River Valley News - Dec 8, 2022

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December 10, 2022

Participate in YEG’s Christmas bird count on December 18
Our city’s annual bird count, sponsored by the Edmonton Nature Club, is Sunday, December 18. This traditional citizen-science project contributes to an immense database managed and analyzed by Birds Canada and the National Audubon Society.

Edmonton has been continuously participating since 1955 and holds the world record for number of participants. Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt." They would choose sides and go afield with their guns and whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered and furred quarry won.

Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition, a Christmas Bird Census that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.

Hundreds of people participate in Edmonton. Feeder watchers tally birds in their yard and teams of counters, referred to as bush beaters, scour the city, to gather information on bird numbers. If you would like to join the count, get details at https://www.edmontonchristmasbirdcount.ca/participate.html

Slightly untidy gardens are best for overwintering native bees
Almost all of Alberta’s bees lead a solitary life, and most survive the winter as larvae. The adult female, after laying her eggs in a burrow or other cavity, will not live to see her young emerge in the spring and summer. Many species seek out cavities provided by material such as loose bark or dead leaves. For bumble bees, a perfect spot is an abandoned rodent nest or within a piece of wood or compost pile.

Andrenid bees hibernate in underground tunnels and emerge in the spring before most plants get started. A patch of bare soil on a dirt path or south facing incline, could be a location for ground nesting bees. Whatever their life cycles, all bees need sheltered places to survive the winter either as pre-pupae or hibernating adults.

If you choose to tidy up debris or dig up spots of packed bare ground, be aware that you may be removing next season’s generation of bee pollinators. Tilling the soil can destroy ground nesting bees’ burrows and clearing away too much dead material in the fall removes critical shelter from winter elements. Learn more at https://cdn.sanity.io/files/d59screl/production/7e6541479a0e55b527b137e1b37224cbb0aa30dd.pdf

Want to join NSRVCS board of directors, contact us
In preparation for our Annual General Meeting in March 2023, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society invites you to be involved with a dynamic organization seeking to preserve Edmonton’s river valley for future generations. If you are interested in being nominated to the Board of Directors, please contact us.

Our mission is to engage people and influence the planning and future direction of Edmonton’s river valley by taking a leadership role in educating and connecting people and ensuring decisions are made based on conservation values. We work in partnership with residents and communities, government, Indigenous peoples as well as all those who are interested in preserving our natural heritage.

The Board’s current priorities are advocating for Big Island-Woodbend provincial park in Edmonton’s southwest river valley, establishment of a National Urban Park that would connect ecological systems and regional landscapes along the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton and the Metro region, and ongoing conservation and preservation of Edmonton’s river valley by being vigilant about development that impacts Bylaw 7188, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan. Learn more about us at https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/

River Valley Trail Strategy & Natural Area Reserve Fund our budget priorities
Patsy emailed “Just wanted to congratulate you on your River Valley News issues which come to me by email and which I also see circulated in the community newsletter. Many thanks to NSRVCS for doing that presentation to Council. Thanks for your sustained good communications work.”

Dr. Lila Fahlman the first Muslim woman awarded the Order of Canada
Lise writes “My sister-in-law turned me on to your newsletter, and I have to let you know, I love it! The articles are very informative and I believe should have a wide distribution, such as the one about Dr. Lila Fahlman. What a fascinating, ground-breaking woman. Thank you for bringing her story to public attention. As a former principal in Calgary, I worked with many Muslim families whom I greatly admired for their generosity and public service.”

Photo by Maureen Elhatton, who wrote “Just back from walking in a wooded area near 127 St & 144 Ave. Saw this beautiful pileated woodpecker, largest one in North America.”

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. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

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

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December 2, 2022

River Valley News - Dec 1, 2022

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December 2, 2022

River Valley Trail Strategy & Natural Area Reserve Fund our budget priorities
On November 28, our society urged City Council at its public hearing on the budget to put money into two items left unfunded in Administration’s recommended budget. These are the River Valley Trail Strategy which was initiated by Councillor Salvador, and the Natural Area Reserve Fund which was initiated by Councillor Rutherford.

We had received significant community feedback regarding informal and unsanctioned trails in Edmonton’s Ribbon of Green. A dozen other individuals and organizational representatives spoke on May 31 at the Urban Planning Committee and what we all agreed on was that inaction is not an option and community engagement needed to be a priority.

The lack of a trail master plan has become a contentious public issue, involving both river valley users and residents who live adjacent to our river valley and ravine system. Increased human use of the river valley and ravine system during the pandemic has highlighted deficiencies in the city’s trail planning capacity. The modest amount of money required to fund the River Valley Trail Strategy will pay dividends in a trail master plan that will address the current contentious and unaddressed public concerns.

The Natural Area Reserve Fund was created by Council in 2009 with $18 million dollars to fund the purchase of tableland natural areas that cannot be acquired through either environmental reserve or municipal reserve dedication. Edmonton has been recognized with awards for its natural areas’ policy.

To date, the City has leveraged the money to acquire six sites containing 70 hectares of natural areas. Two sites are in process, but there will be no more funds when these are bought. Edmonton cannot afford leaving the Natural Area Reserve Fund unfunded for the next four years.

A growing population needs natural areas. Their ecosystem services and carbon sink potential make them a natural climate solution part of the City’s Carbon Budget. The New Zoning Bylaw Initiative’s emphasis on higher density and District Plans means Edmonton needs more, not less, tableland natural areas. Read our presentation, which includes natural areas site locations, at https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/projects

Dr. Lila Fahlman the first Muslim woman awarded the Order of Canada
Lila Fahlman’s greatest passion outside of her family was advocating tirelessly for the rights of immigrant women and children. She made it her mission to assist with the settlement of Muslim immigrants, particularly women, and to make space for exploration of their traditional rights within Islam and how they could exercise them in their new homeland.

In 1982 Fahlman founded the Canadian Council for Muslim Women (CCMW). She was a passionate advocate of interfaith dialogue who travelled the world helping to build a network of respectful, intercultural exchange between different religious groups. This firm conviction led her to serve as the vice-chairwoman of Vision TV, head of the World Interfaith Education Association, and co-founder of the Edmonton Interfaith Centre.

Her father Sied Ganam, a Syrian-Lebanese immigrant, helped build Edmonton’s original Al-Rashid mosque, the first mosque in Canada and a generation later Fahlman helped save it and have it relocated to its current home at Fort Edmonton Park. A proud feminist, a proud Muslim, and a proud Edmontonian, Fahlman achieved many firsts in her life.

She was the first woman in Canada to obtain a PhD in Educational Psychology. As a Muslim woman, Fahlman was the first in Canada to serve on a public school board, to serve as a university chaplain and in 2001 to be awarded the Order of Canada. Dr. Lila Fahlman School opened in the Allard neighbourhood in southwest Edmonton in 2017. Learn more about this remarkable woman at https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2021/06/22/dr-lila-fahlman-the-first-muslim-woman-awarded-the-order-of-canada/

Private river valley golf courses open for free public winter use
The Highlands and Royal Mayfair river valley golf courses are available for free public use during the winter from December 1 through March 31. Both private courses in the river valley have leases with the City of Edmonton as the land is publicly owned by Edmontonians.

I walk regularly with my dog through the Highlands course in winter, which is also used for cross-country skiing and tobogganing. The Royal Mayfair is considered one of the prettiest spots to ski in Edmonton with gently rolling hills and a sheltered path through forest glades.

More space for Edmontonians to enjoy winter in the river valley is appreciated. Exercise your right to bright sunshine, white snow and winter fun in your river valley. More at https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/skiers-councillor-want-better-access-to-public-trails-at-royal-mayfair-golf-club-1.5736390

Pine Siskin fond of salt - photo by Zac Peetsma
The Pine Siskin is the most common of the winter finches to be found at your bird feeder. Their primary natural food are the seeds of hemlocks, alders, birches, and cedars. They are fond of salt, seek out natural salt licks and in winter they can be found wherever salt is used to melt ice and snow.

Pine Siskins get through cold nights by ramping up their metabolic rates, typically 40% higher than a normal songbird of their size. They can temporarily store seeds totaling as much as 10% of their body mass in a part of their esophagus called the crop. The energy in that amount of food could get them through 5–6 nighttime hours of sub-zero temperatures.

Pine Siskins flock to thistle or nyjer feeders and other small seeds such as millet or hulled sunflower seeds. They may hang around whole sunflower seed feeders if heavier-billed birds are messy eaters and drop seed bits. They will occasionally eat suet. More at https://edmonton.wbu.com/bird-pine-siskin-BOTM

Grierson Hill site of major slides in 1901 and 1915
Patrick writes “About Grierson Hill and riprap along the river. From 1989 until 1992, we lived in Missoula MT. We enjoyed some canoeing and rafting local rivers. There was an expression ‘Montana riprap.’ I looked online and found it . . . named ‘Detroit riprap.’ We saw some on the Bitterroot River. Ranchers didn’t want ongoing loss of pastureland to spring freshets. Here’s a photo” https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/511017888946157760/

**Past and Present** by Kryzstof Zukowski, City of Edmonton public art collection. Photo by Rafaella Loro. https://www.edmontonpublicart.ca/#!/details/10

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November 24, 2022

River Valley News - Nov 24, 2022

Guest User

November 24, 2022

Project adds hundreds of kilometres of Edmonton bike paths to Google Street View
With the help of funding from a Community-Based Budgeting Project created by two city councillors, Eugene Chen has added more than 500 kilometres of bike paths to Google Street View. Now he is hoping to keep the project going by enlisting the help of community groups and volunteers.

Chen received $2,000 from the budgeting project, created by Coun. Keren Tang of Karhiio and Coun. Andrew Knack of Nakota Isga, to take the photos and videos needed to add community bike paths in those wards in Google Street View. The funding helped cover the cost of the camera, but with the price of the equipment and additional expenses, he needed closer to $3,500, kicking in the balance himself to get the project off the ground.

“I’ve had the idea for a few years now but going out and spending even a grand on something that may or may not work is significant, and when I received approval of the grant, knowing that someone else in the community liked my idea and was willing to take a risk on me ... gave me enough confidence and reason to give it a really strong shot,” Chen told Taproot. “Because of the grant, I was willing to take the further risk of extra costs over the current funding.”

With the trails in Nakota Isga and Karhiio completed and already getting over a million views, Chen has plans to keep the project going. Knowing how much time it would take one person to cover the thousands of remaining bike path kilometres, he is looking for ways to involve other people in the project. Read more at https://edmonton.taproot.news/tags/maps

Grierson Hill site of major slides in 1901 and 1915
Massive slope failure at Grierson Hill damaged seven buildings in 1901, nine buildings in 1915, and caused major fracturing at the crest. Today the slide area is kept as parkland and a large wall of boulders, known as riprap, lies at the base of Louise McKinney Park to stop the undercutting action of the North Saskatchewan river.

Natural factors contributed to the severity of slides at this site and threaten the slope. The slope is steeper than many locations in the city ranging from 45 to 60 degrees and the outer radius of the river cuts away at the slope and undercuts the toe. The slope is made of bentonite, a fine clay material deposited in Glacial Lake Edmonton which becomes slippery and weak when saturated, and natural springs infuse the slope with water and saturate the soil.

Human actions did not help. In 1880, William Humberstone started burrowing into the hillside in search of coal. For 22 years he mined under 97 Street and extracted 15 million tons of coal. Dumping garbage on the hill and constructing structures on the hill crest added weight and building storm sewers to discharge storm water onto the slope further weakened the slope.

When the Edmonton Convention Centre was built in 1980, significant work went into engineering the structure so it would not move and that the slope on which the building sits would be stable. Deep foundations and retaining walls were built and steel cables extending under Jasper Avenue anchor the building to keep it from sliding down the hill. Learn more at https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC5GFAR_grierson-hill-is-falling-down-falling-down?guid=3199c2bd-fee5-4414-9447-a594ae31412a

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

The North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society Capital Fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation was 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.

At the end of 2021, our fund had $18,794. The goal this holiday season is to increase the Fund to $25,000. The beneficiary of the Fund is the Edmonton and Area Land Trust. Give your charitable donation online at https://www.ecfoundation.org/funds/north-saskatchewan-river-valley-conservation-society-capital-fund/