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Urban coyote intervention program
The Urban Coyote Intervention Program at the University of Alberta invites volunteers from neighbourhoods in Edmonton to participate in community-based aversive conditioning of urban coyotes. The goal of this program is to increase wariness in coyotes that occupy residential neighbourhoods.
It is looking for 20 participating neighbourhoods and has identified 40 neighbourhoods with high past rates of coyote reports. The program will train volunteers to use weighted, flagged tennis balls and an umbrella with an image of a wolf face to frighten coyotes in these neighbourhoods. These actions are intended to frighten coyotes, but not injure them.
Use of similar techniques, known as hazing or aversive conditioning, is widely recommended by wildlife managers to reduce habituation by animals to people and avoid the subsequent need for more damaging tools, including lethal management.
Alberta's provincial and national parks make extensive use of aversive conditioning of bears to teach them greater wariness and reduce conflict with people. These approaches work best when combined with control of food attractants. Learn more and volunteer at https://urbancoyoteinterventionprogram.weebly.com/
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ERVCC wants city to reconsider trail fix
An Edmonton conservation group says there was no public consultation before the city passed a plan to cut down dozens of trees next to the city-owned Riverside golf course to realign the multi-use Riverside trail.
"We would like to see a pause on this project and for there to be a proper discussion, proper community consultation and see what kinds of creative ideas emerge," said Kristine Kowalchuk, chair of the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition.
An environmental impact study prepared by the city recommended realigning the trail by cutting down a swath of trees within the boundaries of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Area development plan. But the study shows the only consultation was with the golf course and its members. There was no other public consultation.
"I want to know why communities weren't informed about this project," Kowalchuk said. "The city's engagement policy says it informs people about city projects that they will be impacted by." City councillor Ben Henderson has asked the city's administration to look at the issue again. Read more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/conservation-group-wants-city-to-reconsider-plan-to-fix-slumping-river-valley-trail-1.5898752
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Ice wall in the river valley
This three-storey artificial ice wall is Edmonton’s first and only ice climbing facility. A partnership between the Alpine Club of Canada and the Edmonton Ski Club, it was built to bring new participants to the sport as well as to provide a spot for local ice climbers to hone their skills without driving out to the mountains.
“The ice wall combines Edmontonians’ love of the outdoors, recreation, and adventure to create an exciting new activity for all,” says the Alpine Club of Canada. “Our long cold winters and large population make for an ideal location for this facility.”
For the first timers or less frequent climbers, the ACC Ice Wall has rental gear (boots, crampons, harness, and ice tools) and lessons or orientations available. The ice wall is located right at the Edmonton Ski Club, so visitors can also combine their climb with some skiing or tubing. More at
https://dailyhive.com/edmonton/edmonton-ice-wall
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