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Voice of the Friends
Voice of the Friends
Our mission is: To engage the community through education and awareness
to conserve a truly unique naturalized urban park.
www.friendsoffishcreek.org
PO Box 2780 Calgary, Alberta T2P 2M7 403-238-3841
Volume 21, Issue 2
Apr / May 2015
THE FRIENDS OF FISH CREEK PRESENTS
CELEBRATE WATER AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL
CREEKFEST IN FISH CREEK! NOW AN
ALBERTA PARKS’ PARKS DAY EVENT!
FREE AND FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP OUT
AS EXHIBITOR ASSISTANTS, PARKING
ATTENDANTS, FESTIVAL ROADIES
AND MORE!
Creekfest will feature amazing
musical acts like Juno-Award winning
Peter Puffin’s Whale Tales, award-winning
theatre troupe Parks Canada’s Mountain
WIT, Coyote Kids Theatre’s The Muskrat’s
Tail, and local musician Alex Boisselle!
SUNDAY
UNDAY
S
ULY 19,
19, 2015
2015 12
12 -- 5pm
5pm
JJULY
BOW VALLEY RANCH
Learn about our local watersheds through interactive games and activities hosted by
community organizations, and enjoy a special visit from Boston Pizza’s mascot Lionel!
Special thanks to our friends at McLeod Law LLP for supporting Creekfest.
Sponsorship opportunities are available, and raffle tickets are on sale now.
For more information visit friendsoffishcreek.org/event/creekfest
Like Creekfest at
facebook.com/creekfestinfishcreek
Photo courtesy of Anne Elliott
In this issue:
Page 2:
Page 3:
Page 4:
Page 5:
Page 6:
Fish Creek Speaker Series, Quiz Question
Wellness in Fish Creek
Casino, Invasive Species, Estate Planning, Nature Calgary
TD Learning Naturally
Sponsors, Quiz Answer, Membership form, 2015 Executive
Voice of the Friends
2
Fish Creek Speaker Series
The Friends of Fish Creek Speaker Series program has been combined with Alberta Parks’ Parks and Protected Areas Slideshow series. Presentations will take place at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre at Shannon Terrace in Fish Creek Provincial Park (13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, access via 130 Ave. SW and 37 St. SW). Friends members will receive free admission and the fee is $5 each for non‐members. Below is a list of upcoming presentations. Refreshments are available on a first come, first served basis. Please park near washroom facility. Looking for a volunteer
with digital video creation
skills! Contact
chris@
friendsoffishcreek.org
or 403-238-3841
The Healing Power of Nature ‐ Naturopathic Medicine and a Healthy, Balanced Lifestyle Thursday, April 16, 2015 7:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Presented by Dr. Gayle Maguire, Member of the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors www.friendsoffishcreek.org/event/nature Springtime in Fish Creek ‐ Wildlife, Conservation Officers and You Wednesday, May 27, 2015 7:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Presented by Fish Creek Provincial Park Conservation Officer Melanie Pachkowski Fish Creek Provincial Park Conservation Officers have diverse roles and responsibilities, and often act as a link between the people who visit the park and the wildlife who call this park their home. This presentation will help you to increase your knowledge about park wildlife, including young and newborn birds and mammals you may come across in Fish Creek. Learn how to respect these newest members of the park’s wildlife community, how to minimize conflict with animals, and how to be a good neighbour to local wildlife. Join Fish Creek Conservation Officer Melanie Pachkowski as she shares some of her most memorable experiences in Fish Creek Provincial Park. www.friendsoffishcreek.org/event/spring Dirt Road History of the Plains and Foothills Thursday, June 18, 2015 7:00pm ‐ 9:00pm ‐ A Special 2‐Hour Presentation! Presented By Bill Evans ‐ Engineer, Photographer, Explorer and Dirt Road Adventurer Crisscross the prairie and foothills dirt roads of western Canada and the United States with Bill Evans. Learn about the people, places and events that shaped this unique part of the world. We invite you to join us on a multi‐media voyage through time in the footsteps of those who went before us. Journey from Wood Mountain to Pinto Horse Buttes, from Cypress Hills to Immigration Gap, from Chesterfield House to the grasslands of Old Man on His Back, and into the lands where the wild horses roam! www.friendsoffishcreek.org/event/dirtroad Photo courtesy of Bill Evans.
Stay tuned to www.friendsoffishcreek.org/programs/speaker‐series and www.fish‐creek.org for more information. Quiz Question
Which male waterfowl species, a member of the duck family, is readily identifiable by its large black and white head? HINT: This bird wears a “hood.” Voice of the Friends
3
Wellness Programs in Fish Creek
Relax, unwind and rejuvenate body, mind and sprit in the beautiful natural setting of Fish Creek
Provincial Park this Summer. We are pleased to once again host Yoga and Meditation sessions,
and have added Painting and Nordic Walking to the suite of Wellness programs. See below and
visit www.friendsoffishcreek.org/programs/wellness-clinics for more information.
Yoga in the Park
Wednesday nights, and one Saturday morning per month,
between July 8 - September 30 at the Bow Valley Ranch in
Fish Creek Provincial Park. Naomi Parker and Gwen Draude
Woolverton team up again for their third season of yoga!
Whether you are experienced or a beginner, a Yoga
session in Fish Creek will help to increase your connection
to the earth and to yourself. Only $10 per session, register or
simply drop in!
Connecting with Nature Meditation
Join Hetty Laidlaw on select Tuesday evenings from May to September for her third season of
meditation in the park. Her meditations will bring you into the present moment and allow you to
simply be. She will gently guide you into letting go of outside distractions while focusing on the
breath. A guided meditation session in the park is a truly magical experience and one you will
want to experience many times. Each session is only $10.00. Register online or drop in.
Painting in the Park
Unwind and feed your artistic spirit, while appreciating and interpreting the splendor of nature all
around you with this new wellness-based program. Space is limited so register today.
All sessions are only $100.00 each.
Easy Watercolour Fun!
Friday, July 17, 10:00am- 3:00pm,
Lead by local artist Karin Huehold
Paint, Parks and Pathways in Acrylics
Saturday, July 25, 10:00am to 4:00pm,
Course instructed by Sheila Schaetzle
Capturing Nature: Painting Day in the Park
Saturday, Sep 12, 9:00am to 3:30pm,
Instructed by experienced painter Debbie.lee Miszaniec
Nordic Walking
Mondays in July and September, 6:30 - 7:45pm
For those who are not “runners” but do enjoy exercise, Nordic Walking offers a fantastic
alternative. The propulsion incurred by the pole plant increases the walking rate and stride; this
translates into a faster walking step, increasing the cardiovascular output and your aerobic
capacity much more than regular walking does. Only $10 per session but space is limited.
For more information or to register for these amazing programs visit
www.friendsoffishcreek.org/programs/wellness-clinics
Voice of the Friends
4
Casino Volunteers Needed!
The Friends’ Casino fundraiser is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, June 24 and 25, 2015 and we need your help. We will once again be hosting the Casino fundraiser at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino. The Casino fundraiser is critical in providing the revenue the Friends of Fish Creek needs to uphold our mission, to engage the community through education and awareness to conserve a truly unique naturalized urban park. Evening shifts and back up positions are needed for both days! Please contact Chris Lalonde, Communications Coordinator, at [email protected] or 403‐238‐3841 to volunteer or for more information. Thank you for your support and involvement. Invasive Species
Weed ID App Allows Albertans to Report Sightings of Invasive Species
With the support of the Land Stewardship Centre and Alberta Parks, the Friends were able to take part in the Alberta Invasive Species Council’s annual conference on March 12, 2015 (pictured here). This event provides the latest info on the current challenges and successes of nearby parks, municipalities, provinces and states in the fight against invasive species. Presentations were given on a variety of topics, such as aquatic invasive species, Alberta Weed Spotter smartphone app, the baby’s breath removal project and the Play‐
Clean‐Go public awareness campaign. One of the most exciting things about this yearʹs conference was the announcement of a new iPhone app designed to help Albertans to recognize regulated weeds. Developed in partnership with the Athabasca University and co‐funded by the Province of Alberta and the City of Edmonton, Alberta Weed Spotter features 75 weed species currently regulated in the Alberta Weed Control Act as well as look‐
a‐likes. An Android version is in the works, pending funding. If you have an iPhone or iPad and are interested in honing your plant ID skills, this might be a great way to do it! For more info https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/alberta‐weed‐spotter/id889877970?mt=8 Estate Planning - Leave a Lasting Legacy in Your Will to Benefit Future Generations!
Legacy gifts (Planned Giving) allow you to make a future donation to the Friends of Fish Creek without affecting your current financial circumstances. Regardless of the size of your planned gift you can be sure that your gift will continue to make a lasting and vital impact on the park that you care for. Giving options may even substantially reduce your taxes. Your legacy will help ensure that the important programs operated or sponsored by the Friends of Fish Creek can continue to be maintained and expand. For more information contact the Friends of Fish Creek or visit www.friendsoffishcreek.org/ffc‐donate Nature Calgary Outings
These free Birding seminars will take you to various natural areas in and around Calgary where you can explore the bird species found in these diverse environments, increase your bird knowledge and have fun. Willing to share your knowledge with others? Call the Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society ‐ 403‐243‐2248 to specify a date and location. For a complete list of upcoming outings, visit naturecalgary.com
Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey. May 1, 2015, 7:00am. Meet at Stanley Park, 42 Ave. SW, just west of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride back (3.5 hours) Call leader Gus Yaki, 403‐243‐2248, to ensure vehicle space for return. Voice of the Friends
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TD Learning Naturally Program
Alex O’Rourke – Sharing a Love of Nature
We are pleased to welcome Alex O’Rourke to the Friends of Fish Creek team as the new TD Learning Naturally Coordinator. “I love being in a role where I can build connections to nature in young people,” she said, “Building an appreciation for nature at a young age can establish a lifelong connection to the natural world with many physical and emotional benefits, and help build a generation of environmental stewards. And I love getting my nature groove on with kids in the outdoors!” Alex recently started her own family nature club, Urban Wild, that provides opportunities for children to explore and connect with nature throughout the seasons in Calgary. “At a typical event there are at least 8 families with 12‐16 children. The age ranges from 2 months to 9 years old. The largest event I hosted had 18 families and 36 children!” Alexandra, or Alex as she prefers, pursued a B.Sc. in Biology, with a focus in Ecology, at Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, QC, and continued her education by pursuing a Masters of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication through Royal Roads University in Victoria. When Alex is not studying or educating children, she enjoys running, snowboarding, spending time with friends and family, and sharing her passion for nature with her 2 year old son. Working near Shannon Terrace enables Alex to be close to Bebo Grove, an area of Fish Creek that has special meaning for her. “I love taking family and friends to Bebo Grove! Especially in the winter, it feels magical!” In addition to her education, she brings a diverse array of skills to the table gained from her recent experience as a Katimavik project leader, an Environmental Technician with Nabors and even a volunteer educator in Thailand. When asked what attracted her to the position of Learning Naturally Coordinator, she replied, “With my background in Ecology and youth leadership it was a natural progression to couple these two passions as an educator.” She started in February and works mainly out of the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre at Shannon Terrace. “During my first few weeks I have been booking classes for the spring 2015 program. Although I haven’t facilitated a program yet, I feel very excited and proud of the facilities, trails and resources that students, teachers and parents will engage with on their field trip day.” She also said, “I love the creative process of developing engaging programming for young people outside. Using concepts youth already know and adapting them to facilitate a forest learning experience such as a game of rock/paper/scissors to learn the various forest successional stages. I also get great satisfaction from the enthusiasm young people have for a place in nature they get to explore and experience the various plants and animals that make a place unique…and the desire to share that passion with their families!” Over 5000 students between grades K—6 from 31 schools in economically disadvantaged areas of Calgary participate in the TD Learning Naturally Program in Fish Creek each year. These students learn As a young person, she explored the foothills of Alberta about the wonders of the natural world and the from the back of a horse, where she became aware of the importance of environmental conservation. This essential program does not receive provincial funding. many animals, plants and people that all share and It is in jeopardy and needs your support to continue. shape the land. It was her passion for nature that led her For more info or to donate contact the Friends or visit to a career in environmental education. friendsoffishcreek.org/td‐learning‐naturally‐program Voice of the Friends
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This issue dedicated to Dennis Lechuk, member of the Venturers Society of Calgary, our friend and partner in conservation. Thank You Supporters! Without your contributions our Programs and Events would not be possible!
Bobcat Level:
Aspen Level:
2015 Executive
Quiz Answer
If you guessed the hooded merganser you are correct. The male of the species has a large black and white head and the female has less flamboyant but also striking reddish‐brown plumage on the head. The name merganser means fish eating duck, but this waterfowl also feeds on amphibians, snails, crayfish and dragonfly larvae. Slightly smaller than the red‐
breasted merganser and the common merganser, the hooded merganser (lophodytes cucullatus) is usually seen in similar numbers and locations alongside the slightly larger common merganser. The late Autumn, Winter and early Spring are the best times of year to see a hooded merganser. The hooded merganser is one of the most visually appealing and sought after birds for nature photographers. In recent years, the hooded merganser has been seen at Beaverdam Flats, Carburn Park, Ellistone Park, Irrigation Canal, as well as near the Boat Launch and the ecologically diverse Lafarge Meadows area of Fish Creek Provincial Park. Fisher, Acorn - Birds of Alberta, Yaki - Birding Course Reports Chairman Vice‐Chairman Treasurer Secretary Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Park Liaison Tom Jackman Emmett Hogan Phil Greer Stewart Scott Bob Morrin Richard Link Ainsley Grant Henry Villanueva Jennell Rempel Staff
Nic DeGama‐Blanchet, Executive Director [email protected] Katie Pearson, Program Coordinator [email protected] Shana Barbour‐Welsh, Program Coordinator [email protected] Chris Lalonde, Communications Coordinator [email protected] The Friends of Fish Creek
P.O. Box 2780 Calgary, AB T2P 2M7
403-238-3841 [email protected] www.friendsoffishcreek.org
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