River Valley News - Aug 1/24

Grizzly bear once lived near YEG along the North Saskatchewan River

Grizzly bear playground near Kinsmen Sports Centre 

In the late 1700s, high densities of grizzly bears were found in Alberta along the North Saskatchewan River near Edmonton and along the shores of the Bow River and Red Deer River. Grizzly bears were considered common and widespread across the Prairies and the non-mountainous boreal regions of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba prior to European settlement.

After 1900, the species could only be found in a few small populations on the Canadian Prairies. The settling of land and conversion to agriculture along with human intolerance and hunting were the main reasons for the grizzly bears’ demise on the Prairies. In addition, the decline of the grizzly bear on the prairies coincided with the concurrent decline of the Plains bison, an important food source of the grizzly bear.

The loss of grizzly bears from the non-mountainous boreal plains was not as rapid as in the southern prairies. The extirpation in this region was the result of habitat loss to agriculture, increased settlement, oil and gas development and human intolerance.

Although grizzly bears are extirpated from the Prairies as a population, there have been occasional forays of individual bears from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains onto the prairies of southwestern Alberta. https://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/plans/rs_grizzly_bear_prairie_pop_0707_e.pdf

Learn about bats at Larch Sanctuary

On August 19, Edmonton & Area Land Trust will be hosting, from 6-11pm, an evening all about bats. You will learn about the benefit this group of animals provide to our environment, the pressures they are facing and the conservation efforts protecting them from harm.

Bats are an important species in healthy ecosystems. They prey on insects like dreaded mosquitoes and other pests that can potentially transmit disease. Canadian bat species are under significant stress because of habitat loss. Large urban parks like Larch Sanctuary can provide a haven for city bats, with a well-suited habitat of riparian areas, open meadow, forest, and locally made bat boxes.

This event will be split in to two portions. The first part from 6-8pm, will be open to the public by drop-in. Several booths will be set up near a bat box at Larch Sanctuary, featuring experts from the Alberta Community Bat Program and more. For this portion, join the event anytime beside the Smith Crossing pedestrian bridge.

The second portion will be from 8:30-11pm and will require participants to register. A bat box exit survey will be conducted and other nighttime activities under a blue moon. https://www.ealt.ca/event-listing/going-batty-at-larch-sanctuary

City naturalization survey needs your participation
Naturalization is a process that transforms a manicured landscape into one reflective of the natural region. Responsible parkland care means sustainable practices that contribute to a healthy, climate resilient livable city for generations to come. Naturalization helps preserve and celebrate the natural plant and animal species found in our region. 

For more than 25 years, Edmonton has been reverting sections of city green spaces to a more natural state through naturalization. The full naturalization process can take ten years or longer. Many of these open spaces are along arterial and collector roadways, around stormwater ponds and in parklands. These areas are not part of the regular mowing cycle, and may eventually be planted with trees, shrubs or wildflowers.

The goal of the city survey, which is open until October 20, is to understand resident awareness and perspectives regarding ongoing naturalization efforts. https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/environmental_stewardship/naturalization?utm_source=virtualaddress&utm_campaign=naturalization

Edmonton Homelessness Memorial by Keith Turnbull & Ritchie Velthuis, 100 St & 103A Ave Parkette https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/homelessness-memorial

Comment or Contributions

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

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

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup

River Valley News - July 25/24

Aphids leaving sticky stuff on cars and sidewalks

Miriam Valdes-Carletti photo

Aphids feed on the sap from trees and other plants, and the by-product of that has recently left some Edmonton neighbourhoods feeling a little tacky. "Their excrement is what we call honeydew," arborist Felix Reichel said. "When there's a really large population, they just go ham and everything gets sticky."

Streets with older trees, like elms, are more likely to see large aphid populations. While the insects are more active in the spring, Reichel said the recent heat is helping the population boom. That's thanks to a prolific reproduction rate, said Mike Jenkins, a senior scientist with the City of Edmonton.

Healthy trees are not generally at risk from aphid activity, but Jenkins said the little green bugs can stress or damage smaller garden plants in large numbers. To keep them under control, Jenkins and Reichel recommend releasing a few ladybugs, a main predator for aphids, or spraying plants down with water to knock the aphids off.

As for the honeydew, it's harmless to humans, so the best strategy is to hit the car wash. "In terms of aphids and trees, they're usually not really considered a pest except for the amount of honeydew that they're producing," Jenkins said. https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/they-just-go-ham-how-a-small-insect-is-leaving-a-big-mess-in-some-edmonton-neighbourhoods-1.6962970

Edmonton river valley trails being recorded by alien

Darryl Learie photo

One of Edmonton’s main contributors to Google Street View is a man who dresses up as an alien. In 2016, Darryl Learie started as a local guide for Google Maps. Over the years, he has taken over 7,500 photos and 1,300 videos which have garnered millions of views.

“I really enjoy walking long distances. I really enjoy photography and videography,” said Learie. “It was a way to feature some of my amateur photography, and I really love nature, that’s why I really focus my efforts on my home city of Edmonton.” Last year, Learie started recording 360 degree videos for Google Street View.

He wanted to make his work a little bit more interesting, and unique, so he started wearing an alien mask while recording his walks. Since last year, he has recorded more than 86 kilometers of trails and parks and published 91 blue lines, a third of them dressed as the NASA alien. https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/edmonton-man-contributes-thousands-of-photos-to-google-while-dressed-as-an-alien-1.6964832

Dara Ojo a bug photographer

Dara Ojo photo

Bored while living in China during the earliest COVID-19 restrictions, Edmonton photographer Dara Ojo began photographing birds. When a friend suggested he search for even smaller subjects, Dara found a whole new "world." "Most of the time bugs do have character. They look like they're smiling sometimes; they look like they are grumpy sometimes," he said.

The mayfly and damselfly are his favourites to shoot in Canada, but crop spiders in China represent the start of the 33-year-old's macro photography journey, and treehoppers in Costa Rica have been an all-time favourite. Dara says followers have thanked him for opening their eyes to the beauty of some of Earth's smallest creatures.

"It makes me feel accomplished because that's exactly why I'm doing it. When people see the beauty, they end up conserving it. They don't just step, squash." He encourages other potential photographers to explore their interest. "You don't have to have what I have to start. When I started, I used to bring this can with kitchen rolls to make my own diffuser.” https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/bugs-over-bears-alta-photographer-zooms-in-on-tiniest-creatures-1.6960161

Edmonton podcast Canadian History Ehx podcast a hit

Stony Plain's Craig Baird has been making the Canadian History Ehx podcast since 2018. To date, Baird’s hit history show has produced more than 550 episodes exploring Canada's history. Craig talks about the amount of research that goes into these stories and where his passion for Canadiana got sparked. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-region-podcaster-makes-a-hit-out-of-canada-s-history-1.7266103?

Four Seasons in Silver Heights Peony Garden by Oksana Movchan, Bonnie Doon LRT stop

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/four-seasons-in-silver-heights-peony-garden

Comment or Contributions

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

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

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup

River Valley News - July 18/24

Firefly season underway in Edmonton area

David Bloom photo

According to naturalist John Acorn, to see fireflies wait until June and then travel outside of the city. “Fireflies in this part of the world, in Alberta, are found either in marshy situations, shallow wetlands with a lot of tall grasses and sedges, or in mature poplar forests, usually north of Edmonton.”

A type of beetle, fireflies use a chemical reaction in their abdomen to create their flickering light. “They light up to attract mates,” said Acorn. “The males will blink and the females will blink in response and that’s how they find each other at night.”

Acorn believes that despite the replacement of traditional wetland habitats with urban stormwater ponds within the city, there is still a healthy Alberta firefly population, especially where more traditional marshlands have been retained, such as in Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park north of the city or in the Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary near Devon.

“They’re mostly little predators feeding on other small creatures. They’re also very bad tasting,” said Acorn, adding that fireflies are one insect he has not personally tried eating. “They have a distinctive look that protects them from being eaten by birds and so on, because they produce ridiculously obnoxious chemicals that make them bad tasting.” https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/finding-edmontons-elusive-firefly-population

Animal licensing and control bylaw survey asks about roaming cats

Colleen, one of our readers, informed us that the city is in the process of renewing its 20-year-old animal licensing and control bylaw. The City is seeking public feedback on the bylaw renewal, which aims to promote responsible pet ownership and ensure safe, healthy neighbourhoods.

Colleen emailed that many people do not know that roaming cats are the second leading cause of the decline of bird populations. She wrote that bird lovers should let the city know that we value birds and recognize the critical role they play in sustaining a healthy environment. She states it is time to tell the city that it is not okay for cats to be allowed to roam freely and unsupervised.

The city survey identifies three types of roaming cats; owned cats, community cats and feral cats and asks questions such as “Should pet owners be responsible for preventing their cats from roaming on private property?”

The survey includes questions about dogs, rabbits, bees, lizards, snakes and other creatures. The bylaw survey, which closes on August 11, is at https://cityofedmonton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1TVLKf79yN35glE

Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples origin dates to 1911

Sacred Heart’s origin dates to 1911, when it formed as an off shoot of the French language Church of Immaculate Conception. Immaculate Conception “was bursting at the seams,” and church officials made the decision to reserve it for Francophone Catholics only.

Reverend Father Pilon, a pastor from Fort Saskatchewan, was responsible for “pushing forward the scheme of providing the English-speaking congregation with a church of their own.” His “flock” purchased a city lot on Kinistino Avenue (96 Street) opposite from Immaculate Conception, and commissioned Hardie & Martland Architects to draft a design.

Construction began on May 15, 1912 and the new Sacred Heart Catholic church opened to parishioners on Christmas Day 1913, financed through the sale of its pews. The building cost its congregation an estimated $50,000. It was officially consecrated on May 10th, 1914.

Although Sacred Heart was primarily an Anglo-Saxon parish, it welcomed others and became “an incubator for immigrant groups to form their own Catholic congregations. Over the years, parishes representing Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Croatian, and Ethiopian communities got their start here.” Several significant Catholic parishes, like Santa Maria Goretti, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, and the Nativity of Mary, can all trace their lineage back to Sacred Heart.

In later years, Sacred Heart slowly fostered a significant Indigenous membership, reflecting the shifting demographics of the McCauley community. Officials understood this, and through Fathers Gary LaBoucane and Gilles Gauthier’s devotion, the parish became recognized by the Archdiocese as Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, Edmonton’s “First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Parish,” in October 1991.

https://www.forgottenedmonton.com/blog/sacred-heart-roman-catholic-church

Fruit trees on City of Edmonton property ripe for picking

Hubert writes “I believe Edmonton's River Valley Bylaw expressly forbids harvesting in the river valley. Edmonton Native Plant Society has always warned that harvesting is not permitted. Maybe there is a difference what can be done on City maintained areas, like boulevard trees and "parks", on one hand and wild river valley areas, on the other. I think it would be worthwhile to clarify this.”

Patsy emailed “My first concern was that it would allow harvesting in the river valley, which I believe to be unsustainable, but then when I clicked on the link all I could access was a database, no explicit policy statement, and after scrolling down it seemed to apply to tableland boulevards and parks, not the river valley. However, I couldn't be sure. Does it apply to the river valley?” 

mikikwan by Duane Linklater, INIW River Lot 11. Concrete reproduction of a 9,000-year-old buffalo bone hide scraper from the archives of the Royal Alberta Museum. https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/mikikwan

Comment or Contributions

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

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

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup