Citizen patrols will scare coyotes
Volunteers armed with tennis balls, sticks and cans filled with coins will be a kind of soldier in the conservation battle to keep Alberta's urban coyotes wild. A new program will see citizens trained to seek the animals out in Edmonton's residential areas and give them a good scare.
If the animals don't flee when approached, volunteers will throw balls, wave sticks and generally make a ruckus. It's a cruel-to-be-kind approach. The idea is to keep the canines fearful of humans, said biologist Colleen Cassady St. Clair.
Urban coyotes can become too bold, leading to unwanted interactions with people and pets. Similar scare tactics have been used on bears living in national parks and other protected areas for more than two decades, St. Clair said.
Volunteers will be canvassing for coyotes between January and May. Around eight volunteers will be needed in each neighbourhood and will be deployed in areas where emboldened coyotes have been recently spotted. Read more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-urban-coyote-project-patrols-1.5810391
Free skating begins in the river valley
The Victoria Park oval and iceway opened for public skating on November 21, the first of the city-run rinks to be ready to go this season. The oval and iceway are open every day from 10am to 10pm.
The Victoria Park iceway is a three-loop skating trail wrapping through the majestic forests of Victoria Park offering visitors a magical and enchanted winter experience in the heart of downtown Edmonton. Parking available in the Victoria Park main parking lot, Victoria Park east lot and at the Victoria Golf Course.
Rundle Park Iceway is currently not open due to maintenance. Learn which outdoor rinks are open and their current condition at http://coewebapps.edmonton.ca/facilitynotifications/default.aspx?args=6,109
Sipiwiyiniwak, the river cree
Edmonton lies in Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place, travelling route and home for many Indigenous Peoples. Treaty 6 was first signed in 1876 at Fort Carlton and Fort Pitt in Saskatchewan between the Nehiyawak/Cree, Dene Suliné, Nakota Sioux, and the Crown.
Later, many other Nations signed adhesions to the treaty to provide for their communities. Today Treaty 6 encompasses 17 First Nations. Treaty 6 recognition day is every August 23rd. It was initiated by The City of Edmonton to commemorate the signing of Treaty 6 at Fort Carlton on August 23rd, 1876.
Kisiskâciwanisîpiy is the Nehiyawewin (Cree) word for the North Saskatchewan River, it means swift flowing river. City Ward 7 has been given the Enoch Cree name sipiwiyiniwak in honour of the people of the Enoch Cree Nation being River Cree.
In the past they were known as River Cree by other tribes. The Nation’s River Cree Resort and Casino name reflects this history. More information on natural areas in amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, the Cree word for Edmonton, at https://www.ealt.ca/indigenous-connections-blog-list/amiskwaciy-wskahikan-edmonton-history
River valley concern or question
If you have a river valley concern or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Your friends and neighbours can sign up for this newsletter at https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
If you have a photo, information, news or event about Edmonton’s river valley and think it should be in this newsletter, email it to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
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