Embracing Nature’s Symphony: Participating in the City Nature Challenge Rain or Shine

Rain patters against the windowpane, a rhythmic dance of droplets painting the world outside in shades of gray. But amidst the storm, there lies a hidden opportunity, a chance to connect with nature in its most elemental form. Yes, even in the rain, you can be a part of the City Nature Challenge, unlocking the wonders of the natural world from the comfort of your own home.

Picture this: you’re nestled indoors, cozy and dry, yet your spirit yearns for adventure. Fear not, for the wild awaits just beyond your window. With the simple flick of a wrist and the tap of a screen, you can embark on a journey of discovery that transcends weather and time.

Enter the iNaturalist app, your gateway to a realm of biodiversity teeming with life. As raindrops cascade outside, open your window and listen closely. Can you hear it? The soft serenade of birdsong echoing through the air, a melody as old as time itself. Grab your phone, launch the app, open the windows and let the magic unfold.

Begin with your front yard, a canvas painted with the colors of urban flora and fauna. Record the chirps and trills of feathered friends perched among the branches, their songs a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Then, venture to the back yard, where hidden treasures await beneath the cloak of rain-soaked foliage. Capture the symphony of bird calls that reverberate through the damp air, each note a thread in nature’s intricate tapestry.

It’s that easy, stay indoors, open that window, it is that enchanting. With each recording, you become a citizen scientist, contributing to a global effort to document and preserve the wonders of our natural world. Every tweet, every chirp, is a voice heard in the chorus of conservation, a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us even in the most unexpected of moments.

Then if you are adventurous, pop into the car, drive somewhere in Saskatoon and area, open the windows, and record the sounds again! Cool hey?

So, as the rain continues to fall outside, let us embrace the opportunity to connect with nature in all its splendor. Let us open our windows, our hearts, and our minds to the wonders that lie just beyond our doorstep. For in the midst of a storm, there is beauty to be found, and in the act of discovery, there is hope for a brighter, greener tomorrow.

Wow, indeed. Rain or shine, let us heed the call of the wild and embark on this adventure together. #CityNatureChallenge #EmbraceTheRain #NatureIsCalling 🌧️🌿

Then when the rain abates, get a bit of exercise outdoors just in case a little mushroom has emerged, as they love the rain! The Saskatoon Mycological Working Group or the NPSS mentions that we need a lot more people recording Fungi around Saskatoon to determine which ones are species at risk, and which are common.

With thanks to our sponsors and supporters SaskPower, SaskTel, Saskatoon Nature Society, Wild About Saskatoon, Caswell Hill Community Association, SOS Trees Inc., Rosewood Varsity View Community Association, Nutana Varsity View Community Association, Montgomery Place Varsity View Community Association. City Nature Challenge Saskatoon CNC YXE 2024 led by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas. Reach if you would like to sponsor the City Nature Challenge, or share the City Nature Challenge information as a collaborator!

Find it

Snap it

Share it

Certificates

Ready for my closer up

Tip No 1. Flower leaves bark habitat

Check captive cultivated

Make sure to record photo or sound

Click the + sign add another photo of the same organism

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.comFacebook 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 )

Donate your old vehicle, here’s how!  

Support using Canada Helps

Support via a recycling bottle donation

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

““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

Taking part in Conservation

Taking Part in Conservation: the Value of Citizen Science

This description is a quotation from the event page.

Join the Canadian Wildlife Federation in celebration of Earth Day and CWF’s 60th anniversary in learning how you can contribute to conservation using just a phone or digital camera.

Ordinary people turned citizen scientists are contributing valuable information every day to help conserve our natural world. Through apps and websites like iNaturalist Canada and initiatives like the City Nature Challenge, thousands of people are contributing millions of observations, filling gaps that scientists can’t accomplish on their own.

Join CWF’s English Webinar with James Pagé to hear about the value of citizen science data and how to take part.

Apr 22, 2022 at 10:am CST or 12:00pm Eastern

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Remember*

Spring is back!

4 days to be inspired for nature

April 29-May 2

City Nature Challenge Saskatoon

Celebrate Nature

CNCYXE

Be the Voice for Nature

More information

Friendsareas.ca

The City of Saskatoon CNC is brought to you by

Friends of the Saskatoon Aforestation Areas

The Canada Wide host for the CNC is the CWF

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!

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.comFacebook 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

“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

#CityNatureChallenge #iNaturalistCanada #Biodiversity Founded by @NHMLA and @CalAcademy Community Science hosted by #friendsdareas #NatureCanada #CityNatureChallenge #BioBlitz #CitSciMonth #CommunityScience #CitizenScience #UrbanNature #UrbanBiodiversity #NatureInTheCity #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureForEveryone #NatureNerd #cnc #outdoors #nature #conservation #photography #biodiversity #citizenscience #inaturalist #wildlife #plantlife #wanderlust #naturelovers #optoutside #instagood #picoftheday #volunteer #training #parks #optingoutside #CNCYXE #CNCYXE2022 #FriendsAreas #FriendsAfforestation #citizenscience #communityscience #EcologicalEmergency #naturelovers @sasktel #inaturalist #saskatchewanbirds #yxebirds #getoutdoors #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #citynaturechallenge2022 #yxe #thegreatoutdoors #citynaturechallenge2022 #citynaturechallenge #Canadacitynaturechallenge #citizenscience #Volunteering #nativeprairie #grasslands #wildlife #bees #pollinators #prairiepollinators #ExploreSask #NatureSask #wildlifewatcher #prairielife #sasklife #nativeprairie #speciesatrisk #conservation #KeepSaskWild #socialdistance #citizenscience #wildlifephotography #beesknees #LeavetheLeaves #NoMowMay #nature4all #FriendsAreas #FriendsAfforestation @FriendsAreas #saskatoon #saskatooning