Gifts for You : Seasons Greetings

Share the gift of health and wellness this winter. Come celebrate winter in the forest! Appreciate this semi-wilderness habitat with species at risk, eBird hotspots for bird viewing, and an off leash recreation area. Have you come out to the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or to the George Genereux Urban Regional Park yet? Join the growing community who appreciate these forest spaces. Directions

A 2023 calendar for you to download and print presenting both wildlife and wilderness habitats from Saskatoon’s hidden gems. In gratitude for everyone who became members, and gave donations, we were happy to be able to have calendars this year to showcase these natural heritage greenspaces. We have no more printed copies, so we would like to share the pdf with whomever would like a copy to download and experience the forests this way.

The 50 for 50 Legacy Activity Book is now online to view on ISSUU or download page by page! Thanks for all the amazing donations to make this book come online page by page. Enjoy the crossword puzzles, word searches, challenges, arts activities, and so much more.

There are also forest pamphlets and more activity pages.

Also in development is the smart phone self-guided digital wayfinding GPS app, the Prairie Forest Guide Interpretive Stories for the forest journey. The rich geological, historical, natural, and cultural heritage of the areas honours where we have been. Science, conservation, and hands on learning about the land, the environment and sustainability ensure our future.

50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon — Wildwoods of Saskatoon film now online, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon

Legacy of Saskatoon’s Hidden Forest Now online; 50th anniversary celebartion Richard St. Barbe Baker Global Conservationist and Humanitarian receives Honourary Doctorate of Laws U of S

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

We need your smile! Oct 22-23

Information Tables and Booths provide Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. with a presence at community events. We distribute a wide variety of information in the form of pamphlets, conversations, and map directions to either the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or the George Genereux Urban Regional Park, and the upcoming Wildwoods of Saskatoon Virtual Film coming out October 24 at 7:00 pm The goal is to educate the
community about environmental education, conservation, ecological protection, and encourage the use of iNaturalist free app in the afforestation areas. The opportunities are to sign up for a few hours on a shift on Saturday October 22 between noon and 8:00 pm and/or on Sunday October 23 between noon and 8:00 pm. Thanks for considering this opportunity!

Responsibilities of Info Booth Hosts
*** Distribute various brochures and tangible resources such as maps with directions to the afforestation areas for the various members of the general public

***Let folks know about the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or the George Genereux Urban Regional Park, and the upcoming Wildwoods of Saskatoon Virtual Film coming out October 24 at 7:00 pm

***Be respectful of the opinions and beliefs of others.

***Let members of the general public know about the new signs and the new fencing.

***Engage community members in discussions about the afforestation areas.

***Make valuable connections, and draw inspiration from the next generation of environmental stewards, and engage in amazing nature connection conversations.

***On sign up through eventbrite we will let you know the perks and benefits of volunteering!

Virtual Wildwoods of Saskatoon

Wildwoods of Saskatoon

Virtual Film YouTube or Zoom

October 24 at 7:00 pm

Eventbrite page to sign up for the film viewing

Wildwoods of Saskaton Film Pamphlet for Download for more information

This heritage documentary will feature guest speakers who speak to the rich history and heritage of the two afforestation areas the 132 ha (326 acre) Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the 60 ha (148 acre) George Genereux Urban Regional Park planted to trees in 1972 under the Green Survival Program.

Wildwoods of Saskatoon Film Commemorate Oct 24 with us. Celebrate the 50th anniversaries of the afforestation areas AND UN World Development Information Day & International Day Against Climate Change

A Tangible Legacy. History, Geology, Ecology, Ecosystem services, Sense of place, Opportunities. Protecting memories and visualizing dreams. Exploration of the symbiotic relationship of the diverse urban community being nurtured in nature at the Wildwoods of Saskatoon.

This is the 50th anniversary of both afforestation areas planted to trees in 1972! These forests, wetlands and greenspaces are semi-wilderness wildlife habitats in Saskatoon providing two amazing areas to balance environmental sustainability and conservation with social, physical, and mental benefits for health and wellness in a natural greenspace setting.

Opening up to a deeply resonant perspective on greenspace heritage and the grandeur of forests director James Hay weaves the conversation from breathtaking aerial forest scenes and archival footage in a call to consciousness.

James Young, Métis bringing indigenous greetings & perspective

Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck Greenpriest of Saskatoon and friend of our forests St. Andrew’s College

City of Saskatoon Councillor Hilary Gough

Meewasin CEO Andrea Lafond

Sylvia Konkin Assistant School Administrator

Paul Hanley biographer of Richard St. Barbe Baker Man of the Trees First Global Conservationist and environmental columnist

Robert White, BSA, MES (Env. St.) Recipient of the first Men of the Trees Prize at the U of S

Jeff O’Brien, B.A., M.A., City of Saskatoon archivist

Dr. Bill Waiser B.A., M.A., Ph.D. O.C. SOM, Distinguished history Professor Emeritus

Reagan Wildeman Community member – Triathlon, Crossfit, Fatbike

Jeff Hehn Fatlanders Fat Tire Brigade Trail Coordinator

Dr. Ernie Walker, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. O.C. SOM, Archaeology & Anthropology professor emeritus

Wildwoods of Saskatoon Virtual Film October 24 at 7:00 pm CST (12:00 am UTC)

Forest Gathering Walk

A beautiful autumn day. A wonderful forest to walk in. Some eco-heritage adventures. Come have a virtual walk with us.

George Genereux Tour

So, as has been posted the fencing is starting to come together at the speed of light 😉 So, today, we had a wonderful gentleman named Preston who presided over the ribbon cutting ceremony at George Genereux Park.

The tour went through 3 or 4 various changing ecosystems, as a circle was made in George Genereux Park. Actually it was nice to see the ecotone, where an ecotone is where more than on ecosystem meet with each other. So the drought resistant, hardy tree plantings celebrating their 50th anniversary were meeting with the trembling aspen bluffs with buffaloberry, red-osier dogwood and snow berry and so on as native species. A number of heritage points were covered including the West Swale, some of the flora and fauna of the afforestation areas, the early afforestation areas history under the Green Survival Progam, and the two films about the afforestation areas and the pfg.friendsareas.ca app, and the planned updates to the app from Gabriel Dumont Institute and CWF Youth group.

So, a sampling of imagery is shown here, including the inaugural ribbon cutting for George Genereux Park, Preston and the new fence which is nearing completion! Thank you to everyone who came out to the park. We hope you enjoy your next visit, and some exciting places to explore till you find your favourite place in the forest!

This is a wonderful way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of #NationalForestWeek, and the 50th anniversary of the afforestation areas!

Wildwoods of Saskatoon Film

Thank you to everyone who came out to the film today at the Remai Modern in Saskatoon. We will look for an opportune time to show it virtually over zoom for anyone who couldn’t make it to the film in person.

At times the film glitched, showed buffers, and lags for some unknown reasons. So it will be good to also see it the Wildwoods of Saskatoon virtually over zoom. Stay tuned for the date and time. Luckily, the storyline continued very well for the narrative and was well received through the survey.

With thanks to the Government of Canada, the City of Saskatoon, all of the folks who brought greetings, and everyone who participated in the making of the heritage documentary.

Tonight at 6:00 pm at Richard St. Barbe Baker Park is the last day to participate in the four day Biodiversity Challenge

Come out for tours on Sept 24 and Sept 25 to the afforestation areas.

For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park

For directions on how to drive to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
For more information:
Blairmore Sector Plan Report; planning for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, George Genereux Urban Regional Park and West Swale and areas around them inside of Saskatoon city limits
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

Stories, legends, and tales

Have you ever sought to track the soul of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas into its most secret places, and to make these woodlands confess its dearest sins. The forest who would stir us now by its stories, legends and tales must either give us an entirely new background, or reveal to us the soul of the wildwoods. The forest as story-teller gives a glimpse into the story that he tells us. The forest has seen marvellous things through knotholes. Its background is a woven tapestry of tales. Meet the afforestation areas, and touch the surface of their hidden stories, their secret places, their point of view.

Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon a live film event premiering Sunday September 18 at 2:00 pm at the Remai Modern. Register Now

At the follow up place based forest tours Sept 24 and 25 meet Forest Guide: Sam Ereke, BSc, MSc, Research Scientist who will also be leading the Saskatoon and Area BioDiversity Challenge iNaturalist tours Sept 15-18.

Sept 15 at 6:00 pm

Sept 16 at 6:00 pm

Sept 17 at 2:00 pm

Sept 18 at 6:00 pm

Sat, 24 September 2022 2:00 PM

Sun. September 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area West Side Benches with a new coat of stain!

New Additions added to Richard St. Barbe Baker afforestation in celebration of the benches and bird feeding stations by a bird lover who loves the forest.

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)

For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park

#NationalForestWeek = Forest Tours

#NationalForestWeek = Forest Tours YouTube Video

Forest Walks Autumn Glory

Enjoy these hidden gems

Sept 24 and 25

Amazing Afforestation Adventure

Discover Dream Explore

Sept 24 and 25 at 2:00 pm Mark Your Calendars

http://friendsareas.ca/

bit.ly/3B6Ta3q Eventbrite

Thank you to City of Saskatoon and Mosaic for their support

Sat Sept 17 at 2:00 iNaturalist Biodiversity Challenge and Sun Sept 18 at 6:00 Easy as 1-2-3 Find It, Snap It, Share It, on the free iNaturalist app

Sun Sept 18 Wildwoods of Saskatoon Film Remai Modern at 2:00 Register Now! Seating is limited.

Commemorate #NationalForestWeek with a theme in 2022 “Canada’s Forests: Solutions for a Changing Climate.” 2022 is the 30th anniversary of “Maple Leaf Day” or National Tree Day in Canada

😃🍁🍄🥀🌼🌞🌷🌾🎋🌳🌲🐾🐀🐿🐁🐇🐇🕷🐛🦋🐞🐜🐌🐛🕷🦗🐢🐍🦇🐦🦉🦅🦆🐥🐣🐦🦇🐌🦋🦋🦄

National Forest Week brings attention to our forests and trees from coast to coast across Canada. Maple Leaf Day (or National Forest Day) takes place the third Wednesday of September, which in 2022 is September 21. National Forest Week are the days around Maple Leaf Day.

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)

#NationalForestWeek, #MapleLeafDay, #Saskatoon, #Saskatooning, #forest,

Celebrate #nationalForestWeek Sept 18-24! Special events and incredible opportunities await you! Visit http://www.friendsareas.ca to get involved today. 😄👍👨‍👩‍👧👩‍👩‍👦‍👦🌳🌲🌲🌳🌳🌲👨‍👨‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👦‍👦🙂😃👍

#NationalForestWeek commences Sept 18, 2022. Join us for a week of festivities as we discover trees, culture and explore the biodiversity forests around us support. Save the date to explore nature around you. www.friendsareas.ca @friendsareas 😄👍👨‍👩‍👧👩‍👩‍👦‍👦🌳🌲🌲🌳🌳🌲👨‍👨‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👦‍👦🙂😃👍

Do you have a great forest trail, a unique and special tree friend, a beautiful spot to meditate amidst the rustling of leaves in the forest? Post a selfie with a story telling everyone about your tree or forest space with the hashtag #NationalForestWeek. 😄👍👨‍👩‍👧👩‍👩‍👦‍👦🌳🌲🌲🌳🌳🌲👨‍👨‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👦‍👦🙂😃👍

Wildwoods of Saskatoon launches #NationalForestWeek at the Remai Modern Film Sept 18 at 2:00 ushering in a cavalcade of virtual and in-person events Take part in the photo extravaganza. Plant a tree, sing with a chickadee, protect a tree and support biodiversity. www.friendsareas.ca @friendsareas 😄👍👨‍👩‍👧👩‍👩‍👦‍👦🌳🌲🌲🌳🌳🌲👨‍👨‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👦‍👦🙂😃👍

Find your forest and share the story about your tree friend

In the days leading up to #NationalForestWeek

 Let people know about a forest you like to visit

 Share the location of a unique tree

 Tell a story about your favourite native tree

 Create a post on social media letting everyone know what event you have to offer about your favourite tree or forest

 Get together with other environmental groups to promote your forest or tree places by a networking event

There is no mood or passion that the forest cannot give us, and those of us who have discovered her secret can settle beforehand what our experiences are going to be. We can choose our day and select our hour. And lo! the dawn finds us in the obscure wood. Together witnessing the film expose the afforestation secrets, we pass through into the realm of legend. With pity or with joy, the secrets revealed, behold the stories and tales of another world, another time. Let us at least suppose so for the moment—that at the film -we settle down to discovering the real intention and the stories of the afforestation areas. Those stories which etch and mould the form of the afforestation areas.

Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon Sunday September 18 at 2:00 pm at the Remai Modern. Register Now

Sept 17 at 2:00 pm

Sept 18 at 6:00 pm

Sat, 24 September 2022 2:00 PM

Sun. Sept 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm

Happy Girl — 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon

For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park

The Realm of Legend

Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon Sunday September 18 at 2:00 pm at the Remai Modern. Register Now

Sept 15 at 6:00 pm

Sept 16 at 6:00 pm

Sept 17 at 2:00 pm

Sept 18 at 6:00 pm

Sat, 24 September 2022 2:00 PM

Sun. Sept 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm

DOG WALKING — 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon

1. Loss of biodiversity
2. Climate change
3. Out of control pollution.

For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park

Secrets, Elusive, Evasive

A secret is elusive and evasive. So it is with the afforestation areas. Many stories hide and lurk in and about the afforestation areas. And so the picture in the film – the imagery revealed in the film -Wildwoods of Saskatoon- becomes more wonderful to us than it really is, and reveals to us a secret of which, in truth, it knows nothing, and the music of the mystical prose is as sweet in our ears as was that flute. And in this it is right, for the meaning of any beautiful created thing – such as the afforestation areas – are, at least, as much in the soul of him who looks at it, as it was in his soul who wrought it. Nay, it is rather the beholder who lends to the beautiful thing its myriae age, so that it becomes a vital portion of our lives, and a symbol of what we yearn for, or perhaps of what, having yearned for, we wonder what we may receive.

Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon Sunday September 18 at 2:00 pm at the Remai Modern. Register Now

Sept 15 at 6:00 pm

Sept 16 at 6:00 pm

Sept 17 at 2:00 pm

Sept 18 at 6:00 pm

Sat, 24 September 2022 2:00 PM

Sun. Sept 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm

Fraxinus_pennsylvanica Green Ash Opposite leaves which are pinnately compound with 7 to 9 serrate leaflets that are elliptical to lanceolate to elliptical in shape, entire leaf is 6 to 9 inches long, green on the top of the leaflets and silky smooth to silky-pubescent and paler below. Margins of the leaflets are either smooth or coarsely saw-toothed. Each leaflet has a short stalk or may be sessile and the leaf has a much longer stem — Fraxinus_pennsylvanica Green Ash

American Elm Ulmus Americana autumn leaf — Fraxinus_pennsylvanica Green Ash

1. Loss of biodiversity
2. Climate change
3. Out of control pollution.

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

For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Wildwoods of Saskatoon

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: