Protecting the night through dark-sky sites
Hugo Sanchez photo
You can occasionally see the northern lights on a clear Edmonton night; however, if you want to see them in all their splendour, leaving the city and getting away from light pollution is the best way to do so. Dark-Sky sites are areas dedicated to reducing light pollution, conserving the night, and engaging in community outreach.
To be recognized as a Dark-Sky site, there is a rigorous application process and commitment to preservation and conservation. Interestingly, the first site to be designated was the Beaver Hills Biosphere, which includes the area between and including Elk Island National Park, Cooking Lake, and Miquelon Lake Provincial Park.
Dark-Sky sites are not just for stargazing, they are a part of a conservation effort to minimize the effects of light pollution on wildlife and ecosystems. Many animals and plants use daylight length to initiate reproduction and migration, and light pollution causes changes to their normal rhythm. Countless bird species migrate by night, and light pollution causes them to alter their migration times or their route. https://www.ealt.ca/blog/fun-facts-protecting-the-night
Kinnaird Park named after one of the City’s first commissioners
Kinnaird Park, east of 82 St and south of 111 Ave, is named after George Kinnaird who arrived in Canada as a Hudson Bay apprentice accountant in 1876. He travelled to Edmonton in 1886, still in service to the Hudson Bay Company as an accountant.
In 1900 he left the company to work for the town of Edmonton, first as a secretary-treasurer, and after as one of the two first commissioners of the city. His job as commissioner lasted from 1905 to 1908, after which he left the city’s service. In 1915, he was appointed City auditor.
Mr. Kinnaird was honoured with the naming of the ravine and park associated with Rat Creek. On the north side of the ravine, land was purchased by the City in the early 1900s. Rat Creek ran through this property, with the ravine bearing the same name. By 1916, the ravine was commonly known as Kinnaird Ravine, officially re-named in 1967, when Kinnaird Park was named.
As the city developed, Kinnaird Ravine was used as a dumping ground for garbage and construction debris. Sewage lines were built under the Rat Creek bed in the 1930s. In 1974 a jogging trail was cut through Kinnaird Ravine with the Canadian Militia Force laying down the gravel. https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2016/01/26/the-kinnaird-bridge/
What wildlife can you expect to see in winter
Jason Teare photo
While most of Alberta’s birds migrate away for the winter, some like grouse, crows, magpies, chickadees, waxwings, certain sparrows and many owls are year-long residents.
Other animals stay here but are unlikely to be seen as they enter a state of hibernation. True hibernators, such as red squirrels and bats sleep so deeply that they almost never wake up until spring. Light-sleep hibernators such as bears, raccoons and skunks occasionally wake up in response to environmental changes, or if they get too hungry.
Cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians experience brumation, which is similar to hibernation. To avoid freezing, they move underground or to the bottom of water bodies that are deep enough to not freeze solid. Like light sleep hibernators, its normal for them to wake up during warm periods.
Animals like deer, mountain sheep, coyotes, cougars, rabbits and porcupines continue business as usual throughout the cold months. https://www.aiwc.ca/blog/albertas-winter-wildlife/
Practicing ethical wildlife photography means minimal impact
John E. Marriott photo
There is no singular definition for what constitutes ethical wildlife photography, but it means having as minimal an impact as possible on an animal. Baiting wildlife with food to bring them closer, as well as intentionally causing disturbance or distress, is seriously frowned upon.
The goal is to act like a fly on the wall while the animal exhibits its natural behaviours: eating, hunting, sleeping. As more people start wildlife photography as a hobby or career, ethics and education become ever more important. Especially as social media enables spectacular images to be circulated more widely than ever before.
Detailed, thoughtful guidelines for ethical wildlife photography are readily available, and yet photographer faux pas remain widespread. Last June, for example, a post on the Ontario Parks blog stated that some photographers had smeared peanut butter and cat food on trees to attract pine marten and cut branches off pine trees to get a better shot.
When John E. Marriott was working on his photography book The Kootenay Wolves back in the mid-2010s, he made a pact with himself: if a wolf spotted him at a rendezvous site, where they raise their pups, he would never return. About a year into the project, one noticed him and sounded the alarm among the pack. “That was the last time I ever went in there,” Marriott says. https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/do-not-disturb-practicing-ethical-wildlife-photography/
Sturgeon fossil discovered in YEG river valley
Alice wrote “I was intrigued by the item about the 72-million-year-old sturgeon fossil found in the river valley, and it occurred to me other items about the geology of the river valley might be interesting to readers. We tend to think we have rather boring geology around here, compared to the Rockies. In fact, there’s so much history packed under our feet, like the Mazama Ash layer you can see in the bank below the High Level Bridge.”
Tent communities not new to Edmonton
Teresa emailed “My mother and father were immigrants to Edmonton in 1948. They came to Canada for a better life after the war and were only able to come if someone sponsored them and they would sign a contract to work for the sponsor for 3 years. My mom ended up on a farm, not paid, as she was paying back the couple with reference to the work contract. This was near Daysland. My father was trying to find work in Edmonton. He had no home, so he slept in the river valley. He would cover himself with newspapers. There were many who did.”
What is the city here for – climate change action
Jan commented “I would like to recommend an online course offered by Lund University, Sustainable Cities and Communities for credit, but is free to audit at https://www.iiiee.lu.se/article/iiiee-launches-sustainable-cities-and-communities-specialisation-coursera-platform
I also audited the Urban Nature - Connecting Cities, Sustainability & Innovation course which is based on results of the Naturvation program and 1,000 NbS projects in 100 European cities. It acknowledges that while there is increased public, scientific and academic interest, barriers remain that prevent implementation by cities and acceptance in the private realm by the development industry. Education and awareness must increase to bring NbS into the mainstream and to realize sustainable green economic, social and environmental solutions.”
EcoStation by Brandon Blommaert, Ambleside Eco Station
https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/ecostation
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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
