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.

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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

Winter Bird Feeders

Feeding birds in the winter time can provide a source of enjoyment for many people. The observation of a variety of birds is amazing to experience as they find and come to the feeder station.

The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. Winter Staycation Brochure  (download)  provides a listing of those winter birds who may frequent the bird feeders in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

Whether you are a novice or experienced bird watcher, it is a delight to see the flight of the black-capped chickadee arriving at the bird feeder. The chickadee does not swoop straight in an undulating or bouncing flight pattern. If one was to describe it on a piece of paper, it may look like a sine wave with curves up and down. The call or song of the black-capped chickadee is quite distinctive as a chickadee-dee-dee-dee. Though it will vary in their spring territory call which is a long high note followed by two lower short notes.

Besides the black-capped chickadee, the northern flicker is common in the afforestation area as is the bohemian waxwing. There is for sure the possibility the chance of seeing plethora of species depending on your time for observation, the weather, and when you arrive during the day.

Place a bird feeder in a site sheltered and protected from strong winter blizzard winds. The bird feeder should have a large canopy to keep snow and ice away from the bird seed placed out. Think of bird predators and squirrels who may also enjoy lunch at the bird feeder. If the bird feeder is placed near natural cover which will assist perching birds assess the bird feeder station area for safety.

Clean the bird feeder regularly. Bird balls and suet feeders also provide nutritious snacks for wild birds. Black oil sunflower seeds provides fat to birds which is a necessary nutrient. Birds require extra fat to keep them going through the long cold days. This bird feed may attract a good variety of birds. Nyger seeds, sunflower seeds and peanuts are also winter bird feeder choices. Try filling different locations of bird feeders with different seed to see what species of birds are attracted to the change of food.

As you embark on a winter bird feeding strategem, remember that some species of worms are meat eaters, seeking out insects, grasshoppers worms over the other months. A winter surprise of mealworms may provide the wild birds with a treat. Fruit is enjoyed by many birds. Placing out apples, bananas citrus fruits may be enjoyed by your several bird visitors. Consider spreading some peanut butter on an apple and add bits of peanuts and raisins. Remember to not place such a treat where dogs would reach it, as dogs cannot have raisins or they will have seizures.

In 2021 February experienced a terrific arctic cold front setting records with -53 Celsius records. At times like these, it is vitally important to keep any bird feeders topped up which birds may have become dependent upon.

Some birds are more comfortable feeding from the ground. Think of what other animals may be nearby which may pose a hazard to the birds feeding from the ground. Once in a while step on the snow at the base of the bird feeder, to provide ease of access to the ground feeding birds.

Partipate in the Christmas Bird Count and the Backyard Bird Count February 12-15, 2021 Register your count on the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Areas E-bird hotspot, Baker Area Eco-Quest on iNaturalist or on the Cornell Lab Audubon web pages.

As part of the winter-staycation challenges, register for the prize draw by sending in your photograph of a bird feeding station visitor.

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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
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

“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”

— Robert Louis Stevenson

And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.     

John Muir

Winter Birds

Feed the Birds Day.
February 3

This day is celebrated when the winter is coldest, and the winter snow has set in to encourage feeding of birds outside. In these colder winter months, the birds are in need of energy, and food is scarce as cold weather progresses.

There are a few methods to feed birds, which is not too overwhelming.  One is feeding them from your hands, another is to plant suitable trees and shrubbery and finally set out a do it yourself feeder designed in a multitude of fashions, or store bought. How to choose the right kind of bird feeder is an important consideration for the types of birds in your habitat.

How do you know what are the types of birds in your particular neck of the woods? Checking out Habisask (Hunting, Angling and Biodiversity Information of Saskatchewan) is an online species mapping application showing historical data. Another resource is Saskatchewan E-bird, the E-bird hotspots map or check out common migratory patterns, and dates for typical observation times for species in your area.

If you set out a feeder in the winter months, it is imperative to check it regularly. The birds’ very survival rely on this source of food once they get used to it being there.

A very simple, and spontaneous bird feeder is to strew along the top of horizontal tree branches fruit, suet, wheat, corn, sunflowers, sand, grit or store bought bird food for wild birds.

Richard St. Barbe Baker founded the “Men of the Trees” international foundation which is now known as the International Tree Foundation has three tenets for followers;

• protect the native forest
• plant ten native trees each year
• take care of trees everywhere

For those choosing to follow in the footsteps of Richard St. Barbe Baker, and plant trees, select for “Feed the Birds Day” those plants which will best supply the seeds and nutrients the local birds need. The Land Manager’s Guide to Grassland Birds of Saskatchewan provides a template of birds and what types of food they require.

Another very important task to investigate is to search out anything in the wetlands or urban regional park which harm the bird’s environment. The landscape and the native flora can be harmed by chemicals spilled, oils, or any other wastes which don’t belong in a wetland and riparian forest ecosystem. By removing harmful contaminant, those birds feeding naturally in their native spaces are protected by your conservation efforts.

So, step up, and do your part during Feed the Birds Day this Februrary 3!  Attached are some links so this task is not overwhelming, but is enjoyable, and quite rewarding. Feed the birds not only today, but everyday, and get to know your feathered friends.

He that planteth a tree is a Servant of God
He provideth a Kindness, for many generations
and faces he hath not seen shall bless him.
Who so walketh in solitude, And inhabiteth the wood,

Choosing light, wave, rock and bird.

Before the money-loving herd.
Unto that forester- shall pass,
From these companions, power and grace.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Alger, Bonnie. Feed the Birds Day. Treehugger.

Banks, Shelley. Regina Backyard Birds: Finches, Sparrows, Siskins. Prairie Nature. April 2015.

Bird Feeding. Hinterland Who’s Who. HWW. Environment and Climate Change Canada & Canadian Wildlife Federation

Bird Watching in Saskatchewan Whatbird

Bradbury, Kate. Garden Birds and Feed the Birds Day. Wildlife Blog Gardener’s World.

Briere, Karen. Feeding Program helps birds endure tough winter. March 1994. Western Producer.

Bumstead, Pat. Its Feed the Birds Day Birds Calgary.

Byron, Greg. What should you put out to feed birds during the winter? Bird Canada. Jan 16, 2013

DIY Bird Feed. Living Naturally with Kids. Rainy Day Mum.

Feed the Birds Day Holiday Insights

Feed the Birds Day Video on The Guardian.

Feed the Birds Day. Gardeners Network.

Feeding Birds in Winter. Prairie Birder. November 9, 2012.

Flowers, Frankie. How to Attract Birds to your Garden in Winter. HOme and Garden. Canadian Living. 2017 TVA Group

How to Help Birds in Winter. How to Attract a Greater Variety of Foods. Wild Birds Unlimited. Saskatoon, SK.

How to choose the right kind of bird feeder. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. April 2009

Inviting Birds to your Garden. Landscapes Saskatchewan.

Land Manager’s Guide to Grassland Birds of Saskatchewan. [with Key Identification Features, Species Range Maps, Identification Charts, and Bird Diet] Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. formerly Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation. ISBN 1-896-793-29-0. Regina. Saskatchewan.

Nature Counts. A Partner of Avian Knowledge Network. Bird Studies Canada.

Porter, Diane. Bird Feeding in the Winter Birdwatching.com

The RSPB Feed the Birds Day The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

RSPB Feed the Birds Day. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas. Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre.

Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas. Bird Studies Canada, Saskatoon, SK

Saunders, Nick. Feeding the Wildlife at Pike Lake Saskatchewan Birds and Nature. November 2008

Your Winter Backyard Bird Guide Nature Conservancy of Canada.

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 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

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)

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!

Paypal

Payment Options

Membership : $20.00 CAD – yearly Membership with donation : $50.00 CAD Membership with donation : $100.00 CAD

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“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.

“According to ancient mythology, trees were the first living things on earth. This is borne out by scientific reasoning which shows that it is through them that the air we breathe can give life to humanity. Through countless ages trees have been drawing carbonic acid gas from the atmosphere, absorbing and incorporating the carbon, assimilating it; then when they die, bequeathing to soil their carboniferous remains. The consequence has been that eventually the atmospheric oxygen was left sufficiently pure for the requirements of birds and mammals which have replaced the flying reptiles and monstrous amphibians that were able to endure the heavy air of primeval swamps and jungles.” Richard St. Barbe Baker