It may be that in some of my readers’ minds—those who, like the sceptical friends and those who have been in the afforestation areas whom perhaps you have met. They are not distinctly conscious of the cause or secret of the expression of the afforestation areas—some doubt may still remain after what has been said of this place, of these wildwoods. Such a doubt ought to disappear when the time and history are considered, and when it is found that the expression peculiar to trees and greenspaces varies infinitely in degree, and is always greatest in those shades of the colour which come nearest to the most beautiful spring and autumnal colors to grace the viewer. Delve into the many and several secrets of the afforestation areas of Saskatoon
Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon Sunday September 18 at 2:00 pm at the Remai Modern. Register Now
Forest Secrets RevealedForest Film DocumentariesForests and their StoriesForest Film DocumentariesWhat tales could be told
National Forest Week brings attention to our forests and trees from coast to coast across Canada. Our forests and trees provide habitats for wildlife, insects, polllinator species, birds and so much more! What is the ‘triple environmental emergency we are facing?
1. Loss of biodiversity 2. Climate change 3. Out of control pollution.
Out of control pollution. 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)
This biodiversity Challenge is a great way to discover new trees and unexplored forest places, or perhaps it is a time to return to celebrate a favourite forest you love and are familiar with
The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. wish to thank our donors for their donations through Canada Helps and Paypal Giving. Thanks to you contributions, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas can offer place based educational learning trips to the afforestation areas helping to sponsor portable toilet rentals or offset bus trip fees to nature immersion classes. Because of you, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas can protect the wildlife habitats, the flora and fauna from illegal trespass and illegal dumping as your contribution goes towards trash bags for clean ups, wildlife friendly fencing and the tagging of the fencing.
Your generosity supports the greenspaces of the 326 acre Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the 148 acre George Genereux Urban Regional Park.
Your amazing contribution is a testament to the difference between a parking lot and a greenspace park, a semi-wilderness habitat, indeed. Because of you, it will be possible to support these greenspaces, and protect them for this generation and the next.
If you live in Saskatoon and area- thanks for calling for your recycling pick up. We will sort the bottles and stand in line. Your contribution goes a long way in environmental protections.
Order your copy of Living Legacy activity book and support the semi-wilderness environment and conservation of the flora and fauna. Take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 Life on Land, UN SDG 14 Life Below Water and UN SDG 13 Climate Action as afforestation areas are nature based solutions for climate action. Supporting2022-2032 International Decade of Indigenous Languages and the 2021 to 2030 United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, 2021–2030 the Decade of Healthy Ageing.
Thank you kindlyFlowers and Butterflies abstract artwork in appreciation of supporters at the 2016 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CARoses in appreciation of supporters and sponsors of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park Saskatoon, SK, CAThanks so muchHappy Girl
The afforestation areas are an enigma. There are so many secrets to unravel!
Come to the film Wildwoods of Saskatoon where it will be revealed —the secret of their charm. What has been hiding? A deep dive tries to explain the individual and very special charm of this these particular forests—what I have ventured to call the secret of the afforestation areas — to be revealed.Sunday Sept 18 at 2:00pm. After all, it is not a deeply hidden secret, and has indeed been half guessed or hinted by various writers expounding upon the heritage and mystery of the afforestation areas. What secrets are hiding which come out in the film? The forests have held secrets, and now, the woodlands will have no secrets from the world, and the stories do not want to hide any longer.
To these and many more questions come to the Wildwoods of Saskatoon heritage documentary on Sunday Sept 18 at 2:00pm Register now
50th anniversary of World Environment Day,Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, George Genereux Urban Regional park Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CanadaForest Film Documentaries
National Forest Week brings attention to our forests and trees from coast to coast across Canada. Our forests and trees provide habitats for wildlife, insects, polllinator species, birds and so much more! What is the ‘triple environmental emergency we are facing?
1. Loss of biodiversity 2. Climate change 3. Out of control pollution.
Out of control pollution. 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)
HistoricPlacesDays Every Place A Story
Engage with George Genereux Urban Regional Park, through hearing, touch, sound, and smell.
Visiting a historical place is an experience that cannot be replicated online – it can engage all five senses! The immersive experience of visiting in-person is something we have all missed during the pandemic, and this is a great opportunity to come and get the full experience of an in-person visit. This is also an opportunity to explore and engage with George Genereux Urban Regional Park, through hearing, touch, sound, and smell.
And there’s a contest with awesome prizes too! #HistoricPlacesDays. Tag your selfie at the afforestation areas for a chance to win $1,000 Post before 07-31
There are so many more ways to explore George Genereux Urban Regional Park than just to have a look around! Visit us during #HistoricPlacesDays to experience the sounds, smells, feeling, and even the taste of our historic site!
George Genereux (March 1, 1935 – April 10, 1989) photo courtesy SPL b-8759BioDivercity Challenge free iNaturalist App50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon
Hosted by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas. http://www.friendsareas.ca/ Learn more friendsarea.ca Twitter: @nationaltrustca Facebook: National Trust for Canada / Fiducie nationale du Canada Instagram: @nationaltrustca / @fiducienatca LinkedIn: National Trust for Canada
Historic Places Days Every Place A Story Saskatoon Every historic site has not just one, but many, stories. Telling the untold and forgotten stories of the namesake of Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area historic site. Thank you for coming out to the Remai Modern, the Legacy of Saskatoon’s Secret Forest is now on YouTube
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area has many stories to share! You might know that that this 326 acre man made forest on the prairies was planted as a tree nursery in 1972 and named as an urban regional park in 1979, but did you know this site was also named for Richard St. Barbe Baker, global conservationist who founded the International Tree Foundation with the Dance of the Trees 100 years ago July 22, 1922.
And there’s a contest with awesome prizes too! #HistoricPlacesDays. Tag your selfie at the afforestation areas for a chance to win $1,000 Post before 07-31
Legacy of Saskatoon’s Secret Forest Global Crusader and Changemaker
On YouTube learn about our rich and diverse history sponsored by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas inc.
Richard St. Barbe Baker Commemorative Signage at the Meeewasin Trail near the Diefenbaker Center on the University of Saskatchewan campus, City of Saskatoon
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 Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in SaskatoonJuly 22 at 7:00 pm Reviving Local Heritage Film screening at the Remai Modern.Richard St. Barbe Baker Commemorative Signage at the Meeewasin Trail near the Diefenbaker Center on the University of Saskatchewan campus, City of Saskatoon
For Historic Places Days, events are taking place across Canada coast to coast. It is a time to discover new places, and find out more about our historic places.
Many Stories
Richard St. Barbe Baker founded the International Tree Foundation July 22, 1922, 100 years ago, and we are celebrating at the Remai Modern on July 22 at 7:00 pm. Baker is the namesake of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area in Saskatoon. An introductory talk “Global Crusader and Changemaker” will begin the evening followed by a film about this Global Conservationist, Richard St. Barbe Baker with guest speakers from around the world.
Heritage Through All the Senses
Dr. George Genereux won the Gold Medal at the Olympics when he was just 17 years old, and then a hockey scout came to recruit this all star athlete. Find out what happens next at the eco-tour happening Sunday July 24 at 2:00 pm at George Genereux Park in Saskatoon.
Join us for the month of July as we discover our rich and diverse history through #HistoricPlacesDays. Get creative with a selfie or photo, and post it on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #HistoricPlacesDays before July 31 for a chance to win $1,000! Enter the contest today. http://www.historicplacesdays.ca/contests @nationaltrustca
Visit us learn about our rich and diverse history through #HistoricPlacesDays, now running for the entire month of July! We’re joining the event… will you? Find out more today. http://www.historicplacesdays.ca @nationaltrustca
Find your Historic Place George Genereux Urban Regional Park and Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area in Saskatoon, SK, CA
Reviving Local Heritage. July 22, 2022 at 7:00 pm Remai Modern George Genereux (March 1, 1935 – April 10, 1989) photo courtesy SPL b-8759SmartPhone nature Photo using the free iNaturalist app50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon
Your support goes towards funding bus to transport classrooms for field trips, renting porta-potties for a day’s adventure for water testing, eco-tours or iNaturalist Citizen Science discoveries.
Order your copy of Living Legacy activity book and support the semi-wilderness environment and conservation of the flora and fauna. Take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 Life on Land, UN SDG 14 Life Below Water and UN SDG 13 Climate Action as afforestation areas are nature based solutions for climate action. Supporting 2022-2032International Decade of Indigenous Languages and the 2021 to 2030 United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
50th Birthday of the tree plantings at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon
A round of appreciation is extended to the City of Saskatoon, Mosaic, Sask Energy for their support in assembling this publication, thank you kindly.
You are cordially invited to special tree planting ceremony by the University of Saskatchewan collaborating with the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas on World Environment Day (W.E.D.), June 5, 2022
This ceremony echoes a tree planting ceremony 40 years ago to the day of the last tree planted by the Richard St. Barbe Baker in union with the University of Saskatchewan on World Environment Day (W.E.D.), June 5, 1982 near the Diefenbaker Centre. This collaboration between the U of S and Richard St. Barbe Baker on his visit here from New Zealand, honoured him as a former graduate (1913), and recipient of an honorary doctorate in 1971. This tree was the last tree this extraordinary champion of trees and forests planted as he died in Saskatoon four days later. In 2014, the Meewasin Valley Authority placed a marker on the MVA trail near the tree he planted. (photo attached)
As you may know, Baker’s extensive archives were donated to the U of S and are the fourth most requested repository.
At this ceremony dignitaries in Saskatoon will be in attendance for this ceremonial tree planting on the University of Saskatchewan campus in honour of Richard St. Barbe Baker and the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day on June 5, 2022. This occasion would again raise awareness of the environment and the importance of tree planting as part of addressing climate change. St. Barbe Baker is often spoken of as a visionary ahead of his time, having raised the issue of deforestation and climate change in 1922, and then campaigning for the rest of his life for forest protection and large scale tree planting. It was for this life-long pursuit that he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the U of S.
Baker has other connections to Saskatoon; he was one of the first 100 students at the U of S, and initiated former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker there. A large afforestation area (132 ha) in Saskatoon was named after Baker by Saskatoon City Council in 1979. The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas is a non-profit community organization that works with the City and Meewasin to protect and enhance this area.
Our goal is to have a ceremonial tree planting event that marks W.E.D and honours Baker’s legacy, in that 2022 is also the centenary of the International Tree Foundation (ITF) started by St. Barbe Baker in Kenya, known then as the Men of the Trees. The ITF is also planning celebrations that we can link with and we would aim to have the media cover the event.
We include a few tributes to Richard St Barbe Baker, including one by former president, J.W.T. Spinks.
Thank you for your consideration in attending this public event and letting others know of the commemoration. It is truly appreciated.
“The simple act of planting a tree, which is in itself a practical deed, is also the symbol of a far reaching ideal, which is creative in the realm of the Spirit, and in turn reacts upon society, encouraging all to work for the future well being of humanity rather than for immediate gain. Richard St. Barbe Baker.
Richard St. Barbe Baker Commemorative Signage at the Meeewasin Trail near the Diefenbaker Center on the University of Saskatchewan campus, City of Saskatoon
J.W.T. Spinks, Past President of the University of Saskatchewan, spoke about Richard St. Barbe Baker at his funeral.
“My first close contact with St. Barbe Baker came… when the University bestowed on him the Honorary Degree of LL.D. St. Barbe Baker was proud of his long connection with the University of Saskatchewan going back over seventy years, and renewed from time to time particularly over the last dozen years.
My last contact with St. Barbe Baker was last Saturday when Mary and I were privileged to attend a tree planting ceremony on the river bank, just west of the Diefenbaker Centre, a most beautiful spot with a most beautiful view. It was most moving to see and hear St. Barbe Baker talking to the children present at the tree planting, taking their hands in his hands, and repeating with them the motto:
‘From our hearts
With our Hands
For the Earth
All the World Together.’
The original thoughts and life-long actions of St. Barbe Baker and his dedication to the trees of the world will have made broader and broader impact on the peoples of the world. What greater memorial could the Man of the Trees wish or ask for?”
London Times obituary
“Baker deserves to be remembered as one of the very first men to realise that we were destroying the natural resources of the world faster than was prudent; and that trees were not only providers of timber, pulp and fuel, but were also manufacturers of life-giving oxygen from the waste products of man, and his machines, and …even more importantly, inducers of rain when assed in sufficient numbers.”
Jane Goodall, Founder Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots
“Why have we not heard of this extraordinary Man of the Trees, Richard St Barbe Baker? He was without doubt, one of the greatest advocates for the protection and restoration of forests ever. I am amazed by his life and accomplishments. He is one of my heroes.”
HRH The Prince of Wales
St Barbe, as his friends called him, was a true pioneer. Long before the science of climate change was understood, he had warned of the impact of forest loss on climate. He raised the alarm and prescribed a solution….Behind St Barbe Baker’s prescience was his deep spiritual conviction about the unity of life. He had listened intently to the Indigenous people with whom he worked and seen a similar sensibility in the then new sciences of ecology and silviculture.”
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!
50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 