How did Alan Grainger describe Richard St. Barbe Baker? “Richard St. Barbe Baker was a giant of a man, like the redwood trees he loved so much. He thought big, he lived long, and some would even say he talked long too.” Dr. Alan Grainger, Senior Lecturer Global Change and Policy, School of Geography, Faculty of Environment Unversity of Leeds, UK
There were six characteristics integrated into Richard St. Barbe’s vision according to Alan Grainger.
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71
1/ Planetary scale. Richard St. Barbe Baker founded the Men of the Trees Twahamwe in 1922 [now known as the International Tree Foundation]. After 1940, St. Barbe Baker organised international World Forestry Charter gatherings seeking global initiatives in response to forestry and environmental problems.
2/ Historical perspective.
“The trees worked for millions of years to make it possible for man to come on this planet. Yet, man, who owes his presence on this Earth to trees, has been cutting, burning, greedily and recklessly. He has turned the forest to desert, until today we are faced not only with a timber famine, but with a food famine.” Richard St. Barbe Baker.
3/ Man’s tendency to over exploit the land, clearing forests, and taking too much from the land
“If man loses one third of his skin he dies; if a tree loses one third of its bark, it too dies. If the earth is a sentient being, would it not be reasonable to expect that if it loses one third of its trees and vegetative covering, it will also die?
The trees and vegetation, which cover the land surface of the Earth and delight the eye, are preforming vital tasks incumbent upon the vegetable world in nature. Its presence is essential to earth as an organism. It is the first condition of all life, it is the ‘skin’ of the Earth, for without it there can be no water, and , therefore, no life.” Richard St. Barbe Baker.
4/ The recognition on the planet of two spheres the first being vegetation and animal life, and how this biosphere interacts with the second sphere, that of humanity.
“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 nations 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.
5/ Mankind’s responsibility to care for his home, this planet Earth, and its biosphere.
“Man has lost his way in the jungle of chemistry and engineering and will have to retrace his steps, however painful this may be. In doing so, perhaps he may be able to recapture the rhythm of life and the love of the simple things of life, which will be an ever-unfolding joy to him.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker
“This generation may either be the last to exist in any semblance of a civilized world or that it will be the first to have the vision, the bearing and the greatness to say ‘I will have nothing to do with this destruction of life, I will play no part in this devastation of the land, I am determined to live and work for peaceful construction for I am morally responsible for the world of today and the generations of tomorrow.'”~Richard St. Barbe Baker
6/ Forests maintain the environmental stability for the global wellness of the world. Forests have their own characteristics.
“It is with a spirit of reverence that I approach God’s creation, this beautiful Earth. The ancients believed that the Earth was a sentient being, and felt the behaviour 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 act accordingly.” Richard St. Barbe Baker.
Richard St. Barbe Baker’s philosophy blended together the diversity of Nature with human advancement, spirituality and technological advances. St Barbe was a pioneer, often referred to as a man ahead of his era, seeking a unified world vision to safeguard the forests of the earth, appreciate and enhance Nature’s beauty and bounty “encouraging all to work for the future well being of humanity rather than for immediate gain”. “In communion with our fellow man, and tree-wise, strive to make the Earth more fruitful again.” Richard St. Barbe Baker
“when the trees go, the rain goes, the climate deteriorates, the water table sinks, the land erodes and desert conditions soon appear.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker
“If the armies of the world now numbering 22 million could be redeployed in planting in the desert, in eight years a 100 million people could be rehabilitated and supplied with protein rich food, grown from virgin sand. If we could accept the challenge, and make that a One World Purpose, this would unite East and West and be the scientfic and physical answer to this world’s dilemma.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker”
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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“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
“We forget that we owe our existence to the presence of Trees. As far as forest cover goes, we have never been in such a vulnerable position as we are today. The only answer is to plant more Trees – to Plant Trees for Our Lives.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker
“In the words of Henry van Dyke, America’s greatest tree poet,
‘He that planteth a tree is a servant of God;
He provideth a kindness for many generations
And faces that he hath not seen shall bless him.’ ”Richard St. Barbe Baker
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 
Good works. I love trees. They are very important beings.
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Thank you kindly for your reply, indeed, Richard St Barbe Baker was truly a visionary ahead of his time. In today’s time and age, environmentalists are saying the same things which St. Barbe said when he was a silviculurist after World War I
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You probably know all this but if not here are two links that talk to the Australian connection.
https://www.treesforlife.org.au/about/our-history/richard-st-barbe-baker
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/richard-st.-barbe-bakere28099s-environmental-fears/5706672
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Thank you ever so much. This is truly appreciated indeed.
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Wow! So much inspiration from the man, Richard St. Barbe Baker, and from this blog. Thank you so much for the stewardship.
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