NSRVCS Newsletter - January 7, 2021

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January 7, 2021

Riverside trail realignment
In November City Council approved realignment of the Riverside Trail, a well used trail that runs between the Riverside Golf Course and the North Saskatchewan River. It connects Dawson Bridge and the paved multi-use trail leading to Capilano Bridge.

In recent years, the Riverside Trail has been damaged in several locations due to high water events, which caused bank erosion, top-of-bank trail instability and slumping. As a result, the trail has been closed to the public for several years. Pedestrians and cyclists have continued using the trail despite closure signage being in place.

It is anticipated that future high-water events will further limit trail functionality in the affected areas. The proposed trail realignment and other rehabilitation work in seven locations will address the trail impacts resulting from the erosion activity and ensure that Edmontonians will be able to enjoy the trail safely into the future.

Learn about the trail realignment and its environmental impact assessment at
https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=69182

Support legal challenge 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. ERVCC is crowd-sourcing funding for the legal challenge and has raised over $12,000. Donations can be sent by e-transfer to info@ervcc.com

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.”

We have a river valley bylaw precisely to protect our river valley from commercial, industrial, and public utilities threats. This location is rare aspen parkland habitat that is heavily used by wildlife, and a regionally significant wildlife corridor; it is not an essential, nor appropriate, location for an industrial solar power plant.

The project would disturb the plants and soil with pilings for 45,000 solar panels, preventing the land’s full functioning as a carbon sink. It would also include the cutting of trees. The panels would be located behind a security fence, meaning that an area the size of 26 football fields would be lost as habitat, and a pinch-point alley approximately 1.5 km long would be created in the already narrow wildlife corridor.

According to the province's own solar guidelines, large solar projects do not belong in river valleys because they are a hazard to water birds, which tend to mistake the panels for water and die from collisions or stranding after impact, as they require water to take flight again. More information at https://www.ervcc.com/

Nominations open for council and mayor
City Council needs people committed to conserving and preserving Edmonton’s greatest asset, our river valley. As of January 4, anyone wanting to be the next mayor, or one of 12 city councillors may now submit their papers.

The nomination process for the October 18 municipal election runs until September 20. Mayoral candidates must submit a $500 deposit and a form with 100 signatures of support. Councillor candidates need 25 signatures and must pay a $100 fee.

CBC reports that Mayor Don Iveson, and Councillors Ben Henderson and Michael Walters have announced they are not running for re-election. Information on the election and for individuals interested in running for office is at https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton-elections.aspx

River valley contributions 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

Guest User

December 31, 2020

NSRVCS Newsletter - December 31, 2020

Guest User

December 31, 2020

UofA study finds fungal networks benefit tree growth
A University of Alberta study, published in the Journal of Ecology, showed that trees well connected to underground fungal networks had more growth than trees that only had a few. While prior studies had yielded similar results by focusing on seedlings, the study was the first to examine whether mature trees also benefit from this network.

Joseph Birch, the researcher who led the study for his PhD thesis, said the result demonstrated that a certain diversity across species is of great benefit to the trees. “It’s interesting, because in academia we think a lot about differences between species,” he said.

“We don’t think as much about individuals within a species being that different. This would suggest that trees get an advantage by spreading out their roots among multiple individuals so they get some benefits from one individual that another can’t provide.”

According to Birch, the study suggests that these adult trees are highly likely sharing “growth enhancing resources” with each other below ground through the fungal network. Read more https://thegatewayonline.ca/2020/12/u-of-a-study-finds-fungal-neworks-benefit-tree-growth/

Edmonton is land of the Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is a widespread figure in Indigenous mythology in the United States and Canada. Described as a supernatural being, the enormous bird was a symbol of power and strength that protected humans from evil spirits.

It was called the Thunderbird because the flapping of its powerful wings sounded like thunder, and lightning would shoot out of its eyes. The Thunderbirds brought rain and storms, which could be good or bad. Good when the rain was needed or bad when the rain came with destructive strong winds, floods, and fires caused by lightning.

The bird was said to be so large, that several legends tell it picking up a whale in its talons. They were said to have bright and colorful feathers, with sharp teeth and claws. They were said to live in the clouds high above the tallest mountains.

Various nations have different oral traditions about the magical Thunderbird, which they both highly respected and feared. Edmonton City Ward 9 has been named pihêsiwin (pee-EH’-soh-wihn), Cree for “land of the thunderbirds.” It was given to the ward because, from an aerial view, it is shaped like the bird. Learn more https://mysteriesofcanada.com/newfoundland/thunderbird-a-canadian-legend/

Canada to plant two billion trees over the next decade
The Government of Canada has launched its plan to plant two billion trees over 10 years, with an investment of $3.16 billion, which will create up to 4,300 jobs. Meeting this commitment will help Canada address climate change by reducing carbon pollution as the trees are projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12 megatonnes by 2050.

Planting trees is a natural climate solution that reduces emissions while providing other benefits such as improved air and water quality, particularly in urban settings, decreased risk of wildland fire to rural communities and support for biodiversity. It also provides spaces for recreational opportunities that improve quality of life and form part of our Canadian identity.

The plan will get trees in the ground starting this spring in urban areas across Canada. The Government has begun building long-term partnerships so that Canada has the infrastructure, especially nurseries, to carry out the full tree-planting plan. The plan includes work to ensure it can monitor the trees planted for survival and report on the carbon they sequester.

Investing in nature is among the most affordable climate actions governments can take. Canada is fortunate to have a vast range of healthy and resilient ecosystems, including forests and urban parks, which support our well-being. These ecosystems help absorb and store enormous amounts of carbon, which can mitigate the impacts of climate change and keep our air clean.

This approach, which represents a 40 percent annual increase in the number of trees planted in Canada, will include both urban and rural areas across the country. In 10 years, the additional two billion trees will cover over 1.1 million hectares, an area twice the size of Prince Edward Island. Read more https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2020/12/minister-oregan-launches-canadas-plan-to-plant-two-billion-trees.html

Cameron Heights from Haddow trail
This challenging hike starting in the southwest Edmonton neighbourhood of Haddow gives the walker a close-up view of the Anthony Henday Bridge across the North Saskatchewan River. It is a 7.2 km round trip with a moderate, hilly paved trail to Cameron Heights from the trailhead at the Solicitor General Staff College.

It is 1.4 km from the trailhead to the start of the 0.3 km walkway for walkers and cyclists that goes under the bridge. Enjoy the spectacular view as you walk to the west end of the walkway

For a longer round trip walk of 10 km round trip from the trailhead, you can continue a route that will take you down to Wedgewood Ravine. Follow the old road, originally 184 Street, down to Wedgewood Creek in Wedgewood Ravine. Wedgewood Creek empties into the North Saskatchewan River across from Terwillegar Park. Detailed PDF and map at https://encf.org/walks/cameron-heights-from-the-haddow-neighbourhood/

River Valley a sacred trust gifted to us, help protect it
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+. You can give your charitable donation online at https://www.ecfoundation.org/funds/north-saskatchewan-river-valley-conservation-society-capital-fund/

Ann Vriend and chickadee, photo credit: Louisa Bruinsma

Guest User

December 24, 2020

NSRVCS Newsletter - December 24, 2020

Guest User

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