NSRVCS Newsletter - January 21, 2021

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January 22, 2021

River valley ski club sees massive growth
Skiers are flocking to the Edmonton Nordic Ski Club's 12 kilometres of interconnected trails in Gold Bar, Goldstick, and Capilano Parks in east Edmonton. Club president Jim Rickett says membership has grown to 1,300, 50 per cent more people than last year.

Club head coach Ulf Kleppe says Edmonton is “one of the few cities in Canada that I can think of that has ski trails right in the middle of the city. When the pandemic hit we thought, Oh, that's going to be it for our sport, numbers are going to dwindle, but the exact opposite happened. It was an explosion."

“People are digging out skis collecting dust in the garage, while first timers and families are snapping up lesson spaces,” Kleppe says. "When there are so many other pressures, due to the pandemic, it's a release, you're able to do something.”

"We've got more skiers, walkers, snowshoers, people on bikes, people with cameras out enjoying nature. All in all, the numbers have grown. There's lots of space but there's lots more activity down here." Learn more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ulf-kleppe-jim-rickett-dave-storey-edmonton-nordic-ski-club-ski-1.5872416

Is the river valley being loved to death?
In a recent opinion piece, naturalist P.J. Cotterill states the river valley is not just an urban park for the benefit of people; it is supposed to be a natural corridor for wildlife. She wonders if it could it be in danger of being loved to death.

Edmonton’s river valley and ravines have seen an unprecedented influx of human visitors this past year as COVID has kept more people at home and children out of school. Parking lots have overflowed, trails have become cyclist and pedestrian highways, side trails have been redefined, and dogs have never had so much exercise.

But has any thought been given to the carrying capacity of the river valley? It harbours the greater part of Edmonton’s native plant diversity. The city’s own Natural Connections Strategic Plan recognizes the North Saskatchewan River Valley as a regional biodiversity core, connecting other core biodiversity areas.

Although exacerbated temporarily by COVID, the trend towards increased recreational use of the river valley has been in effect for the last few years and will continue as the city’s population grows. Cotterill says more green spaces are needed in city uplands to allow more equitably distributed access across the city and to take the pressure off the river valley.

The city could promote a re-wilding of district and pocket parks or school yards. Too many are boring and barren tracts of green turf traversed by asphalt trails, lacking human or wildlife interest and ecosystem function. These areas need to be forested, to create areas for children to play in, or for interpretation and education, or developed as vegetable or pollinator gardens. Read the complete piece at https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-is-edmontons-river-valley-being-loved-to-death

Virtual Canadian Birkie open to all
Cannot travel but still want to experience the Canadian Birkie? In this pandemic year, the Canadian Birkebeiner Society has set up a new event to promote an active winter lifestyle. The Virtual Canadian Birkie offers everyone an opportunity to participate in the Canadian Birkie.

This ten-day event takes place from February 12 to 21. You can classic ski, skate ski, roller-ski, skijor, cycle, run, ice skate, snowshoe, or walk in a 4, 8, 13, 31 or 55 kilometre event. You can go at your own pace, at your own place!

You are invited to join thousands of people around the world completing the Canadian Birkie virtually. Pricing, prizes, registration, and information on the Most Kilometre Group Award at https://canadianbirkie.com/virtual-birkie/

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

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January 7, 2021

NSRVCS Newsletter - January 7, 2021

Guest User

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

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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