Edmonton Christmas Bird Count is Sunday, December 15/24
Gerald Romanchuk photo
Prior to the 20th century, hunters would take part in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas Side Hunt. They would choose sides, go out into fields with their guns and whoever brought back the biggest pile of dead birds won.
At that time, conservation was in its beginning era and many observers and scientists were concerned about the decline in bird populations. For this reason, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman introduced a new holiday tradition on Christmas Day in 1900. He proposed that a Christmas Bird Census be held so that people’s attention would be focused on counting birds during the holiday rather than hunting them.
The Edmonton Christmas Bird Count is a citizen-science project that contributes data to an immense database managed and analyzed by Birds Canada and the National Audubon Society. Thousands of Christmas Bird Counts occur around the world every year and Edmonton has been continuously participating in this tradition since 1955. YEG also holds the world record for number of participants.
This year’s count will be on Sunday, December 15. There are two ways to take part in this special occasion. Bird lovers can be feed watchers and tally birds in their yard or join teams of counters, referred to as bush beaters, and scour different areas of the city. Hundreds of Edmontonians participate in this event every year. For more details on how to get in on the count, visit https://www.edmontonchristmasbirdcount.ca/
Fort Edmonton Park one of the stars of 2007 movie western
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a critically acclaimed 2007 film. The western follows a character named Robert ‘Bob’ Ford who is enchanted by the legendary bandit Jesse James. As the movie progresses, Bob’s admiration for Jesse quickly turns into hate as he plots to kill the bandit.
Jesse is played by none other than Brad Pitt. And though Pitt is known to steal scenes with his good looks, it seems that movie watchers were more enamoured with the landscapes featured in this film, one of which was Fort Edmonton Park. The production team used the park to create a breathtaking visual backdrop that faithfully depicted the American west in the late 19th century.
A notable scene shot at the park is the audacious train heist that is orchestrated by the James gang. The following review left on IMDb is an example of the excellent cinematography that went into this film. “The blurry landscapes, the wheat fields that Pitt gracefully moves through, and the greatest train robbery scene ever on film. It perfectly portrays the landscapes of the old 1800’s and everything that took place there.”
Next time you watch the western, make sure to keep your eye out for the train heist scene and other exterior shots that were filmed in Fort Edmonton Park. https://giggster.com/guide/movie-location/where-was-the-assassination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford-filmed
Cenotaph ceremonial tomb for Edmontonians killed in battle since WW1
WW1, often called The Great War, produced a lost generation. Edmonton-based battalions committed 16,000 men to the war effort. When the war ended, 3,000 Edmontonians never came home.
Within three years of the war’s conclusion several major remembrance projects were undertaken around the capital. Neighbouring Beverly erected a cenotaph, the Edmonton Cemetery put up a Cross of Sacrifice, and the Great War Veterans’ Association constructed Memorial Hall downtown. But for one reason or another, the move to build a proper monument in Edmonton never caught on.
That didn’t sit right with A.E. Nightingale. A veteran himself, he almost single handedly re-jumpstarted conversations in February 1935. Given the country’s dire economic fortunes, Mayor Clarke suggested they turn to a new method of fundraising, public subscription. Through a “Quarter a Week” funding model, the public could give one dollar every month. Said Nightingale, it had “the value of having people regard the cenotaph as a genuinely public memorial.”
The Committee chose a triangular plot of land at the junction of 100th Avenue and 102nd Street. Construction on the monument began in May 1936, with unemployed ex-servicemen serving as labourers. Edmonton’s Cenotaph was formally unveiled on Thursday, August 13th, 1936. A throng of 5,500 Edmontonians gathered; “All near-by windows and roofs had their quota of spectators. All viable space in the area was occupied,” recounted one reporter.
Edmonton’s Cenotaph continued to stand tall at its original location overlooking Bellamy Hill for five decades. Larger crowds and concerns over traffic safety saw the one-hundred-ton memorial moved to City Hall in 1978. Thrice rededicated, the Cenotaph now serves as the ceremonial tomb for all Edmontonians killed, not just in the First World War, but the Second, Korea, and Afghanistan as well. https://www.forgottenedmonton.com/blog/the-edmonton-cenotaph
NSRVCS looking for new board members
In preparation for our Annual General Meeting in March 2025, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society invites you to be involved with a dynamic organization seeking to preserve Edmonton’s ribbon of green for future generations. If you are interested in being nominated to the Board of Directors, please contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com
We participate in discussions about the future of Big Island provincial park in Edmonton’s southwest river valley. The society is a participant in plans for a National Urban Park that would connect ecological systems and regional landscapes along the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton and the Metro region.
On an ongoing basis we work to conserve and preserve Edmonton’s river valley by being vigilant about developments that impact Bylaw 7188, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan. Finally, we have a vibrant communications platform consisting of a weekly newsletter, Facebook posts, and a daily presence on Instagram and Twitter. Learn more at https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
Keep Moving tells the story of Pekiwewin
Lynn Parish, President of Rossdale Community League writes “Although all views are valid- wrong facts are not. In Episode 5 of this podcast a former resident of Rossdale states the community league hired a security service during the time of Camp Pekewewin. This was not something the community league did. A group of residents tried it for a bit but the league was not involved. I don’t think this newsletter should be promoting this untruth.
Also unhelpful to hear comments about how hateful the Rossdale community was - this was a very complicated situation. Many people in the Rossdale community helped out - others were scared by thefts, health issues, drug use, 24 hour fires burning and deaths at the camp. Targeting the local community is not helpful.”
Raquel emailed “Excellent edition. Thanks for https://keepmovingpodcast.wordpress.com/ Didn’t know it existed!”
like the hoarfrost, a poem by Nisha Patel
Marian wrote “Beautiful and inspiring. The words on paper reflect a warm and wondering soul at peace with her surroundings, knowing that the future may not hold the promise she desires.”
Day Map / Night Map by Jill Stanton, Heritage Valley Park & Ride, YEG
https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/day-map-night-map
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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.
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