Nature-based solutions and Edmonton’s Zoning Bylaw
NSRVCS’ online Annual General Meeting will feature a presentation by Grant Pearsell titled “How Including Nature-based Solutions in the Zoning Bylaw can Increase Climate Resilience and Restore Ecological Functioning in Edmonton’s River Valley for Present and Future Generations.” The topic is timely as the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative is underway and will result in City Council approving a new Zoning Bylaw by the end of 2023.
Grant will outline how NbS, or Nature-based Solutions, can help. The use of NbS is widely acknowledged as an essential part of mitigating and adapting to climate change as well as restoring biodiversity. Indeed, the importance of NbS was included in the Convention on Biological Diversity late last year at the COP15 where it was endorsed by more than190 nations.
The talk will provide an overview of NbS and explain how straightforward modifications to the Zoning Bylaw to include NbS can enhance ecological functioning, improve climate resilience, and user experiences for both present and future generations. The presentation is scheduled for 5:30pm, Monday, March 13. RSVP to nsrivervalley@gmail.com Your name and email is necessary to send the Zoom contact information to attend the event.
Grant Pearsell is an award winning urban ecological planner with over 40 years experience in the environmental sector. In 2020, he retired from the City of Edmonton, where he served as a Director in the Urban Planning Branch with portfolios that included urban nature and biodiversity, strategic parks planning, and data and analytics. Currently, Grant works part-time on Cities4Biodiversity with the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities https://www.thegpsc.org/
Private tree stand threatened by developer’s bylaw amendment proposal
In southwest Edmonton, where swaths of new single-family homes encroach on fields of wheat and canola, a century-old stand of trees is at risk. Cameron Developments has proposed bylaw amendments that would allow it to develop its own land, and plan for a stormwater pond to be built over most of the tree stand owned by Darryl Howery.
The stand of aspen, dogwoods and wild rose bushes makes up about three hectares of a 30-hectare property. It runs from 199 Street to the crest of the North Saskatchewan River Valley, where it spreads out and runs down the slope. A wildlife trail is visible along the stand’s southern edge. Cameron’s own consultant, Stantec, has found the tree stand to be an environmentally significant wildlife corridor, and to be of high ecological value. Stantec recommended that it be retained.
Howery’s daughter, Alicia, says the proposal runs counter to Edmonton’s City Plan and planning documents that emphasize preservation of trees and environmental connectivity. The City’s own estimate to reach its goal of 20 per cent tree-canopy coverage in 50 years, states it needs to encourage private landowners to increase their canopy by 70 per cent. “It’s hard to imagine how they’re going to get close to that if they’re not letting landowners who want to preserve and grow their trees to keep what they have,” she says.
The Howerys have no plans to develop their property, and, in fact, continue to rewild it. Just last summer, with the help of the Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society, they planted more than 1,000 trees. “We don’t need somebody to designate it in some way for us to value it,” says Darryl. “We already value it and will continue to value it.” Read more at https://urbanaffairs.ca/edmonton-ish/trouble-with-the-trees/
Wood frogs freeze to survive Canadian winter
Unable to travel large distances to escape Canada's winter, wood frogs have developed one of the most incredible survival strategies. They freeze. As winter comes, they hunker down just under the leaf litter. They begin to produce a special anti-freeze in their blood, made out of glucose and glycogen.
As the temperature continues to drop, this antifreeze is taken up into their cells. Inside each cell, the sugary syrup keeps the cells plump and strong, and prevents ice crystals from forming which would kill them. When in this frogcicle state, their hearts stop beating and they stop breathing. As much as 70 per cent of the frog's body is frozen solid.
The frogs can survive all winter in this suspended animation, undergoing several cycles of freezing and thawing as the temperature changes. When the weather warms, the frogs thaw and emerge to begin their chorus, signalling the start of Canadian spring. Watch video at https://www.cbc.ca/wildcanadianyear/m_blog/these-zombie-wood-frogs-literally-freeze-to-survive-the-northern-winter
Canadian Pacific Railway and the High Level Bridge
In the early 1900s, the Town of Strathcona became concerned that when the High Level Bridge into Edmonton was opened it would become a mere whistle-stop on the extended main line. In 1906, it worked out an agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railway making Strathcona the railway’s chief divisional point in northern Alberta.
In return for up to 70 acres of land, free from taxation for 15 years, Canadian Pacific completed a $50,000 extension to its yard in Strathcona, constructed a 12-stall roundhouse, built a 280-ton coaling plant and agreed that the town would be the terminal for the lines via Saskatchewan and Wetaskiwin.
Construction of the High Level Bridge commenced in 1910 and the final steelwork was in place in mid 1913. It was opened for traffic on June 20, 1913. The bridge was unusual in that it was used by the CPR, the Edmonton Radial Railway and carried highway traffic on the lower deck. The streetcar service from downtown to south Edmonton, via the High Level Bridge, commenced on August 11, 1913 and ran on tracks on the upper deck, laid on either side of the railway track.
The last streetcar ran over the bridge on September 1, 1951. Rail passenger service across the bridge ceased on October 28, 1972 when CP Rail trains were cut back to the Strathcona Station. Learn more at https://railways.library.ualberta.ca/Chapters-7-3/
Hawrelak Park trees
Carol writes “I love the newsletter and am also concerned about the total lack of clarity around the three-year Hawrelak Park redevelopment. I am retired but if I can help please let me know.”
Masood emails “I’ve been following the public reaction to the Hawrelak tree removal plan from afar and with some sadness. I don’t want to be broadly naïve, some trees sometimes do need to be removed, but I have no idea which trees are soon to disappear, and that is unsettling.
Has any citizen group asked the City to identify and mark the individual trees that are planned to be cut? If this is known, might advocates not go to the park and adorn these trees, perhaps in mourning colours, black, white, purple, and give everyone a chance to say goodbye to those trees? Might this not make a very strong visual counterpoint to the current plan?”
Kaskitewâw Asiskîy or Blackmud Creek rich in history
Melanie says “Fascinating read, thank you! Have you written about Whitemud Creek? I live on the side of it and would love to know more Indigenous connection about it!”
Great Divide by Peter Lewis, 200 pipes producing a cascade of water from the High Level Bridge. This artwork is not currently operating. https://www.edmontonpublicart.ca/#!/details/96
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. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712