winter – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

Loving Winter Wild!

Loving Winter Wild: Enhancing winter family fun exploring trails at the 326-acre Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area [RSBBAA] in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan by highlighting bird-watching, spotting wildlife, finding geo-caches and providing rest-stop benches. This COVID-19 friendly outdoor nature adventure supports and coincides with the local TV premiere of heritage documentary on RSBBAA named Richard St. Barbe Baker Park; a Prequel to the Legacy of Saskatoon’s Secret Forest in January, 2022 and World Environment Education Day. A great programme to celebrate World Environment Education Day. Discover the unique, biodiverse ecosystems of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas.

More news and developments coming soon for this Loving Winter Wild programme!

Loving Winter Wild at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area in Saskatoon Another exploration opportunity exists at George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon

Our earth needs eco-champions. The inspirational story of Richard St. Barbe Baker, aka the “Man of the Trees,” can help children and youth aspire to be these champions. The new heritage documentary “The Legacy of Saskatoon’s Secret Forest” tells the story of his remarkable life and achievements. From roots in Saskatoon he went on to inspire tree planting and forest protection around the world. The International Tree Foundation, which he founded in 1922, is still active in 14 countries. Countless people motivated by him are environmental champions today. A companion curriculum describes his holistic world view, and his daring life of action on behalf of the earth. This is what epic traditions are made of!

Loving Winter Wild YouTube

for more information email: friendsafforestation@gmail.com stbarbebaker.wordpress.com

Loving Winter Wild YouTube another one

Loving Winter Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area in Saskatoon Another exploration opportunity exists at George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon

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

The Philosophy Of Songs for the Birds

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. — A tribute presented to the forest, a great enhancement.
A wonderful place to sit and watch the birds at the bird feeders

"Wild bird, whose warble, liquid sweet,
           Rings Eden through the budded quicks,
           Oh, tell me where the senses mix,
        Oh, tell me where the passions meet,"
Lord Alfred Tennyson

These little bird statues represent the embodiment of place and time, of humanity in the forest, and connecting with nature.

They symbolize the mysterious interconnection between society and nature, people connecting with Mother Earth.

What a beautiful gift for the Afforestation Area. Along with bird feed, and peanuts, users of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, grace the benches near the bird feeding stations with a fitting tribute and honour.

Thank you so much!

The benches are enjoyed by many people, as are the afforestation areas. In gratitude to the City of Saskatoon for the Take It Outside initiative enable the benches and two of the bird stations. Thank you!

And now, wouldst thou, O man, delight the ear With earth’s delicious sounds, or charm the eye With beautiful creations, then pass forth And find them midst those many-colored birds That fill the glowing woods. The richest hues Lie in their splendid plumage, and their tones Are sweeter than the music of the lute.”
Elizabeth and Joseph Grinnell

Robin, Sir Robin, gay-vested knight, Now you have come to us, summer’s in sight; You never dream of the wonders you bring— Visions that follow the flash of your wing. How all the beautiful by and by Around you and after you seems to fly; Sing on, or eat on, as pleases your mind. Well have you earned every morsel you find. “Aye! ha! ha! ha!” whistles Robin. My dear, Let us all take our own choice of good cheer.
Lucy Larcom.

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 using the e-mail friendsafforestation AT gmail.com, or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Donate your vehicle to Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. to raise funds for afforestation areas. Click here to find out more. 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

““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 environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.
Lady Bird Johnson

#GenerationRestoration

Ecosystem restoration is a winning investment, with every $1 spent bringing $10-15 in return. And smart restoration plans will be key to #BuildBackGreener from #COVID19. Learn more and join #GenerationRestoration: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/

The next 10 years are critical in combating climate change and saving 1 million species from extinction. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s strategy identifies 10 actions that can make a difference. Learn more about #GenerationRestoration: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/strategy

Nature holds the key to 1/3 of the climate solution.
We need ecosystem restoration to stay below 2°C global temperature rise.
We need to grow trees and they need to be the right trees, at the right place and the right time.
We need #GenerationRestoration: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/

We cannot achieve the #GlobalGoals unless our ecosystems are healthy.
From productive farmlands to reach Zero Hunger to forests to protect life on land, vibrant ecosystems underpin our push for a better future.
Be part of #GenerationRestoration: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/

3.2 billion people are affected by land degradation.
It impacts the food they produce and the water they drink.
We need to heal our ecosystems to heal ourselves – it’s time for everyone to join #GenerationRestoration: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/

Support Locally @afforestationareas: Canada Helps

Our precious ecosystems bring so many benefits.

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.

Happiness for all Forever

Today is a busy day indeed. It is International Day of Happiness, March 20! And why should we be happy? Well spring arrives today! And hasn’t the weather been amazing warming up so delightfully.

And today is also World Sparrow Day! That is another thing to be happy about for sure.

Chorong Song et al says in Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas “The psychological benefits of walking through forests are very significant, and forest environments are expected to have very important roles in promoting mental health in the future.” Besides this impact on our health, Q Li et al in their article Visiting a forest, but not a city, increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins mentions how forests can boost our immune systems.

Lindsay Baker of the BBC recounts German poet and philosopher Herman Hesse, who writes in his book Trees: Reflections and Poems, “Trees are sanctuaries. When we have learned to listen to trees… that is home. That is happiness.”

So today, celebrate International Day of Happiness, and count your many blessings as you walk in the forest boosting your immune system. This year’s theme proclaimed by the United Nations is #HAPPINESSFORALLFOREVER Isn’t that an amazing proclamation? Use these hashtags, and tell everyone that today is International Day of Happiness! #happinessforallforever, #tenbillionhappy, #internationaldayofhappiness, #happinessday, #choosehappiness, #createhappiness, or #makeithappy

Read the Ten Steps to Global Happiness. Step 9 is to get outside, enjoy nature, and connect with the environment. Yay!

As the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas speaks to the semi wilderness wildlife habitat out at the 326 acre Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the 148 acre George Genereux Urban Regional Park, you may be interested in Seedy Saturdays, and how to garden for wildlife or any of the other online webinars being offered this spring

“Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky.”
Kahlil Gibran

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

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

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.
John Muir

This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy.

Forest Restoration

March 21 is a spectacular day! It is the United Nations International Day of Forests! This is a day to take especial notice of the semi-wilderness bio-diversity in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the George Genreux Urban Regional Park.

During these days of COVID with isolation, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and having COVID affecting our family, work and lives to such a great extent, it is wonderful to have a natural prescription for healing and have a walk in the forest. This is a very healing, peaceful, and restorative process to connect with nature in these weird times.

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is 326 acres, and George Genereux Urban Regional Park is 148 acres, so plenty of room for social distancing, to derive some fantastic health benefits.

There is great importance in forests. Richard St. Barbe Baker, himself had a tree pledge for forest guardians: to plant ten trees a year, take care of trees everywhere, and do one good deed every day. The theme of International Day of Forests this year is “‘Forest Restoration: a path to recovery and well-being.” This ties into United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration very well indeed!

So let us all take up Richard St. Barbe Baker’s forest guardian pledge starting on the International Day of Forests. Let us all plant ten trees a year, take care of trees everywhere, and do one good deed every day. What a great thought during these weird COVID times for sure.\

To be eligible for our prize draw, for the challenge on International Day of Forests, let us know via email how you have taken the pledge to plant ten trees a year, take care of trees everywhere, and how you have done a good deed every day!

“A simple act of kindness and compassion towards a single animal may not mean anything to all creatures, but will mean everything to one.”
― Paul Oxton

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

“To be standing together in a frosty field, looking up into the sky, marvelling at birds and revelling in the natural world around us, was a simple miracle. And I wondered why we were so rarely able to appreciate it.”
Lynn Thomson

“No matter how few possessions you own or how little money you have, loving wildlife and nature will make you rich beyond measure.”
― Paul Oxton

CBC Open To Outdoors

The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. were honoured to be contacted by CBC Saskatoon Morning host Leisha Grebinski to be added to their urban nature series named Open to Outdoors Saskatoon. This radio show airs from 6:00 to 8:30 am on CBC Radio One, and our particular piece may perhaps air on Tuesday March 23, 2021.

Robert White who knew Richard St. Barbe Baker provided a very intriguing talk about the legacy of Richard St. Barbe Baker founder of the Interational Tree Foundation (ITF). Baker, who By some estimates, organisations he founded or assisted have been responsible for planting at least 26 billion trees, internationally during his lifetime. The influence of Baker continues on today with many more people forming international organizations for tree planting with people inspired by St Barbe books, talks and radio shows.

Julia Adamson spoke to the formation of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area under the Green Survival Program, and how the afforestation area began. The benches and bird feeders installed for the Take it Outside Winter Staycation Outside Safely program were highlighted with a huge thank you and round of appreciation to the City of Saskatoon.

Two amazing bird feeder stations were installed and the numbers of families stopping and marvelling at the birds to the feeders is phenomenal. We are very appreciative of their advice from Early’s Seed and Feed and their guidance for success. People are coming out to the afforestation areas with pockets full of bird seed to hand feed the birds which are becoming accustomed to the bird feeders of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

Use the self-guided tour pamphlet winter bird checklist to learn which are the winter birds who frequent the bird feeders when you come out for a walk in the forest.

There have been many people appreciating and making use of the benches which were made by the Core Neighbourhood Youth Program CNYC. They did a dynamic job with the lettering “COVID bubble benches Keep 6 feet apart) which was so very helpful. This was a dire need to replace the old wooden picnic table which was 25 years old at least, the wood was rotten, and the table had collapsed creating a hazard in the forest. Now there is a safe means to sit, and socially distance while outside, so, all in all, a low risk activity during these weird COVID months for sure.

The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. supported a great number of local businesses for this project and we encouraged them to take part in the Saskatoon Tourism Saskatoon CommUNITY Commitment which is an amazing program.

Stay tuned on Tuesday March 23 to hear about the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area on the Morning Show from 6:00 to 8:30 am on CBC Radio One.. Thank you to Leisha Grebenski and crew for coming out to see Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

During COVID inviting and welcoming citizens of Saskatoon and area to engage in low risk activity outside is the best holistic health and wellness that the city residents could dream of. Rather than having two best kept secrets in the city, and having loads of pressure and shoulder to shoulder people at our other city urban regional parks, it is a great time, for the residents of Saskatoon to find, discover, explore, and celebrate the afforestation areas – the 326 acre Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and George Genereux Urban Regional Park, not only during COVID to comply with protocols of social distancing, but also to honour afforestation areas and the way nature based solutions take action on climate change, and to further honour healing forests in this time of truth and reconciliation.

YouTubePlaylist

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 BakerCharityTwitter: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

“Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings.”
Victor Hugo

“There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before.”
Robert Lynd

Our River Challenge

For our challenge today, we would like you to email to us at friendsafforestation@gmail.com what you think would belong in a list for the Rights of Rivers! March 14 is International Day of Action for Rivers, think of how you, personally can take action for the International Day of Action for Rivers! The theme for 2021 is celebrating the Rights of Rivers. We have a spectacular challenge for our Winter Staycation for you!

March 14 is a marvellous Sunday! And it is a day to think about the South Saskatchewan watershed! What is the South Saskatchewan watershed you say?

South Saskatchewan River Basin Shannon_1 CC4.0

This above picture shows the river basin, the catchment area, or the drainage basin for the South Saskatchewan River. This is a contemporary image of the south Saskatchewan River Basin. The image which follows shows the formation of the West Swale from the Yorath Island Glacial Spillway. The hydrological surface drainage patterns shown in the topological map above are a stark difference to the glacial spillway below which shows that the waters in the Glacial North Saskatchewan combined with Glacial Rice Lake. When the waters from the retreating glacier reached a great volume, the shoreline of Glacial Rice Lake could not contain the water anymore. and there was a sudden surge of spillwaters through the Yorath Island Channel and the Moon Lake Channel cascading in an eruption across the Cory Plains until the waters were stopped in the Glacial South Saskatchewan Lake. Yorath Island was formed from the deposited till and rubble of this Pleistocene Glacial event. Today we create river drainage maps for the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers. The glacial spillway with its huge surge of water created a momentous and catastrophic joining between the two basin areas. Because of the land topography, there are remains of the Yorath Island Channel and the Moon Lake Channel seen today on Google Satellite maps, and they show evidence of the rich and lush riparian waterway which once existed, and which is still connected through underground springs and wetlands.

Yorath Island Channel, Moon Lake Channel, Sutherland Channel and Cory Plain Channel Pleistocene Era South Sk River Valley 2588000 to 117000 years ago Adapted from Larry Edwin Hodges

This was a contributing factor to the formation of the South Saskatchewan River as we know it today. As you walk in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation area imagine the Pleistocene ice age mammals startled by the glacial spillway. Imagine this same ice age mammals creating new trails along the two new rivers in the Moon Lake Channel and the Yorath Island Spillway. Wonder as they wandered to the water’s edge for a drink of water. Where would the Palaeo-Indian fit into this scenario? Would they similarly follow the animal trails? Would they hunt the ancient ice age mammoths. Would the Palaeo-Indian find the two new rivers in the Moon Lake Channel and the Yorath Island Spillway handy to help them forage, and find food to eat? There were major encampments found where these channels met the Glacial South Saskatchewan Lake. As you walk in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, imagine living during the time of ice age mammoths.

Then, appreciate the semi-wilderness habitat we have in Saskatoon today. Along with the waterfowl, do we have other animals using the West Swale Wetlands named after B.T. Chappell as Chappell Marsh? Have you spotted a muskrat or any ducks, geese, herons, or terns? The West Swale is a geological treasure in the City of Saskatoon.

During this day, International Day of Action for Rivers, think of how you, personally can take action for the International Day of Action for Rivers! The theme for 2021 is celebrating the Rights of Rivers.

Today think of geology, and geography, and the history of ancient rivers which formed today’s rivers which we appreciated so much.

For our Winter Staycation challenge today, we would like you to email to us at friendsafforestation@gmail.com what you think would belong in a list for the Rights of Rivers!

Download our International Day of Action for Rivers Pamphlet

As a further challenge for the Winter Staycation Take It Outside program, record on iNaturalist or the eBird hotspot for Chappell Marsh the wetlands birds which you have sighted. The International Day of Action for Rivers Pamphlet contains a water birds checklist as an indicator of what might be sighted. The Geese and some ducks are back already (March 11)

Perhaps some ideas for Rights of Rivers may centre around the following….(To get you started)

A River’s right to its own river basin and all the watersheds within the waterbasin.
A River’s right to retain their river bank, and lush riparian ecosystem along the shorelines
Freedom from pollution, destruction to live in harmony with Mother Earth.
A River’s right to our collective recognition of the inherent value of clean fresh water for the survival of living species on land and underwater.
A River’s right to flow naturally unimpeded.
A River’s right to guardians and stewardship.
A River’s right to support shoreline and wetlands flora and fauna in its biosphere.
…What is another great Right for Rivers? Email us today

We must begin thinking like a river if we are to leave a legacy of beauty and life for future generations.
David Brower

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

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.
Emma Smith

World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day is March 3! What an opportunity!

What are you most interested in today? Maybe birds? More than one kind of bird, and identifying them! That would be fantastic to be on a bird scavenger hunt. So instead of staying at home with your “Where’s Waldo?” puzzles, come into the forest, and find birds, bird nests, and bird tracks.

Look in the bushy areas, and the swampy areas. Come out to the woods and immerse yourself in the sights, smells, and sounds of nature, and take away an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime of memories!

Download the winter bird checklist pamphlet and see how many of the birds in the listing you can see in the forest, and at the bird feeders! That is the scavenger hunt for today. If you email your Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Bird sighting list to us or let us know your e-Bird user name, or iNaturalist user name for your afforestation area sightings, and you can be entered and be eligible for the prize draw taking place at the end of the month!

World Wildlife Day celebrates more than birds. Let us know the squirrels, or other animals, scat, footprints or animal signs you may see in the afforestation areas via email to be entered and be eligible for the prize draw taking place at the end of the month! Good Luck!

Richard St. Barbe Baker was the first person to be honoured with a lifetime membership in the World Wildlife Federation. Baker created and protected so many habitats worldwide in his tree planting endeavours.

“A simple act of kindness and compassion towards a single animal may not mean anything to all creatures, but will mean everything to one.”
― Paul Oxton

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

“To be standing together in a frosty field, looking up into the sky, marvelling at birds and revelling in the natural world around us, was a simple miracle. And I wondered why we were so rarely able to appreciate it.”
Lynn Thomson

“No matter how few possessions you own or how little money you have, loving wildlife and nature will make you rich beyond measure.”
― Paul Oxton

Pine Grosbeak

There are some neat food habits of our winter bird visitor, the Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator.) This lovely red and slate-colored bird loves our Canadian forests, and frequents the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas because of the evergreens, and the bird feeders of Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

The pine grosbeak wanders around five provinces of Canada, and 14 states of the USA. The winter feeding habits are quite distinct from the summer food preferences. They like seeds of conifers, seeds of birch, weeds and grass, all types of berries and buds of ash, maple and conifer trees. In the summer time, the Pine Grosbeak will turn to a greater quantity of wild berries such as those from the dogwood. The remainder of the Pine Grosbeak diet are insects such as grasshoppers, ants, spiders, caterpillars, small flies and beetles.

So it makes sense, this little colorful bird’s genus name Pinicola enucleator pinus (“ pine ”) + colō (“ to inhabit ”.) So we have as the etymology the specific meaning of pinicola which means inhabiting (living on) Pinus species, or in the pine trees. And very marvelously the species name of enucleator has an etymology or a meaning of “to remove the kernel from” which is just perfect. This little birds with the specifically adapted beak or a “gros” “beak” meaning large beak especially meant for eating the seeds from the pine cones of the Scots Pine and the Engelmann’s Spruce in the afforestation areas.

The PINE GROSBEAK Pinicola enucleator at a Length of 9 inches. features some differences between males and females.

Male: Heavy bill, giving it almost the appearance of a Parrot. Above general colour strawberry-red, with some gray fleckings, deepest coloration on head and rump. Wings and tail brown ; some feathers edged with lighter brown and some with white. Below paler red, turning to grayish green on belly. Bill and feet blackish.

Female: Ash-brown, with yellowish bronze wash on rump, head, and breast.

Song .• A subdued, rattling warble broken by whistling notes.

Season: A winter visitor whose appearance is as irregular as the length of its stay.

Breeds : Far north in evergreen woods

Nest: Saddled on a branch or in a crotch. Twigs, roots, and fibre below, with a soft upper section

This winter visitor is most commonly seen in January out at the afforestation area, so this flock seen in February was a little treat.

Remember to record your sightings on eBird or iNaturalist 😉

Check out the iNaturalist.pdf pamphlet!

Remember you can download the winter bird checklist brochure here!

The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. Winter Staycation Brochure

“The more I work with birds, the more I believe in the undreamt, the things we are not given to know.”
Julie Zickefoose

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

“In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.”
Robert Lynd

““Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?”
-– David Attenborough

Homemade Bird Feeders

Here is another awesome decoration for the forest.

Save an orange rind. Then mix peanut butter and or suet with bird feed. Put the mixture into the orange rind. Hang your bird feeder with string on a tree branch.

Get a butternut squash, spaghetti squash, cut it in half and clean out the centre. Mix suet or peanut butter with bird feed. Place a wooden skewer stick through the the squash near the top of the cut edge. Insert another wooden skewer stick through the squash the other way to make a + sign across the squash. Tie a two strings to the four ends of the skewers, and hang on a branch in the forest!

Take a photograph of your forest decoration that you hang up in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation area and email it in to friendsafforestation@gmail.com for an opportunity to be entered into a prize draw!

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

“To be standing together in a frosty field, looking up into the sky, marvelling at birds and revelling in the natural world around us, was a simple miracle. And I wondered why we were so rarely able to appreciate it.”
Lynn Thomson

“Creative expression, whether that means writing, dancing, bird-watching, or cooking, can give a person almost everything that he or she has been searching for: enlivenment, peace, meaning, and the incalculable wealth of time spent quietly in beauty.”
-Anne Lamott

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