Birdseed, food left outdoors and garbage left out overnight on Monday evenings for garbage pick up attracts wildlife into the community – putting residents and animals at risk by habituating wildlife to human-supplied food sources. 

Help keep our community safe for residents and wildlife – BE AnimalSmart!  Go to www.wildsmart.ca to learn more about how our community can  “live smart” out here in beautiful Redwood Meadows!

Be AnimalSmart! is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows

Walk and learn about invasive plants while helping to eradicate harmful weeds from the community!

While you may think this image is of a beautiful and cheerful daisy that you would like to have in your garden (and may actually have planted there), in reality, it is considered an “invasive” plant, or weed, that threatens the integrity of our local ecosystem.  The Oxeye Daisy has been given the status of  “noxious weed” in Alberta, meaning that landowners must by law control it to prevent it from spreading, due to the negative impact it can have on the survival of native plants and natural systems in the province.  Invasive plants are able to thrive and quickly spread in environments which lack conditions that normally regulate their growth and keep them in check, such as temperature extremes, presence of grazers, and water availability, to name a few.  Since these plants can establish themselves so well in certain non-native areas – where these controlling factors are absent – they can seriously threaten locally adapted plants in their ability to outcompete them for the resources necessary for growth (ie. sunlight, water, space). 

The Oxeye Daisy has been identified in many public spaces and on homeowner property in Redwood, and is in fact one of the most prominent “weeds” in our community. As a way of educating our residents and working to eradicate this invasive plant species, Sustainable Redwood is working together with the Alberta Native Plant Council (ANPC) and Rocky View County to organise a community weed pull.  It is a great opportunity to learn from the experts at ANPC and Rocky View County about both native and invasive plants and the importance of eradicating and properly  disposing of weeds.

So, please join us in this community effort to rid our natural areas of the OxEye Daisy!  All participants will receive information on the Oxeye Daisy and a package of native plant seeds as a thank you to you for your efforts!!!

Date:   Saturday, June 22nd                          

Time:    10 am to noon

Please meet at Redwood House, with gardening or work gloves and water in case you get thirsty on our walk.  Dress for the weather, as we will go rain or shine!!!!  Bring the whole family, a great educational opportunity for all ages!!

RWM Community Weed Pull – June 22 is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows

Please visit www.rmcasurveys.com to complete the quick survey. This is your opportunity to help decide which projects should be the focus for the RMCA over the next one to five years.

This survey is to be completed once per household. Please designate one person per household to complete the survey on behalf of the family. Multiple submissions per household will not be accepted.

Complete the survey on or before June 17th and be eligible for one of two gift certificates at Creekers Market in Bragg Creek!

All personal information will be kept strictly confidential and used only for the purposes of this research project.

Please direct any questions to:

Carmen Ryan

Redwood Meadows Resident

RMCA Board Member

Research Strategies

crryan@persona.ca

RMCA Community Project Funding Survey is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows

Long-time Wild Rose Club members, past Redwood residents and celebrated artists,  Elaine and Lauchie Fleming feature selected works on show and for sale at Redwood House through June and July.  Drop in during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm

Currently at Redwood House – The Art of Elaine and Lauchie Fleming is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows

The Colin Rudolph Memorial Skate Park in Redwood Meadows is now up and running thanks to a small crew of hard-working local residents who put in a full days work for the community.  The Skate Park, now in its third year of operation, has proven to be a popular recreational asset to Redwood and surrounding areas.  Kids and adults of all ages come to board, scooter, in-line skate and BMX. 

The Park is open daily 9am -9pm.  

Parents of Park users are asked to make sure that their children understand the Rules and Regulations before sending them out on the ramps.   The area is monitored with video surveillance.

•  This is a use-at-your-own-risk facility for skateboarders, in-line skaters, scooters and BMX bikers ONLY.
• Helmets MUST be worn at ALL times. Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards are strongly recommended.  
• No unauthorized obstacles, materials, or other pieces of equipment are allowed in the Skate Park  (i.e. you cannot build your own ramps or jumps)
• The following items and activities are prohibited:
  • Littering and Grafitti
  • Glass Containers
  •  Alcoholic Beverages
  • §Portable or personal radios, stereos, CD players, speakers, or other amplified music.
• Always skate in control and to your ability.
•  Be nice and watch your language.
• Take your turn and watch out for younger skaters/bikers.
• Do not skate in wet or snowy conditions.
• Children under the age of 8 must be supervised by an adult.
• Bring a buddy – don’t skate alone.
• This is your park, enjoy it, use it wisely and don’t abuse it.  Any problems should be reported by calling the Redwood Meadows Townsite Office at (403) 949-3563.  

• In an emergency –  call 911.

Colin Rudolph Memorial Skate Park Now Open is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows

Redwood’s favourite birthday party is fast approaching and the RMCA is looking for helpers in the following areas:

•  Set-Up & Take Down:  6 people to help set up and take down tables, chairs and tents in the stage and beer garden areas.
•  Stage & Sound Set-Up:  2 people with some stage set-up experience to help the sound man.
• Decorators:  2 people to decorate the stage and beer garden areas.
• Bike Parade Decorating Team:  help kids decorate their bikes for the big parade – fun for young teens!
• BBQ Bussers:  2 people to help keep the dining area cleaned up and garbage disposed of.
• Ticket Sales:  4 ticket sellers – 2 shifts of 2 hours each.
•  Kid’s Activity Supervisors:  4 bouncy castle attendants
•  Beer Garden Servers:  4 servers – 2 x 2.5 hour shifts.  ProServe certification an asset.
• Beer Garden Security Personnel:  4 shifts of 3 guards to work one hour shifts at a time.  Dark sunglasses required!
• Post Event Clean-Up:  4 people to help clean up garbage & recycling in the event area.

Please contact Wanda @ Townsite Office 949-3563 or email redwoodvolunteer@gmail.com

CANADA DAY – Redwood’s Favourite Birthday Party! is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows

This summer, the Redwood Meadows Emergency Services is offering two one-week long summer camp opportunities to “train like a firefighter” for teens between the ages of 14 and 17.  Participants will spend a week training in fire extinguishers, search and rescue, hoses and hydrants, vehicle extrication, first aid / CPR plus team-building and leadership.  A Thursday overnight campout is also on the schedule.

Camp dates are July 15-19 and August 12-16 right here in Redwood Meadows.  Camp hours are 8:30 – 4:30pm.  The cost is $300 per registrant.

For more information, visit www.rmesfire.org/firecadetcamp

Registration On Now for RMES Fire Cadet Camp in Redwood Meadows is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows

The work of aboriginal artist  Jerry Whitehead www.jerrywhitehead.com is also on display in the Wolf Willow Room.

Stay tuned for an upcoming Spring Art Exhibition and Sale opening May 3 featuring the art of former Redwood residents and long-time Wild Rose Club members Elaine and Lauchie Fleming.   Come have a sneak peek at thier paintings currently on display in the Redwood House foyer. 

If you are a local artist interested in showing your work in our mini-gallery, contact Wanda at Townsite Office at 949-3563 or email wurbanowicz@redwoodmeadows.ab.ca.

Currently on Display at Redwood House and Coming Soon … is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows

It isn’t easy being green, but a Redwood Meadows environmental group recently proved that passion and hard work will be rewarded.  Audubon International, an environmental organization, gave Sustainable Redwood an Environmental Stewardship Award on February 7.

Sustainable Redwood, an environmental committee, was established by the Townsite of Redwood Meadows’ residents to address sustainability concerns in their community. “This award was in recognition of Sustainable Redwood’s outstanding efforts to foster environmental awareness and stewardship through the Audubon Green Neighbourhoods Program,” said Joanna Nadeau, Audubon International program manager.

The Audubon International Green Neighbourhoods Program helps local environmental groups choose and implement education and improvement projects to help their communities.  “We look to improve the environmental practices of communities, educate residents, and reward actions, while making it fun for all who participate,” said Nadeau. “We welcome Redwood Meadows’ commitment to the environment and to managing their neighbourhood with wildlife in mind.”

Sustainable Redwood coordinator Shana Barbour-Welsh said Audubon International gave Redwood Meadows the award for completing three projects this past year in the areas of wildlife habitat protection, water conservation, education and outreach.  Sustainable Redwood hosted a native and invasive plant species seminar to educate residents about the important role using native plant species in landscaping plays in protecting local wildlife.

The committee also renovated a small washroom in Redwood House, their community building, by retrofitting fixtures and putting in a low-flow toilet that they use as an example of water conservation for residents.

Each month, Sustainable Redwood hosts the Friday Night Ethical Film Series, showing sustainability-themed documentaries at Redwood House.  They also regularly publish articles in Chatter in the Woods, their local newsletter, to educate residents about sustainability.

According to Barbour-Welsh, sustainability is about finding a balance between environmental, economic, social and cultural needs.  Sustainability is also about respecting First Nations cultures and their traditional knowledge she said.

Last April 21, during Sustainable Redwood’s Earth Day celebration, respected Tsuu T’ina elder Fred Eagletail was invited to speak to Redwood Meadows residents to share his community’s oral culture of storytelling and cultural beliefs about their relationship with the environment.  Eagletail, who was raised by his grandmother, said he enjoyed teaching Redwood Meadows children about the history, language, culture and tradition of his community.  “I was glad to tell stories passed down from my granny about nature, our past history and culture,” said Eagletail. “These teachings are about the traditional ways and how we survived as a community.”

Sustainable Redwood will host an open house, during the next Earth Day event to collect information from residents that will be used to guide the committee in choosing and prioritizing projects in 2013.  While Barbour-Welsh said the award has lent credibility to her committee’s work, they plan to receive Audubon International’s Neighbourhood for Nature Award by completing five projects in the next year.  “We recognize that even though we are from a green community, there is much room for improvement,” she said. “We can strive to become a sustainable neighbourhood.”

Sustainable Redwood meets at Redwood House the first Monday of every month. To get involved contact the committee at sustainableredwood@gmail.com.

Sustainable Redwood Recognized for Environmental Efforts is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows

f you love this planet, the 3rd annual Earth Day celebration is coming April 21 and you can help!  Volunteers in their teens and up are needed in a number of ways – selling healthy food at the Earth Day Café, helping vendors set up shop or assisting with eco-friendly craft projects.  Whether you are a true tree-hugger or just someone who enjoys the beauty of our community, there is a space for you to show you care.  Contact sustainableredwood@gmail.com.

CANADA DAY ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Be a true patriot and take part in organizing the community’s “favourite” annual event!   The RMCA is looking for a small team of individuals to help make the 2013 Canada Day celebration better than ever.  If you love to come to the Canada Day in Redwood (who doesn’t?!), then why not be a part of it and work behind the scenes while having fun and meeting people at the same time?  There are many possible positions, from helping to organize the BBQ, ticket sales, kid’s activities, bike parade, beer garden and more!  Contact redwoodvolunteer@gmail.com if you heart  Canada.

ADULT AND TEEN SOCCER & BASEBALL COACHES, ASSISTANTS &  OTHER HELPERS

Get off the sidelines and join the action!  The Redwood sports field will soon be teaming with hundreds of kids kicking, passing and batting a ball.  Volunteers make this program a success year after a year.  The SOCCER program offers a free soccer coaching clinic from the Alberta Soccer Association, an awesome t-shirt and a great group of kids to share your love of sport with!  If you are hopeless on the field but still want to contribute, we need you too!  Contact Wanda at rmcasports@gmail.com.

RIGHT TO PLAY FUN RUN ORGANIZERS

Redwood’s Third Annual Fun Run teams up once again with Marathon Man and Right to Play Sports Ambassador Martin Parnell for this “FUNdraiser”!  If you think you can keep up with Martin, come work with the project leader to develop and publicize this event on June 2.  Help with registration at Redwood events, collect draw prizes, distribute publicity and help with set up on the day of the event.  Take this opportunity and RUN with it!!   Call Carol at 403-949-2238 or carol@scarratt.org for more info.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES is a post from: Townsite of Redwood Meadows