. The project involves a coordinated effort by an international group of researchers at several field sites across the circumpolar regions of Canada, Norway, Russia and Greenland.
The final meeting of the project will be an opportunity for all our researchers, graduate students and collaborators to present their final results and to synthesize the overall achievements of the project. It will also provide a forum to discuss our results with our partners and with decision-makers. Attendance to the meeting is opened to anybody having an interest in tundra ecosystems.  
http://www.cen.ulaval.ca/arcticwolves/en_meetings.htm


American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting
Dec. 13-17, San Francisco, California
The Fall Meeting provides an opportunity for researchers, teachers, students, and consultants to present and review the latest issues affecting the Earth, the planets, and their own environments in space.  This meeting will cover topics in all areas of Earth and space sciences. 
http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm10/


ArcticNet
Dec. 14 – 17, Ottawa, Ont.
As the largest annual Arctic research gathering held in Canada, the ArcticNet annual meeting is the ideal venue to present results from all fields of Arctic research and stimulate networking and partnership activities.
Building on the success of previous ASMs, the 2010 meeting welcomes researchers, students, policy makers and stakeholders to address the global challenges and opportunities brought by climate change and modernization in the Arctic.
http://www.arcticnetmeetings.ca/asm2010/


Bob Van Dijken
Yukon IPY Coordination Office
Council of Yukon First Nations
2166 - 2nd Avenue
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 4P1
telephone: (867) 393-9237
fax: (867) 668-6577
Bob.VanDijken@cyfn.net

Get your copy! Polar Science and Global Climate: An International Resource for Education and Outreach

We are sending out copies of the Polar Science and Global Climate: An International Resource for Education and Outreach.  This book was produced by the International Education and Outreach Sub-Committee for International Polar Year.  The book comprises background information on the various areas of polar science, as well as the history of IPY.  There are tips and tricks for researchers on how to make presentations.  Various education and outreach projects undertaken around the world as part of IPY are also showcased, and there is a section on capacity-building.

You can receive a free copy if you email us (our website: www.ipy.gc.ca).


Elizabeth (Erzebet) Glasbergen
International Polar Year Program Office
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Telephone: 819-934-1974
Fax: 819-934-0584