The greatest gift of all is life

The world’s problem, is not a population explosion, but animal explosion. We’ve got to decide whether we are going to feed animals or humans. To feed animals is a roundabout way of getting food. It takes 18 times more land to feed people on beef than on vegetables, nuts fruits and grains. Richard St. Barbe Baker.

Parent and Child in Nature

Elm Trees_CC-BY-SA-2.0 BriYYZ

“The greatest gift of all is life. For millions of years the trees were paving the way for life on this planet, absorbing impurities, clearing up the foetid atmosphere and the swamp breath, absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off the life giving oxygen that we breathe.” Richard St. Barbe Baker

Parent and Child in Nature

Planet Earth, the World, is in our Hands

When tree cover is destroyed it is a threat to both man and the creatures. The protection of world wildlife was in the vanguard of the conservation movement and it was very soon recognised that it was not possible to protect the wild animals and the threatened species without protecting their tree-cover habitat because they, like ourselves, need an adequate supply of oxygen, the very breath of life. The main source of oxygen is the evergreen tropical forests. “Richard St. Barbe Baker

Business, Technology, 21st Century Culture, Planet Earth

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hanley, Paul. Eleven, Eleven billion people will share this planet by century’s end Adding 4 billion to an already overburdened world will force everyone to change everything.

Life on the Brink: Environmentalists Confront Overpopulation Paperback – December 1, 2012 by Eileen Crist (Editor, Contributor),‎ Philip Cafaro (Editor, Contributor)

Why I am Vegetarian by Richard St. Barbe Baker

For more information:
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
Facebook: StBarbeBaker
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Facebook: South West OLRA
Contact the Meewasin Valley Authority in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The MVA has begun a Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area trust fund. If you wish to support the afforestation area with your donation, write a cheque to the “Meewasin Valley Authority Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area trust fund (MVA RSBBAA trust fund)”. Please and thank you!
Twitter: StBarbeBaker
Please contemplate joining the SOS Elms coalition or make a donation to SOS Elms ~ leave a message to support the afforestation area 😉

Keep close to Nature

“The Environmental Protection Agency now warns us that indoor air pollution is the nation’s number one environmental threat to health- and it’s from two to ten times worse than outdoor air pollution. A child indoors is more susceptible to spore of toxic molds growing under that plush carpet; or bacteria or allergens carried by household vermin; or carbon monoxide, radon and lead dust. The allergen level of newer, sealed buildings can be as much as two hundred times greater than that of older structures.” Richard Louv

Is this not the best reason to go outside, and to treasure the great outdoors.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.—Margaret Mead

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Cardiovascular benefits, and heart health forest walking

“The earth has music for those who listen.” –William Shakespeare

“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” –John Muir

Pelican Preenning

Muskrat West Swale Wetlands. Chappell Marsh. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA

“Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!” – Albert Einstein

“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 …today it is the duty of every thinking being to live, and to serve not only his own day and generation, but also generations unborn by helping to restore and maintain the green glory of the forests of the earth. ” Richard St. Barbe Baker

Adventures in Nature

Parent and Child in Nature

Parents and Child in Nature

Parent and Child in Nature

“We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children’s memories, the adventures we’ve had together in nature will always exist.” Richard Louv

William T. Hornaday speaks of a time when 500 bird boxes, 500 sweet cherry trees and 200 mulberry trees were given away alongside raw materials for 2,000 children to gain a love for birds, with a desire to protect them. “Children will care for and defend things that are their very own, fight for them and stand guard over them … no more faithful sentinel ever stood on guard than the boy who had a bird-house all his own….Nowhere else has such a scheme been attempted, and never before has there been just such a day of jubilee. The intense interest manifested by the children, and the earnest enthusiasm manifested, leaves no doubt about their carrying out their part of the contract.”

“Duty Of Parents. —This being the case, it is very necessary that the young people of to-day should be taught, early and often, the virtue and the necessity of wild-life protection.” William T. Hornaday

“What do parents owe their young that is more important than a warm and trusting connection to the Earth…?” – Theodore Roszak

“Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.” – Thomas Berry

“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder…he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” Rachel Carson

Range of Biodiversity

Northern Leopard Frog

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Blue heron

Convention of Biological Diversity United Nations has three main objectives;

1. “The conservation of biological diversity
2. The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
3. The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources”

The City of Saskatoon is working towards “Preservation of wetlands in Saskatoon helps to improve the quality and reduce the quantity of stormwater run -off that flows to the river, provides some storage for greenhouse gases (GHGs), maintains wildlife habitat and corridors, and improves public access to ecological systems and spaces” Additionally, the city adopts a wetland policy which “requires establishment of wetland development and management guidelines to sensitively integrate wetlands into urban development and to adopt specific design guideline s for constructed stormwater wetlands, both of which would help to mitigate the risk and severity of flooding.”

“We are committed with our lives to building a different model and a different future for humanity, the Earth, and other species. We have envisaged a moral alternative to economic globalization and we will not rest until we see it realized.”~Maude Barlow

What is a wetland? “Lands having water at, near, or above the land surface or land that is saturated with water long enough to promote wetland or aquatic processes as indicated by poorly drained soils, aquatic vegetation and various kindsof biological activity which are adapted to a wet environment.”
Golder Associates in their City of Saskatoon West/Southwest Sector Natural Area Screening Study, classifies those lands of the Blairmore sector afforestation areas as wetlands.

The afforestation areas provide a riparian woodlands habitat for deer, squirrel, skunk and porcupine, the modified grasslands with native species pockets are home for vanishing provincial songbird species, the permanent class IV wetlands are of course a natural choice for egrets, herons, pelicans, ducks and geese. The species at risk; the Northern Leopard Frog makes its home in the wetlands areas alongside the Barred Tiger Salamander [western tiger salamander].

White-crowned_sparrow_Zonotrichia albicollis

Southern Cloudywing Thorybes bathyllus courtesy of John Flannery CC 2.0

“When I hear of the destruction of a species, I feel just as if all the works of some great writer have perished.”
~ Theodore Roosevelt

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Golder Associates. Southwest Sector Plan. (2013) https://www.saskatoon.ca/business-development/planning/long-range-plans/sector-plans City of Saskatoon West/Southwest Sector Natural Area Screening Study. Business & Development – Planning – Long Range Plans – Sector Plans. Date accessed April 13, 2016.

CH2MHill Canada Limited. Wetland Design Guidelines. Prepared for City of Saskatoon. March 2014.

Nature’s Fondest Ties

International Day of Families

“In an agricultural society, or during a time of exploration and settlement, or hunting and fathering–which is to say, most of mankind’s history–energetic boys were particularly prized for their strength, speed, and agility. […] As recently as the 1950s, most families still had some kind of agricultural connection. Many of these children, girls as well as boys, would have been directing their energy and physicality in constructive ways: doing farm chores, baling hay, splashing in the swimming hole, climbing trees, racing to the sandlot for a game of baseball. Their unregimented play would have been steeped in nature.” Richard Louv

Rabbit

Canada 150 km walk

Northern Leopard Frog

In the City, how can families fill the basic need to reconnect to nature? A very quick and easy way is to help organize family field trips and days out. During the day hours, the earnest pupil learns of Nature by the lessons she gives in the melting fire, the rushing water, the unseen wind. If families steadily purpose to do their full duty by their child, they may rely upon it that all the powers of nature will help them;—that in a world wrapped round with sweet air, and blessed by sunshine, and abounding with knowledge, the human being can hardly fail of the best ends of life.

“Come forth into the light things, let nature be your teacher.” –William Wordsworth

Samuel Philips asks; But what is home,—home in the sphere of nature?
“Home! ’tis a blessed name! And they who rove,
Careless or scornful of its pleasant bonds,
Nor gather round them those linked soul to soul
By nature’s fondest ties,…
But dream they’re happy!”

Here in the city of Saskatoon, are located the Blairmore Sector Afforestation Areas – the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, The Southwest Off Leash Recreation Area, and the “George Genereux” Urban Regional park. These include riparian woodlands, wetlands, and grassland areas with a diversity in flora and fauna to explore and discover.

Get out in Nature

World Environment Day

Register your #WorldEnvironmentDay event in May!

“These roses…. make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God to-day. There is no time to them. There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence. Before a leaf-bud has burst, its whole life acts; in the full-blown flower there is no more; in the leafless root there is no less. Its nature is satisfied, and it satisfies nature, in all moments alike. But man postpones, or remembers; he does not live in the present, but with a reverted eye laments the past, or, heedless of the riches that surround him, stands on tiptoe to foresee the future. He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives #WithNature in the present, above time.”~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood. His intercourse with heaven and earth, becomes part of his daily food. In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows. Nature says,—he is my creature, and maugre all his impertinent griefs, he shall be glad with me.” ~R.W. Emerson

For more information:
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
Facebook: StBarbeBaker
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Facebook: South West OLRA
Contact the Meewasin Valley Authority at 402 Third Avenue South Saskatoon, SK S7K 3G5 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The MVA has begun a Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area trust fund. If you wish to support the afforestation area with your donation, write a cheque to the “Meewasin Valley Authority Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area trust fund (MVA RSBBAA trust fund)”. Please and thank you!
Twitter: StBarbeBaker
Please contemplate joining the SOS Elms coalition or make a donation to SOS Elms ~ leave a message to support the afforestation area 😉

“I believe with Ruskin, that I must be just to the Earth beneath my feet, to the neighbour by my side and to the Light that comes from above and within that this wonderful world of ours may be a little more beautiful and happy form my having lived in it. “Richard St. Barbe Baker.

The Green Things Growing

21 April 2018

World Creativity and Innovation Day

O the fluttering and the pattering of the green things growing,

How they talk each to each, when none of us are knowing;

In the wonderful light of the weird moonlight

Or the dim, dreamy dawn when the cocks are crowing.

I love, I love them so—my green things growing,

And I think that they love me, without false showing,

For by many a tender touch they comfort me so much

With the soft mute comfort of green things growing.

—Dinah Mulock Craike.

“Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our chidlren’s health (and also, by the way, in our own).” Richard Louv

The whole nature of a child cries out for self activity. Producing by his own efforts something that satisfies his own needs gives him the keenest possible pleasure, and puts into him that energy which results in love of work.

Go beyond daisy chains from dandelions this summer explore a realm of toys in nature.

Heart health forest walking — Daisy Chain

“We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children’s memories, the adventures we’ve had together in nature will always exist.” Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

I have a vision of the earth made green again through the efforys of children planting trees. Children of all ages, of all colour and races, holding hands encircling the earth, working together to bring harmony and peace to all people, to all nations and to our relationship with the natural world.” Richard St. Barbe Baker.

Tag: Richard St. Barbe Baker AFforestation ARea

The greatest gift of all is life

World Population Day
11 July 2018

Keep close to Nature

World Environment Day
5 June 2018

Adventures in Nature

Global Day of Parents
1 June 2018

Range of Biodiversity

International Day for Biological Diversity
22 May 2018

Nature’s Fondest Ties

International Day of Families

15 May 2018

Get out in Nature

World Environment Day

Register your #WorldEnvironmentDay event in May!

The Green Things Growing

21 April 2018

World Creativity and Innovation Day

World Population Day 11 July 2018

World Environment Day 5 June 2018

Global Day of Parents 1 June 2018

International Day for Biological Diversity 22 May 2018

International Day of Families

15 May 2018

World Environment Day

Register your #WorldEnvironmentDay event in May!

21 April 2018

World Creativity and Innovation Day

World Population Day
11 July 2018

World Environment Day
5 June 2018

Global Day of Parents
1 June 2018

International Day for Biological Diversity
22 May 2018