insect – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

Empowerment Through Collaboration: Join the Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist CNCYXE Challenge!

Join the Citizen Science Movement: Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist Challenge 2023 and Make a Difference!”

Are you ready to embark on an exciting adventure that involves teamwork, networking, uniting, and learning about the wonders of nature? If so, then mark your calendars for the second phase of the Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist City Nature Challenge (CNC) YXE 2023 identification phase happening from May 2 to May 7, 2023. This is your chance to contribute to citizen science, connect with like-minded individuals, and make a meaningful impact on local biodiversity conservation efforts.

You might be wondering, “How can I make identifications on iNaturalist if I’m not an expert?” Well, fret not! iNaturalist has made it easy for anyone, regardless of their expertise level, to participate and contribute to this unique and exciting challenge. When you come across a plant, animal, or any other organism in nature, simply take a photo of it using the iNaturalist app, and upload it to the platform. From there, you can try to identify what you saw using the “What did you see?” feature, which provides a list of suggestions based on appearance and what is typically found in your location.

Even if you’re not entirely sure of the exact species or are new to species identification, you can narrow down your observation to a category from the appropriate biological kingdom, such as “insect” or “bird”. Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned naturalist or biologist, as other users in the iNaturalist community will be able to view your observation and make suggestions. With two or more positive identifications, your observation will become “research grade,” which means it will be more respected and valued by the citizen science community.

What’s more, the Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist City Nature Challenge is not just about individual observations, but also about teamwork and collaboration. As you participate in the identification phase, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts, learn from experts, and build a sense of community around your shared passion for nature. The challenge creates a collaborative environment where participants can support and learn from each other, share knowledge, and collectively work towards identifying as many species as possible during the challenge period.

By taking part in the Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist City Nature Challenge CNC YXE 2023 identification phase, you are contributing to the understanding of local biodiversity and conservation efforts in your area. Your observations and identifications can help researchers and scientists better understand the distribution and abundance of different species, monitor changes in local ecosystems, and inform conservation strategies.

So, are you ready to be a part of this citizen science movement, unlock the power of teamwork, and make a positive impact on the environment? Join the Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist City Nature Challenge from May 2 to May 7, 2023, and let’s come together to celebrate the wonders of nature, connect with our community, and contribute to scientific research. Your participation matters, and every observation and identification counts. Let’s make a difference together! Happy identifying!

YouTube Video on identifying

YouTube Video How to Use the iNaturalist identify page

Email if you would like to collaborate for a zoom meeting.

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
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
“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

Unlocking the Power of iNaturalist: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Identifications and Joining the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge

Welcome to the exciting world of iNaturalist! Are you ready to unlock the power of citizen science and join the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge? In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make identifications on iNaturalist and contribute to this thrilling event happening from May 2 to May 7, 2023. Together, we can make a difference by uniting as a team, networking with fellow nature enthusiasts, and learning about the biodiversity in our city and surrounding areas.

Making identifications on iNaturalist may seem daunting at first, but fear not! We’ll walk you through the process and provide you with some tips and tricks to get started. Whether you’re a seasoned iNat user or a beginner, we hope this article will inspire and motivate you to contribute to the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge.

SmartPhone nature Photo using the free iNaturalist app — CNCYXE2023

Tip 1: Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes As Lynn Harper, an experienced iNat user, wisely said, “You might make a mistake, but so what? I make mistakes, all humans make mistakes, and perfect beings aren’t allowed to join this project anyway.” So, don’t be afraid to make identifications and contribute to the iNaturalist community. You’re not going to break iNaturalist, and even experts sometimes struggle with identifications. Embrace the learning process and have fun!

Tip 2: Ask for Help If you’re unsure about an observation or need assistance with identification, don’t hesitate to ask for help. iNaturalist is a supportive community, and there are many experienced users who are willing to lend a hand. You can leave a comment on journal posts, send a private message to fellow users, or mention them in a comment on an observation by adding the “@” symbol followed by their iNat username. Don’t be shy – networking and collaborating with others is part of the beauty of iNaturalist!

Tip 3: Filter, Filter, Filter With millions of observations on iNaturalist, filtering is your best friend. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of observations, use filters to narrow down your focus. You can filter by species, location, date, and many other criteria to find observations that match your expertise and interests. This will help you make more accurate identifications and make progress on your identifications.

Step-by-Step Process Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making identifications on iNaturalist.

Choose Your Tab: iNaturalist has two main tabs for making identifications – the Explore tab and the Identify tab. You can try both and see which one you prefer. They are similar in many ways, so choose the one that works best for you.
Apply Filters: Start by going to the iNaturalist Explore page (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations) and click on the gray “Filter” button on the upper right. Here, you can specify your filters, such as observations that need identifications, observations from a particular location, or observations of a particular taxonomic group. Experiment with different filters to find the observations that interest you the most.
Review Observations: Once you’ve applied your filters, you’ll see a list of observations that match your criteria. You can choose to view them in different formats, such as a map, a list, or a grid. Lynn Harper recommends using the grid view, as it provides thumbnails of the photos that are large enough to see most of the details.

Step 4: Use Field Guides and Online Resources

If you’re not familiar with the species you’re trying to identify, don’t worry! iNaturalist has a built-in field guide feature that can help you narrow down your options. Simply click on the “Suggestions” tab on the observation page, and you’ll see a list of possible species based on the photo and location. You can also browse through the field guides specific to your region or taxonomic group to find more information and images for comparison.

In addition to iNaturalist’s field guides, you can also use external resources to help with your identification. Online plant databases, field guides, and botanical keys can be valuable tools in narrowing down your options. Make use of reputable sources and cross-reference information to confirm your identification. There are some online resources here.

Step 5: Make an Informed Guess

Based on the information you’ve gathered from the observation page, field guides, and other resources, make an informed guess on the identification. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Identifying species can be challenging, and even experts can sometimes make errors. The important thing is to do your best and contribute to the collective knowledge on iNaturalist.

Step 6: Leave a Comment and Move On

After making your identification, leave a comment on the observation page explaining your reasoning and how confident you are in your identification. Be polite and respectful in your comments, and avoid being overly critical or dismissive. Remember that iNaturalist is a community-driven platform aimed at learning and sharing knowledge, and constructive feedback is always appreciated.

If you’re unsure about your identification or want a second opinion, you can mention other iNat users in your comment or send them a private message. Collaboration and teamwork are key aspects of iNaturalist, and the community is generally supportive and willing to help.

Once you’ve made your identification and left a comment, move on to the next observation. Keep repeating the process, and you’ll soon find yourself getting more comfortable with making identifications on iNaturalist and using frequently used reponses.

Step 7: Be Mindful of Unknown Observations

As you browse through observations, you may come across observations that are still marked as “unknown.” These are observations that haven’t been identified to any taxonomic level yet. If you have the expertise and knowledge to identify these observations, take the opportunity to contribute and help fellow iNat users in their quest for knowledge.

When identifying unknown observations, be cautious and thorough in your research. Avoid making hasty guesses or assumptions, and provide a clear explanation for your identification. Remember that your identification can have an impact on the accuracy of the overall iNaturalist database, so strive for accuracy and precision. If not sure, don’t add a species level identification, but rather a higher up identification on the taxon tree, or leave it as just the first word in the species id, which would be the genus level.

Step 8: Keep Learning and Sharing Knowledge

iNaturalist is not just a platform for identifying species, but also a valuable resource for learning and sharing knowledge about nature. Take advantage of the community’s expertise and learn from other iNat users. Join discussions, read informative posts, and participate in webinars and workshops to expand your knowledge and improve your identification skills.

In addition to learning, don’t hesitate to share your own knowledge and expertise with others. Post your own observations, write informative descriptions, and provide accurate identifications to contribute to the iNaturalist community.

Getting Stared iNaturalist

How to use the iNaturalist identify page YouTube

What is an identification?

Conclusion

Identifying species on iNaturalist can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience that contributes to our understanding of the natural world. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, ask for help, and keep learning. Participating in events like the Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist City Nature Challenge CNC YXE 2023 identification phase can be a great opportunity to hone your skills and contribute to the scientific community. Remember to always follow best practices for identification, such as providing detailed observations, using field guides and reputable resources, making informed guesses, leaving polite comments, and being mindful of unknown observations.

By actively engaging in the identification process on iNaturalist, you not only improve your own knowledge and skills, but you also help build a robust and accurate database of biodiversity observations that can be used for research and conservation purposes. Your contributions can help scientists, researchers, and conservationists better understand and protect our natural world.

So, during the City Nature Challenge, you did indeed grab your smartphone, and head outdoors, and made observations on iNaturalist. With practice and perseverance, you’ll become a confident identifier and an integral part of the iNaturalist community. Let’s work together to unlock the mysteries of nature, one observation at a time!

Happy observing and identifying on iNaturalist! Thank you kindly!

Thanking Observers and Encouraging Identifications for Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2023

Dear Nature Enthusiasts,

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the observers who came out for the City Nature Challenge in Saskatoon and Area, which took place from April 28 to May 1, 2023. It has been an incredible experience to witness the enthusiasm and dedication of our community in exploring and documenting the biodiversity in our region. The results have been outstanding, with thousands of observations made and numerous species identified.

Taxonomic Ranks, and Binomial Name Genus and Species

Taxonomic Chart Blank — Taxonomic Ranks, and Binomial Name Genus and Species

But the excitement is not over yet! The next phase of the City Nature Challenge is the identification stage, which will take place from May 2 to May 7, 2023. During this time, we encourage everyone, regardless of their expertise level, to get involved and help with the identification process. You don’t need to be a botanist, biologist, or entomologist to contribute. In fact, citizen scientists like you, who are members of the general public, play a crucial role in helping identify the observations made during the challenge.

If you’re unsure about how to identify a species, don’t worry! We have a valuable resource at our fingertips: YouTube with an identification hints and tips webinar! Simply sign into iNaturalist on your home computer, and take a look at the observations from Saskatoon and Area. You can help by changing the “unknowns” to plants, animals, or other appropriate categories. For example, if you see an unknown observation that could be a bird, or you hear a song that sounds like a bird, you can help by typing in “bird,” “crow,” or “pigeon.” These higher levels of identification are immensely valuable in building a comprehensive database of biodiversity in our area, and invite iNaturalist specialists over.

Additionally, iNaturalist offers suggestions through its image recognition technology, and you can compare these suggestions to the observation to help with identification. Your input and contributions to the identification process are invaluable in helping us gain a deeper understanding of the species that call our region home.

The City Nature Challenge is not just a competition, but also an opportunity to engage the public in the collection of biodiversity data and raise awareness about the importance of conserving our natural environment. By participating in this challenge, you are contributing to the global effort to protect and restore land habitats, combat biodiversity loss, and conserve life on land, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15.

We are grateful for your participation and passion for nature, and we invite everyone to join us in the identification phase of the Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2023 from May 2 to May 7, 2023. You can do it! Let’s continue to work together to showcase the incredible biodiversity of our region and place Saskatoon and Area on the world stage for the City Nature Challenge!

Thank you for your dedication to preserving our natural heritage.

Thank You Observers! Join the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge for Biodiversity Conservation

Dear Nature Enthusiasts,

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the observers who came out on April 28, April 29, and April 30 for the City Nature Challenge in Saskatoon and Area. Wow! Your participation in this global community science competition to document urban biodiversity has been truly inspiring! Today, May 1, is the last day to celebrate nature classification for the City Nature Challenge.

The City Nature Challenge is an annual event that engages residents and visitors in finding and documenting plants, animals, and other organisms living in urban areas. The goals are to collect biodiversity data and raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation. This year, Saskatoon and Area are competing for the title of the most biodiverse city, and we’re excited to see the numbers rise higher and higher!

Ranked S2 by SCDC Woodland Skipper Ochlodes sylvanoides — City Nature Challenge CNCYXE

We’re especially grateful for the participation of Youth group leaders, teachers and their groups and classes respectfully, who have been competing against each other in a friendly challenge. Engaging youth in community science and nature exploration is a fantastic way to foster curiosity, promote environmental awareness, and inspire the next generation of conservationists.

The City Nature Challenge relies on the use of the iNaturalist app and website to document observations. Even if you don’t know how to identify the species you’re observing, help is available through iNaturalist’s automated species identification feature and the community of users, including professional scientists and expert naturalists. It’s easy to participate – simply download the iNaturalist app, take a photograph of nature in your local area, whether it’s a tree, plant, insect, or animal, and upload it to the app. You can log back in later to learn more about what you’ve spotted as teams of experts review and update the information.

By participating in the City Nature Challenge, you are contributing to global efforts to conserve biodiversity and protect our natural world. Biodiversity is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems, providing food, medicine, and other resources, and supporting cultural and recreational activities. Unfortunately, biodiversity loss is a pressing issue, with many species threatened with extinction, including insects, which are suffering from the sixth global extinction event. This has consequences for our birds and other wildlife, and addressing biodiversity loss is a critical part of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 to conserve life on land.

Documenting biodiversity on iNaturalist can help us track trends in increases and declines in wildlife populations, which can inform conservation efforts and help us better understand the state of our local ecosystems. It’s a meaningful way to contribute to scientific research and make a difference in protecting our natural heritage for future generations.

As we reach the final day of the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge on May 1, we invite everyone to join us in this exciting competition. Whether you’re participating by yourself, with your family, or as part of a group, every observation counts! Let’s work together to raise the number of observations, species, and engagement in our city, and put Saskatoon and Area on the world stage for the City Nature Challenge 2023. Who will be the one who adds the last ever observation for the City Nature Challenge Saskatoon and area, today May 1 before the midnight bell tolls?

To learn more about the City Nature Challenge in Saskatoon and Area, please visit FriendsAreas.ca. Thank you for your participation and support in conserving our urban biodiversity!

Planned events

Counting Down to City Nature Challenge: Who Will Be the First and Last Observers in Saskatoon and Area?

Excitement is building in Saskatoon and Area as the much-anticipated iNaturalist City Nature Challenge (CNC) YXE 2023 draws near! With just three days left until the challenge begins on April 28, nature enthusiasts are gearing up to be the first observer in Saskatoon and Area to kick off this thrilling event.

The CNC slogan, ‘City Nature Challenge,’ CNCYXE2023

As the clock ticks towards midnight on April 28, the anticipation grows to see who will make the very first observation of the City Nature Challenge in Saskatoon and Area. Will it be a rare bird, a blooming wildflower, or a curious mammal? Nature enthusiasts are eagerly preparing to head out into the local parks, trails, and natural areas to document the diverse wildlife that calls Saskatoon and Area home.

But the excitement doesn’t end with the first observation. As the City Nature Challenge progresses over the four-day period from April 28 to May 1, participants will be on the lookout for all types of flora and fauna, signs of life, capturing their observations and sound recordings through the iNaturalist app. It’s a friendly competition with a global impact, as cities all around the world participate in this citizen science initiative to document biodiversity in urban areas.

And as the challenge draws to a close on May 1 at 11:59 pm, the question remains: who will make the final observation in Saskatoon and Area? Will it be a a bird song recorded amid an evening with a stunning sunset, a majestic tree, or a unique insect? The race is on to see who will capture the last observation of biodiversity or signs of life, bringing the City Nature Challenge to a thrilling conclusion.

In addition to the individual observations, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas have planned events during the City Nature Challenge period and invite other schools, classes, business and groups to create their own events. These events offer opportunities for participants to come together, learn from experts, and explore the local nature areas in a fun and educational way. It’s a chance to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts, learn about the importance of biodiversity and afforestation, and contribute to the global effort of documenting urban nature.

Robert White, a renowned environmentalist, emphasizes the significance of afforestation as a nature-based solution to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. As he says, “Afforestation is now recognized internationally as an important nature-based solution to tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.” The City Nature Challenge provides a unique opportunity for citizens of Saskatoon and Area to contribute to this important cause by documenting the rich biodiversity in their local natural areas.

So, mark your calendars and get ready to join the excitement of the Saskatoon and Area iNaturalist City Nature Challenge happening from April 28 to May 1, 2023. Who will be the first observer at the stroke of midnight on April 28? Who will capture the final observation at 11:59 pm on May 1? Will it be you? Don’t miss this chance to be part of a global citizen science initiative and celebrate the biodiversity of Saskatoon and Area. Get out, explore, and make your observations count! For more information, visit FriendsAreas.ca or Eventbrite and be part of the City Nature Challenge!

Planned events

Thank You Observers! Join the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge for Biodiversity Conservation

Dear Nature Enthusiasts,

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the observers who came out on April 28, April 29, and April 30 for the City Nature Challenge in Saskatoon and Area. Your participation in this global community science competition to document urban biodiversity has been truly inspiring!

We’re especially grateful for the participation of teachers and their classes, who have been competing against each other in a friendly challenge. Engaging students in community science and nature exploration is a fantastic way to foster curiosity, promote environmental awareness, and inspire the next generation of conservationists.

The City Nature Challenge relies on the use of the iNaturalist app and website to document observations. Even if you don’t know how to identify the species you’re observing, help is available through iNaturalist’s automated species identification feature and the community of users, including professional scientists and expert naturalists. It’s easy to participate – simply download the iNaturalist app, take a sound recording or a photograph of nature in your local area, whether it’s a tree, plant, insect, signs of life or animal, and upload it to the app. You can log back in later to learn more about what you’ve spotted as teams of experts review and update the information.

To learn more about the City Nature Challenge in Saskatoon and Area, please visit FriendsAreas.ca. Thank you for your participation and support in conserving our urban biodiversity!

Planned events

What will you find above you in the sky, below you in a sidewalk crack, beside you in the fence picket, on the other side in the bark of the tree? What is crawling in the grass? What is flying overhead? What little insect creatures swim in the wetlands? Do you have eyes to see, and ears to hear? Are you connected with the land?

Breaking News! City Nature Challenge 2023 April 28 to May 1

Breaking News! City Nature Challenge 2023 is just around the corner, and Friends Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc encourages you to join in the fun! From April 28 to May 1, you can participate in a worldwide competition to collect the most plant and wildlife observations in your city. The CNC YXE 2023 is a fantastic opportunity for you to explore nature, take pictures, and share your findings with the world.

City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challenge — City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area

Spring is back, and it’s the happiest time of the year when everything comes back to life. The City Nature Challenge provides a perfect opportunity for you to connect with nature, explore the outdoors, and discover new species. You don’t need any special skills or equipment to participate – just your smartphone and the iNaturalist app.

To take part in the challenge, all you need to do is find any plant, animal, or any evidence of life in your city, take a picture, and share your observations through the iNaturalist app. It’s that easy! Your participation will help scientists understand more about the biodiversity of your city and how to coexist with nature.

The City Nature Challenge is an international citizen science initiative that highlights the value of citizen science data in answering questions in urban ecology. By participating in the CNC YXE 2023, you’ll be joining a worldwide community of nature lovers and making a significant contribution to scientific research. The data you collect will be used to understand how urban biodiversity responds to urban intensification and how cities can be made more sustainable.

Cities around the world have already hosted a variety of Public Engagement with Biological Recording PEBR events as part of the City Nature Challenge, including BioBlitzes, mini-BioBlitzes, species surveys, guided nature walks, ID parties, and various derivations of these. These events all have the common aims of collecting biodiversity data while connecting the public with nature. By taking part in the CNC YXE 2023, you’ll be contributing to this global effort to understand and protect our natural world.

In conclusion, Friends Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc invites you to join the City Nature Challenge 2023 and be part of a worldwide community of nature lovers. Find it, snap it, share it, and see what you’ll discover! To learn more about the CNC YXE 2023 and other events, visit FriendsAreas.ca. CNCYXE FAQ

A focus on insects this spring

City Nature Challenge ID Party – Insects! Help for insect IDs/questions Tue, May 3, 2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST

What is it? Help to convert the unknown observations! With an insect specialist – entomologist – to answer questions

About this event

Help discover the answer to “what is it?”

About this event

Get together virtually – in attendance will be an insect specialist by the name of Sydney Worthy Entomologist from the City of Saskatoon City of Saskatoon to help with I.D.s on insects which is fantastic!

Join together to make identifications on iNaturalist for the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge.

EVERYONE is welcome to join, you absolutely DO NOT need to be an expert to help with IDs! And it is a great time to learn more about insects, and our insects in Saskatoon and get any insect questions answered as well.

We’ll start off with an introduction on how to identify and will go through some observations together, so join in if you’d like to learn more about how to help with IDs! After that, folks can jump off if they’d like to work on IDs on their own, but we’ll stick around if people would like to share some of the observations they’re coming across or just want to chat more about the City Nature Challenge or insects in general.

We would concentrate on the observations that “require ID” depending on how many people are online.

People can identify something, or ask some questions on various id’s.

Ask for others to confirm an id so that it can be listed as a “Research Grade”

also to help correct false ID’s.

Need assistance identifying your observations or eager to learn how to identify?

Pre-requisites: You will need a computer, laptop, tablet signed into your user name on iNaturalist to take part! or…If you want just to help by watching the zoom screen with your shout outs and questions that is fine also!

It may be easier if you have done some iNaturalist observations on your smartphone ahead of time, but as an someone with questions about insects, as an iNaturalist observer, a beginner, or an experienced specialist scientist all are welcome!

iNaturalist Connect with nature for the City Nature Challenge Saskatoon and Area Défi nature urbaine hosted by the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.

City Nature Challenge Insect Hints and Tips Tues, April 26, 2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST

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!

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

“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

iNaturalist Citizen Science New Species Discovery.

The Journal of Orthoptera Research published an article recently: Discovering insect species based on photographs only: The case of a nameless species of the genus Scaria (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) submitted by University of Croatia students and their professor including Niko Kasalo, Maks Deranja, Karmela Adžić, Roberto Sindaco, Josip Skejo. They were looking at iNaturalist photos, and discovered a very beautiful observation of a pygmy grasshopper (family Tetrigidae) posted near Yambrasbamba a district of Bongará Province in Peru. Where the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) does allow naming from photographs should there be sufficient reason to persude this course, in this case, the pygmy grasshopper remains as “Nameless Scaria” because it is a symbol of all those species worldwide that have not been named and discovered, and perhaps have gone extinct without even being known. By publishing this article on this new species not only delved into the problem and the usual modus operandi, but also enabled inspiration into further research. In the same area, a search was made for the genus Scaria, and three new species were found, albeit not another matching “Nameless Scaria.”

The find went viral in the scientific community. Robert Sindaco, a naturalist has interests in biogeography, and sytematics of the Palearctic reptiles and lizards of Eastern Africa has published scientific papers as a specialist scientist. It was Sindaco or @sindic who uploaded this Peruvian observation to iNaturalist.

From iNaturalist came a great discussion, and interest in the genus Scaria, and attention for the students and their professor out of the University of Croatia.

The City Nature Challenge happens April 29 to May 2 in Saskatoon. What will you discover? Download the free iNaturalist app, find a wild organism of nature, find it, snap it, share it. It is easy to take part.

There are a couple of entomology or insect discussions coming up virtually

City Nature Challenge Insect Hints and Tips Tue April 26, 2022 at 7:00 PM CST

City Nature Challenge ID Party – Insects! Help for insect IDs/questions Tue, May 3, 2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST

"Nameless Scaria" Observer Roberto Sindaco Curator. Family Tetrigidae Pygmy Grasshopper. Citizen Science discovery and naming in Journal of Orthoptera Research — “Nameless Scaria” Observer Roberto Sindaco iNaturalist Curator. Family Tetrigidae Pygmy Grasshopper. Citizen Science discovery and naming in Journal of Orthoptera Research

My dear young fellow,’ the Old-Green-Grasshopper said gently, ‘there are a whole lot of things in this world of ours you haven’t started wondering about yet.
Roald Dahl

YouTube

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

“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

SaskPower_PoweringOurFuture_Colour_Orange and Gray_CMYK — SaskEnergy sponsor and supporter

What in the world is a bio-blitz?

A Bio-Blitz is time spent looking for life (bio) in the form of mushrooms, plants, animals, and insects. Another word for Bio-Blitz is Eco-Quest. Here the word Eco-Quest refers to an investigation or a quest to explore what is living in the habitat or environment, or what makes up the eco-system of the area.

Bio-Blitzes or Eco-Quests are ways to connect with nature, become more observant of the surroundings, and discover the world of the afforestation areas.

There is a deep interconnectedness of all life on earth, from the tiniest organisms, to the largest ecosystems, and absolutely between each person.
Bryant McGill

Enviromental sustainability is key in naturing a healthy ecosystem that is mutually beneficial to a healthier quality of life today and in the future.
Wayne Chirisa

Angulate And Round Shouldered Spider Genus Araneus — Plants, animals, insects and mushrooms – life – an eco-system

Snow animal track — Plants, animals, insects and mushrooms – life – an eco-system

Download iNaturalist on your smart phone, sign in with you own user name and password and if you meet up in the afforestation areas Sundays at Two, we will show you how to use iNaturalist in nature to create a database of living organisms who share the park space.

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

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

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