River Valley News - July 4/24

Bird Guide to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park

This 175-page guide published by the Big Lake Environmental Support Society (BLESS) features the most commonly seen birds at Big Lake. The publication reflects the society’s mandate to act as stewards of Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, to provide environmental education, and to advocate for the preservation of the Big Lake wetlands.

Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park is located along the western edge of St. Albert and Edmonton and adjacent to Sturgeon and Parkland counties. The dominant feature is Big Lake, which is 8 kms long and 3 kms wide at its widest point. The lake is shallow, with an average depth in the middle of its two basins of less than four metres.

The park is recognized as a globally significant Important Bird Area for its abundant and diverse bird populations, especially waterfowl and shorebirds. It supports large nesting grounds and many migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. More than 220 species of birds have been sighted in the park.

Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park was established on April 19, 2005. The park was named to honour the memory of a beloved former Lieutenant Governor and to create a lasting legacy of Alberta's centennial. Lois was the second woman in Alberta's history to serve as Lieutenant Governor. She passed away on January 6, 2005, after a courageous battle with cancer. https://www.albertaparks.ca/media/6497329/bless_bird_guide.pdf

Local research on monarch butterflies

Edmonton & Area Land Trust (EALT) encourages outside organizations and post-secondary institutions to use its conservation lands as research sites. Janine (Jasper June) Heber is researching monarch butterfly and milkweed populations in western Canada. Their study sites included EALT's Pipestone Creek and Bunchberry Meadows as well as other conservation easements and natural areas in and around Edmonton.

Monarch butterflies are the iconic large orange and black butterflies with white spots on the edges of their wings. Weighing less than a paper clip, monarch butterflies make the incredible epic multi-generational migration from their overwintering grounds in Mexico, to Canada and the United States each spring. Monarch butterflies rely on their hostplant, milkweed, to breed in their summer ranges.

Heber’s study includes an 11-year historical analysis of over a hundred citizen science reports in the province. It revealed that monarchs have migrated as far north as central Alberta every year in the last decade. This means it is essential that we conserve lands and natural areas with milkweed habitat in their breeding summer ranges.

Research in central and southern Alberta discovered adult monarchs and larvae during surveys, showing the importance of conserving milkweed habitats across Alberta. Heber tagged the pictured monarch in Southern Alberta. Tags have a unique number on them so researchers can find out where the monarch was tagged initially, which helps track monarch migration back to their overwintering grounds in Mexico. https://www.ealt.ca/blog/research-highlight-monarchs

Edmonton Forest School registration for September now open

Edmonton Forest School Society (EFSS) puts the forest and the child at play, at the center of learning. It offers registered programs at Gold Bar and Kinsmen Parks to support children ages 0-9 years in the development of a sense of place, an ethic of care towards nature, and an understanding of themselves as a part of the natural world.

EFSS is a not-for-profit society that aims to grow curious, confident, nature-loving children who are connected to the land in what we now call Edmonton. It provides children and youth with the opportunity to learn and
develop with their head, heart and hands in an outdoor environment.

They approach learning through experience and play, guided by students’ questions and observations. The low learner-to-educator ratio (7:1) is imperative for this learning and community building. Registration for September is now open. https://edmontonforestschool.com/

Field log house designated an historic resource

Harry writes “It was a nice idea to do the article about the Field Log House but I am afraid that the author gives an inaccurate description regarding the construction of the log house itself. The method which was used is called post-on-sill. It goes back to a European construction style that was used by the early French colonists and for much of the building during the fur trade. Fort Edmonton used this basic system, though the fort's logs were squared.

In Jasper, the Jasper Park Lodge and many of the log buildings were done in the post-on-sill fashion and later, ones built with sawn lumber were made to imitate real logs; so, the look was popular. In this construction method vertical log posts with a groove are stood up and then horizontal logs with tenons that fit into the groove are dropped in to fill the space. The article bears correction.”

Play It By Ear by Caitlind r.c. Brown & Wayne Garrett, Butler Memorial Park, 15715-Stony Plain Road.

The artwork is a series of brightly coloured telephone pillars placed throughout the park. Park visitors can pick up any telephone and a matching phone will ring elsewhere in the park. If nobody picks up, you’ll be connected to a voicemail where you can leave a message for your neighbours and listen to the messages they’ve left for you! https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/play-it-by-ear

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 27/24

Blackmud Creek photo on a control box in SW Edmonton

Miranda Jimmy’s work is one of 12 winning entries in the City of Edmonton’s Vibrant Streets Art Contest, to add vibrancy, colour and character to local intersections. Edmontonians voted on these designs, and the winners’ artwork was installed in each of Edmonton’s 12 wards. Jimmy’s photo is located at Ellerslie Road & 103A Street.

During the pandemic, Miranda Jimmy started exploring the city’s green spaces. Her winning entry is a photo of Blackmud Creek in southwest Edmonton. “I took full advantage of that time to just be alone in nature and to think more about placemaking and how you make the environment your space,” she says.

“I started taking pictures and connecting with the green spaces in my neighborhood in different ways. You start to see the ebbs and flows of the seasons and how human interaction impacts the natural world.” Jimmy, who is a member of the Thunderbird First Nation, hopes her photo will encourage people to consider their relationship to the city and its naturalized places.

“If this is the place you call home and the place that you live and breathe and play in, how are you connected to it?” https://transforming.edmonton.ca/art-contest-adds-joy-and-colour-to-city-streets/

Collaborative algal bloom monitoring

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute is one of 11 organizations collaborating, over the next few years, to better understand where, when, and why algal blooms occur in Alberta.

For the second summer in a row, lake water samples will be collected at six lakes across Alberta at the same time the Sentinel-2 satellite flies directly overhead collecting imagery. The satellite imagery is used to estimate chlorophyll-a concentrations, a green pigment found in algae.

The water samples are analyzed at the University of Alberta to identify types and concentrations of algae or cyanobacteria present, and to test water quality. By combining this data, researchers can develop models of current and historical blooms, and eventually predict future blooms.

In 2025, ABMI plans to launch a free online app allowing anyone to visualize and track blooms on their lakes of interest in near real time, and to look at historical blooms. http://blog.abmi.ca/2023/06/29/monitoring-blue-green-algae-blooms-in-alberta-from-space/?

Saskatoon berry one of our best loved native species

Patsy Cotterill photo

A shrub of variable height in the rose family, Rosaceae, saskatoon is probably one of the best-known and loved native species in the prairie provinces. It can occur as a single, well-formed bush or as thickets. It ranges from 1 to 6 m in height and is often shorter in grassland where it may form low thickets, than in open woods where the surrounding vegetation is taller. 

Saskatoon does not seem to be widely planted in gardens, although it can make a good accent shrub. Its flowers are a sign of spring, albeit ephemeral, and its fruit is more spontaneously edible than chokecherries. It is grown as a commercial crop and is widely planted in restorations; it is available in nurseries, sometimes as cultivars.

A good place to see this plant is along the banks of the creeks and the river in Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River valley where it often grows with chokecherry.  You will sometimes see ugly clumps of dead, black curled leaves within the bush. This is caused by a fungus disease, blackleaf or witches’ broom, which usually is not lethal unless the crown is infected. https://www.enps.ca/post/plant-profile-saskatoon-amelanchier-alnifolia

Mushroom Walk and Pioneer Cabin Tour

Step back in time at the Pioneer Cabin and immerse yourself in its rich history. After exploring the cabin, embark on a trek along the river valley trail, where you’ll learn about the diverse mushrooms that were essential to both settlers and indigenous peoples. This journey is not just a walk in nature, but a deep dive into the fascinating world of fungi.

Martin Osis’ passion for wild mushrooms is contagious, he loves to explore them with all his senses and shares his extensive knowledge with an infectious enthusiasm. For decades, he has been a beloved educator and entertainer, captivating audiences with his talks, forays, workshops, and identification courses.

Though an amateur mycologist, Martin is recognized as one of Alberta’s leading experts in mushroom field identification. He stays at the forefront of mycological science, constantly studying new research and exploring Alberta’s diverse habitats. His particular interest in medicinal mushrooms is driven by a commitment to natural health, and he is actively involved in several mushroom-related initiatives.

Whether you’re a seasoned mushroom enthusiast or a curious beginner, this event promises to be educational and inspiring. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the field. The event is hosted by River Valley Alliance and will be begin at 6:00pm on Thursday, August 1 at the Pioneer cabin. Tickets are $10. Reserve your spot at https://rivervalley.ab.ca/events/guided-mushroom-walk-and-pioneer-cabin-tour-in-edmonton/

YEG river valley walk, Robert Priebe photo

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 20/24

City needs your input on plans and regulations for ribbon of green

Phase 4 of the River Valley Planning Modernization project is underway and the public engagement period will run from June 10 through 28. The project has two aims, the first goal is to renew the city’s strategic planning for the river valley by completing the Ribbon of Green Plan. The second goal is to update the processes and tools the city uses to evaluate and regulate development proposed for the River Valley by renewing or replacing the River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan.

The city wants your input to finalize; the draft system-wide policies that will guide planning and management throughout the river valley, the Land Management Classifications to clarify direction for appropriate uses in different parts of the valley, and draft spatial guidance (maps) for the study area, including identifying areas for ecological protection and restoration, access, gathering and enjoyment in the river valley.

The city also wants your input to help it review the renewed River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan and refine its proposed approach to land use planning and decision-making in the river valley.

You can participate in a facilitated online discussion about the project on Thursday, June 27 from 5:30 to 7:30pm, share your input through an online survey, and provide input on the proposed direction for each of the reaches within the study area by reviewing maps and draft planning recommendations to help the city refine its plans for ecological protection and restoration, access, gathering and enjoyment in the river valley.

To register for the online discussion, do the online survey and review maps and draft planning recommendations go to https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/initiatives_innovation/ribbon-of-green

Field log house designated an historic resource

City Council has designated the Field Log House, one of the few remaining log homes in Edmonton, as an historic resource. In 1934, Alfred and Marguerite Field received a building permit to construct a log house in the Bellevue neighbourhood. The Fields chose to build the house out of logs, sourced in Pigeon Lake, because they had honeymooned in Jasper and loved the look of the log cabins there.

The house was built by Stuart Olson, who went on to found Mill and Olson, later Stuart Olson Ltd., which became one of Edmonton’s largest construction companies. The house was built in four months with a team of four builders. It was owned by the Field family until 2002.

The Fields opened a grocery store on 96 Street in 1933 and purchased an ESSO station and service garage on Fort Road in 1935. After the Second World War, Alfred founded a road construction firm, Field and Davis. Marguerite died in 1989 and Alfred died 1991. 

The house is notable for its horizontal logs joined by a system of slats and grooves which are supported by upright logs at the corner. The siding of the old portion of the house was created with horizontal, rounded logs. A kitchen and dining room were added to the house in 1952, also built by Mill and Olson. Information on City of Edmonton’s historic resources at https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/historic-resources

Safety and vigilance on North Saskatchewan River important

In 2023, Park Rangers conducted a total of 7,162 citizen contacts and safety compliance checks, marking a substantial 59 per cent increase compared to 2022. They also carried out 19 Search and Rescue operations, a 73 per cent increase from the previous year. Additionally, the number of warnings issued under the Canada Shipping Act and Gaming Liquor Act rose by 159 per cent, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and compliance.

"We recognize the North Saskatchewan River as a popular destination, and our primary concern is ensuring the safety of all who venture onto its waters," emphasized Zain Haji of the City of Edmonton's Park Ranger Peace Officer Marine Unit. "By staying informed about regulations and observing proper etiquette, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone."

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to 37 water rescue events during the spring and summer months, a 32 per cent increase compared to 2022. "It is critical that precautions are taken before enjoying the North Saskatchewan River," said Brad Tilley, of EFRS. "No matter how confident of a boater or swimmer you are, our river is deceptively powerful and fast-moving. Always wear a life jacket, coordinate safety plans, and monitor weather conditions to avoid putting yourself and others at risk in the case of an emergency."

Constable Jeffrey Eichmann of the EPS Marine Unit echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of safety and vigilance on or near the water. “Accidents happen and it doesn’t take long for people to get in over their heads and drown. We urge people to use caution while walking along the riverbank, and absolutely wear lifejackets whenever they’re out on the river.” Boating and canoeing information at https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/parks_rivervalley/boating-and-canoeing

Mural, mural on the wall, who is the most Edmontonian bird of all, make Magpie YEG’s official bird

Laura Bachynski photo

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