Alberta's raccoon population has traditionally resided largely in the province's southeast. However, in recent years their territory has expanded to include central Alberta and Edmonton.
Raccoons have a highly developed sense of touch. They use water, not for washing, but to soften the tough bristles on the bottom of their paws. This makes the bristles better able to pick up and transmit information about the object the raccoon is handling.
Raccoons are omnivores that can easily adapt to whatever food sources are available. In the wild, they feed on fruits, nuts, berries and insects, and foods that can be found near water such as fish, birds, eggs, and frogs. Near human habitation, raccoons will eat garbage, chickens, compost, corn, bird seed or pet food.
Though nocturnal, raccoons may also roam in the day. They make their dens in culverts, attics, chimneys, outbuildings, tree hollows, barns, abandoned buildings or rock crevices. Like bears, raccoons spend the warmer months fattening up for winter dormancy. Though not true hibernators, raccoons still become inactive enough to lose up to 50% of their body weight.
Tips on living with raccoons at https://www.alberta.ca/raccoons.aspx#:~:text=Related%20Information-,About%20Raccoons,expanded%20to%20include%20central%20Alberta.&text=Though%20not%20true%20hibernators%2C%20raccoons,50%25%20of%20their%20body%20weight
Hawrelak park named after mayor forced to leave office twice
At the centre of Edmonton’s river valley system sits William Hawrelak Park, an emerald oasis that plays host to ice castles and Shakespeare festivals, small family gatherings and the Edmonton Heritage Festival.
What Edmontonians heading into the park may not be aware of is the namesake behind the park: an incredibly popular mayor who sat in the big chair for a dozen years between 1951 and 1975. He was also forced to leave the mayor’s seat two times, once resigning, and once being removed by the Supreme Court of Alberta.
As mayor of Edmonton, Hawrelak was forced twice to leave office over questionable deals he made for his own profit, using his position as mayor to benefit himself. Both times, all the information was in the public domain, available to all Edmontonians and all of Hawrelak’s political challengers.
Hawrelak died in office in November 1975, serving less than half of his three-year term. Thousands of people paid their respects as his body lay in council chambers. City council voted to change the name to William Hawrelak park in 1976. Learn more at https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2020/08/19/mayor-william-hawrelak-resigned-removed-re-elected/
Bears can eat horsetails, but horses cannot
Horsetail, also known as puzzle plant and scouring rush, is a living fossil. For over 100 million years, they dominated the understorey of late Paleozoic forests with some varieties growing as large as pine trees. In modern times most varieties only grow a few feet tall, although a stand of horsetail reaching 20 feet was discovered in Australia several years ago.
Horsetail regenerates soil health through depositing minerals onto surface soil. It can grow in the most unlikely places including waste areas, fields, open slopes, packed gravely soil and even through cement in sidewalks. Horsetail often emerges in places where topsoil is removed or disturbed, a remarkable expression of nature taking care of herself.
All varieties have hollow, jointed stems that can be easily pulled apart – hence the name puzzle plant. Scouring rush refers to the silica-rich stems that have been used to file stone, polish wood, and scour cookware. Knights were said to shine their armors with horsetail and Indigenous woodworkers used it to produce a smooth finish.
Medicinally it is a useful plant too. Of all known herbs, horsetail contains the highest amount of silica, important for healthy hair, skin, nails, and connective tissues throughout the body. Since ancient times horsetail has been used to heal wounds, treat urinary infections, and strengthen bones. Recipes and medicinal uses at http://wildfoodsandmedicines.com/horsetail/
Celebrate and learn more about our river valley
The Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition annual fundraiser, Night Out on the North Saskatchewan, will happen online Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 7 to 8:30pm. Admission is free, though a financial donation is requested.
This fundraiser is an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about our beautiful North Saskatchewan River and Valley. The event will feature presentations from four incredible river valley experts: Michael Sullivan, Dr. Dwayne Donald, Christopher Smith, and Carolyn Buffalo.
Information and registration at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/night-out-on-the-north-saskatchewan-2020-tickets-116179553171
Newsletter sign up and contributions
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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/