Two great events to celebrate the environment, nature and the ecosystem.
June 5
You are cordially invited to special tree planting ceremony by the University of Saskatchewan collaborating with the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas on World Environment Day, June 5, 2022🌳🌲🌳🌲
This ceremony echoes a tree planting ceremony 40 years ago to the day of the last tree planted by the Richard St. Barbe Baker in union with the University of Saskatchewan on World Environment Day, June 5, 1982 near the Diefenbaker Centre. This collaboration between the U of S and Richard St. Barbe Baker on his visit here from New Zealand, honoured him as a former graduate (1913), and recipient of an honorary doctorate in 1971. This tree was the last tree this extraordinary champion of trees and forests planted as he died in Saskatoon four days later. In 2014, the Meewasin Valley Authority placed a marker on the MVA trail near the tree he planted.😃😃😃🌳🌲😃😃😃🌳🌲🌳🌲😃😃😃
The 50th anniversary of World Environment Day June 5, 2022 Only One Earth!
The celebration continues into Canada Environment Week with the two local Northern Prairie City challenge.
BioDiverCity Challenge Saskatoon area and in Saskatchewan. Thursday June 9 to Sunday June 12 Northern Prairies Challenge Sign up for BioBlitzes at the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas! Explore nature anywhere in Saskatoon and Area or in Saskatchewan with the free iNaturalist app. Explore Nature with a purpose! Support Global Conservation during Canada Environment Week
During Canada Environment Week
In love with Saskatoon and area’s incredible nature?
In love with the province’s ecosystems?
Download the free iNaturalist app
Find it
Snap it
Share it
What will you discover?
Thursday June 9 to Sunday June 12
BioDiverCity Challenge a challenge between Northern Prairie Cities!
June 5 World Environment Day You are cordially invited to special tree planting ceremony by the University of Saskatchewan collaborating with the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas on World Environment Day
BioDiverCityChallenge Thursday June 9 to Sunday June 12 Four Days to help shape conservation efforts, assist with scientific studies and land management in our local area! City of Saskatoon and Province of Saskatchewan
ON this day, May 22, World Biodiversity Day – The International Day for Biological Diversity, let us celebrate the wonders of biodiversity.
Join us to learn about Land & ecosystem degradation reversal. Protect & rehabilitate watersheds, increase carbon storage & recovery of native biodiversity & crops. Farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR) is a low-cost, sustainable land restoration technique used to increase both food and timber production, and resilience to climate extremes. It is a means to protect and restore watersheds, increase carbon storage, and recover native biodiversity resulting in increased crop yields with this low cost method.
Tony Rinaudo, the Forest maker, received his Bachelor’s Degree, Rural Science University of New England Australia, and agronomy through the University of Armidale as well as attending the Bible College of New Zealand (Diploma in Bible and Missions). Rinaudo is known for putting forward a deforestation management practice known as farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR). Following his marriage they ended up for 18 years in Niger, Africa which Rinaudo described as a “moonscape.” Though many tree planting methods were tried the degraded land and the population were facing desert like conditions, famine, disease and drought. Though these degraded conditions exist, without resources for sustaining life FMNR provides sustainable land regeneration to restore Africa’s uplands. Through FMNR, a means of pruning and management, the underground forest of roots catalyzed into trees above ground. Rinaudo worked with local farmers in Niger in the transformation of hectares of dry land. He has worked as the Principal Natural Resources Advisor for World Vision Australia, and is currently the Senior Climate Action Advisor. Rinaudo is recognized for both his environmental and humanitarian approaches for global initiatives.
Rinaudo, the Forest Maker, was the 2018 Laureate of the Right Livelihood Award and bestowed the Member of the Order of Australia. Rinaudo, the “alternative Nobel” winner was portrayed in a documentary “Forest Maker” created by German director and film maker Volker Schlöndorff’ Following the making of the film, a panel session went into the FMNR approach, and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100)
Tony Rinaudo, from Australia happened upon one of St. Barbe’s Sahara books which influenced him. He is now referred to as the “Forest Maker” saving lives, and awarded the Order of Australia and the alternative Nobel Prize in Stockholm for farmer managed natural regeneration. He is an Australian agronomist discovering a way to grow forests without planting trees.
Tony Rinaudo, BSc AM. Agronomist, Senior Climate Advisor World Vision, Forest Maker, Famine Fighter. Rinaudo is an Australian agronomist who has pioneered and championed a simple method to grow trees in dry and degraded lands. He has empowered and inspired a farmer led movement across continents, regreening the lands, improving the livelihoods of millions and helping to combat biodiversity loss and climate change.
Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration FMNR with Tony Rinaudo, Australian Agronomist.
May 25
THE FOREST UNDERGROUND: HOPE FOR A PLANET IN CRISIS
Celebrate 50 years! Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park were planted to trees in 1972, 50 years ago. Come out and say Happy Birthday!
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration #GenerationRestoration hashtag and tag @UNEP and @FAO
There is no doubt about it, the people who took part did take action towards global conservation efforts. It was Great to Be the Reason Nature Believes in Humanity. Thank you one and all for taking part for Saskatoon and Area!
The Saskatoon Nature Society came on board, and really pulled through! The City of Saskatoon entomologist, Sydney Worthy, was host at an insect workshop which helped the CNC and this workshop is still having ripple effects through the school system. The Saskatchewan Mycological Working Group were host to a Fungi and Lichen Workshop which likewise is having amazing spin-offs! Appreciation is extended to the Prairie Conservation Action Plan for hosting a City Nature Challenge presentation for the Native Prairie Speakers Series. For these and other City Nature Challenge virtual webinars and workshops, see YouTube. Thanks to the University of Saskatchewan environment and sustainability classes for their contributions. The classrooms of students from the Saskatoon Public School Board and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools were wonderful to see the student enthusiasm at both Brightwater at the afforestation areas, and around Saskatoon. Thanks to the Meewasin staff at Beaver Creek for helping out! Thank you to the Canadian Wildlife Federation WILD group for their assistance. Appreciations and rounds of applause to @lysandra, @MaryKrieger, @sarasims, Jacey Bell, Donovan Thiessen, andall the iNaturalist Observers and Identifiers. Thanks to the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Nature Society, SaskTel, SaskPower, SaskEnergy, Mosaic, EcoFriendly West were super to help with the logistics for the planning this event. Thanks to everyone in the area around Saskatoon. Check out “explore” on iNat or go to BioSmart. Hats off to Wild About Saskatoon, Cpaws and Nature Conservancy of Canada for helping to make the event happen, indeed. We wish to say thank you kindly to the Saskatoon Media Group for their radio announcements also, that was wonderful to get the word out! Thanks to everyone who shared the social media assets as well. It was wonderful to meet the organizing crew of the Canadian Wildlife Federation, California Academy of Sciences, Natural History Museum Los Angeles County. In the words of Richard St. Barbe Baker, Twihamwe or pull together echoes the Province of Saskatchewan Motto, Multis e gentibus vires (From Many Peoples Strength). This pulling together happened during the first ever Saskatoon City Nature Challenge and our statistics show we had the second highest results for the prairie provinces in Canada – imagine that! What a show of support for wildlife and conservation! If we have inadvertently missed any group or contributing organization, please email, and we apologize most humbly – it has been a most busy week. And, of course, thank you to all the individuals who are passionate about nature and who helped out just because they like to be out in nature, and taking observations, or helping with identifications, it was an amazing four day bio-blitz cram session.
The Global City Nature Challenge Statistics show an amazing result: 1,570,392 Observations worldwide. 50,270 Total Species were observed Globally. 64,238 People around the World took part.
In Saskatoon and area, in this very early springtime, there were 14 species at risk sighted.
Meet Tony Rinaudo at a zoom session! Ask questions about Farmer-managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). Sign up now on eventbrite Wed, May 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm CST
Tony Rinaudo received his Bachelor’s Degree, Rural Science University of New England Australia, and agronomy through the University of Armidale as well as attending the Bible College of New Zealand (Diploma in Bible and Missions).[1] Rinaudo is known for putting forward a deforestation management practice known as farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR). Following his marriage they ended up for 18 years in Niger, Africa which Rinaudo described as a “moonscape.”[1][2] Though many tree planting methods were tried the degraded land and the population were facing desert like conditions, famine, disease and drought. Though these degraded conditions exist, without resources for sustaining life FMNR provides sustainable land regeneration to restore Africa’s uplands.[3][4] Through FMNR, a means of pruning and management, the underground forest of roots catalyzed into trees above ground. Rinaudo worked with local farmers in Niger in the transformation of hectares of dry land.[5] He has worked as the Principal Natural Resources Advisor for World Vision Australia, and is currently the Senior Climate Action Advisor.[6][1] Rinaudo is recognized for both his environmental and humanitarian approaches for global initiatives.[7]
Rinaudo led his formative years in Victoria’s Oven’s Valley in Australia. He had first hand knowledge of land degradation as forests were cleared for plantations and cropping the land.[1] Marrying Liz, they had four children. They both were Serving in Mission (SIM) missionaries arriving in the Niger Republic in 1981 remaining there until 1999.[8] While there, Rinaudo was placed in charge of the Maradi Windbreak and Woodlot project.[9] The actual ground on arrival was so sandy, that vehicles could not be driven without letting air from the tires less they bog down. Rinaudo took to calling it a “Moonscape”. “I was in shock,” he [said]. “We had windstorms that would bury the seed or carry it away. We had a mouse plague. We had locust swarms—hatchlings moving across the ground like a carpet. We had crows who knew where the drill holes were. For a young agricultural adviser—I was born in 1957—it was just mind-boggling.”[10] “Farmers in the Sahel had learned from French colonists to clear land for agriculture and keep crops separate from trees. Under French colonial law and new laws that countries adopted after independence, any trees on a farmer’s property belonged to the government. Farmers who cut down a tree for fuel would be threatened with jail.”[11] Soon it was seen that the trees were nitrogen-fixing the soil, and drawing water up facilitating bio-irrigating. It was the crop yield which sent the technique viral. The micro climate of the forests was cooling the soil of the hot desert climate.[9]
When Rinaudo arrived, he attested that the water table was forty to sixty meters deep.[10] Rinaudo was familiar with the work of Richard St. Barbe Baker who wrote in his book Land of Tane (1954) “When the trees go, the rain goes, the climate deteriorates, the water table sinks, the land erodes and desert conditions soon appear.” Trees raise the water table.
This no-cost method of FMNR, relying on labour turned around lives, and provided food security.[8] Rinaudo was able to combine an assessment of the landscape, permaculture principles with FMNR to literally turn deserts into “food bowls”. Rinaudo took the experimentation started in the Niger Republic, and it quickly spread to Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal. [12]
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration #GenerationRestoration hashtag and tag @UNEP and @FAO
Rinaudo worked with both the Forestry Service and the farmers, and soon farmers could benefit from trees regenerated on their own land enhancing the greening of the land.[13] Rinaudo began with an socio-geographical-ecological assessment of the land and area leading to opportunities to overcome, and the adoption of FMNR techniques.[14]
The technique now known as FMNR began under the term of “Dirty Fields” in contrast to the previously used system of “Clean Fields.” In this Dirty Field system, native trees and shrubs were encouraged. The name FMNR name was inspired by a another practice known as Farmer-Managed Irrigation Systems. (FMIS) FMNR was featured in the Tenth World Forestry Congress of 1990. The countries across Africa utlizing FMNR and engaged in EverGreen Agricultural practices have continually increased. FMNR expanded with the implementation of other frameworks to increase success for the farmer. The Nature, Wealth and Power (NWP) framework, the SEED-SCALE Framework and the Climate Resilience Framework (CRF)[15] Garry Tappan, a U.S. Geological Survey geographer was blown away when he began to see green on satellite imagery. Comparing historical satellite imagery with current imagery, Tappan discovered that FMNR revitalized the Great Green Wall campaign.[11]
Rinaudo was the 2018 Laureate of the Right Livelihood Award[16] and bestowed the Member of the Order of Australia.[1] Rinaudo, the “alternative Nobel” winner was portrayed in a documentary “Forest Maker” created by German director and film maker Volker Schlöndorff’[17][11] Following the making of the film, a panel session went into the FMNR approach, and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100)[18]
Australia’s ISCAST (The Institute for the Study of Christianity in an Age of Science and Technology) published his autobiography, entitled The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis.[9]
The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in CrisisThe Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis1982)The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis
Celebrate 50 years! Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park were planted to trees in 1972, 50 years ago. Come out and say Happy Birthday!
Presented here are the ways in which the Saskatoon Afforestation areas and the Legacy of Saskatoon’s Secret Forest package supports the UN SDGs.
The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Our goal is to aim towards UN SDG 2 -Zero Hunger- when the time is right and if approved. Richard St. Barbe Baker promoted the concept of agro-forestry in Kenya, Africa before the concept or word was invented in contemporary times. In this way Baker supported the health and survival of the Kikuyu. In a similar vein, there may possibly and perchance be a future opportunity to do restoration work in the afforestation areas in support of agroforestry endeavours, pollinator gardens, and food forests.
Contributing to UN SDG 3 -Good Health and Well-being- currently the Legacy of Saskatoon’s Secret Forest package follows Richard St. Barbe Baker’s International Tree Foundation mission ‘to develop a tree sense in every citizen, and to encourage all to plant, protect and love their native trees.” By protecting trees, there is protection of the 132 hectares [326 acre] Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area in Saskatoon, and the 60 hectare [148 acre] George Genereux Urban Regional Park for health and wellness as people come out to an urban greenspace to reap the benefits of cycling, walking in nature which has multiple health benefits as extolled by the Canadian PaRx program, shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”)
UN SDG 4 -Quality Education -is supported by an educational package in pdf format available for free download for the general public, teachers, classrooms worldwide to experience place based learning and immerse in the morphology of Richard St. Barbe Baker’s humanitarian efforts advocating for forests and trees worldwide.
UN SDG 5 -Gender Equality- is supported by encouraging everyone to take Baker’s Watu Wa Miti (Forest guardian) pledge to 1/ plant ten trees, seedlings or seeds each year 2/ take care of trees everywhere 3/ Do a good deed every day. By encouraging all to do a good deed every day, then environmental conservation, stewardship and guardianship creates a safe greenspace for all users. Illegal trespass is not encouraged to support gender equality for the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas and all efforts are being followed to mitigate all illegal trespass and to encourage legitimate users and the general public of Saskatoon who honour UN SDG 5.
UN SDG 6 -Clean Water and Sanitation- has seen a great partnership with members of the community to become as Watu Wa Miti and take care of trees everywhere. Richard St. Barbe Baker said “Men and trees, water and trees, man and water are inseparable. This is the trinity of life.” As the community has repeatedly come together to protect trees, in a partnership with the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup the West Swale Wetlands named Chappell Marsh are protected. The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas have had a great partnership with the City of Saskatoon, Meewasin, SOS Trees, Montgomery Place community Association, Fatlanders Fatbike Brigade, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Saskatoon Baha‘i community, Len’s Hauling, the CISV, Children’s International Summer Village, and the Peace Bus programme and we are grateful to many more who have come out to restore the wetlands and greenspace environs for human visitors, the semi-wilderness habitat and the species at risk who make these areas their home. The afforestation areas situated in the West Swale is a watershed created by the Yorath Island Glacial Spillway connecting the North Saskatchewan River, and draining into the South Saskatchewan River, the locale of the City of Saskatoon’s drinking water.
UN SDG 7 -Affordable and Clean Energy- is supported in following the example of Richard St. Barbe Baker who wrote many books, and spoke on radio programs about the importance of education and awareness. The heritage and environmental tours, and interpretive programming focuses on messages by both SK Energy and Sk Power for providing to our province much needed power and energy in a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk) near the humid continental climate (Dfb), with typically warm summers and long, cold winters. Energy conservation strategies are brought forward in the Friends interpretive and tour packages.
UN SDG 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities – ties well into the legacy of Richard St. Barbe Baker who travelled by steam boat between the two Great Wars led campaigns around the world including the reclamation projects for the world’s deserts and protection of virgin forests from destruction. The International Tree Foundation was established by Baker at its height in over 105 countries. Baker, one of the first students at the fledgling University of Saskatchewan, always wished to have a branch of the ITF here in Canada. Working in that vision, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, work with the City of Saskatoon, Meewasin, green groups and classrooms in Saskatoon and around the world to follow in Richard St. Barbe Baker’s footsteps so vital in this era of climate change, and in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
UN SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production- is so very vital to the protection of forests and trees, along with wetland habitats. There are certain items so easy to recycle which the flora and fauna of forest and wetlands cannot use sustainably. By following Baker’s Watu Wa Miti pledge “take care of trees everywhere” the legitimate users in the forest help to support a “Leave no Trace” greenspace ethic. Reduce, reuse, recycle takes action on waste reduction- and protects our forests and wetlands.
UN SDG 13 – Climate Action- is supported by this Green Survival initiative of the City of Saskatoon to plant and preserve 660 acres of afforestation areas in 1972. The early parks department initiative of 1972 did indeed follow Baker’s Watu Wa Miti pledge to 1/ plant ten trees, seedlings or seeds each year 2/ take care of trees everywhere 3/ Do a good deed every day. Richard St. Barbe Baker founded, assisted and inspired were responsible for planting at least 26 billion trees, internationally, during his lifetime. International groups founded from his inspiration, continue onwards planting trees! “When the trees go, the rain goes, the climate deteriorates, the water table sinks, the land erodes and desert conditions soon appear”.~Richard St. Barbe Baker
UN SDG 14 – Life below water- is supported by realizing and supporting the legacy of Richard St. Barbe Baker Baker said, “Trees above all are the beings which attract the waters of the Trees above all are the beings which attract the waters of the firmament, conserve them in their shade, govern the whole vegetable kingdom in its great economy of water, leading it gently into springs, streams and rivers and maintaining fertile potency in the soil of a region.“
UN SDG 15 – Life on Land- is honoured time and time again by the work, teachings, and legacy of Richard St. Barbe Baker. “The importance of forests cannot be underestimated. We depend on forests for our survival, from the air we breathe to the wood we use. Besides providing habitats for animals and livelihoods for humans, forests also offer watershed protection, prevent soil erosion and mitigate climate change. Yet, despite our dependence on forests, we are still allowing them to disappear.” (WWF, 2019) The World Wildlife Fund WWF, made St. Barbe the very first inaugural Honorary Life Member.
UN SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – was apparent in Baker’s holistic worldview as he met and learned the Kikuyu language in Kenya Africa, and implemented an agro-forestry campaign to provide food for a population facing extirpation from colonial slash and burn agricultural methods employed at the time of Baker’s Kenya posting as Assistant Conservator of Forests. From there Baker went on to create this working model of the International Tree Foundation, which inspired the formation of other World Green Groups. Ecologists, environmentalists, conservationists who knew Richard St. Barbe Baker were honoured and grateful to spoke to the legacy of Richard St. Barbe Baker during the heritage documentary.
UN SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals- has been discussed already in this article. Local groups adopting stewardship and guardianship roles for the afforestation areas as users of the greenspace are amazing in supporting the UN SDG goals as mentioned. International environmental groups, and persons locally and from around the world coming together to advocate for the example set by Baker, supports local and UN SDG goals is totally enlightening! The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas have seen some remarkable examples of the provincial motto; multis e gentibus vires: from many peoples, strength. Richard St. Barbe Baker had a similar motto, Twihamwe or Twahamwe, a word from the Kikuyu of Kenya, Africa.
“Kind people have been expressing superlatives on my work. But I can assure you that anything which I have been able to achieve has been team work. We have a motto in the Men of the Trees. TWAHAMWE. It is an African word meaning ‘pull together’ and I pass this on to all those concerned with conservation in this country. I would like to call you to silence for a moment with the words of Mathew Arnold:
“Calm soul of all things, make it mine, To feel amidst the City ‘s jar That there abides a peace of thine Men did not make and cannot mar. ”
Who is Jane Jacobs, and what does she have to do with the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon?
It’s a WILD Spring Thing! American Red Squirrel Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
On Sunday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. come and discover the wildwoods of Saskatoon at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.
A WILD Spring Fling! Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Spring time
Come and Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon at George Genereux Urban Regional Park. Sat May 7 at 2:00 pm
“The aim of the Men of the Trees is briefly ‘ to develop a tree sense in every citizen, and to encourage all to plant, protect and love their native trees; for forestry is among the oldest and most honourable of the peaceful arts of men, and in its practice is unselfish and constructive service.’ ”
In the words of Henry van Dyke, America’s greatest tree poet,
He that planteth a tree is a servant of God;
He provideth a kindness for many generations
And faces that he hath not seen shall bless him.”
Richard St. Barbe Baker
Celebrate 50 years! Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park were planted to trees in 1972, 50 years ago. Come out and say Happy Birthday!
Richard St. Barbe Baker OBE, Hon. LL.D. F.I.A.L., For.Dip.Cantab., ACFPlanet Earth, the World, is in our HandsNative species, Trembling Aspen or Populus tremuloides, quaking aspen, trembling aspen, American aspen, Quakies, mountain or golden aspen, trembling poplar, white poplar, Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CATree Planting Song
It is the end of May 1, the third day of the Saskatoon City Nature Challenge April 29 to May 2. Thanks to everyone who has added observations on iNaturalist! Come out on Monday May 2, and make a difference!
It was an interesting day to follow through on the Insect Workshop. So, when you take a peek into pond water of marshes like the Chappell Marsh at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, there are bugs in the water swimming around! Here is a Pond Life video of the Caddisfly larva which was found! And following up on the Fungi including Lichen Workshop, 60 different observations have taken place for Lichen and shelf fungi are being noted at this time of the year.
And, now just a bit of a word about our Saskatoon and Area Species at Risk which were found so far…By randomly taking pictures across Saskatoon and area, it is fantastic what was discovered!
Goldenrod Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis
Togwoteeus biceps
Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Blackbottle Protophormia terraenovae
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Louisiana Broomrape Aphyllon ludovicianum
Prairie Violet Viola pedatifida
Early Blue Violet Viola palmata
So, now is the time to get involved
Observe April 29-May 2
Countdown has begun!
How many birds, bugs, feathers, lichen, plants, animals, etc can you find?
Are you coming?
Three easy steps
Find it
Snap it
Share it
Enjoy the outdoors whilst supporting vital conservation research by making observations April 29 to May
City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challengeCity Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challengeiNaturalist Observation with smart phone connecting with nature, supporting vital conservation research worldwide.City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challenge
Celebrate 50 years! Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park were planted to trees in 1972, 50 years ago. Come out and say Happy Birthday!
Tony Rinaudo received his Bachelor’s Degree, Rural Science University of New England Australia, and agronomy through the University of Armidale as well as attending the Bible College of New Zealand (Diploma in Bible and Missions).[1] Rinaudo is known for putting forward a deforestation management practice known as farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR). Following his marriage they ended up for 18 years in Niger, Africa which Rinaudo described as a “moonscape.”[1][2] Though many tree planting methods were tried the degraded land and the population were facing desert like conditions, famine, disease and drought. Though these degraded conditions exist, without resources for sustaining life FMNR provides sustainable land regeneration to restore Africa’s uplands.[3][4] Through FMNR, a means of pruning and management, the underground forest of roots catalyzed into trees above ground. Rinaudo worked with local farmers in Niger in the transformation of hectares of dry land.[5] He has worked as the Principal Natural Resources Advisor for World Vision Australia, and is currently the Senior Climate Action Advisor.[6][1] Rinaudo is recognized for both his environmental and humanitarian approaches for global initiatives.[7]
Rinaudo led his formative years in Victoria’s Oven’s Valley in Australia. He had first hand knowledge of land degradation as forests were cleared for plantations and cropping the land.[1] Marrying Liz, they had four children. They both were Serving in Mission (SIM) missionaries arriving in the Niger Republic in 1981 remaining there until 1999.[8] While there, Rinaudo was placed in charge of the Maradi Windbreak and Woodlot project.[9] The actual ground on arrival was so sandy, that vehicles could not be driven without letting air from the tires less they bog down. Rinaudo took to calling it a “Moonscape”. “I was in shock,” he [said]. “We had windstorms that would bury the seed or carry it away. We had a mouse plague. We had locust swarms—hatchlings moving across the ground like a carpet. We had crows who knew where the drill holes were. For a young agricultural adviser—I was born in 1957—it was just mind-boggling.”[10] “Farmers in the Sahel had learned from French colonists to clear land for agriculture and keep crops separate from trees. Under French colonial law and new laws that countries adopted after independence, any trees on a farmer’s property belonged to the government. Farmers who cut down a tree for fuel would be threatened with jail.”[11] Soon it was seen that the trees were nitrogen-fixing the soil, and drawing water up facilitating bio-irrigating. It was the crop yield which sent the technique viral. The micro climate of the forests was cooling the soil of the hot desert climate.[9]
When Rinaudo arrived, he attested that the water table was forty to sixty meters deep.[10] Rinaudo was familiar with the work of Richard St. Barbe Baker who wrote in his book Land of Tane (1954) “When the trees go, the rain goes, the climate deteriorates, the water table sinks, the land erodes and desert conditions soon appear.” Trees raise the water table.
This no-cost method of FMNR, relying on labour turned around lives, and provided food security.[8] Rinaudo was able to combine an assessment of the landscape, permaculture principles with FMNR to literally turn deserts into “food bowls”. Rinaudo took the experimentation started in the Niger Republic, and it quickly spread to Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal. [12]
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration #GenerationRestoration hashtag and tag @UNEP and @FAO
Rinaudo worked with both the Forestry Service and the farmers, and soon farmers could benefit from trees regenerated on their own land enhancing the greening of the land.[13] Rinaudo began with an socio-geographical-ecological assessment of the land and area leading to opportunities to overcome, and the adoption of FMNR techniques.[14]
The technique now known as FMNR began under the term of “Dirty Fields” in contrast to the previously used system of “Clean Fields.” In this Dirty Field system, native trees and shrubs were encouraged. The name FMNR name was inspired by a another practice known as Farmer-Managed Irrigation Systems. (FMIS) FMNR was featured in the Tenth World Forestry Congress of 1990. The countries across Africa utlizing FMNR and engaged in EverGreen Agricultural practices have continually increased. FMNR expanded with the implementation of other frameworks to increase success for the farmer. The Nature, Wealth and Power (NWP) framework, the SEED-SCALE Framework and the Climate Resilience Framework (CRF)[15] Garry Tappan, a U.S. Geological Survey geographer was blown away when he began to see green on satellite imagery. Comparing historical satellite imagery with current imagery, Tappan discovered that FMNR revitalized the Great Green Wall campaign.[11]
Rinaudo was the 2018 Laureate of the Right Livelihood Award[16] and bestowed the Member of the Order of Australia.[1] Rinaudo, the “alternative Nobel” winner was portrayed in a documentary “Forest Maker” created by German director and film maker Volker Schlöndorff’[17][11] Following the making of the film, a panel session went into the FMNR approach, and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100)[18]
Australia’s ISCAST (The Institute for the Study of Christianity in an Age of Science and Technology) published his autobiography, entitled The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis.[9]
The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in CrisisThe Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis1982)The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis
Celebrate 50 years! Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park were planted to trees in 1972, 50 years ago. Come out and say Happy Birthday!
“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eye for an instant?”
Henry David Thoreau
What nature and biodiversity is around you today? As science teaches about various plants, and animals, wildlife and nature, awareness increases that Elephants exist in Africa, Kangaroos in Australia, Koala Bears in China. What insects thrive in Saskatoon? What songbirds remain in Saskatoon? Are there any animals that can be seen in Saskatoon? How many did you come up with?
“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.”
Kofi Annan
Join the #CityNatureChallenge from April 29–May 2! Document Saskatoon’s nature in the free @iNaturalist app by taking photos of wild plants and animals—and help contribute to the world’s largest citizen science event. More at FriendsAreas.ca
Celebrate National Volunteer Week which has a theme ‘Volunteering is Empathy in Action.’
LichenCity Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challengeGoldenrod Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis Conservation Status: imperiled (S2S4) in Saskatchewan, CA (NatureServe)Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), species at risk
Celebrate 50 years! Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park were planted to trees in 1972, 50 years ago. Come out and say Happy Birthday!
In Saskatoon and area we are taking part in #CNC2022! Join us between April 29 – May 2 as we take part in this International initiative to collect information about the wildlife flourishing in Saskatoon and area.
Researchers, school groups, citizens and wildlife enthusiasts across the world will be taking part in this race against the clock to put nature on the map, submitting photos and observations of wildlife in their neighbourhoods and greenspaces through the free, easy to use iNaturalist smart phone app.
New finds! Species that haven’t been recorded in particular areas before. Important finds of rare/endangered/threatened species. Observations that have a great story that go along with them. Really cool photos. Fun finds!
Send your photos of yourself, your friends or your family taking images in nature with iNaturalist! friendsafforestation@gmail.com
Researchers, school groups, citizens and wildlife enthusiasts across the world will be taking part in this race against the clock to put nature on the map, submitting photos and observations of wildlife in their neighbourhoods and greenspaces through the free, easy to use iNaturalist smart phone app.
Taking a photo of mushrooms (fungi) with iNat on a smart phoneCity Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challengeiNaturalist Observation with smart phone connecting with nature, supporting vital conservation research worldwide.CNC Nature Challenge April 29 to May 2
Celebrate 50 years! Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park were planted to trees in 1972, 50 years ago. Come out and say Happy Birthday! We have some cool events planned coming up!
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 