JoAnne Burek

You are invited to the 2021 AGM

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You are invited to attend, elect new board members, socialize, and hear from our guest speakers at the

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Friday, April 16, 2021
Join by computer or by phone

Agenda

  • Business meeting: reports, elections to the board
  • Guest speakers:
    1. Neil Kimmy will provide a landowner’s perspective on the trail
    2. Delaney Schlemko from the Nature Conservancy of Canada
  • Social time: catch up with old friends and meet new ones who share your interests
Register now

Delaney Schlemko, Nature Conservancy of Canada

“The Nature Conservancy of Canada: Keeping the Beaver Hills Wild”

Discover the Nature Conservancy of Canada: who they are, how they conserve private land, and how they are helping to keep the Beaver Hills wild. This presentation will feature the recently acquired Ball Berg property which has a portion of the Waskahegan Trail (Triple B section) and Berg Stopover.

Delaney Schlemko is the Natural Area Manager for Northeast Alberta, which includes the Cooking Lake Moraine Natural Area and Beaver Hills Biosphere.

Devon’s river trails hike

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Fifteen people came out to hike the Devon Trails. It will be January before the North Saskatchewan River freezes over, so at this time of year you can still enjoy the contrast of the “ice flowers” floating in the frigid blue water.

The Voyageur Park area has a section of trail that is part of the Trans Canada Trail System. From the moment you leave the boat launch area, the paths are wide and easy along the river’s edge.

Here’s a sight that stopped us in our tracks.

It could be mistaken for an art installation, but it’s actually an effort to stop erosion. These tree segments (possibly willows?) have been planted into the ground, directly in front a culvert outlet. Eventually these sticks will take root and grow into bushes.

Then the trail turns toward the slope, where we encountered the “Stairs of Fire”. We all took the challenge, and quickly discovered our personal fitness levels.

From there, it was up and down the wooded trails.

As we got closer to the golf course, we found ourselves on trails set with cross-country ski tracks, and we had to walk carefully to not mess them up.

At Lions Campground, everything had been “put away” for winter, such as these meticulously-stacked benches. The pavilion shelter, however, was left open and we took advantage of that for our lunch.

Then it was back up to the top of the hill and we returned via a leisurely walk along the woods’ edge.

Thanks to Lee for scouting this hike and to the town and people of Devon for the well-maintained trails. You can find more photos on Flickr.

Trail Maintenance Wraps Up for 2020

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This week, Trail Maintenance wound up for the year at Hughston Stopover at Coal Lake. There was a hike and a campfire with marshmallows. Sightings of wildlife included white tail deer, swans, beaver, rabbit, and grouse. It was a good day.

Fall is such a perfect time for trail maintenance—reasonable temperatures for working outdoors, no mosquitos, and a lot of great scenery.

Visit the Flickr album to see more of Sherry’s photos taken at Trail Maintenance this month.

Many thanks to coordinators Ellen and Sherry and to everyone who came out for this year’s work parties.