River Valley News - June 13/24

June is Bike Month

In honour of bike month, the City has launched new cycling opportunities to celebrate it. You can join a city guided ride along or download maps of city created cycling routes and loops.

The city’s bike education street team is hosting rides across Edmonton. Rides began June 8 with a leisurely bike ride around Silver Berry and The Meadows. The last ride will be June 29 and is the Castledowns through seven neighborhoods ride. Information on and registration for all six rides at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/city-of-edmonton-bike-education-team-71772745803

The city has created cycling routes and loops from 7 to 40km. There is a route library with family focused, river valley, cultural, and south Edmonton tours. Under collections you will find nine categories of cycling choices, including community amenities, explore the river valley, family focused, historical and cultural, and next to nature. Download route descriptions and maps at https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/12527-city-of-edmonton-cycling

More information on Edmonton’s bike plan, active transportation network, and all things cycling at https://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/cycling

Jan Reimer Park restoration project public engagement underway

The City wants your input on restoration plans for Jan Reimer Park. An online survey to provide your feedback is available from June 4-23. Drop-in to meet the project team on Tuesday, June 18 from 6-9pm at Westridge Wolf Willow Country Club Community League, 505 Wolf Willow Road NW.

Previously known as Oleskiw River Valley Park, Jan Reimer Park is a 193-acre park located in the west end, south of the Fort Edmonton Footbridge and adjacent to the Edmonton Country Club. In its current form, the park includes a formal trail and informal trails, as well as various natural vegetation areas. There is currently no public vehicle entry into the park, which limits its development.

The Terwillegar Park footbridge and West End Trails projects have created a shared pathway through the park which provides users access to and through the park. Public engagement took place in 2016 and 2017 to develop a Master Plan but funding was not available for delivery of that plan. Money was identified in the 2023-2026 Capital Budget to implement the restoration component of the Master Plan.

The Master Plan identified opportunities to create a legacy unique to the surrounding neighbourhoods, while considering the park’s natural and cultural identity. The plan reflects the needs of today, while enhancing and preserving the ecological integrity of the park as part of Edmonton’s river valley park system for generations to come. To learn more about the project and engagement opportunities visit https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/parks_recreation/Jan-Reimer-Park-Restoration

Discover beneficial insects that reduce damaging garden pests

Before you squish, swat, or spray be sure you are not destroying useful insects. Improving your knowledge about beneficial insects can provide the basis for more ecologically sound solutions to insect pest problems on plants.

Adult ladybugs are well known aphid hunters. During development, each ladybug larva can consume hundreds of aphids or similar soft bodied sapsucking garden pests. Aphid-lions use their long, curved mouthparts to catch, puncture and suck dry their prey. Food items include aphids, other small soft bodied insects and mites. Aphid-lions develop into green lacewings that hunt similar prey.

Larger insect predators like some ground beetles prey on quite large caterpillars that are frequently stalked at night-time. During daylight, the same caterpillars may fall prey to yellow jacket wasps that carry them off to feed their young.

Parasitoids are a group of insects with parasite like larvae. Unlike true parasites, the larvae of parasitoids normally kill their host and then become free living insects, no longer dependent on their host. In many species of parasitoid wasps, the mother wasp inserts an egg inside the host with her needle like egg laying organ called the ovipositor. Learn more at https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/documents/PDF/backyard_beneficial_insect_guide.pdf

Caribou and Reindeer are the same species

Caribou are technically the same species as reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, but these two animals are quite different. Many of these differences stem from their relationship with humans throughout history. Reindeer in Eurasia were domesticated over 2000 years and although some animals remain in the wild, reindeer is a blanket name that includes both the domesticated and wild populations.

In Canada, we refer to them as caribou, and almost all of them are wild; the ones that are not are referred to as reindeer. Rangifer tarandus is a member of the deer family. The species is circumpolar, meaning it lives in the northern boreal and arctic regions across the world. Because of the climate of this region, they have adapted several evolutionary features to help them survive in the cold.

Both caribou and reindeer have large, wide hooves that provide traction and act as excellent snowshoes in the deep snow. They also help them dig through the snow to access food in the wintertime. Their specialized noses warm up the air they breathe before it enters their lungs. The water that condenses from this process helps to keep their mucous membranes moist.

Their fur is very thick, which traps air to keep them warm in harsh weather and buoyant when swimming. Males and females have huge antlers, the largest of any deer species in proportion to their bodies. They are the only member of the deer family where females have antlers as well. These antlers help them dig in the snow and soil to find food, attract a mate, and regulate their temperature. https://www.ealt.ca/blog/fun-facts-reindeer-vs-caribou

Immense Mode by Dawn Detarando and Brian McArthur, Southgate Transit Centre

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/immense-mode

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

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup

River Valley News - June 6/24

Saw-whet owls northward migration tracked with MOTUS

Photo of BBO Chair Geoff Holroyd with a tagged Northern Saw-whet Owl

In 2023, the Beaverhill Bird Observatory (BBO) purchased 50 MOTUS, a global wildlife tracking system, nanotags. The results have been surprising with all the owls’ tags detected to the south and west of Alberta during October and November.

The autumn migration of Saw-whet Owls has been documented at the BBO for over 20 years. Band recoveries indicated that most owls flew east towards the Great Lakes and eastern North America with a few found to the south and west. However, most owl banders are to the east, with few to the south and west.

In autumn, the owls went to the northwestern US states, but after the end of November no detections were heard through winter. In March, MOTUS stations detected the start of their northward migration. The first detection was on March 8 on the coast south of Vancouver, BC. On April 2, an owl that had been detected in October at Sylvan Lake was detected in southern BC at Newgate Ambrose.

One of the big unknowns in BBO owls’ movements was when the spring migration occurred. Now there is the first indications of its timing, with more detections to come. Some Saw-whets overwinter in Alberta and are already on their nesting territories with the added advantage of a home before the migrants return.

https://beaverhillbirds.com/publications/the-willet/

Edmontonians encouraged to act on invasive weeds

Nicole Kimmel photo

Invasive species are the second biggest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss. The city relies on Edmontonians to spot, report, and remove invasive species. Hundreds of volunteers have joined together to stop the spread of invasive plants and protect Edmonton's biodiversity.

While 35 of the 75 plant species listed in the Alberta Weed Control Act have been found in Edmonton, the city is focusing on education and awareness of five weeds this summer: Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Creeping bellflower, Purple loosestrife and Garlic mustard. 

Residents are asked to help control the spread of invasive weeds by spotting, reporting and removing them. Characteristics of invasive weeds include returns every year, spreads rapidly and thrives in tough conditions. Weed photos at https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/pests/weed-identification-advice

Why do birds and other animals migrate

Gerald Romanchuk photo

Birds migrate to find more resources, either food or nesting locations. Migration is the seasonal movement of animals from one area to another, but it does not just happen north-south, and it’s not just birds who migrate. Caribou, salmon, and butterflies also undertake migrations.

Most songbirds in Canada rely, at least in part, on insects to live. While insect larvae must survive the winter too, most insects are asleep or developing as eggs in the winter and are not very accessible to a lot of songbirds. This, combined with cold temperatures, mean that many bird species migrate south for the winter.

Why do birds even bother to fly back to Canada in the spring? The answer is once again with food, the many insects here in summer. There is lots of competition for food on the wintering grounds, so songbirds benefit from making the 1000+ km journey up north to raise their young when food is plentiful.

Several species migrate to the Edmonton area in winter instead of summer, including Great Gray and Northern Hawk Owls, as well as Snow Buntings and Redpolls. The Snowy Owl migrates here from their Arctic breeding grounds. https://www.ealt.ca/blog/cartoon-migration

Mountain Brother by Sergio Serrano & Alexander Stewart, Castle Downs Park

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/mountain-brother

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

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup

River Valley News - May 30/24

Six bat species permanent residents of Alberta

There are over 1300 species of bats worldwide, of which 9 occur in Alberta - 3 species that are migrants, and 6 species that hibernate in the province and are present year-round. These six include the Big Brown Bat and all the Myotis species found in Alberta.

Bats that hibernate may still undergo long-distance movements between summer and winter habitat. Banding records from Alberta have found Little Brown Myotis, Long-eared Myotis, and Big Brown Bats moving at least 300–500 km between summer and winter habitat. One Little Brown Myotis moved almost 500 km from Warner to Stony Plain.

Where most bats in Alberta hibernate is unknown. A few caves have been identified that support hibernating Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, Long-legged Myotis, and Big Brown Bats. Deep rock-crevices, such as those in some Alberta river valleys are known to be used by hibernating Big Brown Bats.

Big Brown Bats may also hibernate in buildings, possibly even moving into the cities during the winter, but this has not been observed in other species. All known hibernacula combined account for a very small portion of the bat population, making it uncertain what Alberta’s bats do during the winter. https://www.albertabats.ca/batprofiles/

Cromdale school now part of primary health centre

Reimagine Architects photo

Plans for a public school in the Cromdale neighbourhood date to 1911. That year, owing to intense growth in Edmonton’s east end, the Public School Board purchased an entire city block with an eye for erecting a modern brick schoolhouse.  It wasn’t meant to be, at least not quickly.

Edmonton’s population boom stretched Board resources thin. In fact, they faced two pending lawsuits over their inability to pay contractors for the new Highlands and Rutherford Schools. With a recession setting-in and WW1 beginning, a motion among school trustees to suspend all new construction passed unanimously.

Following continued pressure from local parents, the Board relented and in Feb. 1917, opened a temporary school. The facility was a relocated wooden schoolhouse used during the construction of Highlands. Initial enrolment at Cromdale was 74 pupils, but another portable building was soon required to accommodate an increasing student body.

In July 1931 the Board issued tenders to erect a brick building at 11240-79 St, stipulating the use of cast stone and brick construction. The Board stressed employing “made in Edmonton” materials wherever possible, from brickwork, to terrazzo floors and stair-treads. The promotion of local furnishings was a smart public relations move by the district and hid the fact that the cash-strapped system couldn’t afford more exotic materials.

Cromdale School closed in 1980, and the structure and surrounding lands were sold in 2004. Today the building is part of the East Edmonton primary health centre. https://www.forgottenedmonton.com/blog/the-cromdale-school

City project encourages neighbours to act together on climate change

Addressing climate change can feel overwhelming. Neighbouring for Climate is a City of Edmonton project to bring neighbours together to act on climate change. With easy-to-use climate action cards, the project’s tool kit provides suggestions and tips for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting neighbourhoods to a changing climate.

This toolkit is for everyone. Neighbouring for Climate was designed with input from Edmontonians to make climate action simple. One size does not fit all, so select actions that work best for you and your neighbours. Whether you are new to climate action or getting to know your neighbours, there are lots of ways to get involved and support one another.

Check out toolkit at https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/environmental_stewardship/neighbouring-for-climate

Registration open for annual orange shirt day run-walk

Registration for the 4th annual Orange Shirt Day run-walk on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is open. Indigenous Runner is hosting the Sept 30 event and invites Edmontonians to RunConciliAction together in healing and to honour and remember the little ancestors who never made it home.

Space will be held for those who survived and strive towards truth and healing everyday. The run-walk will raise funds for local grassroots movements, to support Indigenous Athletes, and help provide safe spaces for Indigenous Runners. From first place to final finisher, every runner will receive a hand carved wooden feather for their finishers medal and race shirt.

The course will run through the river valley, be a combination of wide track trail and pavement, and have a variety of lengths to accommodate all runners and walkers. https://www.indigenousrunner.com/

The Magpies’ Nests by Kevin Sehn & Chai Duncan, Rossdale Linear Park

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/the-magpies-nests

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

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup