It is wonderful to be part of the City of Saskatoon, a city that at once is a pioneer in the world afforestation efforts. Saskatoon, was way ahead of the times in 1972. The parks department showed incredible foresight by implementing this “Green Survival” programme as it was called in its inception.
“We’ve got to realize we live in a biosphere. When the trees go, the people go. It’s a question of survival now. We’ve got to plant trees within the next 10 years to save our lives. We’ve been eating into our forest cover faster in the last 50 years than ever. If we want to enter the new century with forests, we will have to start planting trees for our lives now.” ~Richard St. Barbe Baker reported by Zeina Cleigh. Tribune Staff Writer.
‘Afforestation’ is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees (forestation) in an area where there was no previous tree cover.
‘Deforestation’ which means cutting of forests or trees.
‘Reforestation’ is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands (forestation) that have been depleted, usually through deforestation.
The Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area was planted by the City of Saskatoon parks department in 1972. The three afforestation areas, 660 acres, were preserved in perpetuity that same year by City Council.
Wayne Buckle, a tree planter in that year, says ” I have always enjoyed travelling over the train overpass on Highway 7 to watch my forest grow – that’s probably the best vantage point to view it” ~ Leslee Newman
Paul Hanley also wrote the best selling book Eleven speaking the time when the planet reaches Eleven billion people ~ echoing the following sentiments of Richard St. Barbe Baker. What are the choices facing this generation for the future survival of our planet?
A few of the many and several articles written about afforestation and the benefits to the planet are; Afforestation and Reforestation for Climate Change and Climate change mitigation through afforestation / reforestation These, of course, are just two of over 1,510,000 scientific articles on the importance and value of afforestation to mitigate climate change.
Will the human race fail, fizzle, give out, go out, peter out, run out, break, break down, collapse, conk (out), crash, cut out, die, expire, stall, stop, run down, wane?
It is up to you, personally, to help your grandchildren and all of humanity to hold out, hold up, keep up, last, prevail, bear up, carry on, cope, endure, fare, get along, get by, get on, go, hang in, make out, manage, persevere, abide, continue, draw out, hang on, hold on, linger, persist, remain, run on.
What can you do?
- Plant a tree, nay plant ten trees a year as requested by St. Barbe.
- Support afforestation efforts around the world.
- Care for trees everywhere.
- Do a good deed.
- Read Eleven, and the need to become a Sylvan economy as requested by St. Barbe
It is wonderful to be part of the City of Saskatoon, a city that at once is a pioneer in the world afforestation efforts. Saskatoon, was way ahead of the times in 1972. The parks department showed incredible foresight by implementing this “Green Survival” programme as it was called in its inception.
Paul Hanley, a personal friend of St. Barbe, a freelance writer, and environmentalist, has written a biography on this internationally known forester, Richard St. Barbe Baker. Contact Paul Hanley for more information about this book in order to learn more about the afforestation area namesake, 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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“The future of the planet concerns all of us, and all of us should do what we can to protect it. ” Wangari Maathai.
“I believed that God has lent us the Earth. It belongs as much to those who come after us as to us, and it ill behooves us by anything we do or neglect, to deprive them of benefits which are in our power to bequeath.” Richard St. Barbe Baker
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 
I don’t know if it is something that I have missed at an earlier stage, but are there photographs that show the area of reforestation at the beginning? I, for one, would like to see some ‘before’ shots.
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Hi there. I will look around for this. It is a darn good question indeed. Thanks for the comment and for the thought. Early maps had been ascertained, but never thought to search out photos. Will do this over the next while, there are some avenues to explore, but it will be challenging
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I might be a challenge for you but it will a definite interest for me, and a guess for plenty others. So don’t dilly dally.
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Love the frog.
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