Summer 2017 Update

We hope you are having a great summer so far. Since our AGM, Calgary River Valleys has received our 2017 operational funding from the City of Calgary, and has also received some grant funding. As a result, our staff & volunteers have been busy with a variety of projects. Below is an update on what we've been working on, as well as some opportunities available to you.

Elbow River Redd Count Project

As a major project for 2017, CRV has received a Watershed Stewardship Grant (from the Land Stewardship Centre) to help ensure the Brown Trout Redd Count in the Lower Elbow River continues, and to incorporate a larger educational component to demonstrate the importance of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. As part of the project we are working on several aspects:

an educational video of the Redd Count,
outreach presentations on the Redd Counts over the years,

educational articles to be submitted to community newsletters and distributed through partner groups,
and the 2017 count itself, which will occur in November.

If your community association or an organization you are associated with is interested in someone from CRV presenting information on the Redd Count, please contact us to make arrangements for a suitable date & time.

River Access Signage Project

Sign kiosk for river access signage

Another big project CRV has been working on, with multiple partners including the City of Calgary, is the River Access Signage project. This is a project for which CRV received a grant from the Alberta Conservation Association.

Sample signage to go onto kiosk
This project involves the design and installation of informative signs at various river access spots, as well as on-river signage for paddlers to see the distance to the next river exit, and what side of the river it is on. These signs are expected to improve river user safety, reduce damage to the river bank as well as reduce damage to fish and shore bird habitat. For more information on this project, click on the Read More link below to be transferred to the City of Calgary's website for this project.

CRV Information Booths

As part of our efforts to reach out to the public to provide information on what CRV does, and how the public can get involved, or get more information, we have recently had information booths at two public events. These were at the Bonnie Raitt concert at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on June 16th, and at Creekfest at Fish Creek Provincial Park on July 15th.
If you would like CRV to set up an information booth at your next event, send details in an email to:
CalgaryRiverValleys2@outlook.com

Information Booth at Jubilee Auditorium

Public Participation Opportunities

Below are details regarding several opportunities open to public input that you may be interested in:

Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project information sessions: these are all scheduled from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., between August 16 and 29 at various locations, check the AB Gov't website for more info (and scroll to the bottom of that page).
Want to learn from experts about watershed restoration? Then, sign up for some of the remaining spots in the Riparian Restoration Workshop Series, offered by Sustainability Resources and Cows & Fish between August 23 to 27, with a new topic each day. If you attend at least 2 sessions you can earn a certificate in Riparian Restoration Essentials.
Miistakis Institute is conducting a citizen science project until the end of August, called the Call of the Wetland. It is designed to help monitor amphibians in the Calgary area. You can download the app and sign up for available dates & locations to record your observations. Click this link for more information.
The City of Calgary is redesigning their notices regarding planning & re-zoning issues, and they are looking for public input until September 15.
CRV is looking for members of the public who are interested in volunteering to review issues related to urban planning and development, and who can work with others on our Watershed Planning & Planning Committee. Please contact CalgaryRiverValleys2@outlook.com if you are interested or need more information.