Flying Canoë Volant this weekend
This festival, which runs January 30-February 1, is a creative, interactive, cultural event where you can celebrate local history and everything that is great about a long winter’s night. Inspired by the legend of The Flying Canoe and French Canadian, First Nations and Métis traditions, this event celebrates Edmonton's beautiful Mill Creek Ravine and the newly established French Quarter. Events are also held at École Rutherford School and La Cité Francophone.
Channel your inner voyageur with light, music, legends and dance! Festival information at https://www.flyingcanoevolant.ca/
Elk in the river valley
A beautiful young Elk was spotted near Suzuki School in the Capilano neighbourhood last week
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7tNH4YA6Bz/?igshid=lgxjhrzqnueq&fbclid=IwAR2VI4I2xZQQPvpETzXHGliQuNbd9xMKUlZndjjeRN-vdBIB4_wzurxj58w
The North American elk, or wapiti, is the largest form of the red deer species and are sociable animals. They are seldom found without other elk nearby. Although they may travel widely, each elk is strongly attached to certain localities within its home range. Some in fact have home ranges of only a few square kilometres
Settlement of the Canadian prairies deprived the elk herds of their habitat. However, scattered populations continued to exist throughout the forest regions skirting the prairies and in the mountains of the west. Elk are long-lived animals: males survive to an average of 14 years, whereas females live as long as 24 years. Learn more at http://www.hww.ca/en/wildlife/mammals/north-american-elk.html
Funicular to Walterdale bridge trail
This trail takes you to the iconic new Walterdale Bridge through Louise McKinney Park, Irene Parlby Park and Rossdale with river views and big trees to gawk at along the way. Not to mention you’ll pass by historic buildings like the Rossdale Brewery and Rossdale Power Plant.
From 100 St, just south of the Hotel MacDonald, take the funicular down to its base, then the elevator and take a right down the trail, following signs for Irene Parlby Park. At the park, you can go off the paved trail and walk closer to the river along the dirt path. The park features lots of benches to stop and admire the view, or a playground for a break if you’re walking with kids.
At the end of Irene Parlby park, continue on the trail that goes through an open gate. You’ll pass by a beautiful bench spot and cross a little bridge. The trial is easy, bikes and dogs on-leash allowed and is 1.5 km one way or 3 km there and back. More information at https://rivervalley.ab.ca/news/trailtrek-how-to-100-st-funicular-to-walterdale-bridge/
Children books about the environment
As climate related disasters continue to make headlines, parents today are understandably concerned with raising kids who care about the environment. There are many ways to teach children to take care of the planet and one simple, yet powerful, approach is through books. If you know a good kid’s book about Edmonton’s river valley, let us know!
Countless children’s books offer meaningful messages about nature, recycling, environmental activism and more. The link features 25 books that teach kids to care about the environment
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/childrens-booksenvironment_l_5d66f45de4b063c341fa409c Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/