Former Royal Alberta museum destined for demolition
James Dow photo
Discussions for a new provincial museum and archives building began in 1958. In 1962, the Social Credit government appointed a museum consultant. The province’s foresight proved fortuitous, as the federal government’s Centennial Commission was looking for projects to celebrate the country’s upcoming one hundredth anniversary and the provincial government seized the opportunity to forward its museum plans.
After some deliberation, the province settled on the storied site of Alberta’s Government House with its impressive view of the North Saskatchewan river. British Columbian slate, Quebec granite, Manitoban Tyndall, Ontario marble, and larger-than-life reproductions of petroglyphs from Alberta’s Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park provided an overarching confederation motif.
Construction commenced in October 1965 under the supervision of Poole Construction. After a year-and-a-half of steady work the museum neared completion, and in May 1967 employees began transferring archival materials and creating displays. On December 6th of that year, the building opened.
On December 6th, 2015, as work progressed on a new Royal Alberta Museum building in downtown Edmonton, a final farewell was given to the storied museum. Shuttered, it sat quietly for years, perhaps waiting for a day it could be reinvented as something else to service the public good, at least that’s what heritage advocates wanted to believe.
Instead, the current provincial government unilaterally announced the building’s demolition in 2024 amid no public consultation. https://www.forgottenedmonton.com/blog/the-provincial-museum-and-archives-of-alberta-1967
This prairie perennial a fine choice for native gardens
Heterotheca villosa, commonly known as Hairy Golden Aster, is found in Canada from British Columbia to Ontario. It prefers full sun and dry to moderate moisture conditions. It flowers in summer and fall, from July through October.
The yellow, daisy-like flowers of this common prairie perennial are non-fragrant, and attract butterflies, bees, and flies in late summer. They are often visible as showy displays in dry places, where plants tend to be plentiful. They may be invasive and reproduce by self-seeding when grown in cultivation.
It is a fine choice for borders, native gardens, and rock gardens. https://prairiepollination.ca/plante-plant/chrysopside_velue-hairy_golden_aster/
Coates conservation land home to dinosaurs
Coates conservation land is in Leduc County, north of Calmar. The 80-acre natural area consists almost entirely of parkland forest, a habitat that is disappearing rapidly. Thank you to Ethel Coates for leaving her legacy as this special piece of nature, for all to enjoy in perpetuity.
The site is located in an Environmentally Significant Area of Regional Importance and High Sensitivity. Willow Creek runs into the North Saskatchewan River, approximately 2 km away, therefore conserving this land protects a crucial link of a network of wildlife corridors and an integral part of the watershed.
This section of creek has historical significance too: Hadrosaur footprints were extracted by helicopter in the early 1990’s, as well as Albertosaurus skin impression and dinosaur bones. The area was rated as having high potential for historic resources, by Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Whether at Coates conservation land, or at your home, take a guided nature using the tour booklet at https://www.ealt.ca/coates
Whitemud Creek home reflects a love of nature
Ken and Janice Lypkie’s home and yard in Whitemud Creek is a beacon for climate-friendly living. Motivated by a deep desire to leave a better world for their children, grandchildren and future generations, they work together to sustainably grow food, beautify their space with native species, care for multiple beehives and reduce their carbon contributions.
The Lypkie’s passion for growing their own food is complemented by their commitment to using native plants as much as possible to beautify their space and attract native pollinators. Over time they have replaced much of the grass on their property with garden beds bursting with buds and have introduced beehives. “We’re losing our pollinators; let’s do something,” says Ken.
They have prioritized native perennials like Bergenia, Saskatoon Serviceberry and Columbine wherever possible, selected specifically to thrive in the conditions within their yard. Their yard is lined with various cold hardy fruit trees and bushes, including apples, cherries, plums, pears, raspberries and more. “If you can’t eat them, don’t grow them” is Ken’s philosophy.
Throughout the couple’s stunning yard are 14 rain barrels that can hold almost 3,000 litres of rainwater. Between the water barrel system and their extensive gardening, they have developed an impressively water-efficient property. Learn more about their dedication to eco-friendly living at https://transforming.edmonton.ca/edmonton-family-grows-a-love-for-nature-and-climate-action/
Neon Sky by Victoria Wiercinski, Jasper Place Leisure Centre
https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/neon-sky
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