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

George Genereux Tour

So, as has been posted the fencing is starting to come together at the speed of light 😉 So, today, we had a wonderful gentleman named Preston who presided over the ribbon cutting ceremony at George Genereux Park.

The tour went through 3 or 4 various changing ecosystems, as a circle was made in George Genereux Park. Actually it was nice to see the ecotone, where an ecotone is where more than on ecosystem meet with each other. So the drought resistant, hardy tree plantings celebrating their 50th anniversary were meeting with the trembling aspen bluffs with buffaloberry, red-osier dogwood and snow berry and so on as native species. A number of heritage points were covered including the West Swale, some of the flora and fauna of the afforestation areas, the early afforestation areas history under the Green Survival Progam, and the two films about the afforestation areas and the pfg.friendsareas.ca app, and the planned updates to the app from Gabriel Dumont Institute and CWF Youth group.

So, a sampling of imagery is shown here, including the inaugural ribbon cutting for George Genereux Park, Preston and the new fence which is nearing completion! Thank you to everyone who came out to the park. We hope you enjoy your next visit, and some exciting places to explore till you find your favourite place in the forest!

This is a wonderful way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of #NationalForestWeek, and the 50th anniversary of the afforestation areas!

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 )Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal 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!
Donations can be made through Paypal, Canada Helps, Contact Donate A Car Canada, SARCAN Drop & Go 106100594 for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.
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

Clean UP Sat Sept 24

Thank you is extended to all the clean up volunteers all those from the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, from SOS Trees, from Saskatoon Search and Rescue, from the members of the general public who heard about the afforestation areas or who are users of the afforestation areas.

It is true what is said that many hands make light work. The clean up began at 9:30, and before the estimated end time of 1:30 the very large Loraas dumpster was filled to the top, and another one was about 3/4 full! It is hard to believe.

But it was so rewarding to know that the fencing will go up around the greenspace which no longer has trash in it, so it will be safe for park users of all ages. It will be nice to enjoy both Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and George Genereux realizing that they are a great deal safer, now that the garbage is cleared out, and the fencing is going up to mitigate more continual trash dumping!!! Wow!

So again. Thanks to the volunteers. Thanks to Regan Olson, environmental protection officer at the City of Saskatoon. Thanks to the City of Saskatoon for helping out with the landfill fees. Where an attempt was made to clean up the park truck load by truck load to the landfill, this surely went a lot easier! Thanks to the Loraas truck driver, and we had amazing weather, couldn’t have been a nicer nor more beautiful autumn day. Everyone said they were going to return and enjoy a wonderful walk, knowing what a grand contribution was made by all! Thank you.

Here is a sampling of images from the day! What an amazing birthday present for the 50th anniversary of the afforestation areas to have such amazing stewards, and folks helping out.

This is a wonderful way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of #NationalForestWeek, and the 50th anniversary of the afforestation areas!

Sept 24 clean up at both Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and at George Genereux Urban Regional Park, Saskatoon The Clean Green Community Scene

Fencing at George Genereux Park

So the fencing is just about completed at George Genereux Park in Saskatoon. When one thinks about how long it takes to fence in a homeowners property, and how long it takes, it is absolutely mind boggling that a quarter section of land is receiving fencing within such a time frame.

The posts started going in the ground on Tues Sept 21, the posts are all completed, and the wire has an amazing start as well. Come out, have a walk in the forest, and be amazed at the difference that the greenspace now has.

Here are some pictures of how the afforestation area at George Genereux park looks now. We will place more tags and reflector tape next week to protect animals.

This is a wonderful way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of #NationalForestWeek, and the 50th anniversary of the afforestation areas!

This fencing went up with advice from the City of Saskatoon and Meewasin, and with the amazing support of the Government of Canada.

Fencing commencing with reflector tape at George Genereux Urban Regional Park, Saskatoon

So, under the advisement of the City of Saskatoon and Meewasin, George Genereux Park has fencing in the style of the North East Swale, which is wildlife friendly fencing so the animals can hop/fly over top, and sneak underneath. Tagging helps the animals to visually see the fencing if they are running around.

CKQ fencing (CKQ Fence Construction) were the contractors, and as mentioned, if your want an excellent wildlife friendly fencing, this is a great choice for contractors.

Stay tuned for more about tagging and a call for volunteers .

Biodiversity Challenge

A Biodiversity Challenge in Saskatoon and Area September 15-18. Help us to track phenological (seasonal) changes in our biodiversity! Meet Forest Guide: Sam Ereke, BSc, MSc, Research Scientist. Look in your back yard, your house, bus stop, forest, park, greenspace, near the wetlands for wildlife! Record the discoveries on the iNaturalist app. YouTube videos providing iNaturalist hints and tips All you need is your smart phone to participate! Its so easy, download the free iNaturalist app, take pictures of signs of life including spider webs, sea shells, feathers, scat, tracks. As well as the pollinators, plants, mushrooms, insects, birds, squirrels and other wildlife

There are also Nature Connection BioBlitz Group Events

This Biodiversity Challenge taking place Sept. 15-18 is a great way to usher in #NationalForestWeek!

Day One Group Meetup EVENT on Sept 15 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Day Two Group Meetup EVENT on Sept 16 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Day Three Group Meetup EVENT on Sept 17 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Day Four Group Meetup EVENT on Sept 18 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

YOUTUBE video

Saskatoon Area Biodiversity Challenge Sept 15 – 18

National Forest Week brings attention to our forests and trees from coast to coast across Canada. Our forests and trees provide habitats for wildlife, insects, polllinator species, birds and so much more! What is the ‘triple environmental emergency we are facing?

1. Loss of biodiversity
2. Climate change
3. Out of control pollution.

Out of control pollution.
Our native biodiversity needs wild spaces, food and homes such as trees and forests provide in which to thrive. Forests, tree planting, and forest conservation initiatives are nature-based solutions towards climate action. Pollution, pesticides, herbicides are escalating the extinction events. Creating safe, organic forest spaces is a large step to halt and slow down the silent sixth mass extinction event of invertebrates, the planet’s bird food on wings. Ornithologists and botanists have noticed that the songbird, and raptor populations have declined by a staggering 48%. The monitored wildlife populations are reduced by a catastrophic 68%. A loss of forests and habitats have caused over 2/3 of our animal populations to totally disappear.

Richard St. Barbe Baker said it this way, “If a person loses one third of his or her skin, the person will die; if a tree loses a third of its bark, the tree will die, and if the world loses a third of its trees, the world will die.
We live less that five minutes without air and the trees give us air we breathe. We live less than five days without water, and trees are absolutely essential in the water cycle. We live less than five weeks without food, and without the trees we could not grow food.” (Filson, Bruce K. October 7, 1982, Western People, p. 5)

This biodiversity Challenge is a great way to discover new trees and unexplored forest places, or perhaps it is a time to return to celebrate a favourite forest you love and are familiar with

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 )Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal 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!
Donations can be made through Paypal, Canada Helps, Contact Donate A Car Canada, SARCAN Drop & Go 106100594 for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.
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

Afforestation Areas as Sacred Places

The afforestation areas have a unique sense of place. Place and the sacredness of place is something that indigenous people feel are being lost in this day of truth and reconciliation.

Places are embodied with the aura of that which is sacred or holy and can be dedicated as sacred places as can be objects, artifacts, or organisms.

In the afforestation areas is a species at risk, an endangered species which means that it is of minute and scarce quantity in danger of disappearing entirely. This species at risk is sacred to indigenous people and to other cultures as its very name bears homage to that which is holy.

It is with heavy heart that a desecration occurred with a great disrespect to indigenous cultures, and to the community of the afforestation areas. The population and afforestation area community are stewards and guardians of the afforestation area, and respect the gift of greenspace afforded to them to be in the great out of doors. There is a diverse community of users who have pride in the afforestation areas, and consider it special. It is with sorrow to say that there are those who do not honour and respect the gift which the community has in this urban regional park. It is with great disrespect, when a species at risk has been so vandalized and desecrated in the afforestation areas.

There is much loss and anguish for the extirpation of the bison from the plains historically. In this day of age with Traditional Ecological Ways of Knowing, and western scientific knowledge shared through Species at Risk Act SARA, The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre that extirpation of species is seeing history repeating itself. Why would anyone wish to wilfully and maliciously extirpate a species at risk? Why would anyone wish to despoil, wreck, raze, devastate a species at risk which is accorded a high honour within our indigenous community, as well as in other cultures globally? Why would anyone wish the bison to disappear from the plains?

If anyone has any clues or reports to be made in protection of the afforestation areas, please call the Provincial Government TIPP hotline for illegal forest harvesting. or call the City of Saskatoon Parks department 306-975-2476 or the Meewasin Valley Authority 306-665-6887 Please help protect these places which so many have come to honour and appreciate for a variety of reasons. What is the difference between walking, cycling and skiing in a parking lot and in a forest?

Take your pants for a walk day! Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada — National Forest Week The last full week of September. Maple Leaf Day the Wednesday of that week.

National Forest Week The last full week of September. Maple Leaf Day the Wednesday of that week.

Add Your Voice

The United Nations has created World Humanitarian Day on 19 August

Take part in the Saskatoon afforestation areas – at either Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or George Genereux Urban Regional Park – Run, cycle, walk or do any activity of your choice for a summation of 100 minutes between August 16 and August 31 in solidarity with vulnerable people.

Sign up Now! If you don’t wish to take part physically you can ADD YOUR VOICE. Note your activity on social media with the hashtags #TheHumanRace #WorldHumanitarianDay

If you have never been to the afforestation areas, email friendsafforestation@gmail.com, and we can arrange a walking tour, and help to ADD YOUR VOICE!

Bicyclists in forest. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Areas has a Winter Trail Network — Bicyclists in forest. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Areas World Humanitarian Day

Bicyclists in forest. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Areas World Humanitarian Day

In appreciation of your support

It is a privilege and honour to offer you this note of appreciation into the incredible individuals and corporations behind each opportunity to care for nature at the afforestation areas

The generous community that we live in supports the afforestation areas.

On behalf of the semi-wilderness areas which so many have come to love and respect, thank you to donors and supporters who play a part in being a voice for the afforestation areas.

As promised, a new page would be released in download pdf format for every donation, and it is with great happiness, that we unlock another page of the “Living Legacy Book.” here is a link to the promised free pdf download page from the Living Legacy 50 for 50 activity book connecting activities with place based exploration!

With thanks and gratitude for your donation as the afforestation areas celebrate the 50th anniversary from the 1972 Green Survival Program when the forests were planted to trees.

50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon

City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challenge — 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon

A round of appreciation is extended to the City of Saskatoon, Mosaic, Sask Energy for their support in assembling this publication, thank you kindly.

Olympic Gold Medalist

Every place a story #HeritagePlacesDays

George Genereux Urban Regional Park. #HistoricPlacesDays Heritage Through All the Senses.

Historic Places Days
Every Place A Story

Dr. George Genereux
Olympic Gold Medalist
Sunday July 24 at 2:00 pm
at George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

HistoricPlacesDays Every Place A Story
Engage with George Genereux Urban Regional Park, through hearing, touch, sound, and smell.

Visiting a historical place is an experience that cannot be replicated online – it can engage all five senses! The immersive experience of visiting in-person is something we have all missed during the pandemic, and this is a great opportunity to come and get the full experience of an in-person visit. This is also an opportunity to explore and engage with George Genereux Urban Regional Park, through hearing, touch, sound, and smell.

And there’s a contest with awesome prizes too! #HistoricPlacesDays. Tag your selfie at the afforestation areas for a chance to win $1,000 Post before 07-31

There are so many more ways to explore George Genereux Urban Regional Park than just to have a look around! Visit us during #HistoricPlacesDays to experience the sounds, smells, feeling, and even the taste of our historic site!

George Genereux (March 1, 1935 – April 10, 1989) photo courtesy SPL b-8759

BioDivercity Challenge free iNaturalist App — George Genereux (March 1, 1935 – April 10, 1989) photo courtesy SPL b-8759

Contest through @nationaltrustca Sunday July 24 at 2:00 pm
Mark your calendars!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/olympic-gold-medalist-tickets-360227960527?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Hosted by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas. http://www.friendsareas.ca/
Learn more friendsarea.ca
Twitter: @nationaltrustca
Facebook: National Trust for Canada / Fiducie nationale du Canada
Instagram: @nationaltrustca / @fiducienatca
LinkedIn: National Trust for Canada

Learn more friendsareas.ca
friendsafforestation@gmail.com
https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com

Many Stories

YouTube Video Historic Places Days

Historic Places Days Every Place A Story Saskatoon Every historic site has not just one, but many, stories. Telling the untold and forgotten stories of the namesake of Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area historic site. Thank you for coming out to the Remai Modern, the Legacy of Saskatoon’s Secret Forest is now on YouTube

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area has many stories to share! You might know that that this 326 acre man made forest on the prairies was planted as a tree nursery in 1972 and named as an urban regional park in 1979, but did you know this site was also named for Richard St. Barbe Baker, global conservationist who founded the International Tree Foundation with the Dance of the Trees 100 years ago July 22, 1922.

And there’s a contest with awesome prizes too! #HistoricPlacesDays. Tag your selfie at the afforestation areas for a chance to win $1,000 Post before 07-31

Legacy of Saskatoon’s Secret Forest Global Crusader and Changemaker

On YouTube learn about our rich and diverse history sponsored by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas inc.

For more information … Learn more friendsarea.ca Twitter: @nationaltrustca Facebook: National Trust for Canada / Fiducie nationale du Canada Instagram: @nationaltrustca / @fiducienatca LinkedIn: National Trust for Canada #HistoricPlacesDays #ParksCanada #ViaRail #HistoricPlaces #VisitAndDiscover #EveryPlaceAStory #CanadianHistory #CdnHeritage #CdnHistory #CelebrateHistory Learn more friendsarea.ca friendsafforestation@gmail.com https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com

Richard St. Barbe Baker Commemorative Signage at the Meeewasin Trail near the Diefenbaker Center on the University of Saskatchewan campus, City of Saskatoon

https://historicplacesdays.ca/places/george-genereux-urban-regional-park/
https://historicplacesdays.ca/events/the-george-genereux-story/
https://historicplacesdays.ca/places/richard-st-barbe-baker-afforestation-area/
https://historicplacesdays.ca/events/reviving-local-heritage/

https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com/

http://friendsareas.ca/

friendsafforestation@gmail.com

There’s a Secret Forest in Saskatoon

There’s a Secret Forest in Saskatoon – and anyone can visit

Chandra Philip | Web Journalist for CTV News Saskatoon wrote There’s a Secret Forest in Saskatoon – and anyone can visit.

The Legacy of Saskatoon’s Secret Forest will be shown at the Remai Modern on July 22 and is now on YouTube. This premiere live event will feature “Global Crusader and Changemaker” by Robert White who personally new Richard St. Barbe Baker.

This is part of #HistoricPlacesDays with a theme, every place has a story.

Every historic site has not just one, but many, stories. This live event is about telling the untold and forgotten stories of people who used to related to this historic site. The theme encourages you to share the alternative perspectives and points of view of your historic site. No story it too big or small.

Reviving Local Heritage. July 22, 2022 at 7:00 pm Remai Modern

https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com/http://friendsareas.ca/friendsafforestation@gmail.com

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