NSRVCS Newsletter - December 24, 2020

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December 24, 2020

Legal challenge filed against solar farm
The Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition has filed a legal challenge against city council’s 7-6 decision to rezone 99 acres of river valley parkland for Epcor’s industrial solar power plant.

They are asking a judge to determine if this project should have been subject to the river valley bylaw. This bylaw, created to protect our river valley when it is “threatened by commercial and industrial uses, as well as by civic uses such as public utilities,” states that major public facilities in the river valley must be deemed “essential” by council. Council did not do this. Instead, they considered the project private — even though Epcor received Alberta Utilities Commission approval as a “municipal subsidiary.”

Solar energy is, of course, good in the right location. But a river valley location is not essential. Nor is it appropriate; as our province’s own solar guidelines clearly state, large solar projects do not belong in river valleys because they cause ecological harm. Read more at https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-solar-energy-and-protecting-biodiversity-arent-at-odds

City fixes fence after death of several deer
A spiked fence in Cameron Heights on which several deer have impaled themselves is being retrofitted with a flat rail. "City contractors are currently installing retrofit rail along the top of the privately-owned and city-owned portions of the fence in Cameron Heights, so they no longer pose a danger to wildlife in the ravine," City of Edmonton spokesperson Karen Burgess said an email to CBC News.

"The city also installed orange snow fencing to the top of the fence as a temporary measure to reduce the danger to wildlife by helping them better see the limits of the fence until the permanent retrofits could be completed," she said.

Burgess said an update to the City of Edmonton's design and construction standards to be completed by the end of the year, will exclude spiked fences. "In the meantime, a moratorium has been placed on picket-style subdivision perimeter fences to prevent new fencing from conflicting with wildlife," she said. Learn more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/city-fixes-cameron-heights-fence-after-deaths-of-several-deer-and-years-of-complaints-1.5846141

Help create a lasting river valley legacy
Calgary promotes its proximity to the Rocky Mountains to attract and retain talent. It is time Edmonton did the same thing regarding the river valley. The Ribbon of Green is our equivalent to the Rockies, our strongest differentiating feature.

The river valley is close to the hearts of Edmontonians, who value its natural beauty and the opportunity to enjoy. If you think of our river valley as a Ribbon of Green and as a sacred trust, gifted to us to respect, honour, and protect for ourselves and future generations then we should protect it forever.

The North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society Capital Fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation has been created to support conservation of natural lands in the City of Edmonton. The intent and purpose of the Fund is to support land acquisition and other activities that conserve the natural ecosystems in the river valley, giving priority to maintaining the biodiversity and ecological integrity of those lands for the public benefit.

Once the fund reaches $10,000, the net income of the Fund will be disbursed annually to the Edmonton and Area Land Trust. The Fund currently has $6,818. Help us reach $10,000+ by the end of 2020. Your can give your charitable donation online at https://www.ecfoundation.org/funds/north-saskatchewan-river-valley-conservation-society-capital-fund/

Join EALT Board of Directors
The Edmonton and Area Land Trust is seeking new, forward-thinking, and enthusiastic board members to join EALT's governing body. Help build a conservation legacy in Edmonton and area by joining a governance team committed to conserving a network of forests, river valleys, wetlands, lakes, and farmlands in Edmonton and area.

As a director, you will work with a diverse mix of perspectives and voices that together seek to address the challenges facing land conservation in a growing city and region. Applications are open until February 8, 2021. Learn more here https://www.ealt.ca/board-members

(Matthias Bruinsma in Rundle Park, photo credit: Louisa Bruinsma)

River valley concern 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/
Facebook @NSRVCS
Instagram @nsrvcs

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December 10, 2020

NSRVCS News - December 10, 2020

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December 10, 2020

Fur trade history and dogs
Dog domestication records began 15,000 years ago and it appears not that humans domesticated the dog, but rather the dog domesticated themselves. As creatures of opportunity, they adapted to become more accustomed to humans, and humans received them for a variety of purposes. The duties of dogs have ranged from agriculture, hunting, companionship and for our purposes, sled-pulling and hauling

Around 1801, the Northwest Company initiated mail service by dog team from Fort Chipewyan on Lake Athabasca to headquarters at Fort William in what is now Thunder Bay, Ontario. Until 1845, the company carried letters free of charge for employees and factors, as well as freemen and settlers. Post 1845, the charge of $1.00 was applied to outsiders for this privilege.

It was custom for the Hudson’s Bay Company to meet at Fort Edmonton during the Christmas week to discuss business, prepare orders for trade goods and further, to make merry for the season tidings. Peter Erasmus’ work Buffalo Days and Nights, available at Edmonton Public Library, recounts the dogs that were present at these events.

“Every dog driver and team was rushing supplies of fish, with a roar from the dogs when visitors approached … After the event, their dogs were still dressed in all ribbons, tassels and bells of the previous day, but at noon, the dogs would be stripped of the decorations which were carefully put away for the next year” Read more at https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2015/03/11/edmonton-goes-to-the-dogs/

Kinnaird ravine art walk
Kinnaird ravine has one of the largest displays of public art in Edmonton and is part of a river valley trail. The burst of colourful art is a bonus to the beauty of this trail. The art was contributed by members of the community, with people coming together from organizations and schools to paint the murals together.

This relatively short and quiet trail is a great place to get introspective in the heart of the city while appreciating local art. It begins at Sheriff Robertson Park playground which is on the northeast corner of 82 St and 111 Ave. After parking, walk through the playground. You will notice a trailhead indicating dogs have to be on-leash, as well as a garbage can. Head down this trail.

There are sections of murals spread out over the first km of the trail. Enjoy the display of community art mixed with the beauty of the trees and trails. After 2 km, the trail goes steeply downward to join the main trail that goes from Dawson Park to Capilano Bridge. Continue your adventure or turn around back up the hill to return the way you came. Information at
https://rivervalley.ab.ca/news/trail-trek-how-to-kinnaird-ravine-art-walk/

Edmonton Christmas bird count on December 20
This traditional citizen-science project contributes data to an immense database managed and analyzed by the National Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada. Thousands of Christmas counts occur around the world and Edmonton has been participating since 1955.

In Edmonton, teams of participants will scour the city on December 20 to gather information on bird numbers. For many years, Edmonton held the world record for participants. If you have never counted birds on a Christmas bird count before, check out this participate page to find out how you can volunteer http://www.edmontonchristmasbirdcount.ca/participate.html

The Edmonton Nature Club will host a Birds of Christmas virtual presentation December 18 at 7pm. Dick Cannings will present on Birds of Christmas, including how to get involved in the Christmas Bird Count, as well as some of the common birds we can see in the Edmonton region in the winter months. More info at https://www.edmontonnatureclub.org/calendar.html

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December 3, 2020

NSRVCS News - December 3, 2020

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December 3, 2020

Camel humps nature reserve trail
This short walk provides a glimpse of one of the industries that existed in the early days of Cloverdale, the brickyard. If you go up the stairs to Strathearn Drive, you will be rewarded with a wonderful view of the river valley and city skyline.

In the 1880s settlers started businesses here because they had good access to the river for transportation, fishing and drinking water; the gold in the river gravels; the fertile soil for cultivation; the sand and clay for making bricks; the coal in the banks of the valley for fuel; and the trees for sawmills and lumberyards.

A sign at the entrance to the Camel Humps Nature Reserve reads: At the turn of the century our river valley was an ideal location for industry. Between 1907 and 1915 the Hardstone Brick Company made bricks at its site using sand from the riverbank. They piled the waste, mainly clay, into huge mounds.

Nature quickly took root in the organic waste and has reclaimed this industrial site as its own. Today, the tree-covered piles are locally known as the Camel Humps and are recognized as an environmentally sensitive area. To download a detailed PDF or a map, go to https://encf.org/walks/camel-humps-nature-reserve/

This bird burrows through snow in search of seeds
Dark-eyed juncos play important ecosystem roles by helping with seed dispersal and controlling insect populations. They also bring great joy to birdwatchers as they are regarded as one of the most common feeder birds in Canada. You can attract juncos to your yard by feeding a seed blend containing millet and hulled sunflower seeds.

Juncos are ground feeders whose diet changes seasonally. During the breeding season insects make up the bulk of their diet. In the non-breeding season, they forage for seeds, insects, and arthropods. On an annual basis, a junco’s diet is made up of approximately three parts seeds to one-part insects.

You may not like these weeds in your yard, but the seeds of chickweed, ragweed, knotweed, pigweed, lamb’s quarters, and crabgrass are some of the main natural seed sources used by juncos. They are known to burrow through snow in search of seeds that have been covered over. Learn more at https://edmonton.wbu.com/botm-dark-eyed-juncos

Rundle park, where does the name come from
The history of missionaries as they relate to the development of post-contact Canada is long, complicated, and often very emotional, especially when it relates to Indigenous groups, cultures, and identities. When one evokes the name Rundle in Edmonton, most people tend to focus on Rundle Park along the North Saskatchewan River. But where does the name Rundle come from?

Rev. Robert Rundle was with the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society. Arriving at Fort Edmonton in the fall of 1840 at the age of 29, he had difficulty getting people to attend his Protestant services because many of the Métis and European labourers were Catholic. By 1845, he had learned enough Cree and Assiniboine to begin leading services in those languages instead of English.

His cause for leaving in 1848 was not due to a replacement, but an injury that required treatment in England. And while he could not have foreseen the work of his successors, Rundle was one of the first links in a chain that would lead to the establishment of the Indian Residential School System and its devastating legacy.

Rundle was a prolific letter writer and selected letters have been published as the Rundle Journals, which you can borrow from the Edmonton Public Library. Learn more at https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2020/11/04/rev-robert-rundle-the-missionary-and-his-cat/

Snowshoeing good for exploring or exercise
Snowshoeing, a traditional mode of transportation for Indigenous people, remains one of the best and most practical ways to travel on deep snow. If the snowshoer is sufficiently bundled up in warm clothes, it is virtually fail-proof,

Evidence, existing as early as 4000 BC in Central Asia, shows the earliest form of snowshoes were basic slabs of wood which were strapped onto the feet. This basic invention travelled with early humans as they migrated elsewhere, with the idea developing into skis in Northern Europe and into snowshoes in North America.

Snowshoeing allowed for easier hunting and travelling and was used as a mode of transportation until the late 1800’s, when recreational snowshoeing clubs became popular. Today, it provides transportation for exploring, bird and wildlife viewing or exercise. Good snowshoeing locations at https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/snowshoeing.aspx