Greetings and welcome to August. Let’s get into it right away.
Spruce Budworms
As you may have noticed, this year’s spruce budworm infestation seemed to hit a new peak. On July 6th at the Bragg Creek Community Centre, over 120 people from all over Bragg Creek and neighbouring counties turned out for a community meeting to discuss this blight.
Organized by Dick Koetsier and Collen Seto and supported by a host of volunteers from the Bragg Creek Community Association, guests were educated and informed by a three member panel consisting of Dave Klepacki, Keith Ebbs and Gary Nikiforuk.
Dave Klepacki is a local resident and expert on environmental conservation and was first to speak to the budworm infestation. He educated the crowd on spruce budworms themselves and the impacts of using BTK (Bacillus Thuringiensis – which is a natural soil bacteria pesticide), as in the aerial spray program conducted by Redwood Meadows late in June. He pointed out the potential harm to other members of the Lepidoptera or caterpillar family that would be harmed in the attempts to eradicate the spruce budworms and not to mention the possible detrimental effects on some birds and other insects.
Keith Ebbs of Ebbs Forestry Services was next to speak. Keith, a forestry expert and consultant was instrumental in working with Redwood meadows Council to bring about the aerial spray program in which two applications were completed in late June in Redwood Meadows. He started working with Redwood Meadows back in late fall to do an initial assessment. Upon seeing this year’s budworm proliferation, stating that he had never ever seen it this bad, he suggested an assessment be carried out in the immediate future because wildfire risks increase should we lose any trees.
Speaking of wildfire risk, our third panelist, Gary Nikiforuk, former Chair of the Bragg Creek FireSmart Committee and local resident spoke about the importance of home owners having properties that are fire smart.Our area is deemed high risk for a future wildfire incident, therefore the need to protect ourselves is critical at this time. He echoed the information from Keith that a FireSmart protocol allows us to be prepared for the worst because it’s not a matter of if, but when a wildfire will occur.
In the end, peoples’ questions were addressed in a Q&A following the presentation. Also, Reeve Dan Henn from RVC and Reeve Suzanne Oel from Foothills were in attendance to hear the concerns as these budworms do not respect county boundaries. In conclusion of the evening, Reeve Henn addressed the crowd to say RVC will seriously look into this matter and report to Council in the near future. Please stay tuned for updates. Before my term is over, I will bring forward a Notice of Motion to Council to ensure this matter is addressed for next year.
Bragg Creek area cleanup
I want to thank area residents who came out in late June to take part in the Bragg Creek Ladies Auxiliary (BCLA) Hamlet cleanup. Spearheaded by BCLA Vice-President Michele McDonald, over 60 volunteers arrived which was more than expected. Folks from all areas of Bragg Creek walked the streets with orange RVC garbage bags in hand to pick up garbage strewn about the Hamlet.
Christian Lee from RVC’s Solid Waste and Recycling Program/Utility Services was instrumental in working with the BCLA, helping to coordinate garbage pickups, providing bags and signage. While the Hamlet cleanup was going on, two other local groups were participating: The Bragg Creek Wild (BCW) and Bragg Creek Trails (BCT) and their volunteers took charge of the Bragg Creek Provincial Park and West Bragg Creek trails respectively. Again, thanks to the Bragg Creek Community Association, Bragg Creek Ladies Auxiliary, Bragg Creek Wild, Bragg Creek Trails, Rocky View County and the many volunteers who gave up a beautiful Saturday morning to help beautify Mother Nature’s playground.
Great sadness
We lost a long time and wonderful member of our community several weeks ago. Ron Peiluck, CEO of Scope Projects as well as a Wintergreen Golf Club member will be missed. He was an expert in all things that involved landscape but for me personally, he was a treasure trove of political stories and advice. He will be sorely missed by all of those he touched. RIP Ron.
Finally, as we come down to the end of the summer, please don’t let your guard down when it comes to protecting you and your loved ones during this pandemic. The past year has been a difficult and challenging one and as we all get to revel in some sort of “normalcy”, please don’t let your guard down.
Until next month, enjoy the fun and sun, drink up and stay hydrated.
– Cheers, Mark
