River Valley News - Apr 25/24

Edmonton has had 145 wildfires since January 1

Across Edmonton, there have been over 145 wildfires since January 1. These have occurred from the outskirts of the city and into our river valley, one of Edmonton’s most expansive assets that stretches across 7,300 hectares of urban forest. In the first two weeks of April, according to Fire Chief Joe Zatylny, anywhere from five to 10 grass wildfires were happening per day. 

The weather conditions, including the amount of precipitation and winds, play a large role in the ignition and reaction of wildfires. The city constantly monitors conditions and wildfire activity to help determine the need for a fire advisory or a total fire ban.

“With the unpredictable and natural causes of wildfires, we must also consider accidental and intentional wildfires. These can often be causes by the illegal use of fireworks, improper use of fire pits and the dangerous disposal of smoking materials,” said Zatylny. “We want Edmontonians to know that their actions can have consequences on their own property, those of their neighbours, their community and across the city.”

Learn  about FireSmart actions, fireworks rules, fire bans or restrictions, preventing fires, and preparing for an emergency at https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/emergency_preparedness/wildfire-prevention-and-education

Dry conditions a reminder fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource

It is activities in catchment areas, also called watersheds, that largely affect water quality and quantity. Edmonton is in the North Saskatchewan River Watershed. Surface water and groundwater systems are connected, so we need to look holistically at watersheds, not just at water itself.

Green water is the water captured by vegetation, from the air or the soil, and transpired back into the atmosphere. It is thought that 65% of rainwater is cycled through the green water cycle. Blue water is the amount of water that enters rivers, lakes and aquifers. This water is often managed for industrial and agricultural purposes.

Municipalities, industry and agriculture developments each have effects on a watershed. To adequately care for our catchment area and ensure secure quality water for ourselves, livestock and wildlife, we must consider the link between land and water, water quantity and quality, upstream and downstream interests, green water and blue water.

Protecting catchment areas is critical to maintaining health drinking water for everyone. As Albertans enter a drought year, we are reminded that fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/569ec99b841abaccb7c7e74c/t/5e6bcf45953e3a388f1e2324/1584123723695/Drinking+Water+-+Updated+2020.pdf

Women, war, and an emergency job

When men went to fight in the Second World War, Edmonton women broke into traditionally male-dominated fields like dairy-delivery, bricklaying, railroading, and policing. Two-hundred women enrolled in the first mechanics class offered by Dominion Motors, and some 1,000 others went on to work with Aircraft Repair Ltd., who assembled and repaired craft as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

For Edmontonians, the contemporary notoriety of all these new employment streams paled in comparison to one; the Conductorette. With gasoline and rubber rationed, Edmontonians turned to the city’s streetcar system for transportation, and by 1943 it handled an average of 22,500,000 passengers annually. The boom, wholly unexpected by transit officials, ironically became an unwelcome windfall with a manpower shortage the most pressing issue facing the system.

October 4, 1943, marked the official debut of conductorette service in Edmonton, with forty female employees. By January 1944, Edmonton’s Street Railway Department had fifty-nine female conductors on its payroll. Superintendent Ferrier relayed his pleasure “with the way the conductorettes are doing their emergency job,” but continually emphasized that their role was just that - emergency.

As it became clear the war was ending, the conductorette service began to be phased out. In August 1945, the Street Railway Department terminated the conductorette program and sent home their last four female employees. Despite their personal successes, and despite the public’s infatuation with their “lady conductors,” Edmonton Transit forbid women to serve in any meaningful, public-fronting role for another three decades.

In the words of a 1967 Edmonton Journal article, officials believed that “It wouldn’t be fair to the fair sex to let them drive anything heavier than a family car.” Only in May 1975 did Kathleen Andrews, a British-born, Edmonton-raised transit clerk, break through ETS’ glass ceiling and became the city’s first female bus driver. https://www.forgottenedmonton.com/blog/the-conductorettes

Why the magpie should be Edmonton’s official bird

Ivan writes, “I really like the idea of having an Edmonton Bird and I think the magpie is a decent choice. However, I would choose the raven. It has many of the magpie's characteristics, and a few more. At times when they're just riding the thermals, ravens remind me of eagles. They are also an important part of Indigenous culture, as is the magpie. This comes down to personal taste. I like magpies, but I love ravens.”

What is this

Margriet asks “On the single-track trail below Keillor Road is this brick structure. I always wonder what it was! Perhaps one of your readers can enlighten me.”

Pillars of the Community by Layla Folkmann & Lacey Jane Wilburn, LRT vent close to Rogers Place Arena

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/pillars-of-the-community

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

River Valley News - Apr 18/24

Keeping mosquitoes under control begins at home

Komarno, which means “mosquito infested” in Ukrainian, Manitoba photo.

“We know that everyone is itching to get outside and Spring is looking pretty dry at the moment, so we're not anticipating a lot of mosquito activity early in the season. The main driver of mosquitoes in Edmonton typically is rainfall,” said Mike Jenkins, Senior Scientist. “Our team is monitoring and adapting our 2024 mosquito forecast as temperature also plays an increasingly important role.”

The City begin the annual ground control efforts this week, with ditches and areas around Edmonton monitored for development. Last year, increased biological methods to control mosquitoes, such as using copepods as biocontrol methods, were implemented and will continue this year.

Edmontonians can help keep mosquito populations under control. Stagnant pools of water are places where mosquito larvae can develop. To prevent them from becoming nesting ground for biting mosquitoes, you should clear out standing water in yards or eavestroughs, cover rain barrels with lids to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs and replenish birdbaths, fountains, fishponds and pools so they do not become stagnant.

When mosquitoes do emerge, you can avoid bites by avoiding outdoor activities during dawn and dusk when the insects are most active, covering up with long pants and sleeves, using an effective repellent, and running an oscillating fan when out on your deck as moving air is more effective at discouraging them from coming near you than chemical products like mosquito coils. https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/pests/mosquitoes

Brief history of Edmonton from 12,000 BCE to 1904

First Nations peoples and their ancestors have lived in this area since the close of the last glacial period, as early as 12,000 BCE. 200 Indigenous campsites and tool making sites have been found by archaeologists within the region.

The region’s dense forests, open plains, and lakes offered many resources for different Nations to rest and replenish their stores through hunting, gathering and fishing. The abundance of rich resources in the region made it an important place to rest during long voyages between the hills and the prairies, which happened each spring and fall.

The North Saskatchewan River and its tributaries were the main modes of transportation for thousands of years. The river leads all the way to Lake Winnipeg and the Hudson’s Bay region. The voyage from the Edmonton region to Hudson’s Bay has been made many times over, particularly during the fur trade.

By 1795, many trading posts had been established around the present metropolitan area, and by 1801 they had all moved to the current site of Edmonton. Fort Edmonton became the main centre for trade in the area after the 1821 merger of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company.

Edmonton lies in Treaty 6, which was first signed on August 23, 1876 at Fort Carlton and Fort Pitt in Saskatchewan between the Nehiyawak, Dene Suliné, Nakota Sioux, and the Crown. Today, Treaty 6 encompasses 17 First Nations. Edmonton was incorporated as a town on January 9, 1892 and became the City of Edmonton on October 8, 1904. https://www.ealt.ca/indigenous-connections-blog-list/amiskwaciy-wskahikan-edmonton-history

North Saskatchewan River and YEG not immune to lack of moisture

Karen Hosier photo

Edmonton has a fairly dry climate. Precipitation is heaviest in the late spring, summer, and early autumn. The wettest month is July, while the driest months are February, March, October, and November. The five driest years of Edmonton weather during the past century have all occurred since the year 2000.

Entering 2004, the snow pillow, a device used to measure snowpack, between the North Saskatchewan River and the Athabasca River is far worse than last year. That snow pillow is recording just over 139 millimetres of water equivalent in the snowpack, which is well below average for this time of year and is even below the lowest quartile.

Even more concerning, things would be looking a lot worse in northern Alberta if it wasn't for the impact of another climate catastrophe in the making, according to John Pomeroy, a University of Saskatchewan water scientist. "Parts of northern Alberta were quite fortunate last year because glacier melt helped keep the North Saskatchewan River higher than other rivers in the province.”

The record melting, along with some big rainstorms in early June, impacted the headwaters of the Athabasca as well as the North Saskatchewan, raising water levels in rivers, streams, and other sources of groundwater. But that's not a sustainable solution, Pomeroy said. Some of Alberta's glaciers will be gone in a decade, which means some parts of the province won't have that drought security net.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/the-prairies-are-heading-into-another-drought-here-s-why-we-re-more-vulnerable-this-time-around-1.7121596

Snow Goose Festival in Tofield is April 27 & 28.

Gerry Beyersbergen photo

The Snow Goose Festival is a celebration of spring migration through the Beaverhill Lake area. Everyone is welcome from first-time attendees to experienced birders. You will experience a grand wonder of nature as thousands of migrating snow geese, Canada geese, various shorebirds, cranes, and swans return to Beaverhill Lake and area.

There will be a free shuttle to the Festival each day, courtesy of Strathcona County Transit. Buses leave from Bethel Transit Terminal in Sherwood Park. Festival activities include a trade show, banquet and three different tours: a 2-hour bus tour, a 3-hour bus tour and a 3-hour field hike. All tours depart from Tofield Arena. Tour cost, schedules and festival information at www.snowgoosefestival.ca

Why the magpie should be Edmonton’s official bird

Jane writes “Totally agree with the writer re: magpies. They are terrific birds, very smart, very organized, very attractive and very personable. Great choice for Edmonton’s official bird!

High Level bridge postcard photo

Ron emailed “The postcard refers to the Parliament Building, which is what it was called when I was young. Then it became the Legislative Building. Speaker Gerard Amerongen insisted it be called the Legislature Building and that name has stuck.”

untitled by Norman Yates, Stanley A. Milner Library. Created by Alberta artist Norman Yates in 1967, the 160- square foot untitled mural is the only known surviving artwork in Edmonton’s Public Art Collection commissioned for Canada’s Centennial. https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/untitled-6

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

River Valley News - Apr 11/24

Why the magpie should be Edmonton’s official bird

In 2023, the Pileated Woodpecker became the official bird of Strathcona County. In 2022, the Black-capped Chickadee was adopted as Calgary’s official bird. Edmonton does not have an official bird, but Dustin Bajer has 11 reasons why the Magpie should be YEG’s official bird. Here are three of his reasons.

Magpies are industrious. It is one of the only birds in North America that makes an elaborate domed nest that takes up to 40 days to construct, way longer than most birds require. What’s more Edmonton than taking forever on a construction project?

Magpies are community minded. They live in loose communities, pairs mate for life, construct their nests together and share responsibility caring for the young. Magpies know they’re better off working in cooperation than alone. Edmonton has a history of community building and was one of the first cities in Canada to adopt the community league model.

It is the bird we love to hate for the city we love to hate. Despite the redeeming qualities mentioned above, we still complain about Magpies. Magpies are polarizing and like Edmonton, they are underrated, under appreciated, and underestimated. It’s the underdog of the birds for the underdog of cities.

The Magpie is the bird we’re hesitant to embrace because it feels like there should be a better bird out there for us. But this is home. Edmonton is the Magpie of cities. https://dustinbajer.com/edmonton-magpie-should-be-edmontons-offical-bird/

Effects of the 2023 wildfires in Alberta

Last year’s fire season was historic. While fire is a natural part of Alberta’s forest ecosystems, the 2023 wildfires burned nearly 3.3 million hectares, or 6.6% of the province’s forested area. This was equivalent to the area burned in the previous 11 fire years combined. 7,468 km2 or 20.6% of Wood Buffalo National Park burned, an area larger than Banff National Park.

All forest types and ages were affected, with the greatest area burned in northern and west-central parts of Alberta. Average forest age declined across the province and dropped substantially in the most affected regions. Many older-forest species lost moderate amounts of habitat in localize areas, while a few fire-specialists will thrive in the newly burned areas.

For burn specialists, recent fires are helping to restore habitat that was reduced for decades by effective fire suppression. The Black-backed Woodpecker is a burn specialist. The highest densities of this woodpecker are in young burned stands where it feeds on insects that live in fire-killed trees. Bicknell’s Geranium is a pretty, purple-flowered plant that thrives in burned areas. Its seeds can remain in the soil for decades, germinating when a fire clears away competing plants.

Species associated with old forest lose habitat. Boreal Chickadees live year-round in Alberta forests. These resilient birds were predicted to have lost 4.3% of their Alberta habitat due to the 2023 fires. Clasping Twisted Stalk, a plant that produces its distinctive red berries in productive old forests, was predicted to have lost 5.8% of its habitat across Alberta.

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute has produced a science letter, where you will find an analysis of the ecological changes resulting from the fires, including metrics on the extent of area burned, the percentage burned by habitat type, the shifts in average forest age, and the impacts on various wildlife species.

https://abmi.ca/home/publications/601-650/642?mc_cid=24971c61e7&mc_eid=b02c6f60ed

Researcher found and studied 120 coyote dens across Edmonton

Coyote Watch Edmonton is a Facebook page created to educate, inform and keep Edmontonians aware of coyote movements within the city limits. It does not condone harming wildlife and asks people to contact the city if they have a problematic coyote in their area. It is an interesting place to see photos and comments posted from residents from all over the city. https://www.facebook.com/groups/700356163928797/

With prairie grasslands to the south and boreal forest to the north, and a river valley cutting across the city, Edmonton has long been home to a large population of urban coyotes. Between 500 and 1,000 are believed to roam the city. 

Sage Raymond, a graduate student researcher at the University of Alberta and the Edmonton Urban Coyote Project, used her tracking skills to locate 120 coyote dens in Edmonton. Raymond tracked the dens exclusively in winter when they were vacant.

As spring's pup-rearing season begins, her research demonstrated that, in urban landscapes, coyote dens are closer than expected. The animals are hiding in plain sight, rearing their pups surprisingly close to homes and other buildings, but under dense cover on steep slopes to conceal their young from people and their dogs.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-coyote-den-selection-research-conflict-1.6803397

Should the City reconsider the use of river valley land for golf courses

Ron wrote “Golf courses are used more intensively than the piece suggests. That is not a huge number of people, given the size of the courses, though the city operated courses are relatively busy by Canadian golf standards. How many people per hectare typically occupy other city parks or the river valley?

Yes, golf is predominantly white and mostly male. But does that make it socially divisive? If cricket in Edmonton is mostly played by non-whites, I don't see that as socially divisive. 

Mayfair certainly is exclusive; it costs a lot to play at that private club. Although the City requires it to admit non-members, in practice Mayfair makes it difficult for non-members to get decent tee times. I do believe that the 60-year leases given to the private clubs are outrageous, and their effect may be that the City will first demolish the more financially accessible city operated courses, while leaving the privately-operated ones alone.

This issue invites simplistic ideology but it begs for dispassionate analysis: What is the City's current profit or loss in owning each golf course? What would it cost to convert a course to other uses? What would be the usage of the new facility? Would the new facility particularly benefit people who cannot afford the luxury of playing golf? What profit or loss would the city incur in operating the new facility.”

Lucie commented “I absolutely agree with Kaur and Janz on their stance toward city golf courses. Golf courses are an ecological nightmare requiring watering, fertilizing and herbicides. In addition, there are the greenhouse gasses generated by constant mowing and upkeep of the huge expanses of lawn. Extensive plantings of tree and native shrub beds would help absorb more carbon, slow runoff from heavy downpours while at the same time providing habitat for wildlife as well as a place for humans to connect with nature. Golf courses have no place in the city, especially along our river valley!”

New Valley Line West LRT bridge crosses Groat ravine and road

Jennifer emailed “Someone inadvertently dissed the High Level Bridge when they wrote: ‘This new LRT line [will have] a new bridge that will carry pedestrians, cars and the LRT, the first of its kind in Edmonton.’ The High Level Bridge was built to carry cars, pedestrians, streetcars (the LRT of the day), as well as trains. You can see a streetcar and train on the top deck in this old photo. It was quite a feat in its day. Happy we will soon have a new link in our transit chain!”

Untitled by Lloyd Pinay, Dr. Anne Anderson Park

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/untitled-2

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com