What is a steward? If I become a “Steward of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area,” what will it mean? What does a steward do?
The dictionary definition of a steward is someone who protects or serves to take care of the land or a particular place.
For example, the South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards, Inc implement stewardship initiatives, “programs and initiatives that will protect the water resource.”
Nature Saskatchewan” has a program involving “stewards of Saskatchewan Land” volunteers. The organisation has become a collection of like-minded individuals networking together exchanging information, and maintaining a healthy sustainable ecosystem.
The Saskatoon Natural Grasslands and Peturrson’s Ravine are under the stewardship of the Saskatoon Nature Society. These two areas are under the jurisdiction of the Meewasin Valley Authority, who make the legal decisions and judgments for these two open spaces. In conjunction with neighbouring schools, community associations, and the City of Saskatoon, The Saskatoon Nature Society provides educational programs and organises field trips in and around the two areas. They also offer the ‘Kids in Nature’ grant program, “to have dedicated stewards of the natural world in the future!’
The Master Naturalist Programme offered by the Native Plant Society provides “volunteers with the knowledge and tools they need to become stewards of our natural areas.”
The Northeast Swale Watchers have become stewards of the land, playing “a vital role in protecting our natural areas.”
Stewardship generally is a role or a responsibility assumed of protection. Responsibility is the joining together of two words, response, and ability, the “ability” to “respond”. The definition of responsibility is the empowerment to take conscious action, and not passive reaction. The Stewards of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area are users of the the woodland area who have a choice. The Stewards of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area have found unity in their similar values from a diversity of origins and backgrounds.
“I approach God’s Creation, this beautiful Earth. The ancients believed that the Earth was a sentient being and felt the behavior of mankind upon it. As we have no proof to the contrary, it might be as well for responsible people to accept this point of view and behave accordingly.”~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
The Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is owned by the City of Saskatoon. The Meewasin Valley Authority does have some jurisdiction in the area. Additionally the Stewards of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area have come together as diverse users of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area who are united in their appreciation and celebration of the afforestation area.
“The fate of an individual or a nation will always be determined by the degree of his or its harmony with the forces and laws of Nature and the universe. Man is not alone in the universe but is surrounded by sources of power, harmony and knowledge. The fullness of life depends upon man’s harmony with the totality of the natural cosmic laws. Our individual evolution is a job that has to be carried on day by day by each individual himself. It is a livelong task.” ~Richard St. Barbe Baker.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Master Naturalists: Volunteer Stewards of our Natural Areas January 14, 2016. Date accessed June 5, 2016.
Nature Saskatchewan 2016. Date accessed June 5, 2016. Saskatoon Natural Grasslands A fescue grassland ecosystem inside the City!
2016. Date accessed June 5, 2016.
Saskatoon Natural Grasslands – Meewasin Brochure. 2016. Date accessed June 5, 2016.
Saskatoon Nature Society. Events of Interest” Date accessed June 5, 2016.
Saskatoon Nature Society. December 3, 2015. Date accessed June 5, 2016.
The Northeast Swale: Saskatoon’s Conservation Opportunity of a Lifetime November 19, 2016 EcoFriendly Saskatchewan. Date accessed June 5, 2016.
For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park
For directions on how to drive to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
For more information:
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′
Addresses:
Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A
Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A
S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063
Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot
Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com
Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map
Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)? with map
Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail)
Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal using the e-mail friendsafforestation AT gmail.com, or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Members e-mail your contact information to be kept up to date!
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| Membership : $20.00 CAD – yearly Membership with donation : $20.00 CAD -monthly Membership with donation : $50.00 CAD Membership with donation : $100.00 CAD |
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What was Richard St. Barbe Baker’s mission, that he imparted to the Watu Wa Miti, the very first forest scouts or forest guides? To protect the native forest, plant ten native trees each year, and take care of trees everywhere.
“We stand in awe and wonder at the beauty of a single tree. Tall and graceful it stands, yet robust and sinewy with spreading arms decked with foliage that changes through the seasons, hour by hour, moment by moment as shadows pass or sunshine dapples the leaves. How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees we call a forest.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker
“St. Barbe’s unique capacity to pass on his enthusiasm to others. . . Many foresters all over the world found their vocations as a result of hearing ‘The Man of the Trees’ speak. I certainly did, but his impact has been much wider than that. Through his global lecture tours, St. Barbe has made millions of people aware of the importance of trees and forests to our planet.” Allan Grainger
“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 
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