Calgary Captured: the nuts and bolts of our wildlife monitoring program

Here at The City, we’re always looking for more information about our wild neighbours and how they’re making use of space in Calgary. To find out more, Calgary Parks installed remote wildlife cameras across the city’s natural areas to give us a peek into which species are using our parks, and how they move around within them.

The project, Calgary Captured, is collecting valuable, never before documented data, which will help to inform conservation and management decisions about our open spaces. And, we're analyzing the data by opening up the photos to the public to help us classify. 

With help from Calgarians like you, here are some of the questions we’ll be exploring over the next few years:

• Which species are in Calgary’s parks system?
• How do human activities impact wildlife movement in parks? (Are species temporally displaced from trails?)
• Is the corridor modeling done for Calgary valid?
• What are the long term trends and patterns of terrestrial mammals in Calgary?

Managing the cameras and imaging to answer these questions is quite an undertaking. The final product is what you’ll you see up on Zooniverse, which is the culmination of hundreds of hours of work.

Can you identify what kind of animal we caught on camera?

Here’s a breakdown of how it all comes together:

The cameras, fitted with built-in solar powered batteries and strapped to trees, trigger an image to be captured at each movement.

Duck, duck, or goose?

The cameras are positioned to best capture medium to large sized terrestrial mammal species such as coyote, deer and bobcat. However, birds, insects, small rodents and even grass waving in the wind are sometimes photographed. Each month, thousands of images are recorded on each of the memory cards of over 60 cameras located throughout Calgary’s natural areas. Consistent management of these cameras results in dozens of hours spent in the field to swap out all memory cards (every three weeks) and ensure the cameras continue to function properly. Systematic collection of the camera’s memory cards year-round are key to building a robust dataset. Extreme weather, which Calgary is no stranger to, can cause batteries to deplete if triggered by falling snow or branches violently waving during a storm, and can, at times, cause cameras to malfunction at very low temperatures.

Once memory cards are collected, the images are organized and processed in an internal database, and are then prepared for upload to the Calgary Captured Zooniverse portal.

We bearly caught a snap of this furry friend on camera.

One of the most time-consuming tasks is manually screening for humans that are captured using the

parks. This information gives us valuable insight into human-wildlife coexistence, and how wildlife respond to peak human use periods; but to protect privacy, any images of Calgarians captured on camera are classified on the internal database and deleted to avoid upload to the public Zooniverse site. That’s no easy task when you consider how many Calgarians use city parks!

Thanks to dedicated citizen scientists like yourselves thousands of wildlife images have been classified and our understanding of who is making use of our natural areas is becoming clearer every day.

You can see initial results from Season 1 (May to August 2017) on the Zooniverse site, and we'll be posting more information as it becomes available.

Who's who in the Calgary Captured zoo?

Interested in participating? We currently have Season 2 (September 2017 – February 2018) available to classify on the Zooniverse site - get started now!

2,500 volunteers participate in the 51st annual Pathway and River Cleanup

A Nerf bow and arrow and large pool noodles were a few of the strange items found at the 51st annual Pathway and River Cleanup on Sunday, May 6. 

2,500 volunteers spent Sunday morning picking up garbage from our parks, pathways and river banks. Volunteers included non-profit organizations, youth groups, community associations, friends, family, co-workers, City staff drivers and even cyclists, who delivered extra supplies to volunteers during the event.
By the end of the day, a 20-yard garbage bin was filled with garbage collected by volunteers. Last year, a total of 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) of garbage was collected. Garbage bags will continue to be collected over the next three weeks. 

This year’s event was another resounding success in helping to keep our city clean. Thanks to all the volunteer who participated and thanks to our presenting sponsor ConocoPhillips Canada for supporting the event.

Get involved

The Pathway and River Cleanup may be over until next year, but help is always needed. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Always pick up and properly dispose of your garbage, including pet waste and cigarette butts.
• A variety of volunteer opportunities are available with The City of Calgary year-round. Contact 311 for more information.
• Organize your own cleanup, using our free kits.

To learn more about the Pathway and River Cleanup, or to find out how you can volunteer for next year’s cleanup, visit calgary.ca/pathwayandrivercleanup.

Strangest thing found so far during clean up: left over birthday celebration. Glad we found these before the birds did. #yyccleans pic.twitter.com/L60ZL6edz9

— Weaselhead Society (@weaselheadpark) May 6, 2018

This park was amazingly clean but we still made a bit of a difference! @CalgaryParks #yyccleans #uniglobeonetravel pic.twitter.com/qskgwi29P7

— Haley Nicoll (@haley_nicoll) May 6, 2018

The weirdest thing we found today was this pool noodle. #yyccleans pic.twitter.com/twz3BIp87K

— Justina Contenti (@jmcontenti) May 6, 2018

To see more citizen photos, follow along on Twitter: #YYCcleans

The goats are back!

For the next week, a herd of approximately 200 goats will be dining on weeds in Confluence (West Nose Creek) Park as phase two of The City’s targeted grazing program begins.

Phase one was undertaken in 2016, and we’re excited about the results. So far we’ve learned that goats can be used in an active park without disrupting park visitors’ enjoyment of the park, whether on foot, on bicycle, or with a leashed dog. Preliminary signs also indicate that the goats have done an excellent job targeting a significant volume and variety of invasive weeds such as Canada thistle, hound’s tongue, and hawkweed.

Phase two of this pilot program sees the goats return to Confluence Park so we can analyze the long-term success of using targeted grazing as a weed management tool. We will be focusing on how effective the goats are at controlling certain weeds, and how well they can do that without impacting the native vegetation we want to keep in the area. The goats will be visiting the park a week at a time, for three different weeks throughout the summer.

If you see the goats grazing while you’re in the park, please keep your distance and obey the shepherd at all times. Remember to keep your dog on-leash as Confluence Park is an on-leash park (there is a fenced off-leash area near the parking lot). These goats are working and when people interact with them it disrupts their work and can cause them distress.

If you are interested in learning about this pilot project please visit us online at calgary.ca/goats.

The City to extend area closure in NW Calgary to continue monitoring coyotes

The City has extended the green space closure in Panorama Hills / Hidden Valley (adjacent to Country Hills Golf Course) as well as the regional pathway in Panorama Hills (close to Stoney Trail) to reduce the risk of further confrontation between people and the protective coyote parents living in the area. The closure will be in effect until July 10.

During the extended closure, City staff will continue to monitor the adult coyotes and their pups, and use different techniques with the pack to reinforce human avoidance.

To date, the area closure has been successful in eliminating conflicts and allowing the pack to return to normal coyote behaviour. In fact, the closure has relieved pressure on the parents to protect their coyote pups resulting in the family feeling confident enough to move the pups away from the pathway, where the den site was originally located.

Through investigation, it is believed that the conflicts between citizens and the coyotes due to den protection given the close proximity to the pathway. The protective behaviour was a result of the parents perceiving a threat to their coyote pups from off-leash dogs. There have also been reports of people in the area feeding the coyotes, which resulted in the coyotes learning to associate humans with food handouts.

The City would like to remind citizens to keep dogs on leash in all public spaces, unless otherwise marked. Calgary has the most off-leash areas off all North American cities, boasting over 150 off-leash areas. Specific areas have been designated as off-leash to respect the environment and protect citizens and their pets.

The City is working with a number of experts from the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, Alberta Fish and Wildlife and Coyote Watch Canada to address the concerns over aggressive coyote behaviour. On June 26, a training session, hosted by Coyote Watch Canada, was held with City staff to equip them with techniques and knowledge on dealing and co-existing with urban coyotes. The City will continue to work with Alberta Fish and Wildlife to ensure a coordinated approach on responding to public inquiries.

Coyotes, just like other wildlife, are a vital part of a functional and healthy ecosystem in Calgary. The City is committed to keeping citizens informed about wildlife in our city, and equipping them with knowledge about co-existing with our urban wildlife.

Next spring, the City will be looking to host some workshops for citizens on how to co-exist with wildlife. Calgary.ca, along with The City Facebook page, will continue to be updated with information and status reports.

The public are asked to please continue reporting concerns regarding coyotes to The City through 311, and in an emergency situation where there is immediate danger, call 911. Please include the address or description of the location of the concern or sighting so City staff can visit the area to assess the situation.

Community banners celebrate Canadian pride, passion and heritage

In partnership with Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD), The City is celebrating Canada's 150 birthday by installing colourful outdoor banners in in communities, City parks, streets and boulevards.

Saskatoon pie, Nanaimo bars, butter tarts and maple syrup are all delicious Canadian inventions

Every year, The City and ACAD collaborate on a project to showcase the diversity and quality of work from students, while enlivening City buildings, parks, roads and other public spaces. This year was even more special as twelve students were asked to design 50 different designs to celebrate and inspire pride, passion, and our Canadian heritage. The designs are based on five themes: Aboriginal heritage; Canadian architecture, famous inventors and inventions; landscapes and land management; and transportation.

The students’ designs, which also incorporate colours from Heritage Canada’s official 150th anniversary logo, will be proudly on display around the city until summer 2018 as part of The City’s Canada 150 community banner program.

Installation of the banners, kindly supported by Arbor-Tech Utility Services Ltd., started mid-April and will be completed in time for Canada Day. On July 1, the banners will be on display at Confederation Park as part of the Canada Day festivities at the park.

The City would also like to thank and recognize the Vecova Youth Transition Program and students from Queen Elizabeth High School's returning grade 12 class for their help sorting the banners in preparation for installation."

Flowers, also inspired by the Canada 150 theme, will be on display in City parks and communities as another way to celebrate and recognize Canada’s milestone birthday and further enhance the beauty of our city.

New pathway counter installed near East Village

(Numbers do not display properly in photos but do in person.)

Calgarians enjoy one of the most extensive pathway networks in North America and on Thursday May 4, it will get a little better. We've installed a new Eco-totem along River Walk on the south side of the Bow River, just west of the Reconciliation Bridge (previously the Langevin Bridge). This is the second to be installed downtown, the other being on 5 Street S.W. near the 9 Avenue underpass.

“Putting in these pedestrian counters is great for us as we can use the data they collect to make better decisions on future pathway projects,” says Ben Ference, senior pathways and trails technician. “They’re also popular with pathway users – it’s a great way for people to see how much the pathways are being used.”

What is an Eco-totem?

The six-foot high panel displays a live count of pedestrian and bicycle traffic passing by each day. The River Walk location already has an underground counter and with the addition of the totem, pathway users will see daily and yearly totals of foot and cycle traffic.

Why are we doing this?

The Eco-totem will help us understand how the pathway is being used and who exactly is using it over an extended period of time. The data collected will be used to plan possible pathway upgrades and to identify any multi-use improvements that are needed, while giving pathway users live information about how many people are using the pathway system.

All the information gathered from the new Eco-totem, as well as many others pedestrian counters around the city, are publically available on calgary.ca/cycletracks.

Celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary at a winter fun day - January 28

The weather is cold, but Calgarians are warming up to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary throughout 2017!

The City of Calgary invites Calgarians to come out for a free winter fun day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 28 at five park locations throughout the city. Bring your ice skates and enjoy Calgary’s outdoor skating rinks, participate in nature education games, and warm up with complimentary hot refreshments (while quantities last), next to a toasty fire. Winter fun day locations are at select parks where outdoor ice skating is offered:

• Big Marlborough Park (6033 Madigan Dr. N.E.)  
• Bowness Park (8900 48 Ave. N.W.).
• Carburn Park (67 Riverview Drive S.E.)  
• Confederation Park, Rosemont Community Association (2807 10 Street N.W.)
• Prince’s Island Park (4 Street & 1 Ave. S.W.)

Each winter fun day site is unique and offers a beautiful setting with a variety of activities:

• Prince’s Island Park will feature free horse drawn wagon rides from 12 to 2 p.m. as part of this all-Canadian winter fun experience.  
• Big Marlborough Park will feature a mobile adventure playground, offering a new way for kids to explore, create, imagine and learn. This type of playground contains a variety of items such as buckets, tires, tarps and rope that children are free to use to build, demolish and assemble as they desire.

Refreshments at Confederation Park, Carburn Park, Prince’s Island Park and Big Marlborough Park are courtesy of Tim Hortons. Refreshments at Bowness Park are courtesy of Seasons of Bowness Park.

Chris Hicks, City of Calgary Program Advisor, encourages Calgarians to “dress warmly and bring your Canadian spirit to celebrate our country and our city. Winter is a shared Canadian experience and we hope to see Calgarians come out and celebrate our city!”

More Canada 150 events and initiatives will be announced for Calgary throughout the year. Visit calgary.ca/canada150 for more information.

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Venez célébrer le 150e anniversaire du Canada et vous amuser lors d'une journée d’hiver

Les journées sont froides, mais les Calgariens se réchauffent pour célébrer le 150e anniversaire du Canada tout au long de 2017!

La ville de Calgary invite tous les Calgariens à venir se divertir en cette journée d'hiver du 28 janvier 2017. Les activités sont gratuites de 11 heures à 15 heures dans cinq parcs à travers la ville. Vous pouvez aussi participer à des jeux éducatifs et vous réchauffez grâce aux rafraîchissements chauds gratuits (jusqu'à épuisement des stocks), offerts près d'un feu. Les activités sont offertes dans les parcs qui comprennent des patinoires extérieures. Apportez vos patins à glace et venez vous amuser aux parcs suivants:

• Big Marlborough (6033 Madigan Dr. N.E.)  
• Bowness (8900 48 Ave. N.W.).  
• Carburn (67, Chemin Riverview S.E.)
• Confederation, Association communautaire de Rosemont (2807, rue 10 N.W.)
• Prince's Island (4 rue et 1 avenue S.W.)

Chaque endroit est unique et offre une gamme variée d'activités. Vous retrouverez en plus :

• Au parc de Prince’s Island: Afin de représenter l’hiver au Canada, il y aura des promenades gratuites en wagons tirés par des chevaux de 12 h à 14 h.
• Au parc Big Marlborough: Ce parc mettra en vedette une aire de jeux mobile d'aventures qui offrira aux enfants une occasion d’explorer, de créer, d’imaginer et d’apprendre. Ce type de terrain de jeu contiendra une variété d'articles tels que des seaux, des pneus et des cordes que les enfants pourront utiliser pour construire, démolir et assembler comme ils le désirent.

Les rafraîchissements qui seront offerts aux parcs Confédération, Carburn, Prince’s Island et du Big Marlborough sont une gracieuseté de Tim Hortons. Les rafraîchissements du parc Bowness sont gracieusement offerts par Seasons of Bowness Park.


Chris Hicks, l’un des organisateurs des activités pour la ville de Calgary, encourage les Calgariens à «s'habiller chaudement et à revêtir leur esprit de solidarité canadienne afin de célébrer notre pays et notre ville. L'hiver est une expérience canadienne et nous espérons que tous les Calgariens viendront fêter avec nous. »

Plus de 150 événements et initiatives seront annoncés tout au long de l'année dans la ville de Calgary. Visitez calgary.ca/canada150 pour plus d’informations.

Memorial Drive Trees: A Living Commemoration

One of the most recognizable roads in Calgary is Memorial Drive. Running along the Bow River in the heart of the city, this route is lined with thousands of trees. As Remembrance Day approaches, we share some history on those trees, which serve as a living memorial to the men and women who died during World War I.

Trees and pathway along Memorial Drive

Thousands of Canadians died during the war, and many of their bodies were never brought home. The trees were planted along Memorial Drive to create a living memorial, in hopes that this would bring some comfort to grieving families, who had no grave to visit.

The first tree was planted on Sunnyside Boulevard (now Memorial Drive), in the spring of 1922, by Mayor Adams. More than 3,200 trees were planted between 1922 and 1928.

With many of the original trees now nearing the end of their lifecycle, The City is planting new trees through its Landscape of Memory project which aims to protect the existing legacy and continue the historic, environmental and cultural integrity of Memorial Drive. This project includes the introduction of a variety of new tree species, to increase biodiversity and general urban forest health.

Memorial Drive continues to grow and evolve as a living memorial to the events and people that have shaped Calgary’s landscape. The ongoing “Landscape of Memory” project focuses on themes of remembrance, legacy and history and what they mean to us, as Calgarians. The trees of Memorial Drive are one way we, as citizens of Calgary, celebrate and remember the sacrifices that others made in the name of peace.

Memorial Drive's trees:

• The majority of trees planted from 1922 to 1928 were Populus wobbstii, –more commonly referred to as poplars. These poplars are now at, or nearing the end of their lifecycle.
• The trees are thought to have been wild trees brought to Calgary by miners returning from Drumheller.
• In 1922, the trees were sold for $1.
• Metal discs were attached to stands in front of each tree. The discs were inscribed with the year, the donor's name and a tag number.
• City of Calgary Parks began cloning the original poplars in 2001 to continue the tree’s heritage. Today we have 1,500 offspring growing in Grand Forks, BC.
• All the poplar trees along Memorial Drive are female, but one. Female poplars bear the cotton – which provides food for ducks, carries tree seeds and provides nesting material for birds and animals.

Submitted by Anna Blaxley, Calgary Parks

When nature meets the city; living with wildlife

As Calgarians, we are urban dwellers - living in one of Canada’s largest cities. We are community focussed and we believe in preserving the environment, leaving a legacy of sustainability for future generations. Our communities and neighbourhoods are important to us, and we are constantly improving these special places where we live, work and play. Our communities are also home to a rich variety of wildlife that also lives here.

The abundance of wildlife and habitat in Calgary makes our city uniquely both urban and natural. Visiting our natural area parks such as Weaselhead Flats, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Griffith Woods is a great place to watch wildlife.

We are fortunate to live in a city full of wildlife, however there can be conflict at times. But always there is a desire to foster and live in a healthy, sustainable environment. To support this, The City of Calgary signed the Durban Commitment, becoming the third Canadian city to formally join an international program aimed at improving and supporting biodiversity in our city.

This is the first in a three part series about Calgary’s biodiversity.

Pests or wildlife?

Today’s focus is about those critters such as rabbits, skunks, magpies and mice, that can take up residence in our yards, under our decks and sometimes even inside our homes.

These creatures are constantly searching for resources that provide food and habitat, and sometimes they find what they need in our yards! Desirable elements that provide food and shelter can increase the risk of wildlife becoming a nuisance. Following some basic guidelines will help ensure that wildlife remain in the wild, not in our back yards.

How can we ensure wildlife do not become pests?

• Do not provide a food source. Food left in yards for pets or birds can attract nearby wildlife. Keep the area under your bird feeder clean and tidy. 
• Overflowing or easily accessible garbage can attract wildlife. Keep garbage in tightly closed and secured waste disposal bins.
• Keep landscaping tidy. Overgrown grass can provide habitat for wildlife. 

There are numerous organizations involved with fostering a healthy co-existence between Calgarians and wildlife in the city. Contact the appropriate organization to assist with any wildlife concerns.

Want more info?

More tips on how to prevent wildlife from becoming pests will be posted on The City of Calgary’s facebook page throughout October. Stay tuned!

Submitted by Corinna Baxter, Calgary Parks

New eLearning modules help Calgarians ReTree YYC

As fall sets in and leaves change colour, it’s easy to see the beauty of our city’s trees. But the benefits of a healthy urban forest go far beyond aesthetics: trees clean the air, improve our health, absorb noise and increase property value.

For these reasons – and so many more – we want to keep our urban forest growing for future generations to come. In fact, The City’s goal is to increase our tree canopy from 8.23% to 20%.

Our tree canopy includes every tree in our city – from streets, parks, public spaces and backyards. And with over 50% of Calgary’s trees located on private land, we need your help. Events like the 2013 flood and the 2014 Snowtember storm damaged much of our urban forest, reducing our canopy cover. ReTree YYC has been working hard to prune and replace public trees, and support Calgarians’ efforts of caring for trees in their yards.

Now we’ve launched new eLearning modules to further support citizens in growing our urban forest. We want to give Calgarians the tools to plant new trees and care for the ones we already have. They’re free, and available 24/7 to do at your own pace.

The first module “Right Tree, Right Location” focuses on:

• The types of trees that work for you.
• Where to plant safely in your yard.
• Step by step instructions for planting a tree.
• How to care for your tree after it’s been planted.

Did you know: Early fall is a great time to plant, as the tree is focused on root growth, instead of new leaves – and trees are often less expensive to purchase at the end of the growing season.

Check out the module and learn more about what you can do to help ReTree YYC!

Submitted by Erin Smith, Calgary Parks

A history of Calgary's trees

Over 100 years ago Calgary’s early landscape was completely void of trees. In fact, our current urban forest is a remarkable achievement, given the city is located in an arid prairie climate that doesn’t naturally grow many trees.

So how did we become the “City of Trees” we are today?

William Pearce Estate, c 1890s 

Glenbow Archives NA-3898-5

Early Years

Starting in the 1880s, during the European settlement of North America, trees in Calgary were planted for practicality, especially as wind breaks against our strong gusty weather.

Civic leaders at the time dreamed that the Calgary landscape could be transformed into a “City of Trees.” Once the Town of Calgary was incorporated in May 1884 it started to distribute spruce trees to taxpayers for a small fee – you could call it the original ReTree YYC.

William Pearce 

Calgary owes much of the early beginnings of its urban forest to William Pearce. He envisioned Calgary as a city with grand boulevards connecting a series of park spaces. In 1884, Pearce used his position as an inspector for the Dominion Land Agencies in Ottawa to reserve land along the north side of the Bow River. Today it is the city’s landmark boulevard — Memorial Drive, and Pearce has his lasting patch of green in our city – at Pearce Estate Park near Inglewood.

William Reader

In 1913 William Reader became Calgary’s third Superintendant of Parks and Cemeteries. One of his first priorities was the development of the new civic nursery, located at the bottom of Union Cemetery hill.

From 1932 – 1942, Reader planted trees in all areas of the city, including Bowness, Mount Royal, Centre Street and Memorial Drive. Many of these trees today are on the “Heritage Tree Foundation of Canada” list –over 73 in Calgary!

Reader noted: “I very much doubt if any other public improvement will tend to create and foster a civic pride in Calgary to the same extent as the making of boulevards, and planting of trees on our streets.”

Olympic Plaza

Today

Today the urban forest consists of over 1.5 million trees in manicured parks, green spaces, natural areas, boulevards, and private trees.

Do your part to help ReTree YYC: Autumn is one of the best times to plant a tree, as the tree puts energy into establishing roots, rather than leaves. Plus, we’re offering free mulch at landfills from September 1 – 30 to help insulate your trees over winter. 

For more information on how you can contribute to Calgary’s legacy of planting and caring for trees, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Erin Smith, Parks

Five places to catch 'em all

So you’ve decided to catch 'em all and are walking around the city, getting your daily exercise, and fulfilling your gaming goals, but do you know where to go? 

We’ve made a list of the top five places where you’ll find more than just Pokémon!

1. Prince’s Island Park

New railings, surfaces, and glass panels for City bridges

Warm, dry conditions in Calgary over the summer means it’s the best time for bridge maintenance.

City crews and engineers maintain bridges through both routine and preventative types of maintenance to keep motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians safe. Make sure you know which bridges are currently undergoing work so you can plan your route.

Peace Bridge Trolley

Peace Bridge
There are six broken glass panels on the Peace Bridge that need to be replaced, and the City has partnered with a contractor to come up with an innovative solution to replace them. Using a cart that runs along the top of the bridge, panels will be lowered into place with a rope suspension system. This unique strategy will be benefit pedestrians, says Senior Engineer Craig MacFarlane. “Replacing the panels with ropes from the top of the bridge means there will be no scaffolding in place. The bridge will remain fully open to pedestrians whenever work isn’t being done.” The bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. while the panels are being replaced, but these closures will not occur every night. Work is expected to finish by August 10, 2016.

Prince’s Island Park Bridge

Prince's Island Park bridge scaffolding

From July until October 2016, crews are installing a new non-slip walking surface on the bridge that connects Prince’s Island Park to Memorial Drive. This new surface is being installed on the bridge in sections, which means the bridge will remain open to pedestrians throughout the work. Watch for scaffolding where the work is being done, and make sure to dismount from your bike.

Penbrooke Meadows Pedestrian Bridge
The pedestrian bridge that connects Penedo Way S.E. over the railway tracks is closed for repairs until September, but is expected to re-open before the start of the school year. In order to keep kids safely travelling over the railway tracks to get to school, the pedestrian bridge will undergo:

• concrete repairs,
• installation of new treads and grating on stairs, and
• railing reinforcement.

Throughout these projects, make sure to watch for crews and give them plenty of room to work. These are just three of over 400 bridges managed and maintained by The City. Learn more about the City’s annual bridge maintenance projects.

Bees and trees - the dynamic duo

Bees play a vital role in sustaining our ecosystem; it is estimated bees pollinate one third of everything we eat. In order to do that, bees need to have large food sources in one location.

That’s where trees come in.

Trees act as a one-stop food shop for bees. In fact, trees have huge quantities of nectar close together, making it easier for bees to buildup stores to turn into honey. Trees and bees work in harmony: bees need the flowers from the tree for food, while the tree needs the bee to reproduce. Bees also collect resin from coniferous trees and help with their nest construction. It’s pretty sweet stuff.

How you can help

The easiest way to keep our bees happy is to keep our trees healthy. Healthy trees are essential for nectar and pollination. This includes consistent watering, mulching, pruning and monitoring trees for pests. For more information on healthy tree care, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Want to plant a tree for the bees? Until Sept. 1, The City is partnering with local retailers to help you save 10% off your next tree purchase.

Calgary trees that bees love (just to name a few):

• Wolf Willow 
• Crab-apple
• Lilac
• Red Elder 
• Maple
• Cherry
• Poplar

Added bonus: most of them are fruit-flowering, so (after the bees do their work) you can reap the rewards.

One more un-bee-lieveable fact: The City has set up mason bee houses at orchard sites to increase the colonization of the orchards by mason bees.

Submitted by Erin Smith, Parks

Come meet the goats of Confluence Park

For the past three weeks, a herd of approximately 100 goats have been dining on weeds in Confluence (West Nose Creek) Park as a pilot to test grazing as a tool to manage City park land.

Come kid around with us

A drop-in meet and greet is planned at the park for Saturday, July 9 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Everyone is invited. Come pet the animals, see the baby goats, and ask us questions. Our staff and educators will also be on site to answer questions about land management, weed control and the use of goats in these activities.

Watch go(at) pro videos here

Please dress appropriately for walking on uneven ground. We also ask those attending to wear clean clothing and shoes, especially if they've been around other livestock, and to consider leaving dogs at home. This is to promote the good health of the herd at Confluence Park.

Parking is available at the Beddington Trail lot; on-site staff and signage will provide direction to the goats.

It’s go(at) time

Early indicators are that this pilot has been successful. So far we’ve learned that goats can be used without disrupting our visitors’ enjoyment of the park, whether on foot, on bicycle, or with a leashed dog.

Preliminary signs also indicate that the goats have done an excellent job targeting a significant volume and variety of invasive weeds such as Canada thistle, hound’s tongue, and hawkweed.

We look forward to seeing you at the meet and greet. And if you are interested in learning more before Saturday please visit us online at calgary.ca/goats. Or join the meet and greet Facebook event.

Submitted by Corinna Baxter, Parks

Let’s branch out: tips for picking and planting trees

When it comes to choosing the right tree for the right location, it’s easy to get stumped. Luckily, we have some tips to help you cultivate your inner green thumb.

The right tree:

• Hardiness: Make sure the type of tree you are planting is suited to our climate so it can grow and thrive. Wondering what works best? Here are some tips for selecting the right tree type for the area.  
• Stay local: Trees that are grown locally have adapted to local weather conditions and will be more successful when transplanted.
• Variety: Have a peek around your neighbourhood to see if one tree type is more common. Consider planting something different so that if a pest or disease is introduced not all trees will be lost.   

We are proud to partner with retailers to help grow our trees. Use this coupon and save 10% on your next tree purchase at these garden centres:

• Blue Grass Nursery, Sod & Garden Centre
• Garden Scents Garden Center
• Golden Acre Garden Centre
• Plantation Garden Center
• Spruce It Up Garden Centre

The right location:

• When: Ideally, plant your tree in the early spring or early fall when the weather is cool. It’s important to note soil, moisture and sunlight requirements; planting trees in the right conditions will give them the best opportunity to thrive, and they will be less susceptible to pests and diseases.
• Where: Consider the size and shape of the tree at maturity and make sure it is given enough room to grow. One helpful tip is to not plant trees that will grow to be very large next to the foundation of your home, retaining wall or utilities. We’ve found this handy chart outlining what to plant in relation to power lines. And don’t forget to call or click before you dig.
• How: Dig a hole two to three times wider than the root ball and as deep as the root ball. Remove the covering (container or wire basket) and place your tree in the hole by lifting the root ball, not the trunk. Straighten the tree and gently add soil to stabilize and fill the hole. Mulch the base of the tree to help with moisture retention and nutrients. Water new trees at least once a week if there isn’t any rain. The soil should be moist, but not soaked.

Looking for more? Check out a video on residential tree care tips or learn more about the City’s tree and shrub bylaws.

For additional information on trees, visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Erin Smith, Calgary Parks

To water or not to water? Tips to care for your tree this spring

A combination of above-average seasonal temperatures and a dry winter might have you wondering: How do I care for my trees in the spring?

In dry spring-like weather conditions you can help Calgary trees in two ways:

Watering

With trees beginning to leaf-out, they could all benefit from an extra drink of water now – it’s hard work budding all those leaves.
Generally, newly planted and/or young trees, under two years old, require more frequent watering. During extended periods of dry conditions all trees benefit from some extra watering.

Watering tips:

• Before watering, check your soil moisture. Using your hands, loosen the soil around the trunk to get an idea of how dry the soil is.
• Ensure the flow coming from your garden hose is a slow trickle to allow the soil enough time to absorb water. 
• Always water your tree at the root. Tree roots can be found away from the trunk under the drip line, which is the spot where rain falls down from the branch to the ground.
• Only apply enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 10 inches or more for mature trees, approximately 30 minutes at a slow trickle. 
• Avoid over-watering. A good indication of over-watering is if you see water begin to run-off the surface. 

Mulching: 

Try adding some mulch around your tree.  Mulching helps trees retain water, moderates soil temperature and reduces grass and weeds from growing around tree trunks. Here’s more info on how to mulch.

Looking for mulch materials? Head to any City landfill between now and May 29th for free mulch – just bring a shovel and your own containers or bags!    

For tips and information swing by our ReTree YYC booth this weekend at the Calgary Horticultural Garden Show April 9 and 10 or you can visit calgary.ca/trees.

If you have questions or concerns about a City-owned tree please contact 311 via mobile app or by phone.

Submitted by Arthur McComish, Parks

Construction begins at Prairie Winds Park

Construction is now starting at Prairie Winds Park to get that much needed facelift that you helped shape by sharing what you wanted to see in your park.

Click on the image to enlarge and view.

The upgraded park will have new features like a lookout at the top of the toboggan hill and better access into the park. We are also relocating the tennis courts to the southeast corner of the park, which people told us is an underused area. We’re adding lighting there too to extend the hours people can play.

Revitalizing a well-loved park

Other new elements of the park include an exciting new playscape, new wading pool with a lazy river, and a junior-sized cricket pitch that will replace the existing baseball diamond – just to name a few.

Prairie Winds Park has been a well-loved and well-used park in Calgary’s northeast for the past 25 years. The redevelopment of the park will revitalize and provide it with much-needed upgrades and improvements so it can continue serving the growing communities around it.

Being active and healthy are important to your quality of life. Having an upgraded space at Prairie Winds Park gives Calgarians another space to get out, be active and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Construction closures

While construction is happening, certain areas of the park will be closed to the public. Closures and construction updates will be provided at calgary.ca/prairiewindspark and on Twitter using #prairiewindspark.

Construction is expected to be completed by the summer of 2017.

Submitted by Erin Martinez, Parks

Tips for winter tree pruning to help ReTree YYC

During the winter, trees are dormant, making this a great time to prune your deciduous trees as they are not actively growing.

Remember to be safe when pruning trees.

Deciduous trees are trees that lose their leaves in winter. Winter pruning promotes fast regrowth and healing of the pruning wounds in the spring. Insects and diseases are less active in the winter and the pruning wounds are exposed for just a short time.

Also, without leaves, a trees natural shape is much more visible, allowing you to see the branches that could be pruned.

Tips for winter pruning
• Prune on a mild day. Trees should be pruned in the earlier part of winter, before the conditions become too rough, to prevent frozen branches from shattering when they hit the ground.
• Prune early in the winter season when there is little to no snow on the ground to ensure safe footing.
• First prune out dead and diseased branches, then remove the overgrown and smaller branches to increase light and air at the crown of the tree.
• Remember to keep the branches that maintain the overall structure of the tree.
• Cut the branch at the ‘node’ or the ‘collar’. The node is the point at which one branch attaches to another and the collar is the swollen area that is found where the branch attaches to the trunk.
• Be careful not to over prune.
• Do not "top" your tree in an effort to control its size. Topping is the drastic cutting back of major branches. Topping may destroy the natural form of the tree, encourages the tree to put our weakly attached shoots and can create an opportunity for the sun to scald to the newly exposed branches which are more prone to damage.

But before you grab your handy pruning shears, it is important to remember to be safe.

Safety cautions
• Practice safety first. Start with issues that will lead to major problems if ignored. Look for potential hazards such as major limbs that are still hanging in the crown (top area) of the tree and/or trunks of trees that are split. These issues should be addressed as soon as possible, especially if there is a risk to injure people or damage property.
• Know your skill level. Consult with an International Society Arborist (ISA) certified arborist or a tree care company that employs ISA certified arborists. This could apply if trees need work in their canopy, large limbs need to be removed or specialized equipment is needed.

The City has been working hard to recover our trees since the September 2014 ‘Snowtember’ snowstorm. We have pruned and assessed 111,968 City trees and planted 7,488 City trees so far. However, with more than three quarters of our urban canopy on private property, it will take us all working together to regrow our urban forest.

Watch more winter tree care tips and visit calgary.ca/trees.

Submitted by Althea Livingston, Parks

Lighting up your trees for the holidays? Stay safe and keep your trees healthy

It’s that time of year when you may start to decorate your home for the holidays. Lighting can look beautiful, but it is important to ensure your safety and the health of the tree comes first.
 

For your safety, we recommend you always:  

• Ensure you use outdoor lights outdoors, and indoor lights indoors.
• Ensure your outdoor lights have a sticker to show they meet CSA standards or are CSA approved. 
• Never string more than the recommended number of lights together.
• Know your limits when decorating. Make sure you have the right tools, such as appropriate ladder, for harder to reach areas. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it. 

Here are some tips to help ensure your trees are safe and healthy too:

• Hang the lights throughout the tree instead of wrapping each individual branch and/or trunk.
• Remove lights promptly once the season is over. 
• Electrical cords and items used to secure lights to the trunks and branches of trees can “girdle” them over time as they grow. Girdling occurs when wire or rope is wrapped tightly around the tree limiting the flow of water and nutrients.
• If you are using a ladder, be careful not to damage the tree. If possible, stand your ladder up beside the tree rather than using the tree for support. Leaning it directly against the tree can damage the tree and make it more susceptible to pests and disease.  
• When removing the lights, be gentle. Tugging the lights off may remove new tree buds or damage the tree's exterior, especially on younger trees that can be soft. 

Whose tree is it?

These are some tips for decorating trees on your own property. For trees on City property, there is a Tree Protection Bylaw, and the maintenance of these trees is the responsibility of The City.

Wondering if a tree on your property is a City tree? Visit the tree map.

For more information on what to do, how to get around and how to be safe during the winter season visit calgary.ca/winter.

Submitted by Allison Fifield, Parks