We have a problem

April is World Habitat Awareness Month

In “the Canadian prairie region, a reported 71 percent of wetlands have been lost, due primarily to agricultural land conversion but also due to road development and urban growth” according to Sizo et al.

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), wetlands mammal enjoys the emergent vegetation around Chappell Marsh such as cattails

Whooping crane

Grus canadensis Sandhill Crane

Act Locally the Municipal Role in Fighting Climate Change

For today’s climate action activities check out these online resources so that once COVID-19 has subsided then caring can begin:

Riparian Health Assessment
Riparian Health Assessment and Inventory
For streams and small rivers: Riparian Health Assessment for Streams and Small Rivers Field Workbook.
For lakes, ponds, wetlands and sloughs: Caring for the Green Zone. Riparian Health Assessment for Lakes, Sloughs and Wetlands
Invasive Weed and Disturbance-caused Undesirable Plants List
Invasive and Disturbance-caused Plants Fact Sheet

The Riparian Health Assessment for Streams and Small Rivers – Field Workbook

Richard St. Barbe Baker Quotation Drop Letter Puzzle

“The majority of wetland alteration is driven by, or associated with, changes to land use and land cover (LUC) resulting from human-induced surface disturbance . In recent years, urban growth and regional development have become significant drivers of LUC change, due to the direct and indirect effects of surface disturbances to wetland hydrology, geomorphology, and ecology. … Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), the assessment and integration of environmental and sustainability considerations in policy, plan, or program (PPP) development and decision making, has gained considerable momentum in recent years as a proactive and spatially appropriate framework for assessing and shaping land use policies, plans, and development actions, including urban and regional land use plans, and managing their impacts on wetlands.”[Sizo]

On page 7 of Navigating Nature-based Solutions for Managing Water Resources in Saskatchewan’s 25-Year Water Security Plan is a framework for assessing nature based solution NBSs application in the Saskatchewan Water Security Plan taking into account an eco-system based approach, eco-hydrology, eco-phyto-, and bio- remediation, green/natural infrastructure, and environmental flows.

“The environmental significance of wetlands is well recognized: wetlands provide habitat for a large  number of species, serve as flood control areas, and support ecosystems in terms of water quality maintenance, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. Despite this, wetlands are decreasing more rapidly than any other type of ecosystem.” [Sizo]

“There is no denying it. We have a problem; a problem that has
to be solved for the sake of current and future generations.”
climate change – Government of Saskatchewan -White Paper

There is indeed a problem. Time to put aside the herbicides and pesticides, and stop poisoning the earth.   There is a need to explain how to use permaculture or the treating of the soil as an eco-system to increase the carbon sequestration and yields.  Benefits of agro-forestry, and working in harmony with nature to help forest, water and grasslands will maximize soil potentials.  Yes, there needs to be more education and awareness.

you can’t expect to see change if you never do anything differently

Whooping crane

Grasshopper_Sparrow CC2.0 dominic sheronY

Horned Grebe Podiceps Auritus breeding colours

Horned Grebe Podiceps Auritus

Horned Grebe Podiceps Auritus

Today is Tuesday,  April 28, and are nearly at the end of officially celebrating Earth Month. This year’s Earth Day 2020 theme is Climate Action.  It is also the proclamation for  the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020

 

Bibliography

Sizo, Anton & Noble, Bram & Bell, Scott. (2015). Futures Analysis of Urban Land Use and Wetland Change in Saskatoon, Canada: An Application in Strategic Environmental Assessment. Sustainability. 7. 811-830. 10.3390/su7010811.

 

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:

Canada Helps

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 SW 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

Pinterest richardstbarbeb

Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park

Facebook: StBarbeBaker

Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Facebook: South West OLRA

Twitter: StBarbeBaker

Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail / e-transfers )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!

Canada Helps

1./ Learn.

2./ Experience

3./ Do Something: ^***

We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.~ George Bernard Shaw

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ―Mahatma Ghandi