Lichens are excellent biological indicators
Lichens are everywhere, unsung, and awesome. Among their many virtues, lichens are excellent biological indicators, sensitive to habitat alteration, climate change, and air quality. How lichens are faring can reveal changes in habitat or environmental factors and give insight into how other groups that are more difficult to survey might be impacted.
Lichenologist Dr. Diane Haughland says, "Lichens have so much to tell us, but we have to know what we’re looking at. Lichens have historically been overlooked and understudied, so a big part of our work is rectifying that."
Diane and other collaborators moved closer to this goal with the publication of “Getting to know our biomonitor neighbours: urban lichens and allied fungi of Edmonton.” One of the first studies of its kind in North America, it covers 114 lichen species detected across Edmonton, including 12 new to Alberta, 2 new to North America, and 5 completely new to science.
Learn more by listening to a CBC Edmonton Radio interview with Diane at
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-17-edmonton-am/clip/15923339-community-roots-lichen
Cooking Lake the summer place to be for early Edmontonians
With its cool breeze, Cooking Lake took off as a summer lake destination in 1909 when the Grand Trunk Pacific Line passed along its north shore. Day trippers came out from Edmonton on the morning train east, alighting at the small station of Cooking Lake. Part of the day’s fun was crossing the lake on the motor launch Daisy Girl that operated as a taxi to White Sand Beach on the south side at Ministik, where children built sandcastles before the evening return trip.
By 1916 many Edmontonians had cabins at Cooking Lake. A taxi service was available from the city and motorists increasingly ventured out for the day. More facilities and accommodations were built on the lake shore, which had a graded “lake promenade.” Lunch could be enjoyed at Mrs. McMenomy’s “high class restaurant,” and canoes and row boats hired by the hour.
Larger motor launches were evident on the lake in the 1920s and soon sea planes were landing on its waters, even before a seaplane base was built in 1935. The Cooking Lake Sea Plane Base was used recreationally, as well as by bush pilots returning from the north.
While other lakes around Edmonton enticed vacationers, Cooking Lake remained popular into the 1960s. Water levels and water quality at Cooking Lake have always fluctuated and sailors and swimmers became disenchanted during the 1970s. Read more at https://albertashistoricplaces.com/2014/08/21/when-it-was-cookin-hot/
Wondering where to bike, walk or take your dog this weekend
River Valley Alliance has created a series of Trek the Trails information guides for the Edmonton Metropolitan river valley that includes Devon, Parkland County, Edmonton, Strathcona County, Sturgeon County and Fort Saskatchewan.
The guides are a mix of short and long routes for beginners or those seeking more of a challenge. All are designed to help you easily explore different sections of the river valley. Information is provided on where to park and how to get to the location; whether bikes and dogs are allowed; condition, difficulty, and length of the trail; route information; as well as maps and photos.
From personal experience, I can attest to the quality of these information guides, having used them to walk all these trails. Trek the Trails is at https://rivervalley.ab.ca/trekthetrails/
Celebrating River Relationships
Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition and Swim Drink Fish are hosting an evening in the park to celebrate the natural diversity of Edmonton’s river valley and promote connection to nature within our local community. The event will be Wednesday, August 3 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Solar Gazebo, 9231-100 Avenue NW in Edmonton.
There will be a series of interactive displays by local community members and groups who strive to strengthen our connection to nature. The event is an opportunity for active participation. Enjoy snacks and refreshments, a water park, and a solar gazebo while deepening your understanding of water and wildlife in Edmonton's river valley.
Regardless of where you are in your nature literacy journey, you are welcome to attend. The event is free, made possible by a TD Parks People Grant, but you are asked to register your attendance at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/celebrating-river-relationships-edmonton-ab-tickets-377361206527
Photo by Marcia Bercov
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.
If you have a comment, concern, or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com Please email us river valley photos or event information. Your friends, neighbours and colleagues can sign up for this newsletter on our web site https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712