NSRVCS Newsletter - February 4, 2021

Guest User

February 5, 2021

Urban coyote intervention program
The Urban Coyote Intervention Program at the University of Alberta invites volunteers from neighbourhoods in Edmonton to participate in community-based aversive conditioning of urban coyotes. The goal of this program is to increase wariness in coyotes that occupy residential neighbourhoods.

It is looking for 20 participating neighbourhoods and has identified 40 neighbourhoods with high past rates of coyote reports. The program will train volunteers to use weighted, flagged tennis balls and an umbrella with an image of a wolf face to frighten coyotes in these neighbourhoods. These actions are intended to frighten coyotes, but not injure them.

Use of similar techniques, known as hazing or aversive conditioning, is widely recommended by wildlife managers to reduce habituation by animals to people and avoid the subsequent need for more damaging tools, including lethal management.

Alberta's provincial and national parks make extensive use of aversive conditioning of bears to teach them greater wariness and reduce conflict with people. These approaches work best when combined with control of food attractants. Learn more and volunteer at https://urbancoyoteinterventionprogram.weebly.com/

ERVCC wants city to reconsider trail fix
An Edmonton conservation group says there was no public consultation before the city passed a plan to cut down dozens of trees next to the city-owned Riverside golf course to realign the multi-use Riverside trail.

"We would like to see a pause on this project and for there to be a proper discussion, proper community consultation and see what kinds of creative ideas emerge," said Kristine Kowalchuk, chair of the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition.

An environmental impact study prepared by the city recommended realigning the trail by cutting down a swath of trees within the boundaries of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Area development plan. But the study shows the only consultation was with the golf course and its members. There was no other public consultation.

"I want to know why communities weren't informed about this project," Kowalchuk said. "The city's engagement policy says it informs people about city projects that they will be impacted by." City councillor Ben Henderson has asked the city's administration to look at the issue again. Read more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/conservation-group-wants-city-to-reconsider-plan-to-fix-slumping-river-valley-trail-1.5898752

Ice wall in the river valley
This three-storey artificial ice wall is Edmonton’s first and only ice climbing facility. A partnership between the Alpine Club of Canada and the Edmonton Ski Club, it was built to bring new participants to the sport as well as to provide a spot for local ice climbers to hone their skills without driving out to the mountains.

“The ice wall combines Edmontonians’ love of the outdoors, recreation, and adventure to create an exciting new activity for all,” says the Alpine Club of Canada. “Our long cold winters and large population make for an ideal location for this facility.”

For the first timers or less frequent climbers, the ACC Ice Wall has rental gear (boots, crampons, harness, and ice tools) and lessons or orientations available. The ice wall is located right at the Edmonton Ski Club, so visitors can also combine their climb with some skiing or tubing. More at
https://dailyhive.com/edmonton/edmonton-ice-wall

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

January 29, 2021

NSRVCS Newsletter - January 28, 2021

Guest User

January 29, 2021

Bunchberry Meadows Trail
The Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area is privately owned and managed by the Edmonton Area Land Trust and Nature Conservancy of Canada. Located 30 kilometres from downtown Edmonton, it is open to the public year-round for foot access.

This 640-acre conservation site is made up of old growth forests, open meadows, and wetlands. The forest supports jack pine, which is habitat for northern flying squirrels, porcupines, and long-tailed weasels. The water and willows shelter a variety of species as small as tiger salamander and as large as moose.

The close proximity of the Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area to the Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary, North Saskatchewan River Valley, and the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens provides a significant habitat corridor and greater landscape connectivity in the region for wildlife.

The property is open daily from 7am to 10pm and users are welcome to hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe and connect with nature. Dogs, bicycles, horseback riding, and OHV use are not permitted. Trail information and more at https://www.ealt.ca/bunchberry-meadows

Bylaw to prohibit the feeding of wildlife
Community and Public Services Committee on February 3 will consider a bylaw to increase the fine for feeding wildlife or creating public safety, health risk or nuisance conditions on private and public property without permission.

According to City Administration’s report, research indicates that inappropriate feeding of wildlife in an urban setting can lead to several unintended consequences including habituation or food conditioning, harmful impacts to local ecosystems, creating public and private nuisance property conditions, and an increased likelihood of unsafe wildlife interactions for citizens and pets.

Fines for these violations are recommended to be set at $250, and $500 and would be both proportional to the offence and consistent with other jurisdictions. If you would like to speak at the committee meeting, contact the City Clerk at city.clerk@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8178.

Coal mines contaminant already high in some rivers
Last May, the United Conservative government revoked a policy that protected much of the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains from open-pit coal mining. The province's plan for large-scale expansion of the industry is fuelling widespread criticism that includes concerns over selenium pollution.

The data shows that contaminant has been found for years at high levels downstream of three mines and never publicly reported. Concerns have been raised about selenium in the Gregg and McLeod rivers and in Luscar Creek, which drain into the Athabasca River watershed.

Coal mining has occurred upstream of Edmonton, but it is not clear if the policy change will affect the North Saskatchewan River watershed. Selenium is a naturally occurring element vital in small amounts but toxic in excess.

In fish, it can damage the liver, kidney, and heart. It can reduce the number of viable eggs a fish can produce and lead to deformed spine, head, mouth, and fins. In humans, it can cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss and been linked to tooth decay, weakened nails and nervous system disturbances. Learn more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/selenium-alberta-coal-mines-contamination-1.5886293

Fort Edmonton gets $1.6M loan from city
Edmonton city council approved a $1.68-million loan to Fort Edmonton Park on Monday to help it reopen on schedule in May. The southwest Edmonton historical attraction has been undergoing renovations for two years.

After renovations, the park will feature a new entrance and more open spaces, including an open-air museum. "People want to be outside. They want to be safe in fresh air and distance, and we have the perfect arrangement for that," said Darren Dalgleish, president and CEO of Fort Edmonton Management Company.

The biggest addition to the park is the Indigenous People's Experience, an exhibit where visitors can learn about First Nations and Métis peoples. It also includes an expanded midway that will feature more space as a rental venue and a 1920s carnival complete with a ferris wheel, maze, and fun house. Read more at
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-edmonton-loan-covid-19-1.5888333

Guest User

January 22, 2021

NSRVCS Newsletter - January 21, 2021

Guest User

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/