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.

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

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

50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon — Reviving Local Heritage. July 22, 2022 at 7:00 pm Remai Modern

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

City Nature Challenge Results

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!

View our Thank You Video!

To see the results and observations for our involvement in the City Nature Challenge, check out both iNaturalist Saskatoon and Area AND BioSmart portal for Saskatoon and Area. In Saskatoon we had amazing support from the City of Saskatoon for the City Nature Challenge.

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.

American Elm Ulmus americana

American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Blackbottle Protophormia terraenovae

Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula

Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii

Early Blue Violet Viola palmata

Goldenrod Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis

Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Louisiana Broomrape Aphyllon ludovicianum

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Prairie Violet Viola pedatifida

Togwoteeus biceps

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Yellow-banded Bumble Bee Bombus terricola

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

End of Day 2 Results.

So, the City Nature Challenge has come halfway, day 2 of 4 days.

What a ride it has been! Let’s recap again about some highlights.

So when you want to check out how Saskatoon and area is faring there are two counters. One is on iNaturalist here. The other scoreboard is here, as the Saskatoon City Nature Challenge signed up to BioSmart.

What is the difference? Well BioSmart shows the addition of both iNaturalist and eBird observations! In two days this is how Saskatoon and area has fared on BioSmart;

598
Observations

419
Identifications

217
Species

38
People

So that is pretty sweet! Hats off to everyone.

The ever beautiful Crocus Pulsatilla nuttalliana has been recorded today as an observation!

There has been an observation of a “Puccinia monoica (Rust Fungus) that infects prairie plants in early spring, usually species of Rock Cress (Boechera/Arabis)” (the description given by Glen Lee)

There are no more white rabbit sightings, only brown White-tailed Jackrabbits *whew*.

Some very beautiful Wintergreens are making a carpet of green which is ever wonderful to see.

If you have never seen a wondrous Spring Avens, well they are in bud now, so that is pretty cool!

But besides saying what is recorded, we should mention what is NOT recorded. There are NO pelican sightings recorded yet! And yet we know they arrived April 21! NO beaver nor muskrat sightings. So now the race is on, to see who can get the first pelican, beaver and muskrat sighting! Can you do it? Check on eBird Saskatoon for end of April usual bird sightings, and then it will be discovered what there may be to look for still 😉

Out of all the potential birds of prey around and about Saskatoon which may be sighted such as hawks, owls, vultures, only two have been registered to date = a Turkey Vulture, and a Merlin.

You know what is a rather unique and interesting happenstance of the City Nature Challenge? iNat user svetlana-bogdanovich out of Ukraine has made the most observations! So in the middle of war-torn Ukraine, svetlana has made 505 observations in 2 days! That is pretty incredible.

User eduardoramirez-anapri from Madrid Spain has made 444 observations in the first 2 days.

American Pelican Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA — Pelican Preening

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!

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

Saskatoon and Area for CNC YXE DNU

Besides the City of Saskatoon the map shows that the surrounding area includes Asquith Bergheim Blucher Blumenheim Borden Bradwell Cedar Villa Estates Clavet Dalmeny Delisle Eagle Ridge Furdale Gledhow Grandora Langham Martensville Neuhorst Pike Lake Shields St. Denis Swanson the RM of Aberdeen 373 the RM of Colonsay 342 the RM of Corman Park 344 the RM of Dundurn 314 the RM of Grant 372 the RM of Great Bend 405 the RM of Montrose 315 the RM of Morris 312 the RM of Vanscoy 345 Thode Valley Park Vanscoy Warman All of these areas (in alphabetical order) are shown to be within the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge YXE iNaturalist area. (The rural municipality areas may be entirely or partially in the CNC YXE DNU area.)

Please email if any are missed friendsafforestation@gmail.com Thanks

Help put the City of Saskatoon and area on the world nature scene! Using iNaturalist take photos of plants, animals, insects and mushrooms between April 29 – May 2, 2022! Saskatoon will compete for the title of the most Biodiverse City. We need your help. We welcome you

Besides the City of Saskatoon the map shows that the surrounding area of Saskatoon includes

Asquith

Bergheim

Blucher

Blumenheim

Borden

Bradwell

Cedar Villa Estates

Clavet

Dalmeny

Delisle

Eagle Ridge

Furdale

Gledhow

Grandora

Langham

Martensville

Neuhorst

Pike Lake

Shields

St. Denis

Swanson

the RM of Aberdeen 373

the RM of Colonsay 342

the RM of Corman Park 344

the RM of Dundurn 314

the RM of Grant 372

the RM of Great Bend 405

the RM of Montrose 315

the RM of Morris 312

the RM of Vanscoy 345

Thode

Valley Park

Vanscoy

Warman

Please email if any places are inadvertently missed friendsafforestation@gmail.com Thanks!

All of these areas (in alphabetical order) are shown to be within the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge YXE iNaturalist area. (The rural municipality areas may be entirely or partially in the CNC YXE DNU area.)

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

How are you celebrating forests?

Let us know what you are doing for Canada’s very own National Forest Week in the province of Saskatchewan!

National Forest Week

Saturday September 18, 2021 to Sunday September 26, 2021
Maple Leaf Day September 22, 2021

So as we are making some exciting plans for National Forest Week, we would like to hear from you and your exciting adventures, and ways you are celebrating trees and forests in September. The theme for National Forest Week this year, 2021 is, “Our Forests – Continually Giving.”

Doesn’t that imagery just resonate with you? -Our Forests – Continually Giving-a delightful theme. National Forest Week hosted around Canada’s very own Maple Leaf Day is a time to explore the amazing benefits of trees and forests as they support biodiversity and ecosystems, mitigate flooding, raise the water table, absorb carbon dioxide, provide life-saving oxygen as well as providing amazing greenspace for recreation and healthy lifestyles. It’s a celebration to focus on forest heritage, culture, and history highlighting the importance of trees, their essential ecological services. It’s a time for residents to tell stories about their love of trees, and appreciation of forests and how very blessed we are.

The value of forests helps us take action for the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations such as good health and wellbeing, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action (forests are carbon sinks), life on land, peace justice and strong institutions, partnerships for the future we want.

Have you had a deep, meaningful holistic connection or experience with nature? Have you had the chance to explore and immerse yourself in the afforestation areas – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or George Genereux Urban Regional Park. These local forests are a great way to experience a mixed-woods boreal-like forest in a moist grasslands prairie eco-system without driving north past the tree-line.

Share how you are sharing your love of forests during National Forest Week, we would love to include your enthusiasm and plans in our calendar and let the world know how many forest guardians there are celebrating National Forest Week in September, 2021!

If you are a teacher or homeschooler we have been collecting some nature and forest curriculum based resources while developing our afforestation curriculum resources. How very exciting – so stay tuned!

We will let you in on a little secret about Saskatoon’s hidden treasures.

We are also proud to announce our planning for two 50th anniversaries. Whomever has heard of Richard St. Barbe Baker by some estimates the world’s first global conservationist, and very likely the world’s first climate change activist as well. Baker did amazing feats in the era before television and internet. Everyone knows David Suzuki and David Attenborough. Baker was a visionary ahead of his era, and has inspired the planting of over billions of trees during his lifetime, and later billions of trees were lanted by global organizations motivated and galvanized to action from Baker’s example.

We are also celebrating another 50th anniversary with the birthday for the afforestation areas in Saskatoon. This celebration is truly a way to focus our vision of living together on the land in the spirit of Witaskêwin, and highlight the rich geological, historical, natural, and cultural heritage of the areas to honour where we have been. Science, conservation, hands-on learning about the land, environment and sustainability ensure our future. Experience nature immersion at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

Image taken by Shweetha Gopinath, eco-photographer

Take a selfie at George Genereux Urban Regional Park (virtually - remotely) and enter a contest for a chance to win $1,000 — Image taken by Shweetha Gopinath, eco-photographer

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

Addresses:

Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A

Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A

S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A

NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063

Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot

Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com

Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map

Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)?with map

Pinterest richardstbarbeb

Blogger: FriendsAfforestation

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

Facebook: StBarbeBaker Afforestation Area

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

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

Facebook: South West OLRA

Reddit: FriendsAfforestation

Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

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

Donate your old vehicle, here’s how!

Support using Canada Helps

Support via a recycling bottle donation

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

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

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

Congratulations!

The Government of Canada is collaborating with the Meewasin Valley Authority about the potential for the Meewasin Valley to become a National Urban Park. This initiative is one which would help protect biodiversity in urban centres, while providing urban residents with the capacity to connect with nature.

“We see opportunities, potentially, in expanding the land base for Meewasin, we see opportunities in potentially looking at collectively investing in infrastructure, collectively investing in protecting biodiversity that exists within the Meewasin Valley Authority. And so I think that the federal government is willing to do its part with respect to financial contributions,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of environment and climate change and minister responsible for Parks Canada.

“Canada’s National Urban Parks Program is part of a broader southern strategy of restoration that includes natural infrastructure, tree planting and regeneration of wetlands, and is vital in the fight to stem the tide of rapid biodiversity loss.”

During this United Nations Decade on Restoration, certainly preventing, halting and reversing the degradation of ecosystems is much needed. It is terrifically exciting that the Meewasin Valley Authority and the Government of Canada are doing their part in restoration!

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

Addresses:

Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A

Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A

S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A

NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063

Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot

Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com

Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map

Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)?with map

Pinterest richardstbarbeb

Blogger: FriendsAfforestation

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

Facebook: StBarbeBaker Afforestation Area

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

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

Facebook: South West OLRA

Reddit: FriendsAfforestation

Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

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

Donate your old vehicle, here’s how!

Support using Canada Helps

Support via a recycling bottle donation

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

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

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

Announcement

Breaking News regarding the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas will be announced at the Annual General Meeting! The AGM will be held on Zoom Wednesday Evening November 11, 2020 at 7:00 pm

Get your free tickets to the virtual zoom meeting now while quantities last.

Protect your dog in the severe cold winter weather warnings.

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
DRAFT 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 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 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
1./ Learn.
2./ Experience
3./ Do Something: ^***
“The future of the planet concerns all of us, and all of us should do what we can to protect it. ” Wangari Maathai.
“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 nations 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

And into the forest I go

Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM)

is celebrated for the month of June!

What an excellent way to bring in the summer months.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. Josh Billings

Grooming the Trail, Packing the Path

Downy Wwoodpecker Ddryobates pubescens

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. West Swale Saskatoon, SK, CA

June 6, 2020 is a Saturday, and also commemorates International Trail Day which falls on the first Saturday of June.

By June the Winter season for the Winter Fatbike Trail Network is finished as all the snow has indeed melted. However, that being said, Jeff Hehn ambassador of the Fatlanders Fat Tire Brigade and other members of this group have created Fatbike winter trails in addition to the existing to the paths previously extant in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

Additionally, the city of Saskatoon has created the South West Off Leash Recreation Area, with trails to enjoy, and take your dog along on the trails.

The Saskatoon Nature Society did in fact include the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area in their 2016 new edition of the book. “Nature Viewing Sites in and around Saskatoon.” Members of the Nature society have been actively ringing (banding) birds in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area for a number of years, so keep your eyes open while out on the trails, and bring your binoculars and cameras.

“And into the forest I go,

To lose my mind and find my soul.” unknown

During this Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak please stay well and healthy and follow protocols set by City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Health and Health Canada in regards to the Coronavirus. Best wishes to you all. Participants in the trails day event (which is postponed until after the COVID-19 fears have passed) at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, or at the Afforestation formerly known as George Genereux Urban Regional Park, are invited to post on facebook your photos while walking, bicycling, hiking, or bird-watching along the trail incorporating why you love urban forests in Saskatoon.

Facebook: StBarbeBaker

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

To show your appreciation for the afforestation area, while you are out on the trails, please bring along an extra plastic bag and volunteer to remove debris in the afforestation area, or remove trash in the parking lots or scoop some poop in the off leash area.

These are the ethics of “Leave no trace” to help preserve the afforestation area and its trails for the future generations, and for your families use tomorrow.

Take someone to the Richard St. Barbe Baker afforestation area who has never been to this “best kept secret” of Saskatoon or perhaps take your family out on a new trail which you have not explored yet.

“In every walk with nature,

one received far more than he seeks.”

– John Muir

Take only photos and memories, Each leaf, flower, stone and berry is an integral part of the ecosystem in the afforestation area. If we were to remove items from the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area we are removing what may be food and shelter for the wildlife community.

Leave only footprints along the paths. Animals and wildlife subsist better on food from the wild. Trash can cause distress and harm to the animals and vegetation and wetlands in the area. Human food and human garbage can make animals sick. This is a wetlands area, trash can also make humans sick as the West Swale drains into the South Saskatchewan River.

There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.
Sir Rannulph Fiennes

Explore the afforestation area with respect. Extend your adventure on the trails of the park to preserve the ecological system. Walking off path disturbs the vegetation of the understory and affects the water drainage of the site. There are still wild animals in the afforestation area, and as the city grows, it would be amazing if it would stay that way for future generations to enjoy as well.

Sustainable trails and trail signage preserve the wildlife habitat, prevent erosion, conserve the forest understory, and provide a conservation friendly direction for the eco-footprint caused by an increase in users

With a growing awareness of the afforestation area, a proper trail network establishing proper and appropriate paths mitigates damage to wildlife habitat and ensures long term preservation practices while allowing increasing numbers of user to appreciate the full scenic beauty of the afforestation area. Well planned sustainable trails mitigate soil movement and erosion, require minimal long term maintenance, while allowing vegetation and wildlife to inhabit the area.
Eliminating illegal use of motorized vehicles in the afforestation area and the wetlands will eliminate unprecedented erosion, ecological and habitat damage. Taking responsibility and accountability for the environment will increase public appreciation for a picturesque urban forest by walkers, bicycle riders, educational classes, naturalists, bird watchers, and a number of other users on properly planned and designed pathways to mitigate the ecosystem footprint.

Remember next year’s International Trails Day is June 5, 2021.

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 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

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

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

“The trees and vegetation, which cover the land surface of the Earth and delight the eye, are performing vital tasks incumbent upon the vegetable world in nature. Its presence is essential to earth as an organism. It is the first condition of all life; it is the “Skin” of the earth, for without it there can be no water and, therefore, no life.”Richard St. Barbe Baker

$20,000!

$20,000 for $1.00. Good deal hey?

Make A Wish Day

Children enjoying their time collecting leaves in the autumn forest.

Puppies. Puppy Day March 23.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Hey donate to the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. through this page of the Great Canadian Giving Challenge in June 2020 and our charity will have a chance to win $20,000! This way you can do your part to stop illegal motorized trespass, illegal dumping, and protect endangered species. Wow! Cool Beans!

Do you have $3.00 to save a forest, to save endangered species, to protect a wetlands?

All it takes is a donation of $1.00 for our charity to be entered into the Great Canadian Giving Challenge and the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc charity gets one ticket into the challenge to win $20,000. Did you know a parking lot at the afforestation areas costs $20,000? Wouldn’t it be so awesome if we could get a couple of tickets into this contest and have a chance of winning?

A parking lot means that illegal trespass by motorized vehicles stops. When motorized vehicles enter the greenspace, for some reason they think a beautiful park, forest and wetlands is a place for shingles, oil, hazardous wast etc Illegal dumping needs to stop especially as the wetlands drain directly into the South Saskatchewan River, and our driking water. Illegal dumping and illegal trespass also damages the habitat of endangered species.

Every $1 donated* to the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc in June earns the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc a chance to win a $20,000 donation (minimum $3 donation required) (* Every $1 donated is an automatic entry for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas to win a $20,000 donation (minimum $3 donation required).
And…That’s not all, because we are a charity and you get a charitable tax receipt, you get 53% of your donation back on your Canadian Income Taxes at tax time!!! Woo Hoo!!

Challenge begins June 1, 2020 at 9:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (midnight Newfoundland Daylight Time (NDT) and ends on June 30, 2020 at 1:59:59 am Central Standard Time ( 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
Grand prize draw is on CANADA DAY, July 1, 2020 – $20,000 will be donated to the winning charity

Can you help ? Any size donation to the Great Canadian Giving Challenge is awesome!!! And this is a great opportunity to participate in a fund raising challenge for a chance to win $20,000 and build a parking lot to park the motorized vehicles!

Thanks!

White Rose National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

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:

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

Instagram: St.BarbeBaker

Twitter: StBarbeBaker

You Tube Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

You Tube George Genereux Urban Regional Park

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

Canada Helps

1./ Learn.

2./ Experience

3./ Do Something: ^***

We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to conserve the environment so that we can bequeath our children a sustainable world that benefits all.~ Wangari Maathai

“ If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. ” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. Carl Jung

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Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM)

is celebrated for the month of June!

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