Saskatoons - berries of nostalgia
The Edmonton river valley was as familiar as my backyard when I was young. My memories are full of weekends tromping after my dad through the foot-worn trails that meandered through the “bush,” as we called it back then. He helped me and my brothers bravely scale the beams of an old rail bridge that has long since disappeared. One summer we sailed fearlessly over a ravine on a homemade rope swing hidden deep in the woods. When snow arrived, we brought along our sleds or cross-country skis. When the ice froze exactly right, we skated on Whitemud Creek.
There was that time of year in the middle of summer when the Saskatoon bushes were heavy with berries and my parents would take plastic ice cream pails on our adventures. Picking Saskatoon berries was a chore we didn’t mind because we could eat as much as we put in the pails. And the payoff was pie all fall and winter and, if it was a good year for berries, into the spring.
Read more of Edmonton writer and podcaster Annette Wierstra’s reflections on picking Saskatoon berries in the river valley with her family and baking pies at https://www.avenueedmonton.com/yeg/berries-of-nostalgia/
River valley camp out advocates for homeless
A community group advocating for more action to support homeless Edmontonians says it will be camping out on public land near Remax Field until its demands are met. The camp was publicized on social media by Black Lives Matter Edmonton, but it wasn’t organized solely by the group.
Outreach worker and organizer Deanna Cachagee said several racialized community groups have joined together with housing and outreach workers to create a donation drive and resource site for homeless residents. City spokesman Geoff Grimble said peace officers are aware of the camp and protest and are monitoring the situation closely with police. There is currently no plan to remove the camp.
On homeless encampments, Grimble said the city continues to offer supports along with community partners to those in need. The city stopped removing camps during the pandemic, but started again in early June, prioritized by level of risk. More at https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/river-valley-campout-by-housing-outreach-workers-to-support-homeless
Ermine a royal weasel
The winter pelt of the ermine or short-tailed weasel has long been associated with royalty. It is the most common weasel in Alberta. They are about a foot long and weigh little. They may be small, but they are mighty! Weasels are some of the most carnivorous creatures in Alberta. They eat almost any small mammal, invertebrate, and sometimes even amphibians.
Weasels are cute, but hard to spot. They live in thick vegetation and are active during the nighttime. Short-tailed weasels also change colour in summer and winter to blend in with their surroundings. In summer, they are brown with white bellies, but when winter comes around, they are all white, with a tip of black on their tail.
Watch this short video of an inquisitive short-tailed weasel at Kinsmen Park https://www.reddit.com/r/Edmonton/comments/1gxvpg/an_inquisitive_shorttailed_weasel_at_the_kinsmen/
Dawson bridge to McNally lookout trail
This 4km round trip trail has a moderately flat dirt path with some single track for the first half. Second half changes to a steep, uphill, wide paved path, and then flattens out. The trail is rated moderate to difficult due to the uphill climb and single-track. Bikes and dogs on-leash are allowed.
If you love dirt trails, great views and a perspective refresh, this route is for you. Beginning at the Riverside Golf Course parking lot, this trail weaves along the riverfront on a quiet dirt trail with great views of the water and Dawson Park across the river before connecting with a paved uphill trail that takes you to the McNally lookout, one of the most underrated viewpoints in Edmonton.
With plenty of benches along the way that gaze upon amazing river valley vistas, pack a picnic and rest a while and with that uphill climb, do not forget to bring water. This is a busy area for cyclists and mountain bikers, so stay alert and share the trail. Directions and information at
https://rivervalley.ab.ca/trail-treks/trailtrek-how-to-dawson-bridge-to-mcnally-lookout/ Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/