Three Days Away

Send in your cool/unusual/rare sightings! What is way interesting during the City Nature Challenge April 29- May 2? That is only three days away! Wow

For rare sightings during the City Nature Challenge CNCYXE don’t place your iNat observation on private but do protect your rare sightings with obscured! And do let us know, so that the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County can run a press release!

In Saskatoon and area we are taking part in #CNC2022! Join us between April 29 – May 2 as we take part in this International initiative to collect information about the wildlife flourishing in Saskatoon and area.

Researchers, school groups, citizens and wildlife enthusiasts across the world will be taking part in this race against the clock to put nature on the map, submitting photos and observations of wildlife in their neighbourhoods and greenspaces through the free, easy to use iNaturalist smart phone app.

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

Taking a photo of mushrooms (fungi) with iNat on a smart phone

City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challenge — Taking a photo of mushrooms (fungi) with iNat on a smart phone

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! We have some cool events planned coming up!

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 ocean, our climate, our weather

The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. are proud to take action for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) We need to plan, and take action “to deliver, together, the ocean we need for the future we want!“

March 23 is World Meteorological Day with a 2021 theme of – The ocean, our climate and weather. This day is devoted to taking action on climate change, as we watch the change meteorological weather patterns.

“We forget that we owe our existence to the presence of Trees. As far as forest cover goes, we have never been in such a vulnerable position as we are today. The only answer is to plant more Trees – to Plant Trees for Our Lives.” says Richard St. Barbe Baker

To take action on climate change it is very easy to take the Forest Guardian pledge created by Richard St. Barbe Baker which is to plant ten trees every years, take care of trees everywhere, and to do one good deed every day.

So, how in the middle of the prairie provinces, in a moist mixed grasslands can the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. support the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development?

The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas held two amazing Clean Green Community Scene Trash Cleanups, one in 2016 and there were actually another two the fall of 2021, as part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. The GCSC is a “ national conservation program that provides Canadians the opportunity to take action in their communities wherever water meets land, one bit of trash at a time.“

The afforestation areas are located in the West Swale Wetlands. The West Swale drains into the South Saskatchewan River. The North and South Saskatchewan Rivers join to create the Saskatchewan River which empties in Lake Winnipeg. The waters of Lake Winnipeg eventually drain into Hudson Bay, via the Nelson River. By cleaning up the afforestation areas, this has a huge impact downstream, and for our oceans.

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

YouTubePlaylist
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
Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail / e-transfers )Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal using the e-mail friendsafforestation AT gmail.com, or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Members e-mail your contact information to be kept up to date! Canada Helps

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

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

“I thought how lovely and how strange a river is. A river is a river, always there, and yet the water flowing through it is never the same water and is never still. It’s always changing and is always on the move. And over time the river itself changes too.
Aiden Chambers

Life is like the river, sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere.

World Environment Day | Biodiversity

World Environment Day

Friday June 5, 2020

“The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), [is] a global initiative to restore the relationship between humans and nature.” (Are you ready?)

Make A Wish Day

Northern Shoveler

The theme for World Environment Day – a notable day declared by the United Nations – is biodiversity. The United Nations encourages that together we can act #ForNature

This is the United Nations “Think you know biodiversity? quiz”

For this decade; (2011–2020) what is the global initiative? Scroll down to find out!

And here is the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. “hidden phrase search.”

Biodiversity Word Search

T O G D E C O S Y S T E M P I 
A T O I B X C R E A T U R E N 
C M D V N E T F M A E O T Y V 
E O H E E O U I X O T F H R E 
T R N R G N I O N E S P I R R 
A P W S G R N T C C A S U L T 
R H E I E O A T A R T T E O E 
B O E F M R I D G R A I R S B 
E L C I I O V O A R O G O L R 
T O C C N L E A E T A T I N A 
R G A A N G D P T N I V S P T 
E Y A T O C M L I I I O R E E 
V S E I C E P S I N O E N T R 
F O B O T R M N G W Y N A T U 
R E V N L A I R T S E R R E T

BIOGEOGRAPHY
BIOTA
CONSERVATION
CREATURE
DEGRADATION
DIVERSIFICATION
ECOSYSTEM
EXTINCTION
FUNGI
INVERTEBRATE
LIFE
LIVING
MORPHOLOGY
MOSSES
ORGANISM
PREY
PROTECTION
RESTORATION
SPECIES
TAXONOMIC
TEMPERATURE
TERRESTRIAL
VERTEBRATE
WILDLIFE

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __   __ __   __ __ __   __ __ __   __ __ __   __ __ __ __ __ __

Of these words which pertain to biodiversity; how many are you aware of? How many fungus, plants, animals, or birds have you identified today? iNaturalist can help!
adaptation
animals
aquatic
biogeography
biota
conservation
COSEWIC
creature
degradation
diversification
ecosystem
extirpation
extinction
fungi
habitat
health
invasive
invertebrate
lichens
life
living
morphology
mosses
nature
organism
plants
pollinator
predator
prey
protection
restoration
SARA
species
taxonomic
temperature
terrestrial
threaten
vertebrate
wildlife

Forests Go Fund Me Page

Green Vision

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: ^{*** (2011–2020) United Nations global initiative decade on biodiversity}

“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

Eco-Quest COVID-19 Activity

Today, an invitation is extended to you to take part in the Genereux Park Eco-Quest GP-EQ and the Baker Area Eco-Quest BA-EQ. These two events are being done out at the afforestation areas to inventory all the living, growing, crawling, walking, leaping, plants, animals, and bugs. Well, you know that these are weird and uncertain times with the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 going around. Soooooo the Genereux Park Eco-Quest and the Baker Area Eco-Quest are not planned for a day nor a time. The Genereux Park Eco-Quest and the Baker Area Eco-Quest are not group events, and yet they are – they are virtual group events.

Northern Shoveler

Make A Wish Day

Grasshopper_SparrowSMALL CC2.0 dominic sheronY

Grasshopper_Sparrow CC2.0 dominic sheronY

The Eco-Quests work by downloading the i-Naturalist app onto your smart phone. Come out to the afforestation area individually or as a household. Use the app to take a photograph of something you see in nature. The i-Naturalist app works as your ‘field guide’ and will provide a suggestion on identification.

Also, looking and watching for various items in nature is like a “Where’s Waldo” puzzle activity. They are fun for the whole family. People can meet online and work together via their computer, and yet be out in public with social distancing. Students can increase their science awareness of nature. Rare and uncommon habitats, plants and animals can be discovered. These Eco-quests are a great way to connect with the environment and appreciate the biodiversity which exists. Eco-quests are challenging, and encouraging to everyone to appreciate the greenspace which may be taken for granted. Eco-quests are a means to become intrigued with the beauty and wonder of the natural world around us.

With an increased footprint, are there any locales or conservation strategies needed? Are there any species which need protection? Are there any reptiles (lizards and snakes), amphibians (frogs), lichen, fungi (mushrooms) spiders, fish, mollusks (snails), mosses, mammals birds, or plants in the afforestation areas?

After you are finished comment on the following statements;

I know more plant species than bird species. Yes. No. Not applicable.
I listed only live species which I saw or heard. Yes. No. Not applicable.
I looked for new species which I never saw before. Yes. No. Not applicable.
I listed only those species for which I was sure of the name. Yes. No. Not applicable.
I focused on only the woodlands species, and not the wetlands or grasslands. Yes. No. Not applicable.
I found out the name of a new plant which I had not noticed before. Yes. No. Not applicable.

This virtual Eco-Quest is a great way for you to connect with your sports group, physical, mental and spiritual health organisation. Let your group know about this activity, and everyone can go out at the time most convenient to them. Then online you can discuss with them how they made out during their time in the afforestation area. You can compare notes, and see who found the most birds, and who found the most plants.

Getting involved in the Genereux Park Eco-Quest and the Baker Area Eco-Quest are an amazing way to spend some time outdoors. Doing an activity outdoors alleviates anxiety, mental health issues, depression, and worries about the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a win-win situation! It’s a great way to “see” what is in nature, increase your knowledge of the world around you, and inspire you to learn more!

Stimulate learning, relaxation, fun and enhance your learning ability. Only go out on your individual Eco-Quest with those from your household. Please keep social distance from anyone outside your own household.

Not only does your participation in the Eco-Quest make a huge difference in the results, but it is great fun, and enhances a beautiful walk through the forest, the grasslands or along the wetlands. It is rewarding connecting with scientists and other individuals. It is wonderful to interact with the local community, and it results in a relaxing and rewarding day interacting, observing nature, and delving into the number of birds, and wildlife habitats. You don’t even realize you are exercising until you are done, and look at how many steps you took. It is a means to great self-care, and a wonderful way to take care of your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Rather than connecting with the stress and anxiety of COVID-19 for this moment in time, take a holiday in nature, and immerse yourself in beauty.

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: ^***

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”—Anne Lamott

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.— Benjamin Franklin

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

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

Earth Month Events

Virtual Earth Month Afforestation Calendar

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), wetlands mammal enjoys the emergent vegetation around Chappell Marsh such as cattails

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

Day to day environmental learning, tidbits of information posted every day during Earth Month. Unfortunately with great thought it is wise to reduce suffering, so our planned spring outdoor gatherings have been cancelled to respect the COVID-19 protocols so as to not put people at risk in group gatherings – postponed are the bio-blitzes, scavenger hunts, tours, and Clean Green Community Scene volunteer cleanup. We are adding to our website daily online activities for the month of April which involve interaction, education and awareness about Earth Month with a focus on the Earth Month Theme Climate Change.

Eventbrite Tickets to this virtual calendar

Facebook Event Page

NOTE This calendar of virtual events will become activated on each day.

April 1 What supports biodiversity?

April 2 Trees offset carbon footprints!

April 3 Humour can help climate change

April 4 Volunteer Safely for Earth Month

April 5 What do you have to say?

April 6 Start your climate action journey

April 7 Health is Wealth

April 8 All of us share the environment

April 8 anthropomorphize your bird

April 9 Who is lackadaisical?

April 10 People realize how much they miss nature.

April 11 Everyone, everywhere is inextricably linked.

April 12 WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

April 13 Green Letters

April 14 The price of greatness is responsibility

April 15 conserve and sustain our planet

April 15 Think globally, act locally

April 16 Isn’t it so beautiful?

April 16 Saskatoon Fridays for Future

April 17 Save an endangered species

April 18 The greatest threat to our planet

April 19 Practice nephelococcygia today!

April 20 Adopt the pace of nature

April 21 a loving concern for the environment

April 22 Earth Day Earth Rise (external link)

April 22 Earth Day – Climate Change theme

April 23 read a book you care about

April 24 Sing your song

April 24 Scoop The Poop

April 25 act before it’s too late

April 26 Where Would We BEE

April 27 April 21-27 Earth Week

April 28 We have a problem

April 29 Green Climate Action

April 29 Dare to Dream!

April 30 we can turn things around

Facebook Event page

Canada Helps

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

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: ^***

“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 believed that God has lent us the Earth. It belongs as much to those who come after us as to us, and it ill behooves us by anything we do or neglect, to deprive them of benefits which are in our power to bequeath.” Richard St. Barbe Baker

The smiling lion

March came in like a Lion!
March 1 If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb

March came in like a Lion!
March 1 If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb

“Lions believe that everyone shares their state of mind.” – Irish Proverb

“If you see the fangs of the lions, don’t think the lion is smiling.” – Arabic Proverb

And of course there is the good old weather proverb. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. So here we are enjoying above freezing mild weather yesterday for the leap year day at the end of February and snow and gusting winds.

So yes, indeed the weather proverb reminds us that in the month of March it’s still winter, but by the end of the month we can look forward to spring and milder temperatures that stay.

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

Twitter: StBarbeBaker

Please help protect / enhance 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: ^***

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Biodiversity Word Search

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Virtual Earth Month Afforestation Calendar

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