Giving Tuesday on December 1, is a day dedicated to giving. To celebrate, Canada Helps is offering up a chance to WIN $5,000 for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. Just imagine the difference $5,000 can make! $5,000 could help provide environmental protection in the form of park identification signs and also install motorized vehicle barriers so that people cannot come in and dump trash willy nilly. The afforestation areas are amazing places to decompress and partake in wonderful social distancing while getting out in nature. Environmental protections also care for species at risk, trails and the semi-wilderness corridor and so much more.
To enter, simply tell Canada Helps that you would like to nominate the charity, Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., to win the $5,000 prize. Contest closes on November 30th. Hurry and enter today!
Though trash cleanups are wonderful and amazing, and it is great to see the forest restored year after year, it would be so nice not to cleanup after buniuks who dump trash in an urban regional park with park protections installed!. Parks are amazing places to get out to enjoy nature during this pandemic, and they are also great places to connect with the semi-wilderness area and provincial birding hot spot. This year’s clean up statistics amounted to 15.34 tonnes removed. That is a lot. Can you help protect this greenspace, the trails, the wildlife please? Please share this email with your friends and family!
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
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 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! Canada Helps
“The future of the planet concerns all of us, and all of us should do what we can to protect it. ” Wangari Maathai.
“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 nations 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.
Trembling Aspen grove Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CA
What is the value of trees? Do trees have an economic value to the city of Saskatoon?
“A large, healthy tree can be valued as high as $16,000, a city report says. The same report estimates Saskatoon’s elm trees, on both private and public property, are worth at least $500 million. “(Tank, 2017)
In 1972, Saskatoon’s park and recreation board has “ventured into a massive project of planting 200,000 trees for local parks on 600 acres of land south of Diefenbaker Park and south of the CNR station.”(Cronkite, 1972)
What would 200,000 trees x $16,000 calculate to? Three billion two hundred million dollars ($3,200,000,000) is the net worth of the mature trees on the afforestation areas. This figure does not include the new tree growth or native growth such as Trembling Aspen and shrubbery which are also coming along in the afforestation areas.
James Wood, president of the SOS (Save our Saskatchewan) Elms Coalition Inc. says that, “Trees are very important to Saskatoon people historically.” (Tank, 2018)
Saskatoon was a pioneer leading the way in afforestation in 1972. “Afforestation and reforestation projects help mitigate climate change, increase the resilience of local communities, produce numerous sustainable development co benefits, and capitalize on the synergies among the Rio Conventions, helping also to combat desertification and preserve biodiversity” Christiana Figueres UNFCCC (2013)
If the value of a mature tree 50 years old is taken at $193,250, then what are the afforestation areas consisting of 200,000 mature trees planted in 1972 worth to the City of Saskatoon? The trees in the afforestation area are 44 years old, so in the year 2022, 200,000 * $193,250 works out to a figure of thirty eight billion six hundred fifty three million ($38,653,000,000) or roughly thirty nine billion dollars. The value is actually much, much more than this if the entirety of the afforestation area of 2018 is factored in including trees not afforested in 1972 such as the trees already existing on the property, new sapling growth, the mature Trembling Aspen groves, buffaloberry and snowberry bushes which have accumulated in the afforestation area.
Of concern to all! A tree is worth $193,250
According to Professor T.M.Das of the University of Calcutta. A tree living for 50 years will generate $31,250 worth of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control, control soil erosion and increase soil fertility to the tune of $31,250, recycle $37,500 worth of water and provide a home for animals worth $31,250. This figure does not include the value of fruits, lumber or beauty derived from trees. Just another sensible reason to take care of our forests. (Update forestry)
On average, each Elm Tree provides the City of Saskatoon, overall benefits of: $257 every year.
One Elm tree will reduce atmospheric carbon by 1,506 pounds (0.753 tons) at a “carbon price of $50/ton” How many mature trees are in the afforestation areas? Over 200,000. Perhaps each various species will remove about this many tons of carbon, the savings to the City of Saskatoon every year in carbon sequestration is seven million five hundred thirty thousand dollars $7,530,000.
The National Tree Calculator states that ” Most car owners of an “average” car (mid-sized sedan) drive 12,000 miles generating about 11,000 pounds of CO2 every year.” Saskatoon’s census metropolitan area population on the 2016 census was 295,095.
Fines are imposed in Saskatoon for” unauthorized excavations, removal, relocation, pruning or damage in part of whole of existing trees”, and this is covered under City Council Policy, #C09-011 entitled “Trees on Public Property” (1989) or the Parks Bylaw #7667. These bylaws have a formula for a city appraiser to calculate the value of trees as it is recognized that “trees on City property are “living” assets owned by the City of Saskatoon and maintained as a legacy for the citizens of Saskatoon. ”
The afforestation areas are not in municipal reserve placed before the city by former city councillor Pat Lorje April 25, 2016, and reviewed May 39, 2017. As the afforestation areas are not a part of the city’s urban reserves, nor do the afforestation areas belong to city’s park space inventory there is no funding available by any city department.
That although there is some monetary value to the afforestation areas, these facts remain;
Nothing is financed, nor planned for the general public in regards to an urban regional park as the afforestation areas are NOT in municipal reserve, and not in city park space.
Nothing is similarly in the long range planning in terms of curbing the illegal activity, and illegal trespass which have gone on for years, in the forms of fencing or gates to prevent access by motorized vehicle. The afforestation areas belong to land bank, and as such there is NO money that the city can allocate to the afforestation areas for any purpose whatsoever.
Nothing is in the planning stages for erecting signs so that the vacant looking lands are defined as city owned lands, as there is no money allocated for the afforestation areas.
The afforestation areas named as urban regional parks in 1979 by city council only and not by the parks department. The afforestation areas belong to land bank, they are NOT in municipal reserve, and not in city park space.
The afforestation areas were ‘preserved in perpetuity’ on paper by city council in 1972 and not in real life as has been evident by the several community volunteer clean ups removing huge amounts of trash and the ‘George Genereux” afforestation area which has received no clean up at all.
There have been grass fires in the afforestation areas over the years, and two massive grass fires at the nearby “Buck’s auto parts” requring fire protective services from both the City of Saskatoon and the RM of Corman Park 344. If a grass fire gets away and becomes a forest fire in the afforestation area, it would have devastating consquences for the neighbouring residents of Cedar Villa Estates, and for those train cars carrying flammable goods in the adjacent CN Chappell Yards Train station. There is NO funding to fill in the existing large fire hole built to burn wood pallets for campfire parties, or convert it to a fire pit of city or provincial standards. As you will see on reading this article, there is no funding for signs in regards to any fires in the afforestation areas.
The city and the MVA have the opportunity to follow up on Truth and Reconciliation for our first nations peoples of Saskatoon. “We respectfully acknowledge that the afforestation areas exist upon Treaty 6 territory and the traditional lands of First Nations and Métis people”. However, as the afforestation areas are not part of a municipal reserve, there is NO carry through to protect, conserve, or take care of take care of the riparian woodlands, wetlands, or grasslands of the afforestation areas in any planning at all.
April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 report. Society to prevent Dutch Elm Disease. “According 1999 tree inventory and value calculation at that time, AB has an estimated 750,000 mature elm trees. A total of 250,000 elms, valued at $700 million dollars”
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
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!
“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
“From the forest and wilderness come the tonics and bark which brace mankind…A town is saved, not more by the righteous men in it than by the woods and swamps that surround it…”
-Henry David Thoreau
“This generation may either be the last to exist in any semblance of a civilised world or that it will be the first to have the vision, the bearing and the greatness to say, ‘I will have nothing to do with this destruction of life, I will play no part in this devastation of the land, I am determined to live and work for peaceful construction for I am morally responsible for the world of today and the generations of tomorrow.'”
Richard St. Barbe Baker
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 Afforestation Area Logo used for the 2016 Community Clean Up. Saskatoon, CA
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Logo used for the 2016 Community Clean Up. Saskatoon, CA
A couple of proposed symbols for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area – One a stylized tree, the other the same tree symbolizing the diversity of the forest, embraced by the RSBBAA community and the blue of the wetlands and sky.
This symbol comes to represent the dreams of the users of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (RSBBAA). The RSBBAA has proven to be a site which over and over again draws people together, and unites diverse groups and areas.
The RSBBAA, itself is composed of two sections, east and west.
The afforestation area is comprised of two major tree plantings both coniferous trees in the shape of Scotch Pine, and Colorado Blue Spruce, along with deciduous trees. Those deciduous trees planted in 1972-1973 included drought resistant and hardy trees such as American Elm, Siberian Elm, Black Poplar, and Caragana.
Within the RSBBAA, selection of tree species also embraced diversity. Trees were chosen for varieties of soil type, slow or rapid growers, long lived or short lived trees, light demanding or shade bearing.
RSBBAA not only has an area of prairie which was afforested – a forest brought into being where there was none before- but it also has large 50 foot areas of fescue grasslands left as fire breaks within the afforested area, providing two ecosystems together in one area. Together at the RSBBAA, native Trembling Aspen groves, and prairie shrubs have joined with the planted afforestation area creating spectacular scenic visions.
There is yet another embracing of two major ecosystems, the wooded area is dissected by the West Swale wetlands, and three large paririe potholes make homes for the Ruddy Ducks, Mallards, Geese, Muskrats, and a number of other wetlands birds and animals, thriving alongside the woodlands animals – jackrabbits, white tail deer, porcupine, and mule deer, etc.
However there is also another embracing outside of the wildlife corridor habitat – the RSBBAA is situated on the border zone of the City of Saskatoon and the Rural Municipality of Corman Park #344. At this south west border of the City of Saskatoon, the Montgomery Place Community Association have become stewards of the RSBBAA, and completed a clean up in the spring of 2015 to protect the environment. At the border of the Rural Municipality of Corman Park #344 is the hamlet of Cedar Villa Estates. The community members have also been for the past number of years, “Stewards for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area” and besides enjoying walks in the woodlands, they keep an eye on the forest, protecting it. They also effected a clean up in another area of the RSBBAA in the spring of 2014. Change in the RSBBAA begins with action. It is with actions such as these, that a ripple effect is created which will leads to preventing trash build up in this urban regional park.
And so there is yet another joining of two besides the City of Saskatoon residents who have come to love and embrace the beauty and splendour of the RSBBAA, there are also the rural residents from the neighbouring Rural Municipality of Corman Park #344 who have also a deep wish that the RSBBAA can reach its full potential as a spectacular wooded area to enjoy.
Again- another coming together of two groups is presented in the RSBBAA logo, the many committees and personnel within Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA)and the several departments of the City of Saskatoon are working towards a vision for the RSBBAA. These two entities have a proven track record for considering a wide variety of potentialities, recreational, economic and environmental among a very few. The city and the MVA look towards the current needs from a variety of inputs, embrace past directions for what works, and have long range sustainable projected growth plans for the future.
However, this does not end here, the RSBBAA represents both the past the the present embracing the future. A vision for a green belt for Saskatoon in 1960. This starts with Bert Wellman, Saskatoon Planning Department, who walked around Saskatoon’s perimeter choosing high spots of land for scenic beauty. Together with City Planner Bill Graham they worked on parkways and planted trees for the 1960 Circle Drive Parkway at these sites. Alfred Henry Browne “Man of the Trees” city Parks Superintendent – “The Man Who Made Saskatoon Beautiful” also had a vision for Saskatoon – planting over 30,000 trees in the city. Wyndham Winkler Ashley local horticulturist and founder of the parks board advocated trees, and dispersed tree seedlings. They all envisioned a green city. RSBBAA brings together these visionaries of 1960 with the planners and designers at City Hall of the current era.
But again, the RSBBAA continues on, bringing together community that have a love and passion for RSBBAA. The Honourable Pat Lorje, councilor for ward 2 has been bringing direction to the many diverse interest groups of the RSBBAA. Pat Lorje, with great wisdom and diplomacy has been able to steer the ship, and bring such a wide variety of people interests and user group skill sets together to chart a course upon which everyone can sail. By taking into account and remembering the needs and passions from the growing Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area community, Pat Lorje, keeps the RSBBAA ship from sinking, and keeps everyone’s head above water. For the diverse users and groups who are taking part in the RSBBAA discussions, having such pilot in the ship is a wise and invaluable asset to have to stay the course, and not get bogged down and mired in the mud.
So this symbol represents the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. The symbol has within it a heart which is pointing upwards in direction, moving forward in a positive way. The RSBBA has become itself, a symbol brings together the users and groups who have embraced the afforestation area and its decided beauty. Country and city, neighbourhood and employment sector, nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, wetlands and forest, native plants and afforested trees all come together to make the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area a vision for many of a dream come true. While the city grows towards half a million people by 2023, it is reassuring to know that such a forest is nestled within the boundaries of Saskatoon – a place which is enjoyed by a wide and diverse range of users and user groups.
“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
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
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!
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.
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 