Birding locations in and around Edmonton
As winter turns to spring and migration begins, there are many good locations within the city or not far outside of Edmonton to bird watch. Whitemud Ravine is a local haven for wildlife. Over 150 species of birds have been spotted in the area! During migration, it’s best to go first thing in the morning.
Located east of Edmonton on Hwy 14, Beaverhill Lake is a designated wetland of international significance and one of Canada’s only federally recognized Bird Sanctuaries. Thousands of shorebirds migrate through the area, making spring and fall especially good times to visit. In the winter, look for snowy owls.
West of Edmonton, Big Lake is globally recognized as an Important Bird Area, providing a critical habitat to thousands of wetland and migrating birds. Osprey nest on the nearby industrial park towers and feed in the lake.
More places to visit at https://www.todocanada.ca/birding-locations-in-and-around-edmonton/
Our Natural Home mural a celebration of YEG river valley
Our Natural Home, a mural project created by Kris Friesen, depicts the North Saskatchewan River running through Edmonton. It was created through the Giants of Edmonton Mural program, which was a partnership with Capital City Clean Up and 630 CHED Radio.
This program asked the public to vote on which local heroes and examples would be celebrated in a mural. The mural on the Westside Automotive building at 10010-168 Street NW was the result of the public’s choice of Edmonton’s river valley as a subject.
Kris Friesen describes himself as a mural artist who says “Human interaction is at the core of my work. When a painting accurately reflects the intended sentiment, and I get to witness the community interacting with my representation, it is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.” https://krisfriesen.com/our-natural-home-river-valley-mural/
Ritchie Mill a nationally recognized heritage building
Constructed in 1892 and the oldest surviving flour mill in Alberta, the Edmonton Milling Company locally known as Ritchie Mill, is listed on Canada’s Historic Places register. It is significant because of its association with the early agricultural and industrial development of Alberta, using steam-powered, steel rollers instead of the traditional stone wheels that became pitted when grinding hard prairie wheat.
Ritchie Mill is also significant because of its association with the development of the Strathcona community, one of south Edmonton's oldest settled neighbourhoods, dating from the arrival of the Calgary and Edmonton railway in 1892, which terminated at the North Saskatchewan River Valley.
The Edmonton Milling Company was located at the 'End of Steel' to take advantage of the rail link with the southern part of the Province. Elevators were added in 1895 and 1902 and the building functioned as a flour mill until 1948.
Robert Ritchie arrived in Strathcona in 1892 and within a year he had built and began operating the flour mill and added elevators in 1895 and 1905. Ritchie also served in local politics as alderman, school trustee, justice of the peace and in 1906 as mayor of Strathcona. https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=3011
Province wants control over Edmonton urban national park process
Joanne copied us on a letter she sent to MLA Brandon Lunty regarding his private member’s bill, Bill 204. Here are some excerpts. “The North Saskatchewan River has a storied history of being an indigenous highway responsible for fur trade and economic development in previous centuries. Indeed, the river is an important part of why Alberta became linked to the rest of Canada . . . As Albertans we belong to both a federal and a provincial constituency responsible for the joint management of the North Saskatchewan River.
I am an Edmontonian and Metis, whose family ties go back as far as Fort Edmonton . . . At any rate, these efforts should be collaborative and respectful of past, present and future uses of urban spaces, and I hope you will consider adjusting the language in Bill 204 in future Readings to reflect these aims. Thank you for listening to and considering my points. I would appreciate knowing if they expanded your point of view.”
Big Miller by Danek Mozdzenski, Big Miller Park
https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/big-miller
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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