Bunchberry Meadows Trail
The Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area is privately owned and managed by the Edmonton Area Land Trust and Nature Conservancy of Canada. Located 30 kilometres from downtown Edmonton, it is open to the public year-round for foot access.
This 640-acre conservation site is made up of old growth forests, open meadows, and wetlands. The forest supports jack pine, which is habitat for northern flying squirrels, porcupines, and long-tailed weasels. The water and willows shelter a variety of species as small as tiger salamander and as large as moose.
The close 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.
The property is open daily from 7am to 10pm and users are welcome to hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe and connect with nature. Dogs, bicycles, horseback riding, and OHV use are not permitted. Trail information and more at https://www.ealt.ca/bunchberry-meadows
Bylaw to prohibit the feeding of wildlife
Community and Public Services Committee on February 3 will consider a bylaw to increase the fine for feeding wildlife or creating public safety, health risk or nuisance conditions on private and public property without permission.
According to City Administration’s report, research indicates that inappropriate feeding of wildlife in an urban setting can lead to several unintended consequences including habituation or food conditioning, harmful impacts to local ecosystems, creating public and private nuisance property conditions, and an increased likelihood of unsafe wildlife interactions for citizens and pets.
Fines for these violations are recommended to be set at $250, and $500 and would be both proportional to the offence and consistent with other jurisdictions. If you would like to speak at the committee meeting, contact the City Clerk at city.clerk@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8178.
Coal mines contaminant already high in some rivers
Last May, the United Conservative government revoked a policy that protected much of the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains from open-pit coal mining. The province's plan for large-scale expansion of the industry is fuelling widespread criticism that includes concerns over selenium pollution.
The data shows that contaminant has been found for years at high levels downstream of three mines and never publicly reported. Concerns have been raised about selenium in the Gregg and McLeod rivers and in Luscar Creek, which drain into the Athabasca River watershed.
Coal mining has occurred upstream of Edmonton, but it is not clear if the policy change will affect the North Saskatchewan River watershed. Selenium is a naturally occurring element vital in small amounts but toxic in excess.
In fish, it can damage the liver, kidney, and heart. It can reduce the number of viable eggs a fish can produce and lead to deformed spine, head, mouth, and fins. In humans, it can cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss and been linked to tooth decay, weakened nails and nervous system disturbances. Learn more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/selenium-alberta-coal-mines-contamination-1.5886293
Fort Edmonton gets $1.6M loan from city
Edmonton city council approved a $1.68-million loan to Fort Edmonton Park on Monday to help it reopen on schedule in May. The southwest Edmonton historical attraction has been undergoing renovations for two years.
After renovations, the park will feature a new entrance and more open spaces, including an open-air museum. "People want to be outside. They want to be safe in fresh air and distance, and we have the perfect arrangement for that," said Darren Dalgleish, president and CEO of Fort Edmonton Management Company.
The biggest addition to the park is the Indigenous People's Experience, an exhibit where visitors can learn about First Nations and Métis peoples. It also includes an expanded midway that will feature more space as a rental venue and a 1920s carnival complete with a ferris wheel, maze, and fun house. Read more at
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-edmonton-loan-covid-19-1.5888333
River valley contributions 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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