Understanding the Impact of Fire Bans on Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park

Unite To Protect, Our Shared Quest!

The current fire bans implemented by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency have important implications for natural areas such as the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park. These parks, spanning 132 hectares (326 acres) and 60 hectares (148 acres) respectively, have experienced nine years of consecutive drought, making them particularly susceptible to fire risks. It is crucial to examine the fire ban regulations and understand how they protect these vulnerable ecosystems.

Defend the Woods, Unleash Your Good.

City of Saskatoon Bylaw No 7990 The Fire and Protective Services Bylaw,

Fire. File Photo. 2016 Spring Fire Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK CA — City of Saskatoon Bylaw No 7990 The Fire and Protective Services Bylaw,

Do YOU like the forests? Please HELP! As the saying goes, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires”

Under the fire ban declared by the RM of Corman Park, all outdoor fires within the Rural Municipality are prohibited. This includes fire pits, burning barrels, controlled burns, and even fireworks. The ban aims to prevent any accidental ignition that could lead to a destructive wildfire. However, internal household fireplaces and gas-fueled equipment, such as propane barbecues or propane fire pits, are exceptions to this ban.

Be Firewise, Preserve Paradise!

In addition to the RM fire ban, the City of Saskatoon has its own bylaw, the Fire and Protective Services Bylaw (No 7990), which provides guidelines for open-air fires when there is NO FIRE BAN. During a FIRE BAN, there are NO FIRES. The bylaw states that open-air fires must be contained in a non-combustible receptacle constructed of cement, brick, or sheet metal with specific thickness requirements. The fuel for these fires should consist only of charcoal or cut, seasoned wood. Burning materials such as rubbish, garden refuse, manure, livestock or animal carcasses, and any material that generates black smoke or an offensive odor is strictly prohibited.

Furthermore, when there is no fire ban, open-air fires must be reasonably supervised, adequately ventilated, and not set in windy conditions. They should not cause interference with the use and enjoyment of another person’s property, and there are specific time restrictions for setting open-air fires between 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Discharging firearms or fireworks in parks or recreation facilities also requires written permission from the City.

In addition, City of Saskatoon Bylaw No. 8286, The Smoking Control Bylaw prohibits smoking or vaping in outdoor public places owned or operated by the City. This includes parks and trails, playgrounds, sports fields, spray pads, outdoor and paddling pools, skateboard sites, golf courses, tennis courts, dog parks, public squares and areas around civic buildings.

These fire ban regulations and bylaws are crucial for protecting the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park from potential fire hazards. The nine consecutive years of drought have left these areas more vulnerable to wildfires, and strict fire bans are necessary to mitigate the risks and preserve the natural habitats within these parks.

It is essential for visitors, residents, and communities to respect and comply with these fire bans and regulations. By refraining from activities that could inadvertently cause fires and by following the guidelines set by the RM and City, we can collectively safeguard these valuable natural spaces. Respecting the fire bans and adhering to the restrictions is an act of responsible citizenship that helps protect the environment and ensures the safety of both humans and wildlife.

As we navigate through the fire season, it is crucial to stay informed about the current fire ban status in your area. Keep updated with information provided by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, municipal authorities, and local fire departments. By understanding and following the fire ban regulations, we can minimize the risk of wildfires and contribute to the long-term preservation of these cherished natural areas.

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency

Community Fire Bans

Don’t Let Your Fire Go Wild.

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

The Success of City Nature Challenge CNCYXE2023 Saskatoon and Area: Unique Sightings and the Importance of Citizen Science

The City Nature Challenge is a global event that encourages people to explore and document nature in their local areas. Between April 28 – May 1, 2023, Saskatoon and the surrounding area participated in the challenge, and the results were impressive. Even in these very early spring months there were 831 observations, a whopping 246 species discovered, 116 identifiers, and 37 committed observers, the City Nature Challenge in Saskatoon was a success.

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias — The CNC ‘City Nature Challenge,’ CNCYXE2023 Natoona pimatshihk dans la vil in the Michif Language

The challenge provided a platform for citizens to participate in citizen science, and document unique sightings. Kathlin in the Saskatoon area documented some exciting bird finds during this mass migration season, but her favourite was a Great Blue Heron eating a rodent. This sighting was pretty spectacular, and it was exciting to spot the heron through the reeds.

An American mink was another exciting visitor in the neighbourhood of Sutherland, Saskatoon. This semi-aquatic animal is an unusual sight in the city, and it was a great find for those who spotted it.

The challenge also helped document species that are at risk or vulnerable. The Horned Grebe is a species at risk in Canada due to habitat loss and degradation. Prairie Violet or crowfoot violet is vulnerable and thought to grow in only about 100 places in the entire province of Saskatchewan. The Gray Comma butterfly, listed as common on the Saskatoon Nature Society’s published checklist, was confirmed for the first time on iNaturalist.

Sara mentioned that the challenge also helped to document the presence of rare or hard-to-find species, such as the Togwotee Harvestman and the Whirligig beetle. The Hydrobius fuscipes, a species never before recorded in the Saskatoon area on iNaturalist, was observed three times during the challenge. Whirlgig beetles are hard to photograph, and this is a rare observation of one just chilling! It is also the very first research grade observation of the genus in the saskatoon area on iNaturalist.!

In addition to the unique sightings, the City Nature Challenge in Saskatoon also highlighted the importance of early detection and rapid response to invasive species. The Common Buckthorn was found, and this invasive species requires early detection and rapid response activities. It is a noxious weed, a hazard to other trees “a tree killer”, and a menace to oat crops.

Finally, the challenge also highlighted the vulnerability of some species to pollution and human activity. The American White Pelican is at the top of the aquatic food chain, making it vulnerable to biomagnification and bioaccumulation of pollutants. The Goldenrod Gall Fly, Lily Leaf Beetle, Common Grackle, Canada Wild Rye, and Green Ash are also at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, population reduction, and invasive species.

The success of the City Nature Challenge in Saskatoon and the surrounding area is a testament to the power of citizen science and community engagement. Through participation in events like this, citizens can make meaningful contributions to scientific research and help protect the natural world around them.

In addition to the unique sightings and discoveries made during the City Nature Challenge CNCYXE2023 Saskatoon and Area, we would like to express our appreciation for the many naturalists who came out and added to the conversation about biodiversity.

Their passion and dedication to nature were evident in the many observations they made, the insights they shared, and the enthusiasm they displayed. It is through their efforts that we were able to achieve such great success during this year’s challenge.

One of the great things about the City Nature Challenge is that it encourages people to get outside and explore the natural world around them. It is through this exploration that we gain a greater appreciation for the complexity and beauty of our local ecosystems.

We were fortunate to have many experienced naturalists, nature enthusiasts and biologists participate in this year’s challenge, and their expertise and insights were invaluable in helping us identify and understand the many species we observed.

But we were also thrilled to see so many new nature enthusiasts join the challenge, many of whom were able to discover and document species they had never seen before. This is exactly the kind of engagement we hope to inspire through events like the City Nature Challenge.

So to all of the naturalists – just starting out, and experienced- who participated in this year’s challenge, we extend our deepest appreciation and thanks. Your efforts have not only contributed to our understanding of local biodiversity but have also inspired a new generation of nature enthusiasts to get out and explore the natural world. We look forward to seeing what we can discover together in the years to come.

So if this all sounds exciting, please download the free iNaturalist app to your smart phone, explore the City Nature Challenge and Saskatoon on your computer at home and join in any time of the year! Find it! Snap it! Share it! Be the Voice for Nature. Stay tuned for summer and fall events and BioBlitzes.

Join the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge (CNC) YXE 2023 and Connect with Nature in Saskatoon!

Are you ready to explore the biodiversity of Saskatoon and surrounding areas like never before? The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is coming to Saskatoon from April 28 to May 1, 2023, and we invite you to be a part of this exciting environmental initiative. The CNC is a global event that encourages people to document the organisms they find in their cities using the iNaturalist app, and this year, Saskatoon is joining the challenge for the first time!

The CNC is not only a fun and educational activity, but it also serves a greater purpose. By participating in the CNC, we are taking action locally to promote sustainable and climate-conscious practices, while also contributing to a global effort to understand and protect urban biodiversity. This international collaboration fosters a community of environmental champions and guardians, which is crucial in the face of climate change.

BioDivercity Challenge free iNaturalist App — City Nature Challenge free iNaturalist App

City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challenge — City Nature Challenge free iNaturalist App

The CNC Canada 2023 is an initiative led by the Canada Wildlife Federation, and you can check out the Canadian Umbrella Project Page for CNC 2023 to see which other cities across the country are participating. It’s an exciting opportunity for Saskatoon and the province of Saskatchewan to showcase our amazing biodiversity to the world and learn from other cities that have participated in the CNC in previous years.

We are looking for individuals and groups who are interested in documenting organisms on iNaturalist between April 29 and May 2, 2023. If you want to be a part of this exciting event, let us know! We would love to have collaborators and co-hosts for the City of Saskatoon. There will also be a follow-up event from May 3 to May 8, 2023, where you can use your computer at home to help identify the observations. And the best part? It’s all free!

As an iNaturalist user, you can view our City of Saskatoon CNC YXE 2023 project page and journal and start getting involved. We have also started a webpage for CNC YXE 2023 to provide hints, tips, engagement, information, and interest, and we would be thrilled to add your organization as a partner. There is a YouTube Channel with iNaturalist clips for any interested citizen scientist!

There are many ways you can contribute to the success of the CNC YXE 2023. You can participate as a nature observer, join a group bio-blitz, or go outdoors individually with the iNaturalist app on your smartphone. It’s easy, and we have plenty of resources to share. If you are a partner organization, you can have your logo featured online and help promote the event. You can also offer your skill sets or find sponsors to spread the word in the media. And if you’re really passionate about nature, you can even lead your own nature connect group bio-blitz with a date/time meetup via Facebook events or Eventbrite.

So, mark your calendars for the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge (CNC) YXE 2023 happening from April 28 to May 1, 2023, and get ready to connect with nature in Saskatoon like never before. Let’s come together as a community to document and appreciate the biodiversity in our city and contribute to a global effort to protect our planet’s natural heritage. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to be a part of something bigger! For more information and to get involved, email us at friendsafforestation@gmail.com.

Planned events

B.I.N.G.O. winners

Arbor Week is now over. The last event was today Sunday April 29- a B.I.N.G.O. The prize winners were a couple, John and Jodi.

Binoculars were the prize for the B.I.N.G.O.

These water-proof binoculars provided 12X power magnification with a 42mm objective lens and roof prism providing 114 meters / 374 feet / 1000 Yards are also fog-proof making them excellent bird or animal watching binoculars winter or summer in any outdoor environment. For the citizen scientist, the prize package included binoculars, neck strap, lens cover, carrying bag, user instructions, cleaning cloth and a smartphone adapter. The smart phone adapter was compatible with all brands of smart phones making it an ideal choice to capture the amazing long distance organism for iNaturalist to help with global conservation efforts.

The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas are proud supporters of environmental education, and promote the use of documenting wildlife with the free iNaturalist app, and via eBird. These binoculars promoted and further encouraged these ideals. John and Jodi sound like they have an amazing environment at their home where they encourage native flora, enticing many kinds of birds and animals and along with this great biodiversity of nature at home they also frequent the afforestation areas.

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

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

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

City Nature Challenge Saskatoon 2022

CNC YXE 2022 DNU – City Nature Challenge : 2022 Saskatoon, SK : Défi nature urbaine

Results coming soon! Thanks to everyone for taking Part!

Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge April 29-May 2, 2022 #CNCYXE

Now is the time to get all your observations from April 29 to May 2 uploaded and work on identifying: May 3 – 8 • Results announced: May 9

YouTube Channel City Nature Challenge Playlist Hints and Tips

Thank you to everyone who went outside in Nature between April 29 – May 2 for the #CNC2022! This was a great undertaking to join the International initiative to collect information about the wildlife flourishing in Saskatoon and area. It was the very first year for the City Nature Challenge Saskatoon and Area.

Send in your cool/unusual/rare sightings!

New finds! Species that haven’t been recorded in particular areas before. Important finds of rare/endangered/threatened species. Observations that have a great story that go along with them. Really cool photos. Fun finds!

Send your photos of yourself, your friends or your family taking images in nature with iNaturalist! friendsafforestation@gmail.com

Of course, one can always use the iNaturalist app, or eBird to document nature and help conservation efforts even now that the City Nature Challenge is over.

Researchers, school groups, citizens and wildlife enthusiasts across the world did indeed tak 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.

By observing local nature, everyone can support vital conservation research while connecting with nature and enjoying the outdoors.

Whether you are an expert, a seasoned #BioBlitz participant or getting involved for the first time, it couldn’t be easier to join in.

Simply download the iNaturalist app, take a photograph of nature in your local area – whether that’s a tree, plant or insect or animal – and upload. 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.

Help put the City of Saskatoon 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.

Saskatoon and area will compete for the title of the most Biodiverse City. We need your help. The goals are to engage the public in the collection of biodiversity data, with three awards each year for the cities and areas that 1/ makes the most observations, 2/ find the most species, and 3/ engage the most people. We’re so excited to have this fun friendly competition with a chance to place Saskatoon and Area on the World Stage for the City Nature Challenge 2022! #CNCYXE

Get all your observations uploaded and work on identifying: May 3 – 8 • Results announced: May 9

This is the first year Saskatoon and Area has taken part in the City Nature Challenge Worldwide event. We need your help!

Share via social media toolkit pamphlets, posters, images, sample write ups

CNC YXE Pamphlets for download

Short link to this page bit.ly/381g29B

CNC YXE 2022 DNU -website link

Regina City Nature Challenge 2022 – if you are around Saskatoon document nature here, if you are around Regina and area, document nature there! Maybe more cities in SK will join in next year

Nature Lover Observation Recorders wanted!

Challenge ID Party

End of Day 3 CNCYXE2022

It is the end of May 1, the third day of the Saskatoon City Nature Challenge April 29 to May 2. Thanks to everyone who has added observations on iNaturalist! Come out on Monday May 2, and make a difference!

It was an interesting day to follow through on the Insect Workshop. So, when you take a peek into pond water of marshes like the Chappell Marsh at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, there are bugs in the water swimming around! Here is a Pond Life video of the Caddisfly larva which was found! And following up on the Fungi including Lichen Workshop, 60 different observations have taken place for Lichen and shelf fungi are being noted at this time of the year.

Stay tuned for the follow up identification party virtual zoom workshops so you can discuss your finds during the City Nature Challenge with specialists!

And, now just a bit of a word about our Saskatoon and Area Species at Risk which were found so far…By randomly taking pictures across Saskatoon and area, it is fantastic what was discovered!

Goldenrod Gall Fly
Eurosta solidaginis

Togwoteeus biceps

Green Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica

American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Blackbottle
Protophormia terraenovae

Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura

Louisiana Broomrape
Aphyllon ludovicianum

Prairie Violet
Viola pedatifida

Early Blue Violet
Viola palmata

So, now is the time to get involved

Observe April 29-May 2

Countdown has begun!

How many birds, bugs, feathers, lichen, plants, animals, etc can you find?

Are you coming?

Three easy steps

Find it

Snap it

Share it

Enjoy the outdoors whilst supporting vital conservation research by making observations April 29 to May

http://friendsareas.ca/

https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com/

friendsafforestation@gmail.com

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

#CityNatureChallenge #iNaturalistCanada #Biodiversity Founded by @NHMLA and @CalAcademy Community Science hosted by #friendsdareas #NatureCanada #CityNatureChallenge #BioBlitz #CitSciMonth #CommunityScience #CitizenScience #UrbanNature #UrbanBiodiversity #NatureInTheCity #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureForEveryone #NatureNerd #cnc #outdoors #nature #conservation #photography #biodiversity #citizenscience #inaturalist #wildlife #plantlife #wanderlust #naturelovers #optoutside #instagood #picoftheday #volunteer #training #parks #optingoutside #CNCYXE #CNCYXE2022 #FriendsAreas #FriendsAfforestation #citizenscience #communityscience #EcologicalEmergency #naturelovers @sasktel #inaturalist #saskatchewanbirds #yxebirds #getoutdoors #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #citynaturechallenge2022 #yxe #thegreatoutdoors #citynaturechallenge2022 #citynaturechallenge #Canadacitynaturechallenge #citizenscience #Volunteering #nativeprairie #grasslands #wildlife #bees #pollinators #prairiepollinators #ExploreSask #NatureSask #wildlifewatcher #prairielife #sasklife #nativeprairie #speciesatrisk #conservation #KeepSaskWild #socialdistance #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #beesknees #LeavetheLeaves #NoMowMay #nature4all #FriendsAreas #FriendsAfforestation @FriendsAreas #saskatoon #saskatooning

A Greater Miracle

“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eye for an instant?”
Henry David Thoreau

What nature and biodiversity is around you today? As science teaches about various plants, and animals, wildlife and nature, awareness increases that Elephants exist in Africa, Kangaroos in Australia, Koala Bears in China. What insects thrive in Saskatoon? What songbirds remain in Saskatoon? Are there any animals that can be seen in Saskatoon? How many did you come up with?

“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.”
Kofi Annan

Join the #CityNatureChallenge from April 29–May 2! Document Saskatoon’s nature in the free @iNaturalist app by taking photos of wild plants and animals—and help contribute to the world’s largest citizen science event. More at FriendsAreas.ca

Celebrate National Volunteer Week which has a theme ‘Volunteering is Empathy in Action.’

Check out these upcoming events

CITY NATURE CHALLENGE Connect with Nature

Fri, Apr 29, 7:00 PM

George Genereux Urban Regional Park • Saskatoon, SK

CITY NATURE CHALLENGE Connecting to Nature. Calling all Nature Lovers

Sat, Apr 30, 2:00 PM

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area •

CITY NATURE CHALLENGE Nature Lover Observation Party

Sun, May 1, 2:00 PM

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area •

CITY NATURE CHALLENGE George Genereux Nature Canvass

Mon, May 2, 7:00 PM

George Genereux Urban Regional Park • Saskatoon, SK

City Nature Challenge ID Party – Insects! Help for insect IDs/questions

Tue, May 3, 2022 7:00 PM CST

City Nature Challenge ID Party FOCUS ON PLANTS!

Wed, May 4, 2022 7:00 PM CST

City Nature Challenge I.D. Party Fungi and LIchen

Thu, May 5, 2022 7:00 PM CST

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

A focus on insects this spring

City Nature Challenge ID Party – Insects! Help for insect IDs/questions Tue, May 3, 2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST

What is it? Help to convert the unknown observations! With an insect specialist – entomologist – to answer questions

About this event

Help discover the answer to “what is it?”

About this event

Get together virtually – in attendance will be an insect specialist by the name of Sydney Worthy Entomologist from the City of Saskatoon City of Saskatoon to help with I.D.s on insects which is fantastic!

Join together to make identifications on iNaturalist for the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge.

EVERYONE is welcome to join, you absolutely DO NOT need to be an expert to help with IDs! And it is a great time to learn more about insects, and our insects in Saskatoon and get any insect questions answered as well.

We’ll start off with an introduction on how to identify and will go through some observations together, so join in if you’d like to learn more about how to help with IDs! After that, folks can jump off if they’d like to work on IDs on their own, but we’ll stick around if people would like to share some of the observations they’re coming across or just want to chat more about the City Nature Challenge or insects in general.

We would concentrate on the observations that “require ID” depending on how many people are online.

People can identify something, or ask some questions on various id’s.

Ask for others to confirm an id so that it can be listed as a “Research Grade”

also to help correct false ID’s.

Need assistance identifying your observations or eager to learn how to identify?

Pre-requisites: You will need a computer, laptop, tablet signed into your user name on iNaturalist to take part! or…If you want just to help by watching the zoom screen with your shout outs and questions that is fine also!

It may be easier if you have done some iNaturalist observations on your smartphone ahead of time, but as an someone with questions about insects, as an iNaturalist observer, a beginner, or an experienced specialist scientist all are welcome!

iNaturalist Connect with nature for the City Nature Challenge Saskatoon and Area Défi nature urbaine hosted by the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.

City Nature Challenge Insect Hints and Tips Tues, April 26, 2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST

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

Celebrate the Dark Sky

International Dark Sky Week (IDSW) 2022! April 22 to April 30 – what will you do? Download iNaturalist on your phone, and take pictures of the night life?

What could you find?

Bats, night herons, owls.

When butterflies go to sleep, moths wake up.

Crickets, and grasshoppers are also noctural.

Frogs, rabbits, beavers, skunks are night time creatures.

Go for an explore, and share your observations for the City Nature Challenge taking place April 29 to May 2! The City of Saskatoon and Area CNCYXE,

Find it. Snap it. Share it.

“...if it feels like a true magic might be possible; it is truly a Blue Moon experience....” ― Isabella Koldras, Blue Moon Magic. — City Nature Challenge Dark Sky

January 31, 2018 features a Blue Moon, as it is the second Full Moon of the month, the first having been January 1, 2018. — City Nature Challenge Dark Sky

“Love is where attentiveness to nature starts, and responsibility towards one’s home landscape is where it leads.” – John Elder (1998)

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

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

CNC YXE 2022 DNU – City Nature Challenge : 2022 Saskatoon, SK : Défi nature urbaine

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

About this event

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: