“Planet vs. Plastics: “Navigating Earth Week 2024 April 14-22, 2024 for a Sustainable Future”
In our era of the Anthropocene, where human influence rivals natural forces, Earth Week takes center stage with a crucial theme: Planet vs. Plastics. The impact of plastic on our environment, as highlighted by David Farrier, underscores the urgent need for collective action. The emergence of the noosphere or Anthropocene, a geological epoch shaped significantly by human activities, prompts us to reflect on our role in modifying the Earth’s elemental cycles.
Plastics, symbolic of this new age, serve as both a marker of humanity’s ascendancy and a potential threat to ecosystems ill-equipped to handle their presence. The undying quality of plastic, aptly termed the “quality of the undead” by Heather Davis, accentuates its ability to seal off and endure. As we face a plastic crisis predicted to rival climate change, our choices and actions during Earth Week become crucial.
A startling statistic reveals that millions plastic bottles are purchased globally every minute, contributing to an environmental crisis surpassing even climate change. Efforts to collect and recycle these bottles struggle to keep pace with their escalating use, resulting in a significant portion – over half of these- polluting our oceans. As responsible citizens, a simple act like dropping off recyclables for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, using Drop and Go number 106100594, or contacting them for pick up, can contribute , and double down on your efforts on environmental conservation and climate action.
Earth Week isn’t just about the amazing 5 R’s (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle); it’s an opportunity to become earth guardians and delve into citizen science to contribute to the City Nature Challenge 2024 in Saskatoon. We cannot protect what we don’t know! Join the vibrant, collective effort on iNaturalist and immerse yourself in nature’s wonders during the challenge’s two stages. Capture images of diverse life forms and identify discovered species, culminating in a shared experience of discovery and renewal on May 6, 2024.
While participating in the Saskatoon City Nature Challenge, go the extra mile—pick up any plastic or litter that doesn’t belong in nature. Let Earth Week 2024 be a celebration of harmony, conservation, and a commitment to building a sustainable future. It’s a Win-Win for the planet and us.
Participating in the City Nature Challenge on the free app iNaturalist is a tangible way to take action:
- April 26 – April 29, 2024: Capture images of diverse wildlife, documenting the richness of our surroundings. Snap pictures of wild plants, insects, birds, mushrooms and animals or signs of life which represent things that were once living or represent something that is living, like scat, owl pellets, animal and bird tracks, skeletons, snakeskins, bones,roadkill, feathers, and seashells.
- April 30 – May 5, 2024: Identify the discovered species, aiding in creating an inventory of biodiversity.
- What is it? a YouTube Video
Results unveiled on May 6, 2024, will foster a shared experience of discovery and renewal.
With thanks to our sponsors and supporters SaskPower, SaskTel, Saskatoon Nature Society, Wild About Saskatoon, Varsity View Community Association, 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.
Deep Ecology is rooted in a perception of reality that goes beyond the scientific framework to an intuitive awareness of the oneness of all life, the interdependence of its multiple manifestations and its cycles of change and transformation. When the concept of the human spirit is understood in this sense, its mode of consciousness in which the individual feels connected to the cosmos as a whole, it becomes clear that ecological awareness is truly spiritual. Indeed the idea of the individual being linked to the cosmos is expressed in the Latin root of the word religion, religare (to bind strongly), as well as the Sanskrit yoga, which means union.
Frijof Capra
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:
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
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
Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas
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
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 