Besides our September clean up at George Genereux Urban Regional Park we would like to encourage as many folks as possible to participate in bio-blitzes and invite them to come out to either afforestation area – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park – and record plants and animals via their smart phone on the iNaturalist app.
These community volunteer bio-blitz actions will coordinate well with the ecological assessment and master plan being proposed for the area. The City of Saskatoon and the Meewasin Valley Authority will develop a management plan taking into consideration the base line inventory and ecological assessment in preparation for a variety of opportunities such as perhaps a permaculture three sisters vegetable garden to prepare the site for a native food forest or a pollinator ribbon of native flowers below the transmission lines.
There are several youth and environmental groups waiting to come on board for projects such as these, but first we need to encourage volunteers to help out on iNaturalist. Identification will be easier if folks can come out in the month of August before leaves fall from the trees, and before butterflies go into chrysalis and moths into cocoons.
In the aftermath of COVID, perhaps community gardens, and food forests may be of paramount importance for our community health and well being. Folks can contact us to arrange a date to come out friendsafforestation@gmail.com, and we can help them get used to how to use the iNaturalist app, either in person, or via a zoom meeting virtually. It is a great COVID activity for folks outside as it takes place in a large outdoor space where there is plenty of room for social distancing. This is also a great home schooling science activity!
So, now that Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area has been cleaned up [2006], it is amazing what plants and animals are being found via iNaturalist, and it is still to be discovered what is out at George Genereux Urban Regional Park.
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Eco-Quest :
George Genereux Urban Regional Park Eco-Quest:
Check out the iNaturalist.pdf pamphlet!
Remember you can download the winter bird checklist brochure here!
The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. Winter Staycation Brochure
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
Should you wish to help protect / enhance the afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. at friendsafforestation@gmail.com We are conducting a virtual bottle drive if you phone or contact us, we will make safe arrangements for pick up and provide you with a charitable receipt. Please and thank you! Your donation is greatly appreciated.
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3./ Do Something: ***
“The simple act of planting a tree, which is in itself a practical deed, is also the symbol of a far reaching ideal, which is creative in the realm of the Spirit, and in turn reacts upon society, encouraging all to work for the future well being of humanity rather than for immediate gain. ” Richard St. Barbe Baker
“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
“All processes in the ecosystem are disturbed by human activities in the valley. Nevertheless, there is surprising diversity and abundance of lifeforms. In its conservation role, the MVA should ensure that human enjoyment of this natural resource does not significantly deter from the health of the resource.” (Fitzgibbon, 1982)
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 