Investigation is underway to install barriers to prevent motorized vehicles egress to sensitive areas within the wetlands of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Even though motorized vehicles are prohibited within a City of Saskatoon open space, the damaging activity has been ongoing. Funding from conservation agencies and foundations is being sought out to help protect the wetlands and forest ecology at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area which includes the wetlands of the West Swale. Ruts created by motorized vehicles on the wetlands areas alter water movement within the West Swale.
Call the Department of Natural Resources 1-877-996-6199 (The Honourable James Gordon Carr, Minister of Natural Resources) or Saskatchewan Environment if you observe anyone driving off-highway vehicles in any sensitive area. There is an anonymous tip line which can be called for any environmental resource violations. These violations include, but are not limited to:”
Dumping of toxic materials on land or in water
Dumping tires
Illegal forest harvesting
Provide the information below, if possible:
Licence plate of the suspect vehicle/boat
Date/time/location of the offence
Whether it is ongoing or not
Description of the violation
Description of the violators
Description of the vehicle
Photos or video of the offence or the offender
Report suspicious activity three ways. All calls and submissions are confidential.
Toll-free -1-800-667-7561
Sasktel cell – #5555
Complete and submit a form online.”
It is important to limit use of off-highway vehicles to designated trails in the province. Never operate off-highway vehicles in sensitive wildlife habitats such as wetlands, and shorelines. The effect of areas accessed by four-wheel drive vehicles, ATV and off-road vehicle has seen a loss of riparian vegetation, and a reduction in the quality of riparian vegetation especially along the wetlands shorelines. Additionally, an increase is seen in the spread of noxious weeds, and and increase in human intitiated grass fires
Long term sustainable improvements in the Richards St. Barbe Baker West Swale Wetlands would occur as a direct result of mitigation applied and restoration action. With the installation of barriers to motorized vehicles, the effects of cross-country travel would be mitigated, and though currently motorized vehicles in a City of Saskatoon open space is not authorized, barriers would prevent such illegal activity from continuing. Riparian areas wuld not see any motorized vehicle traffic if barriers were installed. The province of Saskatchewan does, indeed, have areas to meet the needs of motorized recreation use.
“I look at it this way. If a person is living a normal life and not abusing themselves – not smoking too much, not eating too much, not drinking too much – but living normally and eating the right food – they will be fit and well. It is only when they start abusing themselves that they are prone to attack by disease. It is the same with trees.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker
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:
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
Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail)
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!
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What was Richard St. Barbe Baker’s mission, that he imparted to the Watu Wa Miti, the very first forest scouts or forest guides? To protect the native forest, plant ten native trees each year, and take care of trees everywhere.
“We stand in awe and wonder at the beauty of a single tree. Tall and graceful it stands, yet robust and sinewy with spreading arms decked with foliage that changes through the seasons, hour by hour, moment by moment as shadows pass or sunshine dapples the leaves. How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees we call a forest.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker
“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.
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 