River Valley News - April 14, 2022

Edmonton finally undertaking ecological thinking
A recent opinion piece in the Edmonton Journal states our city just got a whole lot healthier. City council approved two policies that were long overdue: ending the aerial spraying of wetlands around the city which we’d been spending over half a million dollars a year on during a global biodiversity crisis and committing to a 2023 cosmetic pesticide ban preventing the non-essential use of pesticides.

Over 180 cities across Canada already have cosmetic pesticide bans, some for over 20 years. Edmonton, however, continued to allow pesticides linked to cancer and other diseases, especially in children. A 2017 city audit found that between 2010 and 2016, city pesticide use more than doubled.

Pesticide use occurs even in the river valley, despite the fact it is a high-use, ecologically sensitive area, and despite the fact pesticides should not be used next to rivers. Kudos to city council for saying “no more.”

The pathway is clear. Stop spraying and start protecting nature. Restore wetlands for dragonflies. These are possibilities our city can now embrace. It was a major win that Edmonton is finally joining other cities in undertaking ecological thinking. Read complete opinion piece at https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-edmonton-finally-undertaking-ecological-thinking

River valley pine a small community shrine for any occasion
Have you noticed the perfectly shaped pine tree in a small clearing between the Fort Edmonton Footbridge and the Terwillegar Park Footbridge? It’s close to the path and is noticeable because, for the past year and a half, somebody has thematically decorated it each month.

“It’s so perfectly situated and so lonely,” says Angela Moore, who lives in Rhatigan Ridge and walks or bikes the path pretty much every day. In late November 2020, on a whim, she decided to decorate it for Christmas. “It took off from there,” she says.

Moore cleared it with the City of Edmonton employee who empties the garbage cans in the area, who simply asked that no tinsel be used and that things be well-attached, so they don’t blow away. Moore and two of her friends make a point of taking decorations down after the occasion has passed and keeping the area clean.

It has featured hearts for Valentine’s Day, a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day and the colours of the Edmonton Oilers for their short-lived playoff run in 2021. Mother's Day tree last year was probably the most populated,” Moore says. “Every branch was full with about 200 messages. That one really filled my heart.” More at https://www.riverbendonline.ca/Ragg-Times/RRT-March-2022.pdf

Do you know about Gold Bar Park Natural Spring
I have not seen it, but in Gold Bar Park coming out of the side of the hill, there is a natural spring. Bruce Cinnamon writes “When I was little, my grandparents who lived in Capilano, across 50 street would bring me for walks through the woods, culminating in this splendid water source. I remember people bringing 4L milk jugs to fill up with water. I'm sure the city would put it under a boil advisory, but we drank straight from a tin cup filled up at the pipe which sticks out of the hill.”

Allie says, “I grew up in Gold Bar and back in the day, some 45 years ago, we called it the trough.” Frank remembers “I was told the spring, as kids we called it the trough, was used by Gold Bar Farm to water animals. There are remnants of the trough near where the spring comes out.”

Many people in the link think it would be great to get it tested. To know it is safe would be great. It would be a nice spot to stop on hot summer days when on a walk. Read more at https://www.edmontonmapsheritage.ca/location/gold-bar-natural-spring/

Thanks
Jeanna writes “Really enjoying this newsletter. We live just above the river valley. This is a new addition in our household.”

Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

If you have a comment, concern, or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com Please email us river valley photos or event information. Your friends, neighbours and colleagues can sign up for this newsletter on our web site https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712

River Valley News - April 7, 2022

Bunchberry Meadows closed April 1-May 23
April and May are an important time for plants and wildlife on the property. Birds are migrating and nesting, and ungulates are calving, making them sensitive to disturbance. As a result, Bunchberry Meadows will have a temporary seasonal closure from April 1 through May 23.

A gate at the access to the property will be closed and locked. This is to allow the trails to rest during the wet muddy season to protect from damage to the trails and the vegetation surrounding it. Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area is in the Devon Dunes Environmentally Significant Area. The area has a highly sensitive aquifer under sandy soils.

The 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.

Edmonton & Area Land Trust owns Bunchberry Meadows in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and has worked since 2016 to steward the land in perpetuity, for the benefit of all people and wildlife. Learn more about Bunchberry Meadows at https://www.ealt.ca/bunchberry-meadows

What is the City doing to help wildlife adapt to climate change?
Elk are rarely seen in large cities, but the elk in the photo was first spotted in NE Edmonton in July 2019 and then this image was taken two weeks later on a wildlife camera in SW Edmonton. While we do not know for sure if it is the same individual, the photo says a lot about our connected river valley and how the city’s ecological network is working.

April 10-16 is National Wildlife Week and Edmonton’s biodiversity, the variety of life within our boundaries, is considered one of the city’s most valuable and enriching community assets. Most well known is the North Saskatchewan River Valley and ravine system which is a regionally significant ecological corridor that is host to a high level of local native biodiversity.

While multiple generations have supported the protection of our natural areas system, it was only in 2007 with the adoption of the Natural Connections Strategic Plan that the city obtained its best tool to help wildlife adapt to a changing climate: protecting local biodiversity by preserving and enhancing ecological connectivity through the entire city.

Ecological connectivity is an essential part of a healthy and climate resilient environment. Just like we need paths and roads to move from our home to get food or to meet up with friends, a well functioning ecological network is key for the survival of native animals and plants. This connectivity ensures the exchange of genetic diversity and allows for wildlife to move as the environment changes around them.

In short, ecological connectivity improves the capacity of ecosystems to adapt to a changing climate. Read more at https://changeforclimate.ca/story/is-there-anything-we-can-do-to-help-wildlife-adapt-to-climate-change

100 Street Pedestrian Bridge Survey
With the tag line, ‘where the energy of downtown Edmonton meets the vibrancy of the river valley,’ the City is inviting Edmontonians to explore three proposed pedestrian bridge options and share your feedback through a survey, which will be available until April 24.

The bridge will provide a safe and continuous link over McDougall Hill Road and along the edge of downtown. Positioned between MacDonald Drive and the Funicular, it will provide a critical connection for pedestrians and cyclists over McDougall Hill Road.

According to the website, the new iconic bridge will create a destination landmark in the city skyline. It will also create public access to some of the best views of the river valley and become a new downtown gathering space that supports year-round use and operations.

A potential gondola station is proposed west of the planned pedestrian bridge landing on MacDonald Drive. The Prairie Sky Gondola station would land alongside the 100 Street Pedestrian Bridge and the city would ensure appropriate alignment and integration between the two projects. Give feedback at https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/100-street-pedestrian-bridge

Sketching our history and river valley
Edmonton’s river valley and green spaces are an essential element of our heritage and identity. The city’s webpage states: As the largest urban park in Canada, with more than 160 kilometres of maintained pathways and 20 major parks, the River Valley is a natural wonder for all Edmontonians to be proud of.

However, it was not always so. Some of our present day beloved natural areas used to be garbage dumps, including Grierson Hill, Gallagher Park Hill, Dawson Park, Hawrelak Park, and Mill Creek Ravine. The river valley and ravines were also populated by industry: garbage incinerators, coal mines, lumber yards, brick factories, meat-packing plants, and gravel pits.

In the 1920s, concerned Edmontonians such as Gladys Reeves lobbied and volunteered to recover and preserve our city’s river valleys and ravines. They also helped to beautify our neighbourhoods through the efforts of the Horticultural and Vacant Lot Garden Association and the Edmonton Tree Planting Committee. Learn and see more at https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/river-valley-green-spaces

Off-leash dogs and impact on wildlife
Larry writes “The article about off-leash dogs in sensitive areas stirred me, not only because of my concern about preserving ecological integrity, but because I am a dog owner. I suspect the violation of the rule is out of ignorance of the impacts. I hope efforts at education are being considered.”

Wayne emailed “I was told that in our river valley system all dogs must be on leash, and the only exceptions are areas where specific signage grants permission for a dog to be off-leash. To be off-leash, the person in charge of such a dog must be in full control. I was advised by a Park Ranger that Edmonton has 55 designated off-leash areas.

I frequently encounter people in the Whitemud Ravine with their dog off-leash. When I politely address the need for a leash, I typically hear one of two responses. The most common reply, ‘I didn't see a sign saying I need a leash’ even though the trail heads in this area are signed. The second reply, ‘mind your own business’ combined with other words not appropriate for your publication.”

Example of our Dark-eyed Junco population that are arriving for the spring breeding season. Photo by Wayne Oakes

Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

If you have a comment, concern, or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com Please also email us river valley photos or event information. Your friends, neighbours and colleagues can sign up for this newsletter on our web site https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712

River Valley News - March 31, 2022

Edmonton-Strathcona County Footbridge Survey
This footbridge will link Edmonton to Strathcona County and connect to the trail systems within the North Saskatchewan River Valley. It will connect 167 Avenue on the Edmonton side to Township Road 540 on the Strathcona County side of the river.

The City of Edmonton, Strathcona County and the River Valley Alliance are partners in funding the planning, design, and construction of the new footbridge over the North Saskatchewan River.

Participate in a survey about the preliminary design for the proposed footbridge and open spaces on each side of the North Saskatchewan River until April 8 at
https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/edmonton-strathcona-county-footbridge

Off-leash dogs and impact on wildlife
As someone who likes to walk my dog off-leash in Edmonton’s river valley, a recent story from Calgary about the impact of off-leash dogs was enlightening.

Three years of pictures snapped between 2017-2020 by a Calgary wildlife camera program showed thousands of dogs on the run in parks where leashing is required. Of 20,000 photos collected of dogs off-leash, 89 per cent were in areas where they should have been on a lead.

Spring is an important time for birds. Nature Calgary's Kaya Konopnicki said it's a time they are getting ready to mate and nest. Some birds in Alberta don't build their homes high up in trees. Instead, shorebird species and killdeer nest by burrowing on the ground.

When dogs walk through grassy areas they could be treading on nests or scaring the parents away. "When their parents are scared away from the nest that way, they might not return," Konopnicki said. "All of a sudden you've got a failed nesting season. And there is a concern these little effects start building up."

Wildlife groups want dog owners to understand the rules aren't random, they help animals thrive. Read more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-off-leash-dogs-1.6399337

From gravel pit to gem, West River’s Edge park in Fort Saskatchewan
Across the river from northeast Edmonton, this 194-hectare green space includes winter ski trails, an enormous enclosed off-leash dog park with a pond, a wetland conservation area, an interpretive forest, and a boat launch onto the North Saskatchewan River.

Walking trails lead to a variety of lookout points providing beautiful views of the river and its banks. Fishing, hiking, and mountain biking are this park’s main attractions. Trail options include paved and a network of single track mountain bike trails.

The parks services manager for the City of Fort Saskatchewan says it is a far cry from the area's previous life as a gravel quarry a quarter century ago. "This is our gem, this is our park we are developing over time and it's really important to the community," says Jenelle Hart. "This past winter when we provided skating on the pond for the first time it was the talk of the town." Learn more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/west-river-s-edge-fort-saskatchewan-wendi-crowe-nordic-ski-club-jenelle-hart-1.6370970

Library River
Long ago the library flowed
Knowledge was borrowed, stories well told
Wisdom historical spoken by heart
Hear, beside Library River

Poem by Garth Ukrainetz, presented on the Walterdale Bridge
March 15-18, 2022.

Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

If you have a comment, concern, or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com Please also email us river valley photos or event information. Your friends, neighbours and colleagues can sign up for this newsletter on our web site https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712