Big Island Provincial Park online survey open until August 21
The Government of Alberta has launched public, stakeholder and Indigenous engagement on a proposal to establish Big Island Provincial Park along the North Saskatchewan River Valley in the southwest corner of the City of Edmonton.
Our society has had a catalytic and ongoing role in this initiative. We raised the idea with Mayor Don Iveson in early 2016 and in September 2017 City Council approved a recommendation that the Mayor write to the relevant provincial ministers indicating the City’s interest in the development of an Urban Regional Provincial Park.
The proposed provincial park will be managed cooperatively by the Alberta government, Enoch Cree Nation, and the City of Edmonton. This tri-party partnership approach is a unique model for park development that brings a diversity of voices to the table to help shape the proposed park vision. This approach allows the three governments to co-create a space that is welcoming and inclusive for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors.
The proposed designation of the Big Island site as a provincial park will provide protection for the sensitive river valley ecosystem, including its wildlife corridor and habitat; help to manage and develop recreation and tourism opportunities; provide cultural exchange and storytelling opportunities; and enhance community connections to the river valley. More information, including a map, fact sheets, and online survey at https://www.alberta.ca/big-island-provincial-park-engagement.aspx
Sedges important to the ecology of Edmonton’s wetlands
Sedge is a plant that tends to go unnoticed by those visiting Edmonton’s natural areas. This is partly because sedge does not have eye-catching flowers, and because it is most prevalent in wet areas that are not always easily accessible.
While sedges appear similar to grasses, they are in a different plant family. There is one characteristic of the sedge family that can be used to differentiate it from grasses, and it is best remembered with the phrase “sedges have edges.” If you feel the stem of a sedge plant you will notice it is triangular and has sharp edges, while grasses have a round stem.
Sedges are important to the ecology of Edmonton’s wetlands. Their spreading roots provide erosion control by stabilizing streambanks and provide an environment for the growth of micro-organisms that clean the water of pollutants. The underwater portion of the leaves and stems of sedges provide a habitat for invertebrates, which in turn feed larger organisms, including fish.
Photos (run your cursor over the photos to learn the names of the various sedges) and more at
https://natureedmonton.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/sedges-have-edges/
Singer and writer come together to tell a story of Edmonton artistically
The third artist pair to take up residence at the Yorath House Artist Studio Placement are Jody Shenkarek and Thea Bowering. During their joint residency at Yorath House, they will begin a long talked-about collaboration that blends Jody’s music with Thea’s storytelling.
Jody Shenkarek is a singer and songwriter, currently leading the band Jody Shenkarek and Hot Kindlin’, and has shared the stage with many local and touring artists over her 30 years in music. She is a member of the Edmonton Potters Guild, a pinhole photography enthusiast and artist, and an accomplished vegetarian chef and former owner of Café Mosaics.
Primarily a fiction writer, Thea Bowering also works in several forms of creative nonfiction. Much of her work is an experimental hybrid of both fiction and nonfiction. She explores the relationship between walking and writing, and themes of memory and trauma, technologization of culture, environment, and intergenerational conflict. Her collection of short fiction Love at Last Sight (NeWest Press, 2013) won the Alberta Book Publishing Award, Trade Fiction Book of the Year in 2014 and was longlisted for the Alberta Readers’ Choice Award.
Jody and Thea have come together to tell a story of the city artistically. On long walks and talks "they will record the sounds of the trails and river, as well as their unfolding ideas about place and nature within the city, their shared history in Edmonton, memory and loss, aging, and finding hope and purpose in this current difficult moment. The long-term goal is to develop and record the material towards an album accompanied by a book of stories and photos." More at
https://yegarts.tumblr.com/post/687229217658863616/yorath-house-studio-residency-meet-the-artists
How the City takes a bite out of mosquitoes
Raquel writes “Bti (bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) as used by the city of Edmonton takes out the base of the food chain. The loss of the base of the food chain kills insect eating birds, dragonflies, beetles, spiders, bats, amphibians, and fish. Researchers Carsten Bruhle and Brigitte Poulin found a 50% drop in dragonflies in areas treated with Bti, a 57% drop in spiders, and a 64% loss in beetles.
Germany does not allow use of Bti and other biocides in natural areas. As we are in the middle of a biodiversity and climate crisis, we need to be respectful and realistic about our relationships with mosquitos. Dress properly and protect you own body on mosquito heavy days. Rejoice when you encounter them and celebrate healthy wetlands and biodiversity!”
Eco-Indigenous gardening guide available for free
Judith emailed “I must take issue with the Eco-Indigenous gardening guide. This is a poorly prepared document in terms of the plants suggested and the encouragement of wild foraging in our River Valley! Harvesting and foraging in Edmonton Parkland including the River Valley and Ravine Systems is Illegal - City of Edmonton Bylaw 2202.
The lack of botanical nomenclature leads to much confusion and misleading information. Advocating picking any mushrooms at all can be extremely dangerous and a disclaimer of “Some mushrooms can be toxic...” is not enough information or warning. Mushroom picking should be left to those who know what they’re doing, not the likes of you or me who have no idea which are safe to eat.
I should also like to point out that many people now feel that our natural areas are their untapped grocery stores or pharmacies. They fail or refuse to even think about their negative impacts on the overall eco-system or to individual plant, animal, bird, and insect species that all rely on every aspect of a healthy habitat. Wild harvesting to collect for things like decorative arrangements, medicinal value, or berries for jam or freezing, can have serious impacts on both the target plant species and the surrounding habitat.”
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