New conservation society rallies…

New conservation society rallies Edmontonians to save City’s largest remaining and most complex natural area

Edmonton–The newly-incorporated North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society today unveiled an ambitious plan to save Edmonton’s largest remaining and most complex natural area.

The Woodbend Natural Area in the City’s southwest is currently threatened by a proposal to approve a gravel pit in the North Saskatchewan River valley. Such land use is prohibited by City policy, municipal bylaw, and provincial land designation; should the City issue such an approval, it would set a dangerous precedent that would put at risk other natural areas within Edmonton’s “ribbon of green,” undermining the City’s internationally recognized commitment to conservation.

The Woodbend Natural Area contains:
• a distinctive riparian complex of wetlands and springs;
• a rich and diverse fishery of 27 different species and an important backwater channel in the river;
• habitat for the Capital Region’s largest population of deer, other large and small mammals, amphibians and birds; and
• ecologically vital connectivity to ravines and woodlands, Big Island, and the City of Edmonton’s “Sand Dunes/White Birch Woodlot” natural area.

The Society has developed a document that outlines its vision to conserve the Woodbend Natural Area, in perpetuity, for its intrinsic value and for the purposes of:
• public enjoyment;
• conservation education; and
• scientific research.

Because a considerable portion of the area is currently privately owned, the Society will endeavour to secure the non-public land under conservation trusts by working with existing owners, government bodies and other entities, including local and regional land trust organizations.

“The members of the Society have worked very hard and are committed to working with both levels of government, land trusts, conservation organizations and the community to successfully implement this vision for the Woodbend Natural Area and the broader North Saskatchewan River Valley and ensure that Edmontonians can enjoy a natural wilderness experience, virtually in their own backyard,” stated Ian Murray, Society President.

“It is important that this area be conserved in its natural state due to its remarkable potential as a protected wilderness area,” said Richard Secord, past-President of the Alberta Wilderness Association and a current Director of the Society. “The Alberta Wilderness Association supports this vision and encourages the municipal and provincial governments to ensure this area is protected for future generations.”

New conservation society rallies Edmontonians
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The area is home to Edmonton’s largest population of white-tailed deer, as well as mule deer, moose, porcupines, pocket gophers and other mammals, migratory and song birds, amphibians, and 27 different species of fish. The Woodbend Natural Area also includes Edmonton’s only riparian wetland, a natural spring, and unique fish habitat. The entire area is supported by groundwater channels that would be irreparably harmed by gravel extraction.

“It is important to ensure the protection of threatened wetlands, as well as the unique fish spawning area in the ‘cut off channel’ of the river,” said Danielle Droitsch, Executive Director of the Water Matters Society of Alberta. “Such a unique combination in an urban setting is very valuable and should be protected.

“Due to the pace of development, Alberta has faced – and will continue to face – a number of challenges relating to wetlands protection,” continued Droitsch. “Converting the Woodbend Natural Area into a land trust or conservation area would enable the City of Edmonton to protect a unique ecological feature and continue to show environmental leadership in the province, even the country.”

The Society’s approach is regional in scope and conforms to the principle of ecological connectivity that is the foundation for Natural Connections, the City’s own natural areas conservation plan. Conserving the Woodbend Natural Area would ensure that river valley and upland connectivity are maintained both to Big Island to the north, and the Sand Dunes/White Birch Woodlot natural area to the west.

The City’s own Natural Areas Systems policy, C-531, states “The City of Edmonton will balance ecological and environmental considerations with economic and social considerations in its decision making and demonstrate that it has done so.” The Society challenges City Council to demonstrate its commitment to this policy and save the Woodbend Natural Area.

“This regional approach applied to this unique area is very valuable,” said Michael Phair, representing the Sierra Club of Canada, Prairie Chapter, and a Director of the Society. “The Sierra Club applauds this approach and the Society’s broad based membership from all over the city. This is a vision all Edmontonians should become involved with and support because it affirms our commitment to conserve threatened natural areas in an urban setting.”

About the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
Founded in 2008, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society was created to protect and enhance biodiversity inherent to the North Saskatchewan River Valley, including its tributary ravines and bench lands. The group seeks to foster public awareness of the unique interrelationships between wildlife, habitat, and aquatic environments, and to advocate for the protection of the unique ecological and recreational values to be found in Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley.

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Attachments

1. Backgrounder - PDF
2. Nature at it’s Best - PDF: the Vision Document
3. Maps and photographs of the area
3a. Edmonton’s Ecological Network
3b. Protected Status Map
3c. Species Sightings Map

For more information, contact:
Alan S. Tarasuk, Vice President
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
Phone: (780) 893-7468