A hats-off to two people who have adopted local natural areas and are doing a great job of monitoring and communicating about them for the benefit of others.
Sue Panteluk: Bunchberry botanist
First, kudos to Sue Panteluk who lives close to Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area and has taken it upon herself to act as its watchdog and guardian. She checks on the status of plants, especially unusual ones such as the populations of leather grape fern (Sceptridium multifidum), and she has reported in flower this month the very rare northern wild comfrey (Andersonglossum boreale), of which we have found a single specimen in Bunchberry! She grows some of the plants from seed in Bunchberry to better understand their life cycles.
Sue supplies us regularly with photographs for our publications and records. Not least, she supplies water for planting at ENPS’ restoration bed projects at Bunchberry, led by Cherry Dodd and Adrian Jones, as well as working on them as a volunteer. She says her grandchildren often help her to water, weed and mulch at Bunchberry! Good on them too!
Wayne Oakes: River Valley Naturalist-Photographer
Our second accolade goes to Wayne Oakes, an all-round naturalist, who has patrolled the northern part of Whitemud Creek Park (Fox Drive to Rainbow Valley) for many years, summer and winter alike. He’s an expert photographer and posts his images on the Edmonton Nature Club’s NatureTalk, to the awe and delight of members. (We have featured some of Wayne’s photos in our newsletters too.)
Wayne’s powers of observation are amazing. He has recorded 791 species of flora and fauna in this area of the park, including difficult groups such as insects, fungi and slime molds. Who would have guessed? And how does he identify all these creatures he sees? He submits his photos to iNaturalist, checks for experts’ suggestions on identification, and then does his own research to hone in on the correct identity. He himself can be identified in the park by his camouflage gear and big camera!
Adopting an area and visiting it frequently is the best way to learn and appreciate nature in that area. You’ll be enthralled by what you see. And who knows, the data you collect could make a contribution to science!