Bunchberry Meadows closed April 1-May 23
April and May are an important time for plants and wildlife on the property. Birds are migrating and nesting, and ungulates are calving, making them sensitive to disturbance. As a result, Bunchberry Meadows will have a temporary seasonal closure from April 1 through May 23.
A gate at the access to the property will be closed and locked. This is to allow the trails to rest during the wet muddy season to protect from damage to the trails and the vegetation surrounding it. Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area is in the Devon Dunes Environmentally Significant Area. The area has a highly sensitive aquifer under sandy soils.
The proximity of the Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area to the Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary, North Saskatchewan River Valley, and the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens provides a significant habitat corridor and greater landscape connectivity in the region for wildlife.
Edmonton & Area Land Trust owns Bunchberry Meadows in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and has worked since 2016 to steward the land in perpetuity, for the benefit of all people and wildlife. Learn more about Bunchberry Meadows at https://www.ealt.ca/bunchberry-meadows
What is the City doing to help wildlife adapt to climate change?
Elk are rarely seen in large cities, but the elk in the photo was first spotted in NE Edmonton in July 2019 and then this image was taken two weeks later on a wildlife camera in SW Edmonton. While we do not know for sure if it is the same individual, the photo says a lot about our connected river valley and how the city’s ecological network is working.
April 10-16 is National Wildlife Week and Edmonton’s biodiversity, the variety of life within our boundaries, is considered one of the city’s most valuable and enriching community assets. Most well known is the North Saskatchewan River Valley and ravine system which is a regionally significant ecological corridor that is host to a high level of local native biodiversity.
While multiple generations have supported the protection of our natural areas system, it was only in 2007 with the adoption of the Natural Connections Strategic Plan that the city obtained its best tool to help wildlife adapt to a changing climate: protecting local biodiversity by preserving and enhancing ecological connectivity through the entire city.
Ecological connectivity is an essential part of a healthy and climate resilient environment. Just like we need paths and roads to move from our home to get food or to meet up with friends, a well functioning ecological network is key for the survival of native animals and plants. This connectivity ensures the exchange of genetic diversity and allows for wildlife to move as the environment changes around them.
In short, ecological connectivity improves the capacity of ecosystems to adapt to a changing climate. Read more at https://changeforclimate.ca/story/is-there-anything-we-can-do-to-help-wildlife-adapt-to-climate-change
100 Street Pedestrian Bridge Survey
With the tag line, ‘where the energy of downtown Edmonton meets the vibrancy of the river valley,’ the City is inviting Edmontonians to explore three proposed pedestrian bridge options and share your feedback through a survey, which will be available until April 24.
The bridge will provide a safe and continuous link over McDougall Hill Road and along the edge of downtown. Positioned between MacDonald Drive and the Funicular, it will provide a critical connection for pedestrians and cyclists over McDougall Hill Road.
According to the website, the new iconic bridge will create a destination landmark in the city skyline. It will also create public access to some of the best views of the river valley and become a new downtown gathering space that supports year-round use and operations.
A potential gondola station is proposed west of the planned pedestrian bridge landing on MacDonald Drive. The Prairie Sky Gondola station would land alongside the 100 Street Pedestrian Bridge and the city would ensure appropriate alignment and integration between the two projects. Give feedback at https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/100-street-pedestrian-bridge
Sketching our history and river valley
Edmonton’s river valley and green spaces are an essential element of our heritage and identity. The city’s webpage states: As the largest urban park in Canada, with more than 160 kilometres of maintained pathways and 20 major parks, the River Valley is a natural wonder for all Edmontonians to be proud of.
However, it was not always so. Some of our present day beloved natural areas used to be garbage dumps, including Grierson Hill, Gallagher Park Hill, Dawson Park, Hawrelak Park, and Mill Creek Ravine. The river valley and ravines were also populated by industry: garbage incinerators, coal mines, lumber yards, brick factories, meat-packing plants, and gravel pits.
In the 1920s, concerned Edmontonians such as Gladys Reeves lobbied and volunteered to recover and preserve our city’s river valleys and ravines. They also helped to beautify our neighbourhoods through the efforts of the Horticultural and Vacant Lot Garden Association and the Edmonton Tree Planting Committee. Learn and see more at https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/river-valley-green-spaces
Off-leash dogs and impact on wildlife
Larry writes “The article about off-leash dogs in sensitive areas stirred me, not only because of my concern about preserving ecological integrity, but because I am a dog owner. I suspect the violation of the rule is out of ignorance of the impacts. I hope efforts at education are being considered.”
Wayne emailed “I was told that in our river valley system all dogs must be on leash, and the only exceptions are areas where specific signage grants permission for a dog to be off-leash. To be off-leash, the person in charge of such a dog must be in full control. I was advised by a Park Ranger that Edmonton has 55 designated off-leash areas.
I frequently encounter people in the Whitemud Ravine with their dog off-leash. When I politely address the need for a leash, I typically hear one of two responses. The most common reply, ‘I didn't see a sign saying I need a leash’ even though the trail heads in this area are signed. The second reply, ‘mind your own business’ combined with other words not appropriate for your publication.”
Example of our Dark-eyed Junco population that are arriving for the spring breeding season. Photo by Wayne Oakes
Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.
If you have a comment, concern, or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com Please also email us river valley photos or event information. Your friends, neighbours and colleagues can sign up for this newsletter on our web site https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712