Celebrating International Day of Charity: Nurturing People, Planet, and Partnership

International Day of Charity
5 September

Introduction: On this International Day of Charity, we come together to recognize the power of compassion and solidarity in building inclusive and resilient societies. Charity, alongside volunteerism and philanthropy, creates social bonds and fosters a sense of shared responsibility. It not only addresses the most pressing challenges faced by humanity but also promotes the values of equality and respect. Today, we celebrate the transformative impact of charity in the six critical areas of people, planet, prosperity, peace, partnership, and protection of cultural and natural heritage. Join us as we explore how charity can make a difference in creating a sustainable and equitable world.

Nurturing People: Charity plays a crucial role in promoting the well-being of individuals and communities. From health care to education, it supplements public services and supports those in need who become more resilient with connections with nature. By advocating for inclusivity and breaking down systemic barriers, charity ensures that everyone has equal access to opportunities. Equity-deserving groups, including persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and low-income households, among others, can enjoy the benefits of naturalized green spaces. Forests, nature, wetlands, and trees not only provide physical and mental health benefits but also foster a sense of belonging and connection to the environment.

Taking Action for the Planet: Charity embraces the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to safeguard our planet. Through initiatives like the Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World program, we empower young individuals to take environmental action. With a focus on life on land, life underwater, climate action, sustainable cities, and health and wellness, we inspire the next generation to become environmental stewards. Additionally, we advocate for the protection of habitats and species at risk, such as the endangered Red-Berried Elder and the imperiled Green Ash and American Elm. By nurturing our natural ecosystems, we ensure a sustainable future for all.

Fostering Partnership: Charity thrives on partnerships and collaboration. By working together, we can create meaningful change and address complex challenges. The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, a non-profit charity, exemplifies the power of partnership in preserving cultural and natural heritage. Inspired by visionaries like Richard St. Barbe Baker, B.T. Chappell, Bruce Gordon, and George Genereux, their initiatives, such as the Green Survival Program and the man-made forest on the prairies afforestation campaign, have left an indelible mark on Saskatoon’s landscape. Through these partnerships, we can protect our shared natural resources and ensure their accessibility for generations to come.

Promoting Peace and Resilience: Charity not only mitigates the effects of humanitarian crises but also promotes peace and resilience. By advocating for the rights of marginalized and underprivileged communities, charity becomes a powerful tool in conflict situations. It fosters dialogue, understanding, and empathy, leading to more peaceful coexistence. By addressing the needs of vulnerable groups, including refugees, newcomers, and victims of violence, we create inclusive societies where everyone can thrive.

Conclusion: As we celebrate International Day of Charity, let us remember the significance of compassion and generosity. Through charity, we can build inclusive and resilient societies that protect our planet and nurture our people. By focusing on the six critical areas of people, planet, prosperity, peace, partnership, and protection of cultural and natural heritage, we can create a more sustainable and equitable world. Let us embrace charity as a driving force for positive change and work together towards a brighter future for all.

To express your interest or inquire further as supporter, volunteer or board member, please reach out to us at email: friendsafforestation@gmail.com. We meet virtually once a month, and host in person events at George Genereux Urban Regional park and Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

For directions as to how to drive to β€œGeorge 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. 52Β° 06β€² 106Β° 45β€²
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 Β½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 β€œGeorge 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
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
β€œBe like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”
Richard St. Barbe Baker

The Call of Earth’s Guardians

Oh, seekers of the green, gather near,
Listen closely to the call you hear.
Amidst the twin crisis, we take a stand,
Join us as guardians, hand in hand.

Climate change and biodiversity’s plight,
Call us forth to champion what’s right.
United Nations’ goals guide our way,
Life on Land, Life underwater, each day.

As a board member, duties you’ll embrace,
Guiding our nonprofit with love and grace.
Plan events that stir hearts and minds,
Grant writer, weaving dreams that bind.

Tours and fair booths, where connections are made,
Serve as a beacon, lighting up the glade.
Board of directors, a foundation strong,
Fundraising events, weaving a hopeful song.

Education and awareness, we’ll embark,
On a journey to unveil nature’s arc.
Richard St. Barbe Baker, George Genereux’s grace,
No longer secrets, but Saskatoon’s Hidden Gems embrace.

Inclusivity and equality, our guiding light,
Breaking barriers, ensuring all take flight.
Disabilities, indigenous kin, and the races,
LGBTQI2S+ communities, in all their graces.

Immigrants, refugees, newcomers seeking peace,
Low-income households, their worries cease.
Youth and seniors, united hand in hand,
Mental illness warriors, a compassionate band.

Victims of violence, healing hearts with care,
Low literacy struggles, knowledge we’ll share.
Forests, wetlands, trees, their healing embrace,
Physical and mental wellness they efface.

Let 192 hectares, a haven be found,
Welcoming greenspaces, equity shall abound.
Though summer keeps us apart, a vibrant dream,
Our Annual General Meeting, in September’s gleam.

Advocate for species at risk, their plea,
Red-Berried Elder, Green Ash, heritage’s decree.
American Elm, a poignant sight,
Turkey Vulture soars, its wings in flight.

Northern Small Yellow Lady’s Slipper, vulnerable it stands,
Western Yellowjacket, its fate in our hands.
Goldenrod Gall Fly, Woodland Skipper’s plight,
Silver-spotted Skipper, let its wings take flight.

American White Pelican, Canada Warbler’s song,
Semipalmated Sandpiper, where they belong.
Pine Grosbeak, a vibrant vision rare,
Barred Tiger Salamander, let’s show we care.

Horned Grebe, Bank Swallow, their stories unfold,
Baird’s Sparrow, Grasshopper’s story untold.
Western Grebe, Bobolink, a fragile dance,
Red-necked Phalarope, Lesser Yellowlegs’ chance.

And nearby, the majestic Whooping Crane,
Endangered, yet its spirit remains.
Join us, Earth’s guardians, as one,
Together, we’ll ensure a brighter sun.

Take action now, heed Earth’s plea,
Answer the call, let your spirit be free.
Join our board, become a volunteer anew,
Together, we’ll protect, preserve, and renew.

Answer the Call: Become a Guardian Today!

To express your interest or inquire further, please reach out to us at email: friendsafforestation@gmail.com.

For directions as to how to drive to β€œGeorge 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. 52Β° 06β€² 106Β° 45β€²
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 Β½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 β€œGeorge 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
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
β€œBe like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”
Richard St. Barbe Baker

Be a Catalyst for Change!

🌿 Join the Board and Unleash Your Impact! 🌳

Are you a passionate advocate for the environment? Do you envision yourself making a tangible difference in your community? Do you wish to advocate for inclusivity in naturalized green spaces? Look no further! We extend a heartfelt invitation for you to become a board member of our non-profit environmental charity. Together, we are dedicated to protecting and promoting Saskatoon’s best-kept secretsβ€”Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Parkβ€”and transforming them into true hidden gems.

As a board member, you’ll embark on an exhilarating journey filled with purpose and fulfillment. Your role will encompass a variety of exciting responsibilities and opportunities to contribute to the thriving growth of these green spaces. Let’s dive into the incredible world that awaits you:

🌍 Embrace Your Duties:

✨ Attend board meetings and actively shape the decision-making processes that shape the future of our hidden gems.

🌍Potentials which need your direction:

✨ Plan and orchestrate captivating events, including educational tours and vibrant fair booths, to showcase the rich geology, captivating history, and cherished heritage of our afforestation areas.

✨ Be a resolute advocate for inclusivity and equality, empowering us to shatter systemic barriers that hinder equitable enjoyment of these naturalized green spaces.

✨ Develop your grant writing prowess, securing vital funding that sustains our initiatives and ensures the conservation efforts for these precious spaces remain robust.

✨ Play a vital role in organizing and participating in exhilarating fundraising events and campaigns, safeguarding the long-term sustainability of our organization.

✨ Contribute your creativity to developing educational and awareness materials, enlightening the community about the profound physical and mental health benefits found within the embrace of forests, nature, wetlands, and trees.

✨ Unearth captivating stories about the enchanting Old Bone Trail and inspire all, regardless of background or circumstance, to revel in its wonders.

πŸ’š Reap the Benefits of Volunteering:

✨ Immerse yourself in a passionate team committed to making an authentic and transformative impact within our community.

✨ Unlock the power of leadership and organizational skills that will amplify your professional growth and open doors to new horizons.

✨ Expand your network, forging connections with kindred spirits, esteemed environmental experts, and influential community leaders.

✨ Delve deep into the realms of environmental conservation, habitat preservation, and sustainable practices, becoming an agent of positive change.

✨ Carve an indelible mark upon the lives of equity-deserving groups and future generations, leaving a legacy of compassion, inclusion, and environmental stewardship.

Join us now and become a guardian of the species at risk dwelling within our afforestation areasβ€”the enchanting Red-Berried Elder, the imperiled Green Ash, the critically endangered American Elm, the majestic Turkey Vulture, the vulnerable Northern Small Yellow Lady’s Slipper, the imperiled Western Yellowjacket, the endangered Goldenrod Gall Fly, the imperiled Woodland Skipper, the vulnerable Silver-spotted Skipper, the awe-inspiring American White Pelican, the secure Canada Warbler, the near-threatened Semipalmated Sandpiper, the imperiled Pine Grosbeak, the endangered Barred Tiger Salamander, and many more.

We actively seek passionate individuals like you, who possess the dedication and resolve needed to protect these species and their habitats. Together, as esteemed board members, we will unearth the full potential of these hidden gems, transforming them into accessible and cherished green spaces for all.

Mark your calendars! Our Annual General Meeting, brimming with inspiration and opportunity, awaits you in September. It’s an ideal setting to connect with other fervent souls, kindling the spark of change within our hearts.

Are you ready to seize this remarkable opportunity? Volunteer today, become a board member, and breathe life into Saskatoon’s hidden gems. Your unwavering commitment and unwavering dedication will usher in an era of thriving, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable spaces. Contact us now to embark on this transformative journey and make an indelible impact on our community!

🌿 Together, let’s weave a greener tapestry, rich with inclusivity, equality, and natural wonder! 🌳

For directions as to how to drive to β€œGeorge 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. 52Β° 06β€² 106Β° 45β€²
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 Β½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 β€œGeorge 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
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
β€œBe like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”
Richard St. Barbe Baker