River Valley News - May 2/24

Province to set conditions for YEG national urban park

David Bajer photo

Bill 204, which recently passed in the legislature, grants the Alberta government more power over decisions around national urban parks. The bill states that the province can prescribe conditions under which a municipal council may negotiate a proposed national urban park plan and councils would be required to follow those conditions. 

In 2021, the federal government launched the National Urban Parks program to create parks in urban centres. The City of Edmonton and Parks Canada entered into a formal agreement to explore the possibility of creating a national urban park in the river valley in 2022. 

In a written statement to CBC, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said the city will "never cede control of our cherished river valley to any other level of government, be it federal or provincial. This bill is another example of the province creating more red tape and getting in the way of the City of Edmonton working collaboratively with other levels of government and community stakeholders."

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society asked why the province would introduce roadblocks to the park creation process. "Albertans have made it abundantly clear that they love parks and want to see more, not fewer, parks," said Kecia Kerr, CPAWS northern Alberta's executive director.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/new-bill-allows-alberta-government-to-set-conditions-for-national-urban-park-decisions-1.7177597

Carbyn Creek Wildlands open for visitors

Edmonton and Area Land Trust has announced the opening of the Carbyn Creek Wildlands conservation site. It is in Westlock County, south of Cross Lake Provincial Park, a 1.5-hour drive from Edmonton. The wildlands are a protected breeding, nesting, and staging area for migratory and resident birds, and for research, education and nature appreciation.

A variety of bird species have been recorded during breeding bird surveys including Pileated Woodpecker, Broad-winged Hawk, and many songbirds such as the Black-and-White Warbler, Boreal Chickadee, and Blue-headed Vireo. This land also provides habitat for other species including moose, bear, and amphibians like the western toad.

The trails at Carbyn Creek Wildlands lead visitors through mature mixed woods forest and spruce bogs, with a view of the creek that winds its way through the boreal forest landscape. Lu Carbyn, a renowned biologist, donated the land in the hope it will provide incentive to protect surrounding lands in the area. A guided tour led by Lu, will take place on May 10 from 10am to 2pm. Register at https://www.ealt.ca/event-listing/carbyn-creek-walk

Is your neighbourhood vulnerable to climate change

Mack Male photo

University of Alberta researchers have used public data to create a set of maps that illustrate the Edmonton neighbourhoods where residents are most vulnerable to negative health outcomes caused by climate change.

The team found that much of the city’s south and west have more exposure to pollution and extreme weather, less natural protection, and more people who hail from vulnerable demographics. City areas and residents least vulnerable to climate change are around the university, downtown, Oliver (soon to be wîhkwêntôwin), Bonnie Doon, North Glenora, Spruce Avenue, Beverly, and Mill Woods Town Centre.

“These maps aren’t meant to stigmatize any particular areas, just because you might live in an area with higher vulnerability, we’re not saying you need to move,” said Sammy Lowe, research lead of UofA’s Climate, Health, and Environment Epidemiology Research lab. “Edmonton, in general, is doing well in the grand scheme of things in terms of climate health vulnerability. So even though some of these areas are a bit worse, they’re not necessarily doing terribly.”

When determining how vulnerable a neighbourhood is, the lab takes three domains into account: its risk of experiencing pollutants and extreme weather (exposure), its features that can mitigate those consequences of climate change (adaptability), and socioeconomic and demographic traits that can make its residents more susceptible (sensitivity). Those three factors combine to indicate a neighbourhood’s vulnerability.

https://edmonton.taproot.news/news/2024/04/24/is-your-neighbourhood-vulnerable-to-climate-change-new-research-provides-answers

Riparian areas critical to many species

Riparian areas are transition zones between terrestrial upland and aquatic ecosystems. They occur along waterbodies such as streams, lakes, rivers and wetlands, and are one of the most productive ecosystem types, supporting diverse flora and fauna including fish, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and plant communities.

These lands provide critical sheltering, rearing, feeding, and reproduction habitats for many species, some of which are not found anywhere else on the landscape. Its vegetation includes moisture loving sedges, rushes, shrubs, grasses and forbs, which slow the flow of water and allows water to seep into the soil, replenishing ground water reserves in the spring. In drier periods, ground water seeps back into streams to maintain stream flow.

Riparian vegetation acts as a filter for any sediments and chemical pollutants in run off. This is important, as excess nutrients going into waterbodies can result in algae blooms, depleting dissolved oxygen in water, and leading to high fish mortality.

Healthy, well functioning riparian lands are more resilient to environmental stresses and natural or human disturbances. They do not have many weeds since weeds colonize areas where disturbance has created bare soil. The presence of woody plants, like willows, in varied age classes is a sign of ecological stability. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/569ec99b841abaccb7c7e74c/t/5e6bcdbbb33b15147b2a83b1/1584123329394/Riparian+Areas+-+Updated+2020.pdf

What is this

Mark writes “The brick structure on the single-track trail below Keillor Road is likely an old coal mine entrance, similar to some along the river between Dawson Park and Rat creek.”

Tsa Tsa Ke K’e – Iron Foot Place by Alex Janvier, Rogers Place Arena - Ford Hall

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/tsa-tsa-ke-ke-iron-foot-place

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup

River Valley News - Apr 25/24

Edmonton has had 145 wildfires since January 1

Across Edmonton, there have been over 145 wildfires since January 1. These have occurred from the outskirts of the city and into our river valley, one of Edmonton’s most expansive assets that stretches across 7,300 hectares of urban forest. In the first two weeks of April, according to Fire Chief Joe Zatylny, anywhere from five to 10 grass wildfires were happening per day. 

The weather conditions, including the amount of precipitation and winds, play a large role in the ignition and reaction of wildfires. The city constantly monitors conditions and wildfire activity to help determine the need for a fire advisory or a total fire ban.

“With the unpredictable and natural causes of wildfires, we must also consider accidental and intentional wildfires. These can often be causes by the illegal use of fireworks, improper use of fire pits and the dangerous disposal of smoking materials,” said Zatylny. “We want Edmontonians to know that their actions can have consequences on their own property, those of their neighbours, their community and across the city.”

Learn  about FireSmart actions, fireworks rules, fire bans or restrictions, preventing fires, and preparing for an emergency at https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/emergency_preparedness/wildfire-prevention-and-education

Dry conditions a reminder fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource

It is activities in catchment areas, also called watersheds, that largely affect water quality and quantity. Edmonton is in the North Saskatchewan River Watershed. Surface water and groundwater systems are connected, so we need to look holistically at watersheds, not just at water itself.

Green water is the water captured by vegetation, from the air or the soil, and transpired back into the atmosphere. It is thought that 65% of rainwater is cycled through the green water cycle. Blue water is the amount of water that enters rivers, lakes and aquifers. This water is often managed for industrial and agricultural purposes.

Municipalities, industry and agriculture developments each have effects on a watershed. To adequately care for our catchment area and ensure secure quality water for ourselves, livestock and wildlife, we must consider the link between land and water, water quantity and quality, upstream and downstream interests, green water and blue water.

Protecting catchment areas is critical to maintaining health drinking water for everyone. As Albertans enter a drought year, we are reminded that fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/569ec99b841abaccb7c7e74c/t/5e6bcf45953e3a388f1e2324/1584123723695/Drinking+Water+-+Updated+2020.pdf

Women, war, and an emergency job

When men went to fight in the Second World War, Edmonton women broke into traditionally male-dominated fields like dairy-delivery, bricklaying, railroading, and policing. Two-hundred women enrolled in the first mechanics class offered by Dominion Motors, and some 1,000 others went on to work with Aircraft Repair Ltd., who assembled and repaired craft as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

For Edmontonians, the contemporary notoriety of all these new employment streams paled in comparison to one; the Conductorette. With gasoline and rubber rationed, Edmontonians turned to the city’s streetcar system for transportation, and by 1943 it handled an average of 22,500,000 passengers annually. The boom, wholly unexpected by transit officials, ironically became an unwelcome windfall with a manpower shortage the most pressing issue facing the system.

October 4, 1943, marked the official debut of conductorette service in Edmonton, with forty female employees. By January 1944, Edmonton’s Street Railway Department had fifty-nine female conductors on its payroll. Superintendent Ferrier relayed his pleasure “with the way the conductorettes are doing their emergency job,” but continually emphasized that their role was just that - emergency.

As it became clear the war was ending, the conductorette service began to be phased out. In August 1945, the Street Railway Department terminated the conductorette program and sent home their last four female employees. Despite their personal successes, and despite the public’s infatuation with their “lady conductors,” Edmonton Transit forbid women to serve in any meaningful, public-fronting role for another three decades.

In the words of a 1967 Edmonton Journal article, officials believed that “It wouldn’t be fair to the fair sex to let them drive anything heavier than a family car.” Only in May 1975 did Kathleen Andrews, a British-born, Edmonton-raised transit clerk, break through ETS’ glass ceiling and became the city’s first female bus driver. https://www.forgottenedmonton.com/blog/the-conductorettes

Why the magpie should be Edmonton’s official bird

Ivan writes, “I really like the idea of having an Edmonton Bird and I think the magpie is a decent choice. However, I would choose the raven. It has many of the magpie's characteristics, and a few more. At times when they're just riding the thermals, ravens remind me of eagles. They are also an important part of Indigenous culture, as is the magpie. This comes down to personal taste. I like magpies, but I love ravens.”

What is this

Margriet asks “On the single-track trail below Keillor Road is this brick structure. I always wonder what it was! Perhaps one of your readers can enlighten me.”

Pillars of the Community by Layla Folkmann & Lacey Jane Wilburn, LRT vent close to Rogers Place Arena

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/pillars-of-the-community

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

River Valley News - Apr 18/24

Keeping mosquitoes under control begins at home

Komarno, which means “mosquito infested” in Ukrainian, Manitoba photo.

“We know that everyone is itching to get outside and Spring is looking pretty dry at the moment, so we're not anticipating a lot of mosquito activity early in the season. The main driver of mosquitoes in Edmonton typically is rainfall,” said Mike Jenkins, Senior Scientist. “Our team is monitoring and adapting our 2024 mosquito forecast as temperature also plays an increasingly important role.”

The City begin the annual ground control efforts this week, with ditches and areas around Edmonton monitored for development. Last year, increased biological methods to control mosquitoes, such as using copepods as biocontrol methods, were implemented and will continue this year.

Edmontonians can help keep mosquito populations under control. Stagnant pools of water are places where mosquito larvae can develop. To prevent them from becoming nesting ground for biting mosquitoes, you should clear out standing water in yards or eavestroughs, cover rain barrels with lids to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs and replenish birdbaths, fountains, fishponds and pools so they do not become stagnant.

When mosquitoes do emerge, you can avoid bites by avoiding outdoor activities during dawn and dusk when the insects are most active, covering up with long pants and sleeves, using an effective repellent, and running an oscillating fan when out on your deck as moving air is more effective at discouraging them from coming near you than chemical products like mosquito coils. https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/pests/mosquitoes

Brief history of Edmonton from 12,000 BCE to 1904

First Nations peoples and their ancestors have lived in this area since the close of the last glacial period, as early as 12,000 BCE. 200 Indigenous campsites and tool making sites have been found by archaeologists within the region.

The region’s dense forests, open plains, and lakes offered many resources for different Nations to rest and replenish their stores through hunting, gathering and fishing. The abundance of rich resources in the region made it an important place to rest during long voyages between the hills and the prairies, which happened each spring and fall.

The North Saskatchewan River and its tributaries were the main modes of transportation for thousands of years. The river leads all the way to Lake Winnipeg and the Hudson’s Bay region. The voyage from the Edmonton region to Hudson’s Bay has been made many times over, particularly during the fur trade.

By 1795, many trading posts had been established around the present metropolitan area, and by 1801 they had all moved to the current site of Edmonton. Fort Edmonton became the main centre for trade in the area after the 1821 merger of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company.

Edmonton lies in Treaty 6, which was first signed on August 23, 1876 at Fort Carlton and Fort Pitt in Saskatchewan between the Nehiyawak, Dene Suliné, Nakota Sioux, and the Crown. Today, Treaty 6 encompasses 17 First Nations. Edmonton was incorporated as a town on January 9, 1892 and became the City of Edmonton on October 8, 1904. https://www.ealt.ca/indigenous-connections-blog-list/amiskwaciy-wskahikan-edmonton-history

North Saskatchewan River and YEG not immune to lack of moisture

Karen Hosier photo

Edmonton has a fairly dry climate. Precipitation is heaviest in the late spring, summer, and early autumn. The wettest month is July, while the driest months are February, March, October, and November. The five driest years of Edmonton weather during the past century have all occurred since the year 2000.

Entering 2004, the snow pillow, a device used to measure snowpack, between the North Saskatchewan River and the Athabasca River is far worse than last year. That snow pillow is recording just over 139 millimetres of water equivalent in the snowpack, which is well below average for this time of year and is even below the lowest quartile.

Even more concerning, things would be looking a lot worse in northern Alberta if it wasn't for the impact of another climate catastrophe in the making, according to John Pomeroy, a University of Saskatchewan water scientist. "Parts of northern Alberta were quite fortunate last year because glacier melt helped keep the North Saskatchewan River higher than other rivers in the province.”

The record melting, along with some big rainstorms in early June, impacted the headwaters of the Athabasca as well as the North Saskatchewan, raising water levels in rivers, streams, and other sources of groundwater. But that's not a sustainable solution, Pomeroy said. Some of Alberta's glaciers will be gone in a decade, which means some parts of the province won't have that drought security net.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/the-prairies-are-heading-into-another-drought-here-s-why-we-re-more-vulnerable-this-time-around-1.7121596

Snow Goose Festival in Tofield is April 27 & 28.

Gerry Beyersbergen photo

The Snow Goose Festival is a celebration of spring migration through the Beaverhill Lake area. Everyone is welcome from first-time attendees to experienced birders. You will experience a grand wonder of nature as thousands of migrating snow geese, Canada geese, various shorebirds, cranes, and swans return to Beaverhill Lake and area.

There will be a free shuttle to the Festival each day, courtesy of Strathcona County Transit. Buses leave from Bethel Transit Terminal in Sherwood Park. Festival activities include a trade show, banquet and three different tours: a 2-hour bus tour, a 3-hour bus tour and a 3-hour field hike. All tours depart from Tofield Arena. Tour cost, schedules and festival information at www.snowgoosefestival.ca

Why the magpie should be Edmonton’s official bird

Jane writes “Totally agree with the writer re: magpies. They are terrific birds, very smart, very organized, very attractive and very personable. Great choice for Edmonton’s official bird!

High Level bridge postcard photo

Ron emailed “The postcard refers to the Parliament Building, which is what it was called when I was young. Then it became the Legislative Building. Speaker Gerard Amerongen insisted it be called the Legislature Building and that name has stuck.”

untitled by Norman Yates, Stanley A. Milner Library. Created by Alberta artist Norman Yates in 1967, the 160- square foot untitled mural is the only known surviving artwork in Edmonton’s Public Art Collection commissioned for Canada’s Centennial. https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/untitled-6

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com