bison – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

Harmony in Nature’s Heart

Harmony in Nature’s Heart: Chronicles of the Saskatoon Afforestation Fellowship

In the year 2024, a game-changing opportunity arose, promising to amplify the punch of every donation aimed at keeping things green. “Make It Monthly 2024” hit the streets, a bonus donation scheme where CanadaHelps tosses in an extra twenty bucks for every new monthly donation of twenty or more. This move was all about keeping the momentum going, making sure this charity sticks to their vision with stability and long-term game plans. One of the players in the mix was the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, a bunch of naturalists aiming to keep nature in the black in Saskatoon.

Gray Comma Butterfly Spring Polygonia progne — Mushrooms and fungi

For these Friends, this was their bread and butter. With their hustle on the ground, they were all about sowing the seeds of tomorrow while keeping the locals happy. The “A Vision for a Sustainable Future GPS-PFG” gig was their main jam, focusing on a GPS Prairie Forest Guide (PFG) app that was meant to be the bomb, giving folks the lowdown on the local flora and fauna. It was all about connecting the dots between nature, traditional ecological knowledge, and playing it smart.

Another gig on the menu is the “Saskatoon City Nature Challenge CNCYXE2024,” getting folks to roll up their sleeves and pitch in on the biodiversity front through citizen science. It is all about getting out there and keeping tabs on the local critters and plants.

Then there is the “A forest of activity, a canopy of health, ParticipACTION Community Challenge,” giving the locals a kick in the pants to get outdoors and break a sweat. It is about health, happiness, and getting back in touch with what’s real.

Now, for those looking for some thrills, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas and some local sled dog mushers had a proposition: Frozen Trails and Wagging Tails: Dog Sledding Delight at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. It was all about hitting the snowy trails and throwing a bone to nature in Saskatoon. They were all about making memories and soaking in the sights and sounds of WinterCity YXE. Your dough is what makes it all possible.

So, with each dime dropped and a little extra from CanadaHelps, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas could keep the wheels turning. They were doubling down on the green game, keeping the fires burning bright for a tomorrow that looked a little greener. “Make It Monthly 2024” and let’s double down on the good stuff. After all, a sustainable future starts with you.

St Barbe Presentation Introducing Richard St. Barbe Baker, OBE, Hon. LL.D. F.I.A.L., For.Dip.Cantab., ACF At the 40th Anniversary of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Presented by Paul Hanley and Robert White, personal friends of St Barbe On National Tree Day: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 6:00 pm National Forest Week September 23 to 29, 2018 2018 #NationalForestWeek Meet at the SW OLRA parking lot coordinates {latitude and longitude} 52.1004657,-106.7539449 (map) Both Robert White, and Paul Hanley were personal friends of Richard St. Barbe Baker, and will introduce Richard St. Barbe Baker at this event on Wednesday September 26, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. Paul Hanley, environment awareness promoter, activist, free lance writer, speaker, and author will introduce his new book, Man of the Trees: Richard St. Barbe Baker, the First Global Conservationist “Includes a foreword by HRH Prince Charles and an introduction by Jane Goodall" National Forest Week is a celebration of forests and our environmental resources in Canada. The Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area provides an opportunity for those in Saskatoon and area to discover out Saskatoon forests, and to appreciate Richard St. Barbe Baker, a silviculturist of international fame. Come participate in this event, and help to spread the word about this valuable habitat, the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, located in the City of Saskatoon. Learn more about the namesake of this semi-wilderness wildlife habitat, the founder of the International Tree Foundation, Mr. Richard St. Barbe Baker.

A bit of fog and hoar frost in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

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:

Blairmore Sector Plan Report; planning for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, George Genereux Urban Regional Park and West Swale and areas around them inside of Saskatoon city limits

NEW P4G District Official Community Plan

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

Pinterest richardstbarbeb

Blogger: FriendsAfforestation

Tumblr friendsafforestation.tumblr.com Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park

Facebook: StBarbeBaker Afforestation Area

Facebook for the non profit Charity Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. FriendsAreas

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

Facebook: South West OLRA

Reddit: FriendsAfforestation

Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

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

Donate your old vehicle, here’s how!

Support using Canada Helps

Support via a recycling bottle donation

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Use the UN Decade’s Visual Identity
Make it your own
Spread the word about the UN Decade
Let’s Bring Back Forests
Let’s Green Our Cities

““Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”

Richard St. Barbe Baker

The Ecological Buffalo

The Ecological Buffalo On the Trail of a Keystone Species

book By Wes Olson
By (photographer) Johane Janelle
Foreword by Harvey Locke
Afterword by Leroy Littlebear

Webinar Rekindling the Relationship: The Ecological Buffalo

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 1:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m. CST Saskatchewan by Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab
Google Calendar ICS

In the annals of North American ecology, few species have left as profound a mark as the buffalo. Once, these colossal creatures roamed the continent in astonishing numbers, shaping the landscapes they traversed and influencing countless other species in their wake. However, the story of the buffalo is not merely one of abundance and grandeur; it is also a cautionary tale of near-extinction and the delicate balance of ecosystems.

Wes Olson, a veteran National Park Warden with over three decades of experience studying these majestic animals, has dedicated his life to unraveling the ecological significance of the buffalo. Through his seminal work, accompanied by the breathtaking photography of Johane Janelle, Olson delves into the intricate web of relationships that once existed between the buffalo and the myriad of species that shared their habitat.

It’s hard to fathom that just over a century ago, the plains of North America were teeming with over 30 million buffalo. These creatures, alongside nearly 3 thousand vertebrate animals and thousands more plants and invertebrates, formed a complex ecosystem that relied on the presence of the buffalo for its very survival. However, the arrival of European settlers brought about a swift and devastating decline in buffalo populations. In a mere two decades, their numbers plummeted to a mere 23 individuals, pushing the species to the brink of extinction.

The survival of the buffalo is nothing short of miraculous. Through the concerted efforts of conservationists and the establishment of protected areas like Yellowstone National Park, the “island of conservation” at Elk Island National Park near Edmonton, Alberta, Saskatoon’s Wanuskewin Heritage Park, one of Canada’s proposed UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the species has managed to cling to existence. Today, there are approximately 500,000 buffalo spread across farms, ranches, and conservation herds, a far cry from their historical numbers but a testament to their resilience.

The buffalo’s resurgence marks a hopeful chapter in the ongoing saga of conservation. As these majestic creatures reclaim their rightful place in the landscape, they are rekindling the intricate web of relationships that sustained ecosystems for millennia. Through their grazing patterns, wallowing behavior, and interactions with other species, the buffalo are once again shaping the ecosystems they inhabit.

Yet, the story of the buffalo goes beyond mere survival. As these iconic animals make a slow but steady comeback, they are rekindling the intricate relationships that once defined North American ecosystems. From trophic cascades to inter-species dependencies, the buffalo’s return heralds a new era of ecological healing—a process that Olson and Janelle expertly capture in their work.

The Old Bone Trail, a heritage Red River Cart trail winding through the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic era when thousands of buffalo perished due to so many varied and diverse causes leaving behind piles of bones across the great plains. Yet, amidst the remnants of this bygone era, there is hope for renewal and restoration. The story stands as a testament to the resilience of both the buffalo and the ecosystems they once inhabited—a resilience that Olson and Janelle celebrate in their book.

As we partake in the upcoming webinar, or delve into the pages of “The Ecological Buffalo,” we are invited to witness the intricate dance of life that unfolds when keystone species like the buffalo are allowed to thrive. Through Olson’s wealth of experience and Janelle’s stunning imagery, we gain a newfound appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living beings and the urgent need to protect our natural heritage.

As we reflect on the legacy of the buffalo and the resilience of nature, let us heed the call to protect and preserve these iconic symbols of the American wilderness. Let us also pay attention to the present day state of affairs, and our few remaining ecosystems where species of concern need our protection now. Did you know that about 60 species at risk have been documented at the afforestation areas? What can we learn from the extirpation crisis of the bison? Through collective action and stewardship, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world where the buffalo continue to roam freely, embodying the spirit of ecological resilience and renewal.

In the words of Dr. Leroy Little Bear, whose afterword graces the pages of the book, the buffalo’s story is not just one of survival—it is a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and the timeless beauty of the natural world. As we embark on this journey through the heart of North America’s wilderness, let us heed the lessons of the buffalo and strive to preserve the delicate balance of life for generations to come.

Bibliography:
Olson, Wes. The Ecological Buffalo: On the Trail of a Keystone Species.

Olson, Wes. Photos by Janelle, Johane. Portraits of the Bison.

Van Tighem, Kevin. Boldt, Menno and J. Anthony Long, Eds. Quest for Justice: Aboriginal Peoples and Aboriginal Rights

Little Bear, Leroy. Pathways to Self-Determination: Native Indian Leaders’ Perspectives on Self-Government.

Are Buffalo Endangered? Unveiling the Conservation Status SuchScience.

Hubbard, Tash. The Call of the Buffalo: Exploring Kinship with the Buffalo in Indigenous Creative Expression. Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.

Thermopsis rhombifolia flowers – Buffalo Bean Nadiatalent CCx4

For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park