Celebrating Rosewood’s Collaboration

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Celebrating Community Collaboration: Rosewood’s Commitment to Nature Conservation

In the heart of Southeast Saskatoon lies a vibrant community pulsating with life and brimming with natural wonders—the Rosewood Community. Nestled within its embrace are 65 acres of wetlands, green spaces, and natural trails, forming a haven for both residents and wildlife alike.  Namely these areas are Adams, Bitz, Mackay, Struthers, Swick, Glen Penner, and Secondary Core Parks!

One of the key players in preserving this natural beauty is the Rosewood Community Association, whose unwavering dedication to environmental conservation has been nothing short of remarkable. Their recent collaboration with the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas for the City Nature Challenge from April 26 to 29 stands as a testament to their commitment to protecting and celebrating nature.

The Rosewood community boasts an impressive array of natural assets, including the Rosewood Pocket Park—a 1.64-acre oasis of tranquility set to bloom into life this spring. Residents will soon find themselves immersed in the sights and sounds of nature as they explore its lush trails and serene conservation areas.

But the beauty of Rosewood extends beyond its borders, as it is located in Southeast Saskatoon and bordered by the breathtaking Hyde Park naturalized area. Spanning 65 acres, this award-winning wetlands design is a testament to the city’s and community’s dedication to preserving native vegetation and promoting biodiversity.

In the words of the City of Saskatoon, Rosewood has been meticulously designed to maintain its natural conservation areas, ensuring that green corridors connect residents to the breathtaking landscapes that surround them. This holistic approach to community planning not only fosters a deeper connection with nature but also promotes the health and well-being of its residents.

At its core, the goal of Rosewood is simple yet profound—to conserve and integrate a large wetland complex, allowing residents to immerse themselves in the wonders of the natural world. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll along the wetland banks or a moment of quiet reflection amidst the greenery, Rosewood offers a sanctuary where residents can reconnect with the beauty of the earth.

As we celebrate the collaborative spirit of the Rosewood Community Association and its partnership with the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, we are reminded of the profound impact that community stewardship can have on our environment. Together, we can continue to preserve and protect the natural treasures that enrich our lives and sustain our planet for generations to come.

It is here in Rosewood that residents are invited to explore their neighborhoods, parks, bus stops, school yards, sidewalks, yards, and green spaces, capturing photos and observations of plants, animals, insects, fungi, and signs of life. In addition to exploring close to home, everyone is cordially invited to join any of the four free planned events in the southwest area of Saskatoon at the two afforestation areas, hosted by the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas.

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!

Saskatoon and area will compete for the title of the most Biodiverse City. We need your help. The goals are to engage the public in the collection of biodiversity data, with three awards each year for the cities and areas that 1/ makes the most observations, 2/ find the most species, and 3/ engage the most people. We’re so excited to have this fun friendly competition with a chance to place Saskatoon and Area on the World Stage for the City Nature Challenge 2024! Find out more friendsareas.ca

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

• 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

Preserving Saskatoon’s Urban Forest

Preserving Saskatoon’s Urban Forest: A Collaboration with SOS Trees

As Saskatoon gears up for the City Nature Challenge from April 26 to April 29, one group stands out for their unwavering commitment to protecting the city’s green infrastructure: Save Our Saskatoon Trees Coalition (SOS Trees), formerly known as SOS Elms. SOS Trees supports the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas by networking and getting the word out about the CNC YXE as a collaborator.

The City Nature Challenge invites citizens to explore nature in their urban environment, documenting plant and animal species using the iNaturalist app. But for SOS Trees, the challenge goes beyond just appreciation—it’s about safeguarding Saskatoon’s trees from threats like elm bark beetles, emerald ash borers, and other pests.

SOS Trees are dedicated to preserving the urban forest. Our city’s trees provide crucial ecosystem services, from carbon sequestration to pollution reduction, and it’s vital that we protect them.

The coalition, comprising individuals passionate about tree preservation, educates the public on the importance of urban forests. Through trade shows, school programs, and community projects, they raise awareness about threats like Dutch Elm Disease and advocate for responsible tree management.

SOS Trees’ goal is to foster an ethic of environmental stewardship, to work with elected officials, developers, and community groups to ensure that existing trees are cared for and new ones are planted.

The term “urban forest” encompasses all trees within a community, whether on streets, in parks, or on private property. SOS Trees conducts tree inventories to assess the health of Saskatoon’s tree population and advocates for policy changes to support urban forest preservation.

In collaboration with the City Nature Challenge, citizen scientists appreciate the beauty of our urban forest but also to actively protect it. Look at leaves. Find out if there is evidence of the range expansion for elm bark beetles, emerald ash borer, elm zigzag sawfly, cottony ash psyllid or any other tree pests making their way in and around Saskatoon and area. Just take a picture on iNaturalist and scientists do the rest! Together, we can ensure that Saskatoon’s trees continue to enrich our lives for generations to come.

As Saskatoon embraces the City Nature Challenge, SOS Trees stands ready to champion the cause of urban forest preservation, reminding us that the health of our city’s trees is vital to the well-being of our community.

Elm Leaves

Fraxinus_pennsylvanica Green Ash

Red Osier Dogwood Cornus sericea leaf

CNCYXE CITY NATURE CHALLENGE SASKATOON HOSTED BY FRIENDS OF THE SASKATOON AFFORESTATION AREAS

Join us in the City Nature Challenge from April 26 to 29, where we can immerse ourselves in the wonders of nature and contribute to conservation efforts. Let us honor the UN SDG Life on Land and Sustainable Cities and Communities, as we work together to preserve our precious planet for generations to come.

With thanks to our sponsors and supporters SaskPower, SaskTel, Saskatoon Nature Society, Wild About Saskatoon, Caswell Hill Community Association, Varsity View Community Association, Rosewood Varsity View Community Association, Nutana Varsity View Community Association, SOS Trees, Montgomery Place Community Association and Varsity View Community Association. City Nature Challenge Saskatoon CNC YXE 2024 led by Friends of the Saskatoon 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.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

• 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

Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area?

With left mouse button choose “view image” from menu for larger size of image

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Map arrow points to P2 parking at the South West Off Leash Recreation Area

There are four areas commonly used for parking at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

Located in the City of Saskatoon.
The border between the RM of Corman Park and the City of Saskatoon forms the south west boundaries of the parks.

While visiting the forest you can use the Prairie Forest Guide Self GPS guided tour by using pfg.friendsareas.ca on your smart phone. You will be indicated as a white and blue dot. Please use two fingers to make the satellite map very small, so you can see where you are as the dot, then centre the satellite map on your dot, and expand the map. When you arrive at an interpretive sign alongside the trails the icon will light up, and you can read the interpretive story.

GPS provided for Smart Phone map directions

1. 1. S 1/2 22-36-6 W3 – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A – GPS 52.1038557,-106.7890613 This parking area labelled P1 allows access to the forest west of the South West Off Leash Recreation Area and west of the Chappell Marsh Wetlands. This informal parking area P1 is near to the Saskatoon Italian Centre. It is recommended to stay west of the Canadian National Railway rail line so you don’t drive in the park. There happen to be dog walkers, classrooms of children, families, and cyclists enjoying the greenspace. There is also City of Saskatoon bylaw 7767, “No person shall drive a motor vehicle in any Park unless written or verbal permission to do so has been received from the City.”
      
      

      Directions to P1

      Drive on Circle Drive towards the landfill – Civic Operations Centre – Bus Barns – Snowdump area of the City of Saskatoon. From the traffic lights at the Civic Operations Centre/Landfill access continue to drive west for 651 meters. Do not proceed on Valley Road with the left turn towards the Saskatoon Berry Barn. There are signs posted for Township Road 362-A and Cedar Villa Estates, and take the right turn, then a quick left to continue travelling westward. Continue west on Township road 362-A (Cedar Villa Road) for 4 kilometers.
      This road will take you past the wetlands of Richard St. Barbe Baker afforestation area in 2 km, and it is at this point, the road naturally takes a graceful curvature to the south west. Then driving another 307 meters, you will slow down, and enter the hamlet of Cedar Villa Estates. In 836 meters, you will exit Cedar Villa Estates, and continue in this south west dirction for another 969 meters until you arrive at a stop sign and dead end.
      Turn right (north) at the stop sign onto Range Road 3063 (Cedar Villa Road) and continue to drive northely for 1.3 km. Turn right, and park west of the Canadian National Railway rail line.
      You have arrived at the west side of Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (parking area closest to the Saskatoon Italian Centre).

      Directions to P1 (another route)

      Drive on 22nd Street West in the City of Saskatoon in a westerly direction. Proceed west through the traffic light intersection at Kensington Boulevard to the Kensington neighbourhood suburban development area, and Betts Road to the Blairmore suburban development area Drive west 460 meters to the traffic light intersection of 22nd Street and Sk Highway 684 (Dalmeny highway). Turn left (south) onto Sk Highway 7.
      As you are driving south on SK Hwy 7, you will proceed 1.8 km to the intersection with 11th Street, the 11th Street compost, and the Poor Boys Esso. Driving another 366 meters south after the 11th street intersection you will pass the West Swale wetlands. Proceeding another 1.2 km after the wetlands, and you will be on top of the CNR overpass of the Sk Hwy 7 (Pike Lake Highway). As a passenger, you could look west (right) and see George Genereux Park forest nestled beside the overpass, and as a passenger, you can look east, and the forest seen from the overpass is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Park forest. From the top of the overpass, drive a further 491 meters where there is a place to turn left off of Sk Hwy 7 (Pike Lake Highway) onto Cedar Villa Road)
      Drive south for 3.8 km, then turn right off the divided Highway onto Cedar Villa Road.
      Follow Cedar Villa Road in a south-east direction for a total of 622 meters.
      This gravel road will take a sharp right turn in about 570 m from Sk Hwy 7. Drive 43 meters due south.
      Turn left and park west of the Canadian National Railway rail line.
      You have arrived at the west side of Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (Near the Saskatoon Italian Centre).

1. 1. Part SE 23-36-6 W3- SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A – GPS 52.1006373,-106.755882
      This is the most commonly used parking lot (labelled P2) located at the South West Off Leash Recreation Area.
      
      

      Directions to P2.

      
      Drive on Circle Drive towards the landfill – Civic Operations Centre – Bus Barns – Snowdump area of the City of Saskatoon.
      From the traffic lights at the Civic Operations Centre/Landfill access continue to drive west for 651 meters. Do not proceed on Valley Road with the left turn towards the Saskatoon Berry Barn.
      There are signs posted for Township Road 362-A and Cedar Villa Estates, and take the right turn, then a quick left to continue travelling westward.
      Continue west on Township road 362-A (Cedar Villa Road) for 1.3 km.
      Turn right into the gravel parking lot when you see the blue sign: South West Off Leash Recreation Area.
      You have arrived.
      
      

1. 1. Part SE 23-36-6 W3- South East Parking (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 241A Township Road 362-A – GPS 52.100826, -106.742013
      This parking lot is adjacent to Township Road 362A (Cedar Villa Road) and is bordering the Civic Operations Centre (Bus barns) by using the old snow dump road.
      
      

      Directions to P3.

      
      Drive on Circle Drive towards the landfill – Civic Operations Centre – Bus Barns – Snowdump area of the City of Saskatoon.
      From the traffic lights at the Civic Operations Centre/Landfill access continue to drive west for 651 meters. Do not proceed on Valley Road with the left turn towards the Saskatoon Berry Barn.
      There are signs posted for Township Road 362-A and Cedar Villa Estates, and take the right turn, then a quick left to continue travelling westward.
      Continue west on Township road 362-A (Cedar Villa Road) for 1.3 km.
      Turn right into the gravel parking lot when you find the first gravel road north of the Civic Operations Centre.
      You have arrived.
      
      

1. Part SE 23-36-6 W3- North East Parking near blue pipes(Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 241B Township Road 362-A – GPS 52.1019248, -106.7431767
   This parking lot is is bordering the Civic Operations Centre (Bus barns) by turning north on the old snow dump road.
   
   

   Directions to P4.

   
   Drive on Circle Drive towards the landfill – Civic Operations Centre – Bus Barns – Snowdump area of the City of Saskatoon.
   From the traffic lights at the Civic Operations Centre/Landfill access continue to drive west for 651 meters. Do not proceed on Valley Road with the left turn towards the Saskatoon Berry Barn.
   There are signs posted for Township Road 362-A and Cedar Villa Estates, and take the right turn, then a quick left to continue travelling westward.
   Continue west on Township road 362-A (Cedar Villa Road) for 1.3 km.
   Turn right into the gravel parking lot when you find the first gravel road north of the Civic Operations Centre.
   Drive another 300 meters (1/4 mile)
   
   You have arrived.

Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., Sa

“The fate of an individual or a nation will always be determined by the degree of his or its harmony with the forces and laws of Nature and the universe. Man is not alone in the universe but is surrounded by sources of power, harmony and knowledge. The fullness of life depends upon man’s harmony with the totality of the natural cosmic laws. Our individual evolution is a job that has to be carried on day by day by each individual himself. It is a livelong task.” ~Richard St. Barbe Baker

Blue Pipe Parking Lot  Afforestation Area directions:

 

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is

1378228.04 m² | 1.38 km² | 340.57 acres | 137.82 hectares | 14835123.19 feet² | 0.53 square miles | 0.40 square nautical miles

Perimeter

73,83.154 m (7.3 km) OR 24,222.947 feet (4.59 miles)

NOTE No motorized vehicles.  Any person who disposes or dumps waste at  the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or at the “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park is liable to a fine of $25,000 according to City of Saskatoon BYLAW NO. 8310.  

“When the trees go, the rain goes, the climate deteriorates, the water table sinks, the land erodes and desert conditions soon appear”.~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:

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

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

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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.

 

The Province of Saskatchewan Motto:

Multis e gentibus vires (From Many Peoples Strength)

Has any one of us ever really seen a Tree? When we become aware of trees we may each glimpse of them to moments of spiritual vision and, identifying ourselves with the trees, become conscious of the rising of the sap; the upward thrust of life, leaf burgeoning, their consciousness of the changing seasons; we may share their passionately boisterous exuberance of life in the height of the storm, and their tranquility when at rest; with them we will enjoy the glad murmur of the ripening seed clusters when after weeks of drought the steady warm rain brings relief to thirst; and we will know that these creatures, our elder brethern, are intimately related to us in their love and hunger for life. We may even catch their enthusiasm and aspire heavenwards while still rooted in our Mother Earth and in communion with our fellow man and, tree-wise, strive to make the Earth more fruitful again.~Richard St. Barbe Baker