Learn to speak Lichen
Join Diane Haughland for a river valley walk on August 22, 9:30-11:00am, to learn about your lichen neighbours and how to translate what they are telling us about our urban environment. Not sure what a lichen is? Come and find out! You will be introduced to common and uncommon lichens and learn why listening to urban lichens is important.
Diane is an ecologist and lichen taxonomist who has studied Alberta’s lichens for over a decade. She teaches a course on lichen identification and ecology at the University of Alberta. Participation is limited to 10 individuals or up to 10 cohorts.
Registered participants will be emailed with the exact event location closer to the event. All participants are required to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer upon arrival. Registration and more information about the event sponsor, the Tomorrow Foundation, is at https://tomorrowfoundation.ca/
Paddle Edmonton's original main street
Canoe down Edmonton’s original main street, the North Saskatchewan River, and see the scenic river valley just as First Nations and fur traders did for hundreds of years. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the riverbank and learn the true meaning of going with the flow. A popular day trip is the 5-6 hour canoe trip from Devon to Edmonton.
My friend Ted Garver and I recently canoed 319km on the North Saskatchewan River from Rocky Mountain House to Edmonton. The deepness of the river valley in Edmonton means consistent urban sound and sights, except for the south Anthony Henday freeway bridge, do not register until quite far within the city’s boundaries, in our case Terwilliger Park.
Mark Lund’s connection to water ranges from teaching swimming lessons at 14, paddling as a member of Red Deer College’s canoe team and writing “Mark’s Guide for Alberta Paddlers”. Read his tips for safe paddling at https://rivervalley.ab.ca/news/tips-for-safe-paddling-on-the-north-saskatchewan-river/
Plantain - plant that grows where humans walk
Plantain is an invasive plant that was introduced to the Americas with colonization. It was brought over by Europeans as an important medicinal plant. It has been referred to as “White man’s footprint” by a variety of Indigenous Peoples since it seemed to follow the footsteps of Settlers. This can be attributed to the fact that it thrives in disturbed soils, such as the soil that surrounded European settlements.
For millennia, poultices (soft, moist mass placed over skin) of plantain leaves have been applied to wounds, sores, and stings to promote healing. A tea of plantain leaves can be ingested to treat diarrhea and various gastrointestinal inflammation issues such as gastritis, peptic ulceration, colitis, and IBS. Plantain is also useful as a tea for UTI’s or episodes of kidney stones due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhagic and anti-septic actions.
The leaves are edible but become tough and fibrous quickly. In the fall, the seeds turn brown and may be used in place of Metamucil. The leaves of the plantain are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, making them a great healthy snack. Recipe for plantain chips at https://www.ealt.ca/natures-nourishment-1/plantain-chips 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/