nature-deficit disorder – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

Nature in medical prescriptions

The Canadian Medical Association is set to make history at COP15 with the formal endorsement of a new nationwide nature prescription program called PaRx.

The Canadian Medical Association has declared its support for the program officially at the Canada Pavilion in the Palais des congrès de Montréal at COP15. PaRx is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of Canadians by prescribing nature – such as hiking, bird watching, cycling, snowshoing, skiing – as a form of preventive medicine.

PaRx is a means of healthcare professionals connecting Canadians with nature-based activities in their local area via prescriptions. The program is designed to be accessible to all Canadians, regardless of age, ability or income level. It aims to make the outdoors more accessible and inviting to Canadians who may not have had the opportunity or resources to explore nature before.

The program is based on the concept of “ecotherapy”, which is the practice of engaging with nature to improve mental health. In recent years, ecotherapy has become increasingly popular as a way to reduce stress and improve physical health, and as a result, more healthcare professionals are prescribing nature to their patients. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, PaRx could be considered a “nature prescription”: it encourages Canadians to engage with nature and experience its therapeutic benefits.

The program is designed to be easy to use and accessible to all Canadians, and it provides information about activities to help users discover the many ways that nature can benefit their physical and mental health. The CMA’s endorsement of PaRx is a major step forward in the growing movement to make nature-based activities a part of healthcare. It is a testament to the increasing recognition of the importance of nature in improving our health and wellbeing, and in helping us live more sustainable lifestyles. Hopefully, this endorsement will lead to more Canadians taking advantage of the therapeutic benefits of nature, and to more healthcare professionals prescribing nature as part of their treatment plans.

What a great reason to explore the afforestation areas today!

PaRx in Saskatchewan. Health and wellness in the forest

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

World Honey Bee Day

Today, August 20 is #WorldHoneyBeeDay, being the third Saturday of August!

Did you know that planting trees and even the planting of forests will help the World Honey Bee population?

Saskatoon, pincherry, chokecherry to name a few are pollinated bushes in the afforestation areas which rely on our bees and pollinator species. According to John Mola et al in The Importance of Forests in Bumble Bee Biology and Conservation writes, “forests and woody edges provide food resources during phenologically distinct periods, are often preferred nesting and overwintering habitats, and can offer favorable abiotic conditions in a changing climate.” Wildlife Preservation goes on to say, “forests provide lots of nooks and crannies for bumble bee queens to start their new colonies. Not only that, but the trees and shrubs in forests help slow down harsh winds, protect bees from the rain, and keep temperatures down during the heat of the summer by providing shade from the sun.” From the American Forest Foundation; “Mature stands [of forests] are also well suited for bees. Especially stands that include a variety of species, as well as openings or gaps. Mature forests can provide shade and protection from extreme weather for hives.”

What can you do?

Destroy your bug-zapper! Bug zappers kill all bugs and don’t pick and choose the bugs you don’t like. So all beneficial pollinator species bugs are also eliminated, and all the bird food on wings goes away, so the food web for the declining bird population is also gone.

Write a letter to your local, provincial and federal politician asking for a ban on pesticides and herbicides.

Buy organic food only in the supermarket or farmer’s market – or grow your own food.

There are light-free zones for star gazers to enjoy our milky way galaxy which is splendid! Why are there not Electro-magnetic Field EMF-free zones also? Environmental Health Trust EHT Executive Director Theodora Scarato writes, and says on YouTube; 5G and Small Cell Environmental Effects: Birds, Bees Trees and Climate. Take action now! Dana Dovey from Newsweek, says; “Technology is quite literally destroying nature, with a new report further confirming that electromagnetic radiation from power lines and cell towers can disorientate birds and insects and destroy plant health.” BeeHeroic says “Bees Plea, Stop 5G “Due to several factors – including body size, the magnetite that all animals have in their bodies and more – pollinating insects and animals are highly susceptible to 5G. In addition, the fact that mmWaves make plants toxic – to animals and humans – creates a combination that is forcing accelerated extinction of nearly all life on Earth.”

Plant trees and forests.

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)

The City Nature Challenge

Learn more about how you as an individual, environmental group, science museum, parks department, city can become part of the City Nature Challenge! Learn how your city can be part of next year’s City Nature Challenge.

It is all happening virtually on April 12 in a two part series.

City Nature Challenge two part-CNC backgrounder & event planning

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 6:00 PM CST

Citizen Science Event Planning

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 7:00 PM CST

Whether you are an expert, a seasoned #BioBlitz participant or getting involved for the first time, it couldn’t be easier to join in. It is as simple as 1-2-3!

1. Download the iNaturalist app and sign in.

2. Find wildlife. It can be any wild plant, insects, mushrooms, animal, fungi, or any other evidence of life (shells, scat, fur, tracks, feathers, nests) found in your neighborhood, home, backyard, or even through your windows. You might be surprised by how many insects thrive in the nooks and crannies around you.

3. Upload the the networking community on iNaturalist. You don’t even have to know anything about the species you are observing. Teams of experts will be reviewing and updating the information that’s submitted, so you can log back in later and learn more about what you’ve spotted.

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

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

General Well-Being!

World Health Day is amazing for April 7! By observing local nature, everyone can support vital conservation research while connecting with nature and enjoying the outdoors. Outdoor recreation is typically pursued for purposes of physical exercise, general wellbeing, spiritual renewal, and an opportunity to partake in nature whilst doing so.[source]

Download the free iNaturalist app, and practice looking for and taking pictures of nature. Between April 29 and May 2, 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.

Check out the afforestation areas in Saskatoon – Have you been to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or George Genereux Park?

City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challenge

Take your pants for a walk day — City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challenge

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
Khalil Gibran

YouTube

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

Vitamin N (Nature)

It is true we are calmer, and much more relaxed after spending some time in nature. How can one measure the benefits of improved mental health. During these uncertain times, it is easy to feel stressed and feel anxiety, irritable, and have related ailments like indigestion, insomnia, headaches. There are layoffs, insecurities about health and wellness, finances, education, new changes to lifestyle.

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Puppies. Puppy Day March 23.

National Sweater Day First Thursday of February

Make A Wish Day

Anxious thoughts give rise to panic attacks where our innate natural instinct is “fight of flight.” Because our body is taking action to react to the emergency by fleeing or fighting for it’s survival, our rational thinking mind suppresses our instinct to live in a civilized society.
An amazing relief can be found be indulging in “flight.” Just taking off for a walk, bicycle ride or jog in nature will help your body acknowledge that the its survival instinct is no longer needed, and that it is safe, and you can relax now.
Of course, one must appease the thinking mind as well as the body. If the conventions are followed for COVID-10 when out in nature, and 6 feet (2 meters) are maintained for social distancing, both mind and body can relax so that worries, and stress are alleviated.
Focusing on nature brings about a change, and for panic attacks, a change is as good as a rest.
As you wander about watching spring change into summer, be happy. Listen to the meadowlark singing. Laugh at the red squirrels chattering away. From a distance, smile and wave at the next walker passing by.
Take care of yourself today. Watch as the elm trees burst into flower, and it is truly a good day. Though everyone must social isolate to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, remember you are not alone.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

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

Canada Helps

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

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

1./ Learn.

2./ Experience

3./ Do Something: ^***

Canada Helps

Trust yourself. You’ve survived a lot, and you’ll survive whatever is coming.

– Robert Tew

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he turned into a butterfly.”
—Anonymous proverb

#EveryDayCounts
#MotivationalMonday
#MondayMotivation
#BeAwesome
#BeHappy
#createSomethingBeautiful
#HappyMonday
#MentalHealth
#SelfCare
#SmileLaughDaily
#community
#YouAreNotAlone
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
#FutureGenerations
#BeKind

#EveryDayCounts
#MotivationalMonday
#MondayMotivation
#BeAwesome
#BeHappy
#CreateSomethingBeautiful
#HappyMonday
#MentalHealth
#SelfCare
#SmileLaughDaily
#Community
#YouAreNotAlone
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
#FutureGenerations
#BeKind

Collaborating, connecting, conserving, leading

The Trembling Aspen is also referred to as the Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) May 25, 2019

Rime Ice at George Genereux Urban Regional Park, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. NE 21-36-6 W 3 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063 NE 21-36-6

American Red Squirrel Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Fresh Snow on the Boughs

This fall, the Canadian Parks Conference was held in Quebec City where developers of urban, regional and national parks met and networked together to discuss four themes:

“COLLABORATING and building relationships that ignite the powerful benefits of Nature
CONNECTING with and fostering a love for Nature through a diversity of experiences
CONSERVING and supporting the diversity of life to meet the needs of all species
LEADING by supporting professional development and performance excellence”

The honourable Minister Pierre Dufour, Minister of Parks, PQ, as the inaugural speaker, brought attention to the unifying theme, “As eloquently illustrated by the unifying theme, Parks for all and all for parks, the need to preserve nature leads us more than ever to collaborate in the interest of both current and future citizens … and of our beautiful parks, of course! ”

Throughout the conference workshops were held focusing on health benefits of different ecosystem types, biodiversity conservation, and cultivating youth leadership. How can there be parks for all, inclusive of all abilities, while at the same time providing a connection to nature in the city and branding of nature tourism. The conference engaged speakers on world views, and indigenous engagement, while exploring climate change and the benefits of the natural infrastructure. Nature deficit disorder could be alleviated by using parks as classrooms providing hands-on learning. Sustainable tourism provides a method to take pride in nature in a digital age with the recreational impacts of providing technology in parks. An entire workshop focussed on how “parks and protected areas face many challenges, including climate change, decline in biodiversity, changing visitor expectations, and nature-deficit disorder.”

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada realizes the importance of parks and greenspaces in tourism. TIAC President & CEO Charlotte Bell was a presenter at the Canadian Parks Conference. “Outdoor recreational spaces are a strong part of Canada’s identity, and a key driver for Canadian tourism. Working to promote park visitation in a sustainable way will continue to showcase our awe-inspiring landscapes, and drive local economies for many generations to come.”

What were some of the Tourism takeaways from the conference?

Would you say about 5% of the population takes part in organized sport and recreation, and 95% take a holiday to a natural greenspace? Why not make greenspace tourism a part of Saskatoon, and have pride in Saskatoon’s greenspaces – in the natural and historic heritage of the afforestation areas? Why not take a staycation, and celebrate the biodiversity and semi-wilderness habitat 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

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 SW 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

Should you wish to help protect / enhance the 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: ^***

“St. Barbe’s unique capacity to pass on his enthusiasm to others. . . Many foresters all over the world found their vocations as a result of hearing ‘The Man of the Trees’ speak. I certainly did, but his impact has been much wider than that. Through his global lecture tours, St. Barbe has made millions of people aware of the importance of trees and forests to our planet.” Allan Grainger

“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.

“I believe in the Oneness of Mankind and all living things and the interdependence of each and all.” Richard St. Barbe Baker

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