Take the 'Bird a Day' Challenge in 2012

Rosana Prada/CC BY 2.0
Birdwatchers in Quebec.

from TreeHugger.com January 1, 2012
by Jennifer Hattam - Science / Natural Sciences

Plenty of people wake up on January 1 vowing to hit the gym, quit smoking, or get out of debt. But a select few have set a more unusual, and perhaps even more challenging goal for themselves: to spot a new species of bird every day of the new year.

The "Bird a Day" challenge was invented by Massachusetts birdwatcher Tom Wetmore, according the northern New Jersey newspaper The Record. Birders around the country now compete (though the only "prize" is bragging rights) to see how long they can keep their spotting streaks going.

Understanding Bird Migrations And Habits

Though winning takes dogged persistence and not a small bit of luck, even a short stint tackling the challenge pushes nature-lovers to explore new terrain, learn more about birds, and look more closely at what's around them -- worthy pursuits all on their own.

"Knowledge about habitats, bird habits, and movements were all critical to the effort," writes Trey Mitchell, who maintains a website where challenge participants can track their findings. "Know your wintering birds and when they move north. Focus on them first and be aware of those that leave early in the year. As spring migration arrives you have new opportunity and a wide variety of birds to choose from as they pass through."

Rich Avian Life Outside A Train Window

Trips to exotic places can help boost a birder's score, but they're not necessary to participate. Audubon magazine editor Rene Ebersole spotted birds out of the train window while commuting along the Hudson River from the suburbs to work in the city during last year's challenge, a endeavor she wrote about on the magazine's blog " The Perch." Despite making it only to Day 80 last year, she's raring to do it again.

One day last year, Ebersole spotted some 20 bird species during her commute -- though, of course, only one counted for that day's challenge. "I marveled at how often I’ve no doubt sped along right past them all, consumed by the daily newspaper or snoozing in a train seat," she wrote. "That’s the beauty of this project: My eyes have opened wider to nature’s subtleties and rhythms."...read the fully story at TreeHugger.com

Physician supply increasing twice as quickly as Canadian population

Physician payments also on the rise; fewer doctors migrating

OTTAWA, December 15, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Between 2009 and 2010, growth in the supply of physicians was more than double that of the Canadian population, according to a new report released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). While the physician population increased by 2.3%, a somewhat lower increase than the previous year, the Canadian population as a whole grew only 1.1%. In 2010, there were approximately 69,700 active physicians working in Canada—the greatest number of active physicians there has ever been in this country.

The 2010 edition of CIHI's annual report Supply, Distribution and Migration of Canadian Physicians shows that over the past five years, the growth in the number of physicians in Canada has consistently outpaced population growth. In 1980, there were 151 active physicians per 100,000 Canadians; in 2006, there were 190; and in 2010, there were 203. Over the past five years, the number of physicians and the physician-to-population ratio increased in all provinces and territories except Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

"Although continued investments across Canada to train and retain more doctors means we now have more physicians than ever, it's important to remember that numbers alone do not tell the whole story," says Michael Hunt, CIHI's Director of Pharmaceuticals and Health Workforce Information Services. "The demand for physician services depends on a number of factors, including the health care needs of Canadians, the way care is organized, the number of hours doctors are working and the scope of practice of other health professionals."

CIHI's report also shows a significant increase in the number of medical graduates, both from Canadian universities and abroad. In 2010, Canadian faculties of medicine awarded a record number of medical degrees (2,448), an increase of 30% over 2005 and 55% over 2000. With continued growth in the number of training seats, it is expected that this upward trend in the supply of physicians will continue in the coming years. The number of international medical graduates practising in Canada also grew significantly. In the past five years, the number of international medical graduates increased by 18.0% (versus 9.5% for the number of Canadian-trained physicians), adding more than 2,500 physicians to the Canadian supply.

Physician payments up; total clinical payments near $19 billion

As the number of doctors increases, so do total clinical payments to physicians in Canada. Clinical payments reached close to $19 billion in 2009-2010. The average pay per physician is also increasing: between 2005 and 2010, average payments to doctors increased by 21.5%, or about 4% a year on average. In 2010, the average gross fee-for-service income for a family physician was $239,000, while for a specialist it was $341,000. (Only physicians who earned at least $60,000 in fee-for-service payments are included in this calculation. Fee-for service payments represent about 75% of total payments to physicians in Canada. Gross income covers doctors' salaries and overhead such as office expenses, staff salaries and other practice costs.)

"Expenditures for physicians' services continue to represent the fastest-growing category of health spending," says Geoff Ballinger, CIHI's Manager of Health Human Resources. "Although part of this growth is related to the large number of new physicians Canada has trained and gained over the past decade, part is also due to increases in physicians' average earnings."

Physician migration on the decline

Fewer physicians are migrating within and outside of Canada. For example, there was 20% overall less movement of doctors over provincial and territorial borders in 2010 than in 2006.

As for the national border, physician migration out of Canada decreased by 16% between 2006 and 2010. In total, 202 physicians returned to Canada in 2010, and 173 left for another country.

Wine Country Ontario reminds consumers it's time for Icewine

NIAGARA, Ontario, December 7, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Every year, for the month of January, Wine Country Ontario celebrates one of Canada's most cherished products, Ontario Icewine. Niagara's annual Icewine Festival, unique in the wine world, is a time when consumers have the best opportunities to discover and enjoy the delicious and luscious sensations of Icewine while taking part in unforgettable Icewine-inspired experiences.

While Icewine can and should be enjoyed any time of the year, January is a special time when the Niagara region turns into a wintry wonderland, a magical place like no other. Wine enthusiasts, cocktail fans, foodies and music lovers alike can choose from a collection of Icewine related events reflecting the authentic and local flavours of Ontario.

Events will be hosted throughout the Niagara region and at the outdoor street festivals in the towns of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Jordan Village where visitors can warm up to cozy open fires, admire sparkling ice sculptures and enjoy live entertainment. Activities include an annual Icewine Gala, casual and formal culinary experiences, food and cocktail competitions, an outdoor concert and action-packed winemaker challenges. Guests can also purchase a Discovery Pass, where visitors can choose from over 30 incredible wine and culinary experiences along the Wine Route. And while Icewine is the focus of this annual celebration, visitors also have the opportunity to taste festive sparkling wines and sensational VQA red and white wines.

"There is no doubt that the Icewine Festival is one of Wine Country Ontario's signature celebrations. A visit to Niagara during this magical time is something that is not only unique to Ontario but is quintessentially Canadian" - Ed Madronich, proprietor of Flat Rock Cellars and Chair of the Wine Council of Ontario "for Wine Country Ontario"

View the Icewine Festival video
here

For information on Icewine facts visit the Wine Country Ontario media centre for the Story on Icewine .

Canadians stumped to identify challenges or opportunities to the Internet in Canada

OTTAWA, November 10, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - According to a report from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), forty per cent of Canadians cannot identify a challenge to the success of the Internet in Canada.

The report, entitled Challenges and Opportunities for the Internet in Canada, asked 1,210 Canadians what they perceive are the challenges facing the development of the Internet in Canada, and opportunities presented by the Internet. It also showed that almost 50 per cent of Canadians could not identify an opportunity for the success of the Internet in Canada.

"These are very significant results," said CIRA President and CEO Byron Holland. "It confirms that Canadians have not had many opportunities to discuss how the Internet is developed and deployed. It also outlines the importance to provide them with more opportunities to do so."

Holland went on to say, "The Internet has become the most important driver of social and economic progress for Canada and around the world, yet very few Canadians have had the opportunity to participate in its development."

For the second year in a row, CIRA will be hosting a national dialogue on the development of the Internet with the Canadian Internet Forum (CIF). The 2011 CIF was the first opportunity of its kind for Canadians to have a say on how they would like to see the Internet develop. The final report on the 2011 CIF can be found on CIRA's website at www.cira.ca/.

To identify the topics for discussion in the 2012 CIF, CIRA worked with Nanos Research to deliver a national survey. The results of this survey will dictate the themes to be explored in the upcoming 2012 Canadian Internet Forum. Hot topics among Canadians included digital literacy, security and safety, access/cost, digital economy, policy and governance, and technology and regulation.

"The initial consultation showed us that Canadians are truly interested in getting involved in issues related to the future of the Internet in Canada," said Holland. "We want to keep the momentum going with the 2012 Canadian Internet Forum, and ensure Canadians have a voice in Internet governance in Canada and abroad."

"The Internet is not a static entity. It is continuously developing. The fact that its development affects almost every Canadian behoves us to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to have their voice heard."

The 2012 Canadian Internet Forum will have a heavy focus on online participation, including a discussion forum, and culminate with a national event in February 2012.

For more information on the 2012 Canadian Internet Forum, please visit cif.cira.ca.


About CIRA

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is the organization that manages Canada's .CA domain name registry, develops and implements policies that support Canada's Internet community and represents the .CA registry internationally.

Egg Farmers of Ontario Wins National Agricultural Awards

"Who Made Your Eggs Today?" Campaign Multiple Winner at Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA)

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, November 7, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) won three 'Best of CAMA' awards and two 'Certificates of Merit' for its "Who Made Your Eggs Today?" campaign at the 'Best of CAMA' Awards Banquet held at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, Alberta last week. The annual 'Best of CAMA' awards program celebrates excellence in Agri-Marketing in Canada.

"The response to our 'Who Made Your Eggs Today?' campaign has been tremendous," said Egg Farmers of Ontario Chair Carolynne Griffith. "We are honoured to be recognized for a campaign that we are so proud of."

EFO won for its radio ad series, billboards and transit ads while receiving the 'Certificate of Merit' for video and integrated marketing campaign.

At the centre of the multimedia campaign is the web site www.eggfarmersofontario.ca to help Ontario consumers get to know their local egg farmers. The campaign was inspired by consumer research showing that Ontario consumers are curious about the egg farmers who produce one of Ontario's favourite foods.

This is the second time in 2011 that EFO's 'Who Made Your Eggs Today?' campaign has won prestigious awards. In February, EFO won two Golden ARC Awards from the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC), a national agricultural public relations organization in the United States. Established in 1990, the Golden ARC Awards Contest recognizes the best and brightest in agricultural public relations. EFO is believed to be the first Canadian organization to enter and win a Golden ARC Award.

"I would like to thank our staff and agency partners for their hard work, passion and insight," said EFO General Manager Harry Pelissero. "And of course none of this would have been possible without the egg farm families who so graciously agreed to be our spokespeople. Their stories are what make this campaign a success."

Egg Farmers of Ontario is an association that represents approximately 400 egg farmers and pullet growers in Ontario. It is an independent, self governing organization funded entirely by egg and pullet farmers.

30-Blade Eco Whisper Wind Turbine is "Virtually Silent"

photo credit: YouTube/Video screen capture

from TreeHugger.com
by Brian Merchant
Wind Technology

Want wind power, but think that those tri-bladed behemoths are just too loud? Well then, Australia Renewable Energy Solutions has just the thing for you: The Eco Whisper wind turbine. This sharp-looking little contraption may only have a 20 kW generating capacity, but the company claims that the turbine is "virtually silent". It's also, allegedly, more efficient. Here's an intro to how it works:



The blades are 20 ft in diameter, and the entire thing stands 70 ft tall.

AOL Energy has more:

The company said the turbine is "virtually silent," thanks to its unique design, in which the 30 blades are angled outward from the hub, and surrounded at their ends by a ring. This ring, the company says, "prevents air 'spilling' off the tip of the blades," the source of much of the noise that traditional turbines produce. The company also lists greater efficiency and lower start-up speeds as advantages compared to competitors.

Sounds cool, and I'm all for experimenting with new turbine designs. But if the aim is to try to pacify wind power naysayers who complain about noise with a quiet turbine, this pitch will likely fall on deaf ears (pun!).

That's because the much-hyped "Wind Turbine Syndrome" -- allegedly caused by the sounds and 'sub-audible vibrations' emitted by the turbines -- has already been proven to be a steaming load of bunk. And many of the people who complain about wind turbines being too noisy seem to be, primarily, grumps with too much time on their hands -- especially considering that when they're compensated by wind power companies for having the turbines nearby their homes, their complaints magically disappear. These folks aren't really bothered by the noise level of the turbines -- they have issues with the changing world they represent, and often, an axe to grind. A genuinely silent turbine probably won't quell their objections.

That said, the 'silent' turbine may be a strong selling point for businesses and homeowners already interested in small scale wind power -- silent, efficient clean energy generation is appealing indeed.

Read the full story at TreeHugger.com

Get involved with the Rural Voices Network (RVN)

GUELPH, Ontario, November 3, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Rural Voices Network (RVN) is launching a series of Public Forums to examine what enables rural citizens to participate in the common life of their community, and to identify barriers to rural civic engagement.

"There is a huge value in building a bridge of communication between the rural citizen and organizational and municipal leaders of every community across Ontario," says Manon Germain, RVN Project Manager.

WHY ATTEND THE FORUM?

The RVN invites you to participate in a "Let Your Voice Be Heard" Public Forum to have conversations about community participation, barriers to participation, and to voice your opinions, life experiences and ideas. Your community "voice" will be the key influences for a public survey to be distributed to over 10,000 rural citizens in Ontario.

WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE FORUMS?

Public forums will be held in 7 communities across Ontario to understand why and how people participate in the rural life of their communities. All community members are welcome to participate in the forums.

Guelph Ontario (PILOT) - November 10, 2011
Dryden, ON - November 18, 2011
Rosslyn, ON - November 19, 2011
Fergus, ON - November 27, 2011
Perth, ON - November 29, 2011
Ridgetown, ON - December 2, 2011
Innisfil, ON (FWIO AGM) - January 4, 2012

WHO CAN GET INVOLVED?

The Rural Voices Network is for rural citizens -- whether you're a small business owner, long-standing resident or a newcomer, a member of a local charity, or someone who wants to get more involved in your community. Together, this makes up a collaboration of different networks that comprise the Rural Voices Network (RVN). We all share something in common. We all want healthy communities that encourage public participation.

ABOUT THE RURAL VOICES NETWORK (RVN):

The Rural Voices Network is driven by the mandate to give rural citizens a space to have their voices heard, and to collaborate with non-profit organizations and leaders in all levels of governance. For more information on the RVN project or to register for upcoming Public Forums visit: http://www.ruralvoicesnetwork.ca

Operated by the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario / Sponsored by the Ontario Trillium Foundation