New footbridge over the river
The Tawatinâ Bridge has opened to the public, reconnecting both sides of the river and Edmonton’s Cloverdale and Riverdale neighbourhoods. The new LRT/pedestrian link replaces the previous footbridge which was demolished five years ago.
"We really felt isolated," said Danny Hoyt, past president of the Riverdale Community League. He hopes the bridge will restore the link not only for humans but also wildlife of the area. "We've had coyotes nesting in Riverdale that would normally have transit across here. So, it's an animal corridor as well," he said.
The ceiling of the footbridge is filled with more than 500 works of colourful Indigenous art. Métis artist David Garneau said he originally thought 100 paintings would be enough, but when looking at what the bridge means to the area, realized he would have to do many more.
"It's really bridging two sides, two cultures, but it's also a space in between," Garneau said. "There's a lot of nature, a lot of First Nations made history here, but it's all in fragments. To me, there are pictures and storytellers have to come and knit them together to explain what the meanings are." More at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/tawatin%C3%A2-bridge-opens-north-saskatchewan-lrt-1.6284234
Bats escape winter by hibernation
The lack of insect food in winter affects Alberta native bat species. At least six species hibernate, including the most seen Little Brown Bat. On nights during August to October, bats will gather near caves and old mines to mate and will stay nearby to hibernate afterwards.
Alberta bats are true or deep hibernators. This means that their body temperature decreases to nearly 0°C, and their heart rate and metabolism also drastically drops. During this time, they will rely completely on fat reserves built up from insects collected during warmer months.
Like garter snakes, bat winter roosting sites are called hibernaculum. Most are unknown, but a few caves have been pinpointed in Alberta. Caves are perfect hibernating sites due to their cool, dark atmosphere, and they allow enough room for many bats to huddle together for warmth.
These conditions can also be found in deep rock crevices, which can be found in some Alberta river valleys. For some species, buildings may also work for a winter roosting site. With the spring weather in April to May, comes the emergence of our bat species. More at https://www.ealt.ca/blog/huddled-hibernators
Anne Frank statue a symbol of hope and optimism
In August 2021, a statue of Anne Frank was installed in Light Horse Park as a gift from the Dutch Canadian Club Edmonton to memorialize the Holocaust and the Canadian military’s contribution to liberating Holland during the Second World War.
John Stobbe, Dutch Canadian Club Edmonton member and co-chair of the project, said Anne Frank is a symbol of hope and optimism. “The message is hugely relevant today,” Stobbe said. “We always need to stand up to evil and still believe there is good in people.”
As more time passes since the Second World War, Stobbe said the new statue will help ensure no generation ever forgets the struggle against tyranny and sacrifices made. “My parents were in the war. I don’t forget, but I need to make sure that my kids remember to not forget.”
The park is named after South Alberta Light Horse who landed in France in July 1944 and served in continuous action through to the end of hostilities in 1945. Their battle honours include the liberation of The Netherlands through their success at The Scheldt, Woensdrecht, The Lower Maas, and Kapelsche Veer. More at https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/never-forget-anne-frank-statue-installed-in-central-edmonton-park-1.5539345
River Valley a sacred trust gifted, help protect it
The river valley is close to the hearts of Edmontonians, who value its natural beauty. If you think of our river valley as a Ribbon of Green and as a sacred trust, gifted to us to respect, honour, and protect for ourselves and future generations then we should protect it forever.
The North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society Capital Fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation was created to support conservation of natural lands in the City of Edmonton. The intent and purpose of the Fund is to support land acquisition and other activities that conserve the natural ecosystems in the river valley, giving priority to maintaining the biodiversity and ecological integrity of those lands for the public benefit.
Due to Edmontonians’ support last Christmas, the Fund was officially inaugurated with a balance of $13,051. Our goal this year is to increase the Fund to $25,000. The net income of the Fund is disbursed annually to the Edmonton and Area Land Trust. Give your charitable donation online at https://www.ecfoundation.org/funds/north-saskatchewan-river-valley-conservation-society-capital-fund/
Comment or contribution
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