TREPA

Repair-Reuse-Repurpose

Coming to Beacon this Saturday, June 8, 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Click the link for more details.

The Climate Crisis: Time for Action

Recent reports from international scientists clearly demonstrate the urgent need for action to avoid an uncontrollable shift in global climate, with devastating consequences. It is estimated that one million animal and plant species are already at risk of extinction and  human life itself will be severely impacted. However, there is still hope for preventing this catastrophe.

At a recent TREPA (Tusket River Environmental Protection Association) meeting it was agreed to invite Judy N. Green, spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, to give her presentation entitled “Heading Toward Extinction”. Judy operates her own business RAW ‘N Green Wellness Coaching from her Digby office and is currently a Nominee for the 2019 Annapolis Valley Women of Distinction – Community Builder.

The nature of Judy’s presentation will be two fold. First, will be a clarification on the seriousness of the current climate crisis and the urgency for corrective action. The second part of her session will point out what individuals can to do affect a change.

Judy N. Green’s presentation is free and open to any member of the public. It is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29^th, 2019 at 7:00 pm at the Yarmouth County Museum, 22 Collins St, Yarmouth.

For further information:

Barrie MacGregor (President – TREPA)

Barrie.MacGregor@gmail.com

902-648-0462

Judy N. Green

judy@rawngreen.com

902-249-1772

These are unapproved minutes. For changes, if any, see future minutes.

TREPA Minutes

May 1, 2019

The meeting of the Board of Directors of TREPA May 1 at 7:05 P.M. our Main Street office.

Present-BarrieMacGregor, John Sollows, Mike Raynard, Roy Fudge, John Morris, Nicola Roberts- Fenton and Ginny Smith.

Regrets: Dianne Klomp, John Linder, Jean Cleveland, Eko Raharjo, Debbie Sullivan, Dan Earle and Jennifer Cunningham. 

Guest-Leslie Robinson

Approved Agenda-One item added. Moved by Roy, 2^nd by John M. Carried.

Approved  Minutes– Moved by Roy, 2nd by John M. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report-Dianne not able to submit.  Very little activity this month.  It was generally agreed that from now on the financial report would be on activities up to the end of the previous month ie  in June the report will be to the end of April this provides a more realistic time period for the treasurer to get a report together. Approved by board.

Old Business:

1.Water quality-Water sampling starts for new season.  A few samples are in.  Water is high in the Carleton, going down quickly on the Tusket.  

Andrew Sinclair (Dept. of Environment) received John’s report on water quality.

2. Summer jobs-we have been given 1 job for 9 weeks.  Clean Foundation position more likely, but not yet assured.  John is asking for $ from MTRI to help cover associated expenses.

OP Eds –None this time, but Barrie does have someone coming to his property Thursday, May 2 to look into the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid issue and consult on how to treat trees.  An e-mail was sent by Abby Lewis (MTRI) to those who attended the session at Barrie’s earlier in the year asking those who have seen HWA in stands to fill in the winter survey.  She reminded us to tread carefully starting in May due to the fact that the HWA egg sacs will start hatching at this time and be on the move.  The phone number to call is 902-682-2371.

3. Buffer Issues-Ties into the MTRI issue.
4. Lobster Draw -$389.75 made so far on tickets sold.
5. Free cycle-3 ½ tables of items and 1/3 of equipment left.  Considered successful.
6. DFO kiack sampling, two students have started. Students will submit time sheets every Saturday and be paid every 2 weeks.  Samantha Fullton is supervising.  Checks will need to be signed by two signing authorities.
7. DFO Coastline Project-Probably won’t be funded.
8. Municipality re Dayton issue-Regarding PAC-Jim MacLeod reported to Barrie that the PAC did have an April meeting and that our letter was read. Roy was unaware that the meeting took place.  The next meeting will be May 21.  
9.   AGM-April 17, meeting went well and speaker gave an interesting presentation.
10.   Boomerang Bag update-We have been asked to move out of the 3^rd floor into a storage space on the 2^nd floor. YETT has an MOU that states that this was to be a gentleman’s agreement between YETT and SNBRA but the fine print suggests we could be moved at any time.       

NEW BUSINESS

1.   Eko sent an e-mail expressing concern over Northern Pulp and the Indonesian owners.  He sent a letter to the Inverness Council that has since backed down and is no longer supporting the mill.  It appears that Boat Harbour will be closed next January.  In the meantime, the Minister of the Environment has been changed.  Our new minister is D. Wilson from Digby.  He may have a different approach.

2.   Morris Lloyd, a consultant with the Municipality, who is currently acting as Town Planner’s, asked John to meet regarding sub division regulations.  He is concerned about the way subdivisions are regulated.  It is hoped that the municipality will change the regulations or land use by-laws.  Mr. Loyd will meet with John S. and Roy regarding the issue at town hall May 7, 2019 at 9:30.

3.   We have been asked to renew our charity status-Barrie will take care of it.

4.   Leslie Robinson was given the floor to discuss his concern regarding climate crisis and the IPCC report, suggesting that humans must reduce the CO2 emissions thereby reducing Global Warming by .5 degrees centigrade from 2.0 to 1.5 degrees within the next 11 years.  Journalists and politicians have focused on the adaptations we can make, rather than what we need to do to make substantial change.  He gives TREPA cudos for addressing the water quality concerns specifically with the Tusket River.  We have said that we were the go to organization for environmental issues.  Larry concurs that we are focused on adjustments as compared to making significant changes.  Leslie gave examples of what he was discussing (Extinction Rebellion Group): challenge politicians to tell the truth, organize groups to challenge journalist’s coverage, to challenge politicians’ policies, and to expose other groups to form.

The board agreed to invite an Extinction Rebellion speaker, Judy Green, to Yarmouth to give a public presentation and perhaps arrange for her to speak at the Yarmouth high school and other local schools as well.

Global Awareness should become a regular item on our agenda.

5.  May 4, Saturday starting at 9am Tusket River Bridge on Wilson’s road (between Wilson Road and Canaan and Springhaven ) and work towards Rte 308 continuing one Kilometer down the Curry Road .    

Next meeting June 5, 2019.

The Annual General Meeting of the Tusket River Environmental Protection Association will happen at the Lake Vaughan Fire Hall on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 P.M. Come early for snacks and coffee. Guest speaker will be Lesley Farrow of the Kespukwitk Conservation Collaborative.

What’s that all about? Come and find out!

Our annual Freecycle is scheduled for Beacon Hall on Saturday, April 27. Drop off used, electronic items between 9:00 and 10:00 and pick them up for free between 10:00 and 11:00.

Garbage pick-up Saturday, May 4, starting at 9 A.M., weather permitting. Start at the Tusket River bridge on the Wilson Road (between Canaan and Springhaven), and work toward, Highway 308, Springhaven (where we’ll drop it at the corner), then work one kilometer down the Curry Road.

This sheet if tickets may be printed and distributed or used by you. To enter just print off the sheet. Fill out information and mail to TREPA, Box 103, Tusket NS BoW 3M0.

Cost is $1 per ticket or 6 for $5.