May 29 – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

The Single Most Important Thing You Need To Know About Forest Restoration

What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.
Chris Maser

Before and After photos

#GenerationRestoration United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

The shelter roof was coming down and actually a log had rolled off of it the day before the restoration event occurred, so *whew* it was a lucky coincidence that this event took place as there are classrooms of children and families also with children using the forest at the moment who may be curious about structures such as these. Sorry we did not take a picture of the sagging roof before the event started. At the end of the event these were the volunteers remaining (There were those who left early before the photos were taken.)

A huge thank you goes out to the volunteers who came out to help with making the forest safer for users of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Also another thank you goes out to these volunteers who assisted to make the forest safer for the elm trees growing near this structure. With the Elms facing two natural threats -Dutch Elm Disease and the Elm ZigZag Sawfly both devastating for Elm trees- it is dangerous for people to also be a threat to the elms of the afforestation area. There are indeed wrong seasons, and methods for pruning, or taking down elm trees lest Dutch Elm Disease enter into the Forest.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

The volunteers who came out for this restoration event on Arbor Week, did indeed become forest guardians as advocated by Richard St. Barbe Baker to take care of trees everywhere! These citizens also took an active role on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal SDG 15 Life On Land and helped to stop the degradation of forests.

The restoration work did involve the taking down of a lean-to tied to existing trees in the middle of a forest area with endangered species at risk in the forest. This restoration will also encourage forest users to stay on trails, enhancing forest guardianship of the woodlands.

1/ Cutting down trees in an area high with Elm invites Dutch Elm Disease if the tree cutter(s) is not properly trained on tree removal (and it is an afforestation area preserved in perpetuity)

2/ Shelters invite homeless people who live off the grid who are not a good mix for the current influx of family and school groups utilizing the afforestation areas as legitimate users.

3/ Shelters are suggestive that people should camp over night, or possibly have a fire detrimental to legitimate users and stewards of the forest, classrooms, and children of families, the neighbouring residents and the CNR Chappell yards oil and gas trains

5/ The Shelter is not built to code, and could be a safety hazard for families or classrooms of youngsters frequenting the trails on the east side of RSBBAA

6/ People are encouraged to go off the FFTB trails to build, enlarge, explore the shelter, and squish the species at risk on the east side of RSBBAA

7/ People who do not identify tree species well, could not only utilize the elm in their shelter construction, but also the tree species at risk in the east side of RSBBAA

8/ The shelter is not made with dead fall. The shelter is encouraging the wanton felling of trees without permissions from the City of Saskaton [CoS] and without abiding by the CoS Tree policy. Felling of trees without proper arboreal certificates of training is also a very dangerous activity as the east side of RSBBAA is becoming more populated with trail users.

9/ Making the east side of RSBBAA safer is a good thing, and also encourages safe trail use just in time for International Trails Day on June 5

10/ Taking care of trees during Saskatoon’s First ever Arbor Week shows citizen commitment to forest and tree health. It is not enough to plant trees, Richard St. Barbe Baker advocated that trees need to be protected also.

11/ People illegally felling CoS trees in an afforestation preserved in perpetuity threatens the trails, the users, and the forest integrity as a safe greenspace.

12/ Restore the afforestation area just in time for World Environment Day on June 5.

14/ Become a member of #generationrestoration, and honour the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

14/ Take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal SDG 15, Life On Land You can help stop the degradation of forests.

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 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

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 environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.
Lady Bird Johnson

What is Cattail Foraging?

This Tourism Week across Canada we are running a series on cattail foraging! We agree with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), that “We encourage all Canadians this #TourismWeek, to take the pledge, and when you are able, plan and travel in Canada this year!“

Enjoy this Fermented Cattail Heart recipe, the little cattail shoots taste so much like cucumbers, and with a bit of radishes and garlic added to the brine, they come out amazing!

If you cut your newly harvested spring cattail shoot recipes into 1/2 inch rounds, then you can cook them up like shallots to enjoy! Here is an amazing Shallot and Garlic butter recipe that converts to nicely to cattails from Epicurus.

This Tourism Week we encourage you to have a “staycation” at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon! In 326 acres, and 147.8 acres, there is lots of room to socially distance, and enjoy the mixed woodlands, meadows, wetlands and wildlife.

Stay tuned for more recipes during Tourism Week as we explore Cattail Nutrition and Cattail recipes. Did you know that the fresh spring cattail heads taste like corn on the cob?

A super easy recipe is to just barbecue your foraged cattail heads. Clean them first by rinsing, and soaking in vinegar, and then rinse off the vinegar. Next parboil them for a short while. Now you can brush a bit of olive oil on them and grill or barbecue them for a short while.

Also the pollen can be collected in paper bags, or by inserting the cattail head into a bottle? Just give the head a shake, while it is all wrapped up inside, and the pollen will be so easy to collect, and so healthy to add to any of your baking dishes, or to your rice pilaf or pasta dishes! Stay tuned for some more amazing cattail recipes!

Young cattails are loaded with nutrition, and according to specialty produce, cattails provide beta-carotene, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, potassium, phosphorus, and Vitamin C.

Cattails are a great way to try your hand at foraging, they are everywhere and are easily identifiable.
Shawn Bailey

Alternatively, you can peel the fibers away, and eat the tender root. Parboil your root, and then grill with a sauce made from your favourite salad dressing!

Send us a comment on how you succeed with your foraging adventure! Stay tuned throughout tourism week for more Cattail recipes for your outdoor foraging foray. Remember to be safe around the water.

Avoid harvesting your cattails with your puppy dogs with you in the spring while waterfowl are nesting. “For waterfowl, other marsh birds, and small mammals, broadleaf cattail provides food and important nesting, brooding, and loafing habitat. Broadleaf cattail is extremely important to common muskrats. It provides a major food source and important nesting habitats and materials” FEIS source

Today, during Tourism Week across Canada! We agree with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), that “We encourage all Canadians this #TourismWeek, to take the pledge, and when you are able, plan and travel in Canada this year!“ Why not venture out to the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, and enjoy Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or George Genereux Urban Regional park. They are great places to socially distance in 326 acres and 147.8 acres respectively.

Typha latifolia, the common cattail, or one of its varieties, will be found all over the Northern Hemisphere. There is everything to like about this plant: it’s all edible (and tasty!), easy to identify, and easy to harvest. This makes it both a fine staple and an excellent survival food.
Fred Demara

Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mold myself.
Henry David Thoreau
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

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

Create A Cattail Recipe You Can Be Proud Of

#TourismWeek #TourismCounts #SaskatoonAfforestation This week, May 23-May 30, 2021 Celebrate your family staycation at the 326 acre Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and at the 147.8 acre George Genereux Urban Regional Park!

As a great activity during this City of Saskatoon staycation during COVID come outdoors and forage for cattails, this is the second in the series for some great spring recipes. Why Cattails? Cattails contain Vitamins A, B, and C, along with the minerals potassium, and phosphorous. Healthline states that a high potassium diet will “reduce blood pressure and water retention, protect against stroke and prevent osteoporosis and kidney stones.” Whereas Medical News Today states that the benefits of Phosphorous are that this mineral “plays a role in how the body processes , or sugars” and supports “the nervous system, kidney function, muscle contraction, and heartbeat regulation.”

Here is the next amazing cattail recipe for you, as you come out to the West Swale wetlands to forage for some delicious cattails!

All of the people who work in the kitchen with me go out into the forests and on to the beach. It’s a part of their job. If you work with me you will often be starting your day in the forest or on the shore because I believe foraging will shape you as a chef.
Rene Redzepi

So, this spring, as you go out to the West Swale wetlands in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area – the north side of Chappell Marsh, and cut off some cattail shoots, also called cattail leaf hearts. You can clean your newly foraged cattail shoots by rinsing, and then soaking in vingar and then a second rinse, and then eat them with a bit of peanut butter on them.

Another great way to eat them, is to cook them like you would lightly boil asparagus, and then make a nice hollandaise sauce to pour over them! There are some pre-packaged hollandaise packets in your grocery store, just add butter, and stir! Then pour over your delicious cattails! Easy goodness.

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.
Frank Lloyd Wright

Let us know in the comments how you make out with your spring foraging, and recipe once you get the cattails home again! Remember to always be safe around the water. Try to forage without your puppy dogs in tow around the wetlands to protect the waterfowl in the spring months. There are “overwater nesters, such as black-crowned night herons, Franklin’s gulls, eared grebes…[who] have also taken advantage of the increasing vegetation growing in wetlands…Aquatic vegetation such as cattail and bulrush …provide[s] cover for duck nests and broods.” source

Doesn’t this sound like a fantastic long week-end treat to enjoy?

While you are out at the wetlands, take photos of the waterfowl, and enjoy the amazing tunes provided by the red-winged and yellow-head blackbirds.

National Sweater Day First Thursday of February — n

YouTube

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
“Hunter-gathers, by nature, store information for use, understanding that there may be a time when information is scarce.”
― Brian C. O’Connor, Jud H. Copeland, Jodi L. Kearns

Everyone Loves Cattail Recipes for Tourism Week

Today, the Sunday of the long weekend of May marks the beginning of Tourism Week across Canada! We agree with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), that “We encourage all Canadians this #TourismWeek, to take the pledge, and when you are able, plan and travel in Canada this year!“

To that point, we encourage you to have a “staycation” at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon! In 326 acres, and 147.8 acres, there is lots of room to socially distance, and enjoy the mixed woodlands, meadows, wetlands and wildlife.

Autumn picture of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas supported by the non profit group Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. Please join now, like, support, share. — C

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and West Swale Wetlands , Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — C

For an activity, this spring, the spikes or stems are amazing to eat, as are the roots, and the pollen-covered cattails heads are also wonderful. Off the Grid News recommends that after harvesting your cattails, to rinse, them at home, and then soak in vinegar for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse again. The little shoots make a delightful spring vegetable to eat with your favourite dip!

Don’t forget to try the Marinated Cattail Hearts recipe. Right now is the best time to forage for your cattail leaf hearts. You may want to wander out to the wetlands with a pair of rubber boots on for the best and tastiest morsels. This delicious Marinated Cattail Hearts recipe makes a divine relish that is very delicious.

Send us a comment on how you succeed with your foraging adventure! Stay tuned throughout tourism week for more Cattail recipes for your outdoor foraging foray. Remember to be safe around the water. Try to forage for your cattails without puppy dogs in tow as spring is when waterfowl are nesting. Pied-billed Grebes, for instance, “build floating nests of cattails, grasses and other vegetation…..look for Pied-billed Grebes on small, quiet ponds and marshes where thick vegetation grows out of the water.” Cornell University All About Birds.

Foraging for food is a little like a mythic quest. You may think you know what you want and expend a lot of energy and dogged determination making lists and plans for obtaining it — losing a lot of sleep and garnering no small amount of heartache along the way — only to find it shimmering elsewhere, like a golden chalice, just out of reach.
Risa Nye

YouTube

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

Earth was not built for six billion people all running around and being passionate about things. The world was built for about two million people foraging for roots and grubs.
Douglas Coupland

The Afforestation Area Tourist

May 26 – June 2, 2019 is Tourism Week in Canada

On behalf of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the George Genereux Urban Regional Park, thank you for taking the opportunity to behold this very first ever Special Report for our afforestation area tourist. Where to begin? That is the question. How much do you know about these afforestation areas? These wilderness empires, namely our two afforestation areas have been stealing hearts with their expansive beauty and this heartfelt outpouring of love from around the world, and close to home is what will snatch them from leveling forces of development. They are likely to prove the richest, noblest heritage of our city. Here the world is at play, here are scenes ever new and that will greatly help to keep the city young.

The tourist who moves about to see and hear and open himself to all the influences of the places which condense centuries of human greatness is only a man in search of excellence.Max Lerner

Richard St. Barbe Baker Word Cloud — Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park, Saskatoon, SK A Statistical Word Cloud Report sampling

“It is as if Nature in these places had in self-defense devoted all her energies to scenery, proclaiming to the nation, ‘Here I will make playgrounds for the people. Here is nothing for commerce or industry. Here is natural beauty at its wildest and best. Elsewhere man must live by the sweat of his brow. Here let him rest and play. Here I will rule supreme for all time.'”John Dickinson Sherman

These interesting afforestation areas are becoming every day more and more the subject of inquiry and personal investigation.

Why? Well, scenery is, without doubt, one of our most valuable resources.

The climate is varied, the wetlands are extensive, the grasslands are covered in roses and wild flowers, while those studying botany the treasures abound with a varied ecology of wonder, and the woodlands tempt the eyes with sightings of deer, moose, and woodpecker. The man of science is appeased with the thrill of a rich vein of geological history. The inquisitive traveler doubtless will ascertain statistical observations as they progress throughout the green spaces.

The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist see what he has come to see. G. K. Chesterton

It is our great hope and belief that they will become a marked factor in public education. Surely, these wonderlands mean much for the general welfare, and will help to develop greater men and women—to arouse enthusiasm for our native land, and for nature everywhere.

“Travel is the great
source of true wisdom.”
—Beaconsfield.

It is told that the Piute Indians recount a legend which goes like this. Just at the close of creation, woman was consulted. She called into existence the birds, the flowers, and the trees. That is the kind of a woman with whom to start a world. Our cities still need green places full of hope and beauty, with birds, flowers, and trees! With their help we may live long and happily and harmoniously upon a beautiful world.

Scenic parts of this poetic and primeval world—parts rich in loveliness and grandeur—are “preserved in perpetuity” for us. They contain splendid scenic and scientific features not elsewhere to be seen. The traveler might spend hours and hours in them without exhausting even their best attractions.

An afforestation area is an island of safety in this riotous world. Splendid forests, the wetlands that sparkle in glory, the wild flowers that charm and illuminate the earth, the wild deer of the woodland nooks and crannies, and the beauty of the birds, all have places of refuge which our afforestation areas provide.

Our afforestation areas are the fountain of life. They are without doubt a potential factor for good in our city life. They hold within their magic realm benefits that are health-giving, educational, economic; that further efficiency and ethical relations, and are inspirational. Every one needs to play, and to play out of doors. Without parks, afforestation areas and outdoor life all that is best in civilization would be smothered. To prevent our perishing, to save ourselves, to enable us to live at our best and happiest, afforestation areas are necessary. Within these areas is room—glorious room—room in which to find ourselves, in which to think and hope, to dream and plan, to rest and resolve.

Branta canadensis Canada Goose

Fresh Snow in the Sun

Puppies. Puppy Day March 23.

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

P4G Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth The P4G consists of the Cities of Saskatoon, Warman, and Martensville, the Town of Osler and the Rural Municipality of Corman Park; planning for areas around the afforestation area and West Swale outside of Saskatoon city limits

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

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

You Tube Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

You Tube George Genereux Urban Regional Park

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

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!

QR Code FOR PAYPAL DONATIONS to the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. — Paypal

Payment Options

Membership : $20.00 CAD – yearly
Membership with donation : $50.00 CAD
Membership with donation : $100.00 CAD

1./ Learn.

2./ Experience

3./ Do Something: ^***

What was Richard St. Barbe Baker’s mission, that he imparted to the Watu Wa Miti, the very first forest scouts or forest guides? To protect the native forest, plant ten native trees each year, and take care of trees everywhere.

“We stand in awe and wonder at the beauty of a single tree. Tall and graceful it stands, yet robust and sinewy with spreading arms decked with foliage that changes through the seasons, hour by hour, moment by moment as shadows pass or sunshine dapples the leaves. How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees we call a forest.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker

“I believe with Ruskin, that I must be just to the Earth beneath my feet, to the neighbour by my side and to the Light that comes from above and within that this wonderful world of ours may be a little more beautiful and happy from my having lived in it. “Richard St. Barbe Baker.

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May 26 – June 2, 2019 is Tourism Week in Canada

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