Guided fall foliage tours at Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area
Join the Nature Conservancy of Canada for a guided tour to witness the dramatic fall colours of Bunchberry Meadow's tamarack stands and to learn about the diverse features of this conservation area. Home to sand dunes, wetlands, and old-growth forest, Bunchberry Meadows provides a valuable habitat for many species such as moose and jack pine.
Dates still available are October 13, 14, 21, 28, and 29. Bunchberry Meadows’ 640 acres is located 30 kms from downtown Edmonton on Range Road 261 in Spruce Grove. Don’t forget to check out the Edmonton Native Plant Society’s demonstration plots down by the parking lot, and on either side of the road as you first drive into the conservation area.
Bring a water bottle, snacks and dress for the weather with appropriate footwear. Parking available onsite, carpooling encouraged, moderate fitness level required, no dogs allowed, and there are toilets on site. Price: $10. Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fall-foliage-tours-sept-22-oct-29-2023-tickets-719514205357
High chloride concentration in Whitemud Creek an impact of road salts
The North Saskatchewan River WaterSHED monitoring network is a collaborative project between the Government of Alberta, EPCOR, the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance (NSWA), and the City of Edmonton. It has developed an extensive 20-station tributary monitoring network throughout the region, allowing scientists to track water quality and quantity over time.
WaterSHED data demonstrates drastic changes in water quality from the mountains down through the forest and foothills areas, and then into the agricultural and urbanized plains. You can see clearly, changes in nutrients and salts and some metals. Particularly around the Drayton Valley area, when you start getting more clearing of former grasslands and forests into agriculture and residential areas.
One notable parameter was found to change remarkably in concentration downstream from the watershed’s pristine headwaters: chloride. Whitemud Creek in Edmonton had particularly high concentrations, and an expert says that “it gives you an idea of the impact of road salts, not only just on the concentration of these small creeks, but that it’s the most important contributor of chloride from any of our tributaries.”
He highlights this as interesting because Whitemud Creek is smaller than most of the watershed’s other monitored tributaries, and notes that, “But because it’s so urbanized, it really gets that chloride input.” As for pointing to a culprit for some of these pollutants, the aquatic scientist says, “We aren’t there yet, we can see where contaminants are coming from but more data are needed to know how much.” https://www.nswa.ab.ca/2023/09/27/inside-the-north-saskatchewan-river-watershed-monitoring-network/
River Valley Alliance looking for new board members
The RVA Board comprises seven elected Councillors from its municipal shareholders and eight Directors-at-Large. It has 3 openings for Directors-at-Large and invites interested candidates to submit their applications up to November 5.
The RVA Board is dedicated to a balanced approach of preserving, protecting, enhancing and connecting the river valley with the potential of becoming a world-class pedestrian trail, linking over 100 km through 8,000 hectares of parkland, the longest river valley trail and park system in North America, recently named Amisk Wacîw Mêskanaw or Beaver Hill Road.
It is accepting applications from residents of Parkland County, Town of Devon, City of Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Sturgeon County and applicants of Indigenous Heritage that reside within Treaty 6 Territory or Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4. More information on the role description and application process
Kids in Riverdale fish out 6 e-scooters in the North Saskatchewan River
George writes “Congratulations that your previous issue motivated those kids to get the e-scooters out of the river. Well done!
Liz emailed “Good for the Riverdale kids. They see a need and go do something about it! Thanks for highlighting the scooters in the river.”
Garden Frame by Will Truchon, Muttart Conservatory grounds adjacent to the picturesque garden gazebo.
https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/garden-frame
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