River Valley News - Mar. 19/26

In This Issue:

  • Water Reform vs. River Rights: The debate over basin mergers and the push for legal personhood.

  • Legal Literacy for Alberta: How the Environmental Laws 101 project is equipping the next generation of advocates. 

  • Edmonton’s Architectural Crossroads: Dan Rose’s "Arch Madness" and the fight for threatened landmarks.

  • The Return of the Snow Goose Festival: Witnessing the spectacular spring migration in Tofield. 

  • ArtBus returns March 21st: A free, all-ages tour of downtown galleries and artist-run centres via special ETS buses.

Photo credit: CBC News
Water Reform vs. River Rights

Alberta’s recent merger of the Peace-Slave and Athabasca river basins marks a significant shift toward prioritizing industrial efficiency over ecological boundaries. By reclassifying these distinct watersheds as a single administrative resource, the province has eased water transfers for oil and cattle operations, effectively treating complex biological systems as interchangeable infrastructure. This move has sparked intense pushback from conservationists who argue that such consolidation ignores the unique health and spiritual integrity of each river system.

In direct opposition to this industrial view, groups like Keepers of the Water are fighting to have the Athabasca River recognized as a legal person with its own inherent rights. They argue that while the government treats the river as a commodity to be diverted, it is actually a living ancestor that deserves the legal standing to protect its own flow. This conflict highlights two competing visions for Alberta’s future: one that manages water as a flexible economic asset, and another that defends it as a relative that must be shielded from industrial overreach.

To further this dialogue, Keepers of the Water will join the Mikisew Cree First Nation next week for a two-day gathering at the River Cree Resort & Casino. This vital conference focuses on the tar sands tailings crisis and the collective protection of our shared waterways through the lens of Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge. By bringing together leaders, legal experts, and land defenders, the event aims to advance meaningful solutions for the ecosystems that sustain us all.

Get your tickets here

Legal Literacy for Alberta’s Environmental Future

The Environmental Law Centre (ELC) and the Alberta Environmental Laws 101 project are working to demystify the province's complex regulatory landscape for students and the general public alike. This collaborative initiative provides foundational modules on everything from species at risk to energy law, empowering Albertans with the legal literacy needed to engage in environmental governance. By bridging the gap between high-level legislation and classroom learning, the project ensures that the next generation is equipped to navigate the laws that shape their province.

These educational tools are particularly vital as citizens grapple with the legal nuances of the Athabasca River’s potential personhood. The project’s resources on water law and environmental rights offer a framework for understanding how administrative changes, such as the recent merger of river basins, intersect with established legal protections. This knowledge transforms a dense bureaucratic process into a transparent topic for public debate and informed advocacy.

Ultimately, the Environmental Law 101 project ensures that Alberta’s "voiceless" entities—whether a historic landmark or a massive waterway—have a public well-informed enough to defend them. By making environmental law accessible, the ELC provides a starting point for those looking to move beyond surface-level discussions toward meaningful legal action. This proactive approach to education is the first step in ensuring that Alberta’s shared heritage and natural resources are managed with long-term integrity.

Photo Credit: Dan Rose
Edmonton’s Architectural Crossroads

The "Arch Madness" bracket, created by heritage advocate Dan Rose, highlights a mounting tension in Edmonton as sixteen historic landmarks face an uncertain future on the city’s metaphorical chopping block. This year’s "Most Threatened Edition" features iconic sites like the Princess Theatre and the old Royal Alberta Museum, which are currently caught in a debate over whether aging structures are essential pillars of identity or simply liabilities. By using a March Madness-style competition, Rose aims to make complex conservation conversations accessible, turning a "COVID foible" into a vital annual check-up on the city's soul.

Advocates argue that a failure to protect landmarks like the Rossdale Power Plant or Edmonton Power and Light Substation #100 represents a loss of the communal stories that anchor a region. There is a growing sense that without firm legal standing or proactive advocacy, the features that define our shared heritage can be quietly erased by administrative convenience or shifting economic priorities. The fight for these bricks and mortar reflects a desire to move beyond a disposable mindset toward a future of long-term preservation and adaptive reuse.

Ultimately, Rose’s bracket serves as a reminder that the integrity of our surroundings depends on the literacy and engagement of the people who inhabit them. Whether the subject is a storied facade or a vital natural resource, the tools for defence often lie in understanding the frameworks that govern our shared environment. By participating in these local debates, we decide which parts of our history remain for the next generation to inherit.

The Return of the Snow Goose Festival

The Snow Goose Festival returns to Tofield this April, inviting nature enthusiasts to witness the breathtaking spectacle of thousands of waterfowl descending upon Beaverhill Lake. This premier birdwatching event celebrates the spring migration with guided bus tours and naturalist-led hikes that offer a front-row seat to the massive "white waves" of geese filling the Alberta sky. It is a rare opportunity for families and photographers to experience the raw energy of one of North America's most significant migratory flyways.

Beyond the stunning views, the festival provides an educational deep dive into the delicate balance of wetland conservation and the importance of preserving these critical staging grounds. Attendees can engage with experts to learn about the environmental factors that sustain such a diverse range of species during their exhausting journey north. By fostering this connection to the land, the event highlights the essential role that local communities play in protecting the natural rhythms of the wild.

The weekend is more than just a wildlife viewing opportunity; it is a community-wide celebration featuring a trade show, banquets, and activities that highlight the charm of the Tofield region. Visitors can enjoy a full itinerary of outdoor exploration while supporting the conservation efforts that keep this annual tradition alive for future generations. As the geese continue their ancient trek, the festival stands as a vibrant tribute to the enduring beauty of the Alberta landscape.

ArtBus returns on March 21st, offering a free, all-ages tour of downtown Edmonton’s galleries and artist-run centres via special ETS buses. This one-day event invites you to hop on at any designated stop to experience local art, participate in hands-on activities, and shop from a diverse range of participating galleries.

Comment or Contributions

Please note that 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 - March 13/26

In This Issue

  • Winter’s Written Record: Tracking coyotes, deer, and owls in the valley snow.

  • The Elusive Red Fox: Secretive habits and the arrival of March litters.

  • A Tale of Two Bridges: Comparing Edmonton’s Clover Bar giant to Red Deer’s restored landmark.

  • RiverWatch EcoCamps: Hands-on science and rafting for youth this summer.

The Story Snow and Ice Tell in the RV

The North Saskatchewan River Valley and its tributary ravines are a high-traffic wildlife highway etched into the snows of winter. Along the valley’s multi-use trails, you will primarily encounter the purposeful, straight-line "registering" tracks of coyotes, where the hind paw lands directly in the front print to conserve energy. Near dense brush and willow thickets, look for the heart-shaped hooves of white-tailed deer and the massive, deep-sinking tracks of moose. In wooded sections, the distinctive "V" pattern of the snowshoe hare is common, featuring oversized hind feet that act as natural snowshoes, often accompanied by the winding "waddle" and tail-drag of a porcupine.

Beneath the surface lies the subnivean zone, a seasonal microhabitat where deer mice and voles navigate a network of tunnels for warmth. This hidden world is constantly monitored from above; predators like the Great Horned Owl use acute hearing to pinpoint movement under the crust. The most dramatic evidence of this is a "wing print"—a ghostly, fan-shaped dusting of feathers on the snow where an owl has dived to snatch a rodent. While less specialized, ravens also patrol these areas, opportunistically hunting mice that venture onto the snow's surface.

Survival also leaves a permanent mark on the valley’s vegetation. Young trembling aspens often show exposed white wood where snowshoe hares have nibbled bark at the snow line, while porcupines leave irregular patches much higher in the spruce canopy. At the river’s edge, the landscape changes with the ice; look for beaver slides, wide, smooth troughs in the snow where wood has been hauled to the water. In quieter backwaters, you may find muskrat "push-ups"—small, frozen mounds of mud and vegetation sitting atop the ice that serve as vital breathing holes and mid-river dining stations.

Photo credit: EALT website
The Clever but Elusive Red Fox

While the larger coyotes often dominate the open trails, the Red Fox is a more secretive resident of the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Generally shy and nervous by disposition, foxes prefer "edge" habitats where the dense forest of the ravines meets open clearings. Throughout the coldest months, they take shelter in thickets and heavy bush, relying on their acute hearing to hunt for mice moving deep beneath the snow crust.

As winter begins to break in March, the focus shifts toward the next generation. This is a pivotal month for Edmonton’s foxes, as it marks the arrival of their first litters. Vixens seek out dry, south-facing dens—often repurposed burrows on steep streambanks or hidden spots beneath fallen logs—to give birth to an average of five pups. During these early weeks, the male fox is a dedicated provider, hunting the river valley’s rodents to bring food back to the vixen while she keeps the pups warm against the lingering spring chill.

Photo credit: City of Red Deer / Strathcona County / Lina Elsaadi 
A Tale of Two Century-Old Bridges

While the North Saskatchewan River Valley is defined by its natural beauty, part of its more recent history is anchored by the massive steel structures that first connected Alberta to the world. Two bridges, built just a year apart at the dawn of the 20th century, currently showcase two very different ways we preserve our industrial heritage.

In East Edmonton, the Clover Bar Rail Bridge (or Beverly Bridge) remains a towering, active giant. Standing 42 meters high, this 504-meter-long iron truss system was completed in 1908 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. It is a rare example of a "Golden Age" structure that is still in heavy use today, carrying modern trains on the same concrete piers laid down in 1907.

To the south, a contemporary of the Clover Bar bridge recently made headlines for its survival. The historic Red Deer CPR Bridge, also built in 1908, was the subject of a massive $22.3-million restoration. In a "landmark lift," three cranes hoisted the 118-year-old steel trusses onto new foundations to save them from demolition. While Edmonton’s bridge continues its original industrial mission, Red Deer’s has been reborn as a pedestrian landmark.

Both structures represent an era of bold engineering. Whether still hauling freight or serving as a walkway, these steel giants are "human tracks"—permanent marks of history etched into the landscape of our river valleys.

Photo credit: RiverWatch website
Adventure with Purpose: RiverWatch Summer EcoCamps

For youth looking to trade screen time for river time, RiverWatch is launching its first-ever Summer Science EcoCamps in the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Designed for ages 12–14, these immersive five-day programs transform participants into "Junior River Guides." Campers spend three days navigating the river in professional rafts and two days exploring the hidden ecosystems of the valley's creeks and shorelines. Guided by certified professionals, the experience blends high-energy outdoor adventure with meaningful environmental stewardship.

The curriculum goes beyond traditional camp games, focusing on "science in action." Using authentic scientific tools, campers test water quality and study how the city's urban infrastructure impacts the health of the river. Because only two week-long sessions are planned for Edmonton this summer, spots are extremely limited. Public registration opens on April 13, 2026, but families can join a priority waitlist now to gain early access and ensure they don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with our city's waterway.

Peggy & Balmer

Join filmmaker Tom Radford at Bison Lodge on Tuesday, March 31 (6:30–8:30 PM) for an evening exploring his latest work, Alberta at the Edge of History. This Edmonton & District Historical Society event dives into local heritage through Radford's new book and documentary. 

Get your tickets here

Comment or Contributions

Please note that 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 - March 5/26

In This Issue

  • The Last Scows: Alberta’s ferry history and a spring guide to the Klondyke.

  • The Quiet Clearcut: Why density shouldn't cost us our urban tree canopy.

  • Neural Buffers: How birding the River Valley strengthens your brain.

  • Invasive Species: Protecting our trails from "uninvited guests" like Orange Hawkweed.

  • AGM Reminder: Join us on March 9 for Tom Radford’s history of the river.

The Last of the Alberta Scows

In the late 19th century, Alberta’s massive river systems—including the Peace, the Athabasca, and the Red Deer—were formidable barriers that shaped the movement of every settler and trader. During the first fifty years of the system, from the 1870s through the 1910s, Alberta’s ferry network reached its peak with over 100 ferries operating simultaneously across the province. These cable-pulled scows were the essential "living bridges" of the prairies, providing the only reliable way to move wagons, livestock, and mail across a landscape that was just beginning to be connected by a formal road network.

These "reaction ferries" are a marvel of simple engineering, using a bridle cable to angle the boat so that the river’s own current provides the power to push it across the water. Though many of the province's original ferry sites have been replaced by permanent bridges, the six remaining vessels—including the Bleriot on the Red Deer River and the Crowfoot on the Bow River—remain active parts of the Alberta provincial highway system. The Klondyke Ferry, located north of Vega on the Athabasca River, remains the closest operational link to this mechanical heritage for those in the Edmonton region. 

While the Klondyke Ferry remains docked for the winter waiting for the Athabasca River to clear, its spring reopening offers more than just a transit route—it serves as the gateway to the rugged beauty of Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland Provincial Park. Located just a short drive from the ferry’s southwest landing, this park protects a unique landscape of stabilized sand dunes and ancient pine forests. It’s a place where the history of the Klondike Trail meets a diverse ecosystem, offering a quiet, unpaved escape for those looking to explore the same terrain that early travellers traversed over a century ago. 

Photo credit: David Bloom / Postmedia

Balancing Infill with Edmonton’s Living Infrastructure

Urban planner and conservationist Grant Pearsell argues that Edmonton’s older neighbourhoods are built on a "layered" garden system of heritage shrubs and trees that historically provided essential windbreaks and food. This living legacy represents a resilient history of northern living, creating a shared ecosystem of "land wisdom" that modern, simpler landscaping often fails to replicate.

As Edmonton densifies through infill, Pearsell warns that we are erasing this "living infrastructure" without a plan to replace its cumulative benefits. The loss of mature trees, lot by lot, leads to increased neighbourhood heat and decreased air quality, creating an "equity gap" in which the cooling and health benefits of nature are increasingly reserved for those who can afford established lots.

Pearsell emphasizes that trees are as vital to a city's health as roads or pipes. He calls for a recognition of trees and gardens as essential infrastructure, ensuring that access to shade and nature remains a right for every Edmontonian, regardless of their income level. Ultimately, he challenges us to view land conservation as a way to preserve the trust and sense of belonging that roots a community to its landscape.

Opinion: The quiet clearcut: Infill shouldn't cost Edmonton its trees and gardens 

Building a Neural Buffer in the RV by birding

Recent research from York University suggests that birdwatching isn't just a quiet hobby; it’s a high-intensity workout for your gray matter. By identifying subtle patterns in feathers and songs, expert birders actually reshape their neural pathways, making their brains more structurally efficient. This process of neuroplasticity mirrors the cognitive benefits of learning a complex new language or a musical instrument.

Beyond just being "sharp," these structural changes serve as a powerful buffer against age-related cognitive decline. The study found that while everyone's brain naturally thins over time, dedicated birdwatchers maintain denser regions responsible for memory and attention. Essentially, grabbing your binoculars today builds a "cognitive reserve" that helps protect your mind well into your senior years.

Our own River Valley is the perfect laboratory for this mental conditioning, especially as we head into the early March thaw. Next time you're on the trails, try focusing on a single species—like the White-breasted Nuthatch—to engage those specialized visual processing centers. Your brain will appreciate the three-minute nature reset, and your future self will thank you for the extra neural scaffolding.

Bird watching may build better brains, study says | CBC Radio 

Birdwatching could help slow ageing, breakthrough study finds | BBC Science Focus Magazine 

Defending the River Valley from Invasive Species

Last week marked Invasive Species Awareness Week, a national effort to highlight the "uninvited guests" that threaten the delicate balance of our local ecosystems. As the snow begins to melt in the River Valley, it’s the perfect time to learn which species don’t belong, as these invaders often hitchhike on hiking boots and bicycle tires. By staying vigilant, we act as the first line of defence for the native biodiversity that makes our city’s parkland so unique.

One specific threat to keep on your radar this coming season is Orange Hawkweed, a deceptively pretty but aggressive invader that thrives in open meadows and forest edges. This plant is easily identified by its vibrant, fiery-orange flower clusters and distinctively hairy stems, but it quickly forms dense mats that smother the native wildflowers our local pollinators rely on. Reporting sightings of this "Noxious" weed is a simple but vital way to help preserve the natural integrity of our favourite trail systems.

If you spot a suspected invader like Orange Hawkweed, the City of Edmonton makes reporting simple through the 311 app, where you can upload a photo for quick identification. You can also contact the Alberta Ag-Info Centre at 310-3276 to speak with a weed inspector or address specific concerns about prohibited species in your area. Being a good environmental steward starts with observing our local trails and ensuring these "nasty invaders" don't get a foothold in our gardens or parklands.

Feedback: Why Some Ducks Skip Migration

Hi there!

Thanks for letting your readership know about one of WILDNorth's education offerings!  I just wanted to mention that the photo supplied is of a Common Goldeneye (a type of diving duck).  A small group of this species also overwinters on the North Saskatchewan River. They feed on small fish and aquatic vertebrates but rarely leave the river.   Mallards, a type of dabbling duck, on the other hand, move back and forth from the river to areas in the city where they can find food such as spilled grains along the railroad tracks or at the Alberta Grain Terminal.  You can often see small flocks flying back and forth throughout the winter.

Love your newsletter!

Best regards,

Kim Blomme, RVT
Director, Research & Policy
WILDNorth Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation

Don’t forget to RSVP for the NSRVCS Annual General Meeting this Monday, March 9! Email nsrivervalley@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link and join us for Tom Radford’s presentation on our river’s history, followed by our yearly update.

Comment or Contributions

Please note that 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