NSRVCS News - Feb. 13, 2020

Small predator on the river valley forest floor
Shrews, including our local Prairie shrew, are a common creature almost never seen. They are mouse sized but they aren’t rodents, shrews are insectivores. They have pointed noses, sharp teeth and short tails.
 
As insectivore suggests, shrews eat a variety of insects and spiders as well as worms, baby birds, mice, and even carrion. They have a very high metabolism and need to eat as much as three times their body weight every day to fuel their activity. They slow down a bit in the winter and sleep for an hour between each burst of feeding.
 
Females also use their nests for raising their large numbers of young. Eighteen days after mating, the mother gives birth to four to ten blind, naked babies that will be weaned and on their own in only three weeks. Shrews produce one to three litters per year depending on the season. More information at https://www.edmontonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/shrews-small-predators-on-the-forest-floor/wcm/d5f13a2f-ad7d-4b26-9470-1a40017bab4d

West River’s Edge Loop
This 6 km trail across the river from NE Edmonton can be accessed via River Valley Drive in Fort Saskatchewan. This flat path is rated easy with bikes and dogs on-leash allowed. There are options to take single track trails for a portion of the loop that are closer to the river.

This trail loops from the pavilion parking lot, back along the riverside and around the large fenced dog park. The wide paved trail makes for an easy ride or stroller walk while affording great views of the river at the well-situated viewing decks along the trail. If you’re a mountain bike enthusiast, single track trails and obstacles are available to explore. Info at https://rivervalley.ab.ca/trail-treks/trailtrek-how-to-west-rivers-edge-loop/

Edmonton’s River Valley and Natural Areas Protection
Protected areas have been identified as an important tool for biodiversity conservation via protection of habitat. Protecting natural areas to benefit wildlife and people in an urban environment brings unique challenges, opportunities and wins.
 
You are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society which will feature a presentation on Edmonton’s River Valley and Natural Areas Protection by Pam Wight.
 
Pam was the original Executive Director of the Edmonton and Area Land Trust from 2008 to 2019. EALT works to protect natural areas to benefit wildlife and people, and to conserve biodiversity and all nature’s values, for everyone forever.
 
The AGM will be held Monday, March 16, 2020 at 5:30 pm in Mountain Equipment Co-op, 11904-104 Avenue NW, Edmonton. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edmontons-river-valley-and-natural-areas-protection-tickets-93117379589

A Fur Trade Wedding
Paul Kane famously visited Fort Edmonton on Christmas 1847. He ended his descriptions at the Fort with a singular event: The January 6 wedding of the Chief Factor’s son, John Rowand Jr. and Margaret Harriott. Early the next morning, the couple departed to John Jr.’s new station at Fort Pitt.
 
The newlyweds did not make the 300 km journey alone. Nine men accompanied them. Kane also joined trek. For one week, they rode on three carioles and four sledges pulled by a large team of dogs. A cariole is a decorated sled. Kane describes the bride’s as “elaborately painted and ornamented.”
 
The ride was frosty. On day four, the thermometer read minus -43 degrees Celsius. All the same, the party arrived at Fort Pitt on January 14. And Kane returned to Edmonton to stay for the winter, working on sketches, planning his next big adventure. Learn more at
https://www.edmontoncommonwealthwalkway.com/storyline/winter/83 Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
 
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/

NSRVCS News - Feb. 6, 2020

Silver Skate Festival
This festival, which runs February 7-17 in the heart of Hawrelak Park is known for its fire sculpture installation. The fire represents renewal and the release of thoughts that make us sad or any fear or regret that chases love from our hearts. Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the event, a team of fire artists will be building a sculpture that will be burned at 7:45pm.
 
In the Storytelling tent, everyone is invited to write down any thoughts to be offered to the fire sculpture. People are also invited to make a lantern at the workshop tent adjacent to the Storytelling tent from 4-7pm and join the 7:30pm lantern parade to the fire circle for the burn.
 
But this festival has more than fire and whether you’re carving a snow sculpture or riding in a horse-drawn sleigh, one thing is for sure, you will have fun! Festival information at https://www.silverskatefestival.org/go/

River valley gondola would come at great cost
Here we go again. The city is considering a private gondola proposal. Discussion of this project has centred on concerns that Edmontonians will be left paying for an expensive chunk of concrete and rusting cable if the project is not viable. Prairie Sky assures this will not be the case, but the hyperbole and holes in their report raise red flags — at least, for some councillors.
 
Coun. Aaron Paquette asked how Prairie Sky determined that their gondola would see 637,000 unique customers per year when Spokane’s sees 70,000. (Prairie Sky couldn’t say how they arrived at that number.) He also wondered what metric they used to determine that their Indigenous consultation was “unprecedented.” (Prairie Sky whispered amongst themselves then replied that this was perhaps “poor word choice.”)
 
Read the complete opinion piece by Kristine Kowalchuk, Chair of the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition, at http://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-river-valley-gondola-would-come-at-great-cost

Fulton Creek an example of creek loss
Fulton Creek in eastern Edmonton is an interesting study for showing the gradual process of creek loss. Extensive sections of this creek have been culverted while others remain flowing at the surface. Lower sections of the creek were culverted and filled to build the Capilano Freeway and Capilano Bridge; upper reaches are disappearing to industrial areas. A western tributary has disappeared entirely.
 
Fulton Creek originates in the southeastern section of Edmonton, from the Fulton Marsh in the Maple neighbourhood. It becomes culverted as it enters Weir Industrial Park at 69 Ave near 50 St. After a culverted distance of more than 3 kms, the creek emerges at 98 Ave and Terrace Rd in the Fulton Place neighbourhood and then flows through Fulton Creek Ravine for ¾ of a kilometre before going underground again at the Capilano Freeway and discharges into the North Saskatchewan River.
 
Due to being culverted, the creek's discharge into the river is very minimal and tends to dry up in the summer. Spring melt can cause the creek to overflow, allowing melt water to access the river. Read more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_Creek_(Alberta) Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
 
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/

NSRVCS News - Jan. 30, 2020

Flying Canoë Volant this weekend
This festival, which runs January 30-February 1, is a creative, interactive, cultural event where you can celebrate local history and everything that is great about a long winter’s night. Inspired by the legend of The Flying Canoe and French Canadian, First Nations and Métis traditions, this event celebrates Edmonton's beautiful Mill Creek Ravine and the newly established French Quarter. Events are also held at École Rutherford School and La Cité Francophone.
 
Channel your inner voyageur with light, music, legends and dance! Festival information at https://www.flyingcanoevolant.ca/

Elk in the river valley
A beautiful young Elk was spotted near Suzuki School in the Capilano neighbourhood last week
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7tNH4YA6Bz/?igshid=lgxjhrzqnueq&fbclid=IwAR2VI4I2xZQQPvpETzXHGliQuNbd9xMKUlZndjjeRN-vdBIB4_wzurxj58w
 
The North American elk, or wapiti, is the largest form of the red deer species and are sociable animals. They are seldom found without other elk nearby. Although they may travel widely, each elk is strongly attached to certain localities within its home range. Some in fact have home ranges of only a few square kilometres
 
Settlement of the Canadian prairies deprived the elk herds of their habitat. However, scattered populations continued to exist throughout the forest regions skirting the prairies and in the mountains of the west. Elk are long-lived animals: males survive to an average of 14 years, whereas females live as long as 24 years. Learn more at http://www.hww.ca/en/wildlife/mammals/north-american-elk.html

Funicular to Walterdale bridge trail
This trail takes you to the iconic new Walterdale Bridge through Louise McKinney Park, Irene Parlby Park and Rossdale with river views and big trees to gawk at along the way. Not to mention you’ll pass by historic buildings like the Rossdale Brewery and Rossdale Power Plant.
 
From 100 St, just south of the Hotel MacDonald, take the funicular down to its base, then the elevator and take a right down the trail, following signs for Irene Parlby Park. At the park, you can go off the paved trail and walk closer to the river along the dirt path. The park features lots of benches to stop and admire the view, or a playground for a break if you’re walking with kids.
 
At the end of Irene Parlby park, continue on the trail that goes through an open gate. You’ll pass by a beautiful bench spot and cross a little bridge. The trial is easy, bikes and dogs on-leash allowed and is 1.5 km one way or 3 km there and back. More information at https://rivervalley.ab.ca/news/trailtrek-how-to-100-st-funicular-to-walterdale-bridge/

Children books about the environment
As climate related disasters continue to make headlines, parents today are understandably concerned with raising kids who care about the environment. There are many ways to teach children to take care of the planet and one simple, yet powerful, approach is through books. If you know a good kid’s book about Edmonton’s river valley, let us know!
 
Countless children’s books offer meaningful messages about nature, recycling, environmental activism and more. The link features 25 books that teach kids to care about the environment
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/childrens-booksenvironment_l_5d66f45de4b063c341fa409c Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/