Current Events
Earth Day in Chelsea
Summer Sports Stuff Exchange along with refreshments, and Local Environmental, Green and Energy Efficiency Expo
Saturday April 24, 2010
Chelsea Community Centre, 220 Old Chelsea Rd., Chelsea
Drop off the gear you want to sell at the Sports Stuff Exchange between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m.
The exchange runs from 10:00 to 12:30.
People are looking to buy bikes, soccer cleats, canoes, kayaks, obscure stuff... whatever you can think of.
You set the price on the stuff you want to sell. A small commission goes to ACRE after the sale. Pick-up money from the sale of your stuff and unsold items between 12:30 and 1:30
St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church will once again be selling waffles with strawberries and whip cream along with coffee and tasty baked goods. For those looking for something a little more hearty there will be chili with baguette.
Reverend Robert Sears will once again be offering free bike tune-ups. Buy your child a new bike and get it tuned up on Earth Day.
For more info:ACRE@videotron.ca
Lecture Series
Since the year 2000, ACRE has been presenting an annual series of lectures by environmental experts with the goal of both entertaining and educating residents of Chelsea about environmental issues. Subjects have ranged from Chelsea's wild birds, fish and frogs, to the geology of the region; and from climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic to naturalizing your garden. We are always looking for new ideas and speakers!
2010 ACRE Lecture Series
Biodiversity in Chelsea
An evening of three short presentations on three distinct topics related to biodiversity
Biodiversity in Chelsea
An evening of three short presentations on three distinct topics related to biodiversity
Three short presentations on wildlife corridors, lichens and flower flies in one evening!
Join Dr. Carolyn Callaghan of Nature Chelsea, Dr. Jeff Skevington, an entomologist from Agriculture Canada and Dr. Irwin Brodo of the Canadian Museum of Nature and his colleague Colin Freebury in an evening of presentations and discussion on biodiversity in our region, Chelsea and the Gatineau Park.
7:30 p.m., Tuesday March 23rd
Chelsea United Church,
Mill Road, Chelsea (Quebec)
A question period and then coffee and treats from Chelsea's bakery will follow the presentations.
Free admission and as always open to the public.
The following summaries are the outlines of the speakers' presentations...
Those aren't all bees in your gardens! An introduction to the fabulous world of flower flies.
Dr. Jeff Skevington, AAFC
Come learn about some of the spectacular flies that inhabit our forests and your gardens. Flower flies (Syrphidae) are very common and are mistaken as bees and wasps by most people. Adults are important pollinators while their larvae are diverse in their habits and include predators of aphids and other pests, some plant-eating pests, and some that live in ant nests where they trick the ants and consume their offspring.
Jeff Skevington is an entomologist with Agriculture Canada. He has travelled all over the world to collect and categorize syrrphid flies.
Lichens of Gatineau Park
Dr. Irwin Brodo, Canadian Museum of Nature
Colin Freebury, Ottawa
The world of lichen is one of supreme beauty. Learn about lichens; what are they, how they function, and what are some of the common features that lead to identification. This talk will also feature the lichens of Gatineau Park (320 species recorded to date).
Irwin (Ernie) Brodo is an emeritus research scientist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, co-author of the landmark book Lichens of North America and past president of the International Lichen Association. Colin Freebury is an amateur lichenologist who is assisting Ernie in cataloging the lichens of Gatineau Park.
Wildlife Movement Corridors of Chelsea
Dr. Carolyn Callaghan, Nature Chelsea
Chelsea is endowed with diverse species of wild animals, thanks in part to corridors that allow wildlife to move freely to find food, shelter, and mates. Learn about the new research project in Chlesea that is recording the wildlife that are moving through and living in corridors in our community. You will be treated to photos from remote cameras that have recorded the animals that call Chelsea home.
Carolyn Callaghan is a biologist and coordinator of the ACRE project Nature Chelsea. She has studied wildlife across Canada
7:30 p.m., Tuesday March 23rd
Chelsea United Church,
Mill Road, Chelsea (Quebec)
A question period and then coffee and treats from Chelsea's bakery will follow the presentations
Free admission and as always open to the public
Undermining our Health
How culture, the economy and environmental degradation affect our health
Presented by: Dr. Gwynne Jones M.D.
Associate Professor, The Ottawa Hospital
Our culture and civilisation is not healthy!
Why, with all our profound understanding of the problems and the science, we are not in a truly golden age of health and vigour?
The presentation will give some background on the recent sociological and medical epidemiology of modern epidemics that lead to diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and depression.
It will also look at the commission on 'determinants of health inequalities' and their sense of why the ability to control ones life and decisions determines health.
And about health and justice; how our culture, capitalism, the ecological crisis and western attitudes affect our health and wellbeing.
7:30 p.m., Thursday January 28, 2010
Chelsea United Church,
Mill Road, Chelsea (Quebec)
A question period and then coffee will follow the presentation
Free admission
The Unnatural Night
Light Pollution’s impact on the environment: on the health and behaviour of wildlife, and that of humans
Presented by: Robert Dick M.Eng. P. Eng., Carleton University
Abstract
Artificial outdoor lighting has become a symbol of today's society. Over 4 billion years, the chemistry of life developed subject to the day-night cycle of light and dark. This cycle changed during the past century with the widespread introduction of artificial lighting. We have accumulated data on light's impact on the environment: on the health and behaviour of wildlife, and that of humans. Studies of wildlife and human health show how artificial lighting affects the behaviour and biochemistry of most life on Earth.
Artificial light is necessary to increase our ability to see after dark but it must be controlled to minimize the degradation of the environment. There are relatively simple lighting techniques that can be used that will limit this impact on the environment and that reduces its effects on human health.
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Chelsea United Church,
Mill Road, Chelsea (Quebec)
A question period and then coffee will follow the presentation
Free admission
Annual General Meeting
When: Thursday February 18, 2010 at 7 :30pm
Where: Les Saisons Café, Old Chelsea
Who: All ACRE members and the general public
Why:
o To discuss our latest news and plans
o To learn how you can play an active role in ACRE
o To elect new directors
o To renew your membership or become a new member
o To taste delicious fair trade specialty coffees
Note: A member can name, by written proxy, another member of ACRE to act in their name at the time of the assembly.
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