Small predator on the river valley forest floor
Shrews, including our local Prairie shrew, are a common creature almost never seen. They are mouse sized but they aren’t rodents, shrews are insectivores. They have pointed noses, sharp teeth and short tails.
As insectivore suggests, shrews eat a variety of insects and spiders as well as worms, baby birds, mice, and even carrion. They have a very high metabolism and need to eat as much as three times their body weight every day to fuel their activity. They slow down a bit in the winter and sleep for an hour between each burst of feeding.
Females also use their nests for raising their large numbers of young. Eighteen days after mating, the mother gives birth to four to ten blind, naked babies that will be weaned and on their own in only three weeks. Shrews produce one to three litters per year depending on the season. More information at https://www.edmontonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/shrews-small-predators-on-the-forest-floor/wcm/d5f13a2f-ad7d-4b26-9470-1a40017bab4d
West River’s Edge Loop
This 6 km trail across the river from NE Edmonton can be accessed via River Valley Drive in Fort Saskatchewan. This flat path is rated easy with bikes and dogs on-leash allowed. There are options to take single track trails for a portion of the loop that are closer to the river.
This trail loops from the pavilion parking lot, back along the riverside and around the large fenced dog park. The wide paved trail makes for an easy ride or stroller walk while affording great views of the river at the well-situated viewing decks along the trail. If you’re a mountain bike enthusiast, single track trails and obstacles are available to explore. Info at https://rivervalley.ab.ca/trail-treks/trailtrek-how-to-west-rivers-edge-loop/
Edmonton’s River Valley and Natural Areas Protection
Protected areas have been identified as an important tool for biodiversity conservation via protection of habitat. Protecting natural areas to benefit wildlife and people in an urban environment brings unique challenges, opportunities and wins.
You are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society which will feature a presentation on Edmonton’s River Valley and Natural Areas Protection by Pam Wight.
Pam was the original Executive Director of the Edmonton and Area Land Trust from 2008 to 2019. EALT works to protect natural areas to benefit wildlife and people, and to conserve biodiversity and all nature’s values, for everyone forever.
The AGM will be held Monday, March 16, 2020 at 5:30 pm in Mountain Equipment Co-op, 11904-104 Avenue NW, Edmonton. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edmontons-river-valley-and-natural-areas-protection-tickets-93117379589
A Fur Trade Wedding
Paul Kane famously visited Fort Edmonton on Christmas 1847. He ended his descriptions at the Fort with a singular event: The January 6 wedding of the Chief Factor’s son, John Rowand Jr. and Margaret Harriott. Early the next morning, the couple departed to John Jr.’s new station at Fort Pitt.
The newlyweds did not make the 300 km journey alone. Nine men accompanied them. Kane also joined trek. For one week, they rode on three carioles and four sledges pulled by a large team of dogs. A cariole is a decorated sled. Kane describes the bride’s as “elaborately painted and ornamented.”
The ride was frosty. On day four, the thermometer read minus -43 degrees Celsius. All the same, the party arrived at Fort Pitt on January 14. And Kane returned to Edmonton to stay for the winter, working on sketches, planning his next big adventure. Learn more at
https://www.edmontoncommonwealthwalkway.com/storyline/winter/83 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/