NSRVCS Annual General Meeting
Dear River Valley News readers,
The 2026 North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society AGM occurs on March 9, starting with a feature presentation from 5:30 to 6:15pm, followed by the AGM from 6:15 to 7:00pm. You can attend either or both.
The feature presentation is by Tom Radford, following his family's relationship to the North Saskatchewan from their arrival in 1905 to the present day, charting the changes in both the river itself and the community's relationship to it.
Tom Radford founded Clearwater Documentary, an innovative producer of online, television, and theatrical documentaries for the national and international market. Clearwater has produced over fifty years of history, biography, science, and entertainment programming with a distinct western Canadian focus.
Based in Edmonton, Radford has produced storytelling with a visual and political flair. His latest film, Peggy and Balmer, is a feature documentary which examines the evolution of newspapers in Alberta and their political and social impact.
The feature presentation is followed immediately by the AGM from 6:15 to 7:00 pm. The AGM provides a brief overview of the society’s activities in 2025, an update of its financial situation, and the election of the Board of Directors.
If you wish to attend either, RSVP to nsrivervalley@gmail.com, and you will be sent the Zoom link on Friday, March 6.
Photo credit: David Fairless
BBO: Banding, Education, and Impact
The Beaverhill Bird Observatory is currently seeking volunteers for its upcoming field season, running from May through October. Opportunities range from short-term shifts assisting with songbird banding to immersive long-term stays at the field station where volunteers help with all aspects of migration monitoring.
To get involved, interested individuals must become a lifetime member for $10 and complete a brief online application and training process. Once finished, you’ll gain access to the volunteer portal to begin booking your shifts and contributing to vital research just east of the city.
TheBeaverhill Bird Observatory’s BirdSmartoutreach program continues to see impressive growth, reaching a record audience of over 10,000 participants during its most recent winter season. This success is driven by a diverse range of curriculum-linked presentations, including new topics like Birds and Body Systems and Birds and Migration, which are brought to life for students and community groups by live education birds such as Tansi the Great Horned Owl and Keith the Red-tailed Hawk. By offering bilingual programming in French and expanding its reach to rural Alberta, BirdSmart ensures that the vital message of bird conservation and climate change remains accessible to all, fostering a deeper connection between Albertans and their feathered neighbours.
Photo credit: Edmonton Horticultural Society
Healthy Trees, Healthy Harvests: Managing Black Knot
Pruning is about more than just shaping your trees; it is a critical defence against Black Knot (Apiosporina morbosa), a common fungal disease that plagues Edmonton’s fruit and ornamental trees. Often described as looking like "scat on a stick," these rough, black galls can girdle branches and eventually kill the tree if left untreated. Because the fungus spreads through spores during wet spring weather, the late winter months are the ideal time to prune away infections while the tree is dormant.
To help you tackle this, Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (OFRE) is hosting hands-on Tree Pruning Workshops on February 27 and 28, 2026. Led by certified master arborists, these sessions offer practical training on how to assess tree health, use the right tools, and make clean cuts to boost fruit yield and prevent disease. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener, you'll gain the confidence to care for your apple, pear, and cherry trees in Edmonton’s unique climate. Registration is required, so visit operationfruitrescue.org to secure your spot.
Photo credit: EALT Conservation Coordinator
Volunteer In Conservation with the EALT
Join an EALT Online Information Session on March 4, 2026
As a local charity with a small staff team, the Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT) empowers volunteers to steward their conservation lands, monitor wildlife, and increase awareness about their work. Join the volunteer team at a Conservation Land near you!
There are opportunities for a variety of commitment levels:
join at an event - all training and tools provided
visit a site up to twice per month to steward the land or
monitor wildlifevolunteer from home creating nature-themed content for
social mediaengage with the public at an information booth or workshop
You can learn more about all of their opportunities at their upcoming online info session. You do not have to attend the session to join the volunteer programs.
March 4 - 12 PM - Register here: Volunteer Info Session | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams
After the info session, applications will be open for volunteer programs.
Stewardship Events and Outreach - join anytime
Conservation Land Stewards and Citizen Science - apply by April 15
Find out more about their volunteer opportunities on their website: https://www.ealt.ca/volunteer
Receive emails of their upcoming volunteer stewardship events (no experience required) by signing up for their newsletter - https://ealt.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=55625da027&u=62e30fd24a25665326aa30d96
Breathe I & II / Robbin Deyo / 2026
Powder-coated aluminum / Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre
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.
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