Guest User

December 15, 2022

River Valley News - Dec 15, 2022

Guest User

December 15, 2022

Outdoor skating, iceway skating trails and ice rinks open

Skaters have choices for public outdoor ice-skating surfaces in Edmonton. The City maintains both ground and pond ice rinks in major parks, as well as two Iceway Skating Trails. Residents can lace up their skates and experience Edmonton's river valley ice rinks now that Victoria Oval and Iceway, Hawrelak Park, and Rundle Park Iceway have opened for the season.

The Victoria Park IceWay is a skating trail wrapping through the majestic forests of Victoria Park offering visitors a magical and enchanted winter experience in the heart of downtown Edmonton. Rundle Park IceWay features a shinny pond, a large tableland ice skating surface and a smaller family rink.

Rundle Park IceWay is connected to picnic shelters and warming huts for an enjoyable, family-friendly skating experience in the River Valley. Information about City outdoor skating surfaces, pavilion hours and ice conditions at https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/outdoor-ice-rinks

Lucien Dubuc the first judge in Alberta to hear a case in French

(Girl Named Shirl Photography)

Located on the Heritage Trail along the Victoria Promenade, a bronze bust of Lucien Dubuc looks out towards the river. Originally from Saint-Boniface, Manitoba, Lucien came to Edmonton in the 1890s to practice law.

By 1920, Dubuc had been appointed to the Alberta District Court Bench, beginning a career that culminated in his appointment as Chief Justice of Northern Alberta. Lucien is most famous for being the first judge in Alberta to hear a case in French.

Lucien Dubuc lived in Oliver and loved gardening. On the steep hillside above Victoria Park and golf course, he laid out, for the enjoyment of the public, his dream. According to historians, he planted over a hundred elm and evergreen trees, perennials, and berry bushes. He decorated the garden with building stones, iron arches, and rustic furniture. Little remains today except the elm and evergreen trees. More at https://www.edmontoncommonwealthwalkway.com/storyline/history/60

Conservation gardens can provide refuge for Canada’s plummeting biodiversity

Tending a garden can be a radical act. For a growing number, gardening is a grassroots effort to restore damaged ecosystems and reconcile our relationship with the land. The photo is of the Natural Spaces winner in Edmonton’s 2022 Front Yards in Bloom

The planet is experiencing unprecedented biodiversity loss. A 2022 report from WWF Canada cites dwindling access to healthy, intact habitats as a major factor limiting species recovery. Put simply, wildlife is running out of places to live. Cities are now the fastest growing ecosystem in the world, projected to cover 1.9 million square kilometres by 2030 and 3.6 million square kilometres by 2050.

Plants form the foundations of ecosystems. They take in sunlight and carbon dioxide, and in return provide oxygen, food and habitat for everything else. But these foundations are crumbling under human-caused pressures such as industrial activity, invasive species, urbanization, agriculture, a warming climate.

Of the more than 500 species at risk in Canada, 250 are wild plants. When these plants are gone, everything that relies on them eventually goes too. Read more at https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/how-does-your-garden-grow/

Toboggan existed before settlers came to Turtle Island

Long before settlers arrived, Indigenous people used handcrafted toboggans to transport people and goods across the snowy tundra. Toboggans were long, but narrow, pulled by a man or woman wearing a chest harness or, if available, sled dogs. The significance of the width was that a narrow sleigh could fit easily inside a snowshoe trail.
The word toboggan likely originates from the word for sled by the Mi’kmaq - tobâkun or Abenaki - udãbãgan. French Canadians adopted the word in the early 1800s but spelled it tabaganne. Settlers were quick to adopt the use of toboggans for transport, hunting and fur trading ventures, but soon realized it could be used for recreation as well. It became a popular sport in the late 1800s. Clubs, such as the Montreal Tobogganing Club, founded in 1881, sponsored meets and competitions.

This recreational past-time has also evolved into serious competitive sports. Three modern Olympic sports were born out of downhill tobogganing: bobsledding, luging and skeleton racing. Hill conditions and safety tips on City toboggan hills in the river valley at https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/toboggan-hills

Participate in YEG’s Christmas bird count on December 18

Liz writes “Thanks as always for a great newsletter. I will be bush beating this year, again. Wonderful to be part of a program that has been going for more than 65 years in our community.”

Resonant Progression by Royden Mills, City of Edmonton public art collection. Photo by R. Mills. https://www.edmontonpublicart.ca/#!/details/223

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

Guest User

December 10, 2022

River Valley News - Dec 8, 2022

Guest User

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

Guest User

December 2, 2022

River Valley News - Dec 1, 2022

Guest User

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/