Category Archives: Canada

My bird year 2015

Posted on 01/01/2016 by campaignerkate

I was pleasantly surprised by my species count for the year, considering my UK travels had been limited—103 species seen and two heard.  As always, I have some happy bird-memories. The year started with a kingfisher on the River Colne … Continue reading →

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A visit to the First Nations in their own land

Posted on 18/06/2015 by campaignerkate

The banausic cry of the red-winged blackbird serenaded us as we stood on the shores of Lake Wakamne, 72 kilometres north-west of Edmonton, and learnt how the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation had settled here.  It was the day of the … Continue reading →

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Prize for a plucky pressure-group

Posted on 12/06/2015 by campaignerkate

Two weeks ago in Edmonton I was thrilled to present the 2015 Elinor Ostrom Award to a most impressive organisation.  AMAN, the Indigenous People’s Alliance of the Archipelago, won the award for practitioners.  It works across Indonesia to defend community rights to the commons.   … Continue reading →

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Promoting practitioners on the commons

Posted on 08/06/2015 by campaignerkate

Our commons need both practitioners and academics.  I am keen that the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) should embrace both.  Up to now it has been more of an academic organisation than a practical one.  The commons (in the … Continue reading →

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As long as the sun shines

Posted on 04/06/2015 by campaignerkate

It was excellent that the First Nation people of Canada helped to organise and were fully involved in the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC) conference in Edmonton.  We spoke to many of them and learnt a … Continue reading →

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Beaver work

Posted on 01/06/2015 by campaignerkate

After a walk in the Elk Island National Park, east of Edmonton, Canada, I understand the origin of the phrase ‘work like a beaver’. With John Powell from the Countryside and Community Research Unit (CCRI) of Gloucester University and Simone Buratti, executive … Continue reading →

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A fresh wind is blowing

Posted on 26/05/2015 by campaignerkate

It is good to be here in Edmonton, Alberta, just as the new social democratic government for the province takes office after 44 years of Conservative rule. On Sunday Rachel Notley of the New Democratic Party (NDP) was sworn in as the province’s … Continue reading →

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The longest stretch of parkland in North America

Posted on 25/05/2015 by campaignerkate

A redeeming feature of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, is its park system.  The North Saskatchewan River snakes through the city and the linear park runs to its south.  It is said to be the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in … Continue reading →

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Campaigning for commons: anti-GMO protest

Posted on 24/05/2015 by campaignerkate

By chance when I was visiting the Strathcona farmers’ market yesterday in Edmonton, Canada, I found myself in the midst of a campaign.  This was a march against genetically-modified (GM) crops, Monsanto and the failure to label GM crops so people are … Continue reading →

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Arriving in Edmonton

Posted on 24/05/2015 by campaignerkate

I arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Thursday evening, 21 May, for the biennial conference of the International Association for the Study of the Commons.  Once again I am being generously funded by the Elinor Ostrom Award.  I travelled with … Continue reading →

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