Arbor Week has come and gone, the first ever proclamation for the City of Saskatoon. However, Arbor Week is one of those celebrations, one can honour all year long!
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker
Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan,
University Archives & Special Collections,
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker
Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan,
University Archives & Special Collections,
Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker
Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan,
University Archives & Special Collections,
Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71
As a matter of fact, when Richard St. Barbe Baker started the International Tree Foundation, he did so by initiating the Watu Wa Miti or Forest Guardians with a tree pledge. To be one of the Men of the Trees, or as is more politically correct these days, a Forest Guardian, one had to promise to plantten trees a year, take care of trees everywhere, and do one good deed every day!
One of the events during Arbor Week was a Sunday tour The remarkable legacy of Richard St. Barbe Baker and the 326 acre forest named in his honour to commemorate his extraordinary achievements. Robert White who personally knew Richard St. Barbe Baker told the story of how Baker came into his life many times over, and the way in which Baker created huge impacts upon him, and on audiences of people worldwide. Baker, a great humanitarian and tree lover, championed trees and forests internationally, and still to this day many global groups carry on his vision.
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
Extraordinary legacy tour of Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
As part of the City of Saskatoon’s very first Arbor Week, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc hosted the Extraordinary legacy tour of Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area with Robert White as guest speaker.
Robert White Tour: The remarkable legacy of Richard St. Barbe Baker
His presentation was a heartfelt speech of his memories and time getting to know Richard St. Barbe Baker. It was poignant, touching, and truly gave meaning to the legacy of Richard St. Barbe Baker, founder of the International Tree Foundation.
I approach God’s Creation, this beautiful Earth. The ancients believed that the Earth was a sentient being and felt the behavior of mankind upon it. As we have no proof to the contrary, it might be as well for responsible people to accept this point of view and behave accordingly.
Richard St. Barbe Baker
I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
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
Robert White personally knew Richard St. Barbe Baker. White said; “What gave him [Richard St. Barbe Baker] the urge to apply his energies not to conquering nature but to saving and restoring it? For that matter, what makes a Greenpeace activist risk his or her life for a whale, or a one-legged man run across Canada? Faith, courage, love, conviction – all the human qualities which our culture, trained to detached scientific rationalism and collective planning, leaves so little room for. These are qualities of heroism….His leadership and moral courage make it possible for all of us to apply knowledge, love and action in the service of the earth, for we are all children of the green earth. ” from “Knowledge, Love and Action”, Probe Post, Canada’s Environmental Magazine August 1982.
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
Twitter: StBarbeBaker 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
Great appreciation to Paul Hanley and Robert White who actually knew Richard St. Barbe Baker, and introduced an amazing reminiscence of St Barbe Baker, and gave everyone history about him. Thank you to all our sponsors. Thank you to Brainsport for offering their community room for the evening. Thank you to the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc for making the evening possible. Thank you for our members of the Friends of the Afforestation Areas Inc. who came out to help with the preparation and planning. Hats off to Joanne Blythe for everything which she has done. And a huge round of appreciation to everyone who came out for the Saturday January 25 event, which is now over.
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker
Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan,
University Archives & Special Collections,
Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71
Framed Print of Richard St. Barbe Baker: A signed print of St. Barbe. Two available.
Package: Nut and seed log and holder for feeding chickadees, blue jays etc.; a block of suet and holder, a cute little bird candle holder and votive candle and a couple of little buttons. Donated by Wild Birds Unlimited 330A-2600 8th St E.
Book: Vegetables, Chickens & Bees: an Honest Guide to Growing Your Own Food Anywhere by Carson Arthur. Donated by Peter Garden of Turning the Tide Bookstore – 615 Main St.
Turning the Tide T-shirt from Peter Garden at Turning the Tide Bookstore – 615 Main St.
Pie from Nellie’s Kitchen located at F-727 22nd St W.
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
What did Saskatoon’s Global Conservationist do? Who is Baba Wya Miti, loving father of trees? Where are the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas?
Paul Hanley, author and Robert White, ecologist will introduce Richard St. Barbe Baker, founder of the international Men of the Trees organisation in 1922, now known as the International Tree Foundation. Both knew this acclaimed “Man of the Trees” personally. He was a visionary pioneer who outspokenly campaigned for trees and forests and their multiple benefits – watershed protection, preventing soil erosion, mitigating climate change, providing habitats for animals and places for re-creation for humans. You will hear about his indefatigable drive, his daring accomplishments, his links to Saskatoon and his encounters with with President FDR, and with popes, prime ministers, and personalities of his time.
You will also learn about Baba Wya Miti and Chief Ironhorse. Where is the West Swale? George Genereux Urban Regional Park & Richard St. Barbe Baker Park Afforestation Areas are two amazing forest green spaces in Saskatoon, one named in the legacy of this great champion of trees. Find out where are they? Why are they? What is the West Swale? What is the Yorath Island Spillway?
Saskatoon’s best kept secrets are George Genereux Urban Regional park and Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.
Robert White, BSA, MES, Ecologist and personal acquaintance of Richard St. Barbe Baker winner of the Richard St. Barbe Baker award. Robert White, spoke to the City of Saskatoon Standing policy committee on planning, development, and community services about the great humanitarian, and forester, Richard St. Barbe Baker the namesake of the Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Robert White spoke “to the importance of the preservation of the area and expressed support for some type of barriers to protect the area.”
Paul Hanley, author of the best selling book, Man of the Trees. Richard St. Barbe Baker, the First Global Conservationist, foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales Introduction by Jane Goodall, who also personally knew Richard St. Barbe Baker
Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. will introduce Saskatoon’s best kept secrets, the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and George Genereux Urban Regional Park. Both afforestation areas, and both preserved in perpetetuity in 1972 by City Council, and declared City of Saskatoon urban regional parks in 1979
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.
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71
In the Canadian Association of Landscape Architects periodical “Landscapes Paysages” invention, vol 19, no 4 is found the article written by the University of Sheffield student, Camilla Allen about Richard St. Barbe Baker. As Allen states, “During my time in Saskatchewan, I felt closer than ever to this extraordinary man” and she expounds upon Baker’s devotion to his work, to trees around the world.
Save your photo day, Forest stories in photograph
Colorado Blue Spruce Picea pungens in Winter copyright Julia Adamson
During Allen’s visit to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, she had the opportunity to visit the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and the Richard St. Barbe Baker homestead site near Beaver Creek. Allen spent time at the Meewasin Valley Authority Centre perusing the interpretive centre display, and delved into the Richard St. Barbe Baker Fonds at the University of Saskatchewan Library Special Collections and Archives. Allen had the good fortune of meeting both Paul Hanley, best selling author of “Eleven” and former Environmental Columnist for the Saskatoon Star Phoenix and Robert White, both of whom knew Richard St. Barbe Baker personally and knew him as St Barbe.
A man, to succeed, must possess the necessary equanimity of temperament to conceive an idea, the capacity to form it into some tangible shape, the ingenuity to put it into practical operation, the ability to favorably impress others with its merits, and thepowerofwillthat is absolutely necessary to force it to success.—Thomas A. Scott
Thank you to Verity Moore-Wright from the Meewasin Valley Authority in regards to notification about this article appearing in the periodical “Landscapes Paysages”
we wait for the sunrise of our awakening to the realisation of our kinship with the earth and all living things.” ~Richard St. Barbe Baker
“Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven. And learn tranquility.
” ~ 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 SW 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 /commemorate 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
“We forget that we owe our existence to the presence of Trees. As far as forest cover goes, we have never been in such a vulnerable position as we are today. The only answer is to plant more Trees – to Plant Trees for Our Lives.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker
“Act. Don’t react. See a need, fix it first. Worry about the details later. If you wait until you are asked you have just missed a golden opportunity. They are fleeting and rare.” Philip Wollen founder of Winsome Kindness Trust
“Biography is the literature of realized personality, of life as it has been lived, of actual achievements or shortcomings, of success or failure; it is not imaginary and embellished, not what might be or might have been, not reduced to prescribed or artificial forms, but it is the unvarnished story of that which was delightful, disappointing, possible, or impossible, in a life spent in this world. ” ~James Boswell
we wait for the sunrise of our awakening to the realisation of our kinship with the earth and all living things.” ~Richard St. Barbe Baker
Flowers and Butterflies abstract artwork in appreciation of the volunteers who helped clean up at the 2016 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA
Trembling Aspen Leaf with dew drops, Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA
Colorado Blue Spruce Cone. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been a powerful supporter of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Latter-day Saints missionaries serve in public affairs serving to build relationships with communities. The inspiration of the missionaries who came from across North America offering their time and talents made a dedicated commitment to come from across North America to meet in Saskatoon to offer compassionate service during the 2016 clean up effort. Thank you to the missionaries who provided to the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area their multi-faceted humanitarian services.
Robert White, the official clean up photographer, member of the SOS Elms Coalition, close friend of Richard St. Barbe Baker, and a member of the Multi-Faith Saskatoon connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Stewards of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area are indebted to both Robert White, and the Elders and Mormon Missionaries from the Saskatoon, and Winnipeg Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
From across North America they came to serve at these churches, from there they agreed to kindly assist and help with the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area clean up. There is absolutely no denial that the helpful assistance, time and energy expended generously by these kind missionaries helped enormously. Thank you.
“We may climb mountains or wander through field and forest, intoxicated by loveliness through the changing hours and seasons recorded by the length of shadows cast by the trees-and as we watch the pink, opalescent fingers of the dawn reaching up from beneath the dark horizon, so we wait for the sunrise of our awakening to the realisation of our kinship with the earth and all living things.” ~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 SW 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 /commemorate 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!
The trees and vegetation, which cover the land surface of the Earth and delight the eye, are performing vital tasks incumbent upon the vegetable world in nature. Its presence is essential to earth as an organism. It is the first condition of all life; it it the ‘skin’ of the earth, for without it there can be no water, and therefore, no life.~Richard St. Barbe Baker
It is not a farce.…”To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.” ~Terry Tempest Williams
“Man has lost his way in the jungle of chemistry and engineering and will have to retrace his steps, however painful this may be. He will have to discover where he went wrong and make his peace with nature. In so doing, perhaps he may be able to recapture the rhythm of life and the love of the simple things of life, which will be an ever-unfolding joy to him.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker
SOS Elms Coalition came to fruition with a passion to save Elm trees across the province of Saskatchewan during the rampage of Dutch Elm Disease DED in North America. Keeping abreast of the progression of the disease and forestry practices, SOS Elms was on top of the situation when the provincial Dutch Elm Disease program was cut from the budget in 2010. In lieu of the program, individual towns, municipalities and cities are taking responsibility upon themselves of educating the public in their area about DED and best conservation practices.
Winter in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestaton Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area in the fog
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA Winter
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Spring time
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, West Swale Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Communities established a regional urban forestry community group or NGO, and in Saskatoon, it is the SOS Elms Coalition providing that support for the city of Saskatoon. These local foresters have had a keen eye out for Dutch Elm Disease, and work together with the City of Saskatoon Urban Forestry Program, and so are able to implement the Dutch Elm Disease DED response plan, so that any infected trees in Saskatoon with DED would not promote a city wide infestation.
“Urban forests in Canada have been dominated by three themes: superficial support by the provincial and federal governments, individuals’ commitment to developing urban forests of excellence, and awareness and action fueled by natural disaster….Cities like Saskatoon, Regina and Moose Jaw saw urban forests created largely with elm due to the limited number of species choice. In the 2000’s greater efforts were expended to diversify these forests. Regina’s Wascana Centre has had a lead role in maintaining tree cover in the prairie city as has SOS Elms in Saskatoon.”~Rosen
“The arrival of Dutch elm disease in the early 1960’s virtually wiped out the American elm (Ulmus americana L.) the street tree of choice in Canada’s cities. From this an urban forestry movement was born including the creation of a number of organizations – from community groups such as SOS Elms”~Rosen-Kenney
SOS Elms Coalition, reached out to the public for unique and spectacular trees of Saskatoon, and published a full colour booklet of these sites. These large tree centenarians grace Saskatoon’s Urban Forest. As an example of some of the trees presented are a Ginkgo Biloba, Limber Pine, Prairie Silk Honey Locust, Black Walnut and Northern Pin Oak grow against all odds in the City of Saskatoon, rare and unique species, indeed.
SOS Elms Coalition sets up conference displays, initiates programs for schools, and assists in community projects bringing to the Saskatoon community an awareness of urban forests, environmental issues and the precautions to mitigate the spread of Dutch Elm Disease.
Members of the SOS Elms Coalition were at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Clean UP in the summer of 2016. Robert White, of SOS Elms Coalition, was the official photographer at the clean up.
As was the case in 1972, Manchurian Elm, and American Elm were afforested, along with hardy drought resistant tree species such as Colorado Blue Spruce, Balsam-poplar, Scotch Pine, Caragana. If Green Ash, Manitoba Maple or Willow were planted, there was not a large survival rate of these in the afforestation area. Native prairie Trembling Aspen Groves are mixed within the afforested woodlands. SOS Elms members recognizing the various locations of Elms in this urban regional park will truly ensure best conservation practices.
“For 37 years, the 660 acre Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (RSBBAA)
in southwest Saskatoon (see map) was mostly neglected even though proclaimed by City Council in 1979 as an “urban regional park” and a “forest in perpetuity”. The park began in 1960 with a visionary idea of City planners” …
The present is full of opportunity. Never before in the history of the planet has mankind been given the privileges and opportunities that are at his disposal today. A great light has been raised and is penetrating the darkness of the world, but alas,
too many with dust blinded eyes have yet to catch the vision. Some of us have. That is our privilege and our responsibility.~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 SW 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 /commemorate 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!
Our task must be to free ourselves … by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.~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 work for peaceful construction for I am morally responsible for the world of today and the generations of tomorrow.’” ~ Richard St Barbe Baker
“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
Williams, Sara. Trees, Trees, Trees Garden Bhat. BAttlefords News-Optimist. March 5, 2016.
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 SW 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 /commemorate 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!
We advocate that all standing armies everywhere be used for the work of essential reafforestation
Robert White [pictured above] stepped up to the plate, and took pictures of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area clean up event activities and volunteers. It was precious to have a visual record of the day, and the people who came out for the clean up. Robert has posted pictures to his own facebook page, and has submitted photos to use for the Richard St Barbe Afforestation Area clean up here, in the slide show as follows:
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Thank you very much Robert, for being our official photographer, for taking these images, and sharing them about the clean up. If anyone else has photos or stories they wish to share about the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Clean Up, please email, thank you kindly.
“We advocate that all standing armies everywhere be used for the work of essential reafforestation . .. in the countries to which they belong, and that each country . . . shall provide expeditionary forces to cooperate in the greater tasks of land reclamation in the Sahara and other deserts.”
— Richard St. Barbe Baker, Green Glory:The Forests of the World, (1947)
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.
A heartfelt thanks to everyone, your dedication is a testament to the pride taken in the afforestation environment, and the respect afforded to the West Swale Wetlands.
Flowers and Butterflies abstract artwork in appreciation of the volunteers who helped clean up at the 2016 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA
White-tailed Deer Fawn. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA
American Porcupine. West Swale ichard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA
Canada Goose Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and West Swale Wetlands, Saskatoon, Sk, CA
Canada Goose There are Geese at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Chappell Marsh and West Swale Wetlands, Saskatoon, Sk, CA
A huge thank you is extended to all the volunteers who showed up at the 2016 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Clean Up on Saturday July 9. There were so many people to thank it is hard to know where to start. Thank you also to the event day sponsors, EcoFriendly Sask and Sk Energy! Meewasin & Affinity Credit Union Clean-Up Campaign supplied a large number of trash bags, and amazingly nearly everyone of them was used in the clean up effort. The City of Saskatoon arranged the Loraas bins onsite, and very kindly waived both the Loraas fees and the tipping fees at the landfill, which does add up for a clean up of this enormity, indeed.
The Honourable Pat Lorje, councillor Ward 2, came out to the clean up effort offering gifts, as did Verity Moore-Wright from the Meewasin Valley Authority Additionally, one could not have really asked for a better day, the weather was spectacular.
The team work by the youth groups, and community volunteers was absolutely fantastic! Thanks are extended to everyone who came out on Saturday, July 9 for either the 8:00 a.m. shift, or the 1:00 p.m. shift, and to those who stayed the full day. Whether you stayed for a short while, or for the duration, thank you for donating your time, your equipment, and showing such dedication and enthusiasm for the clean up. The Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is truly fortunate, indeed to have such committed volunteers as you are.
At the 8:00 a.m. shift, volunteers began on the far west side of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, leaving the South West Off Leash Recreation Area after the health and safety meeting, and drove west along Cedar Villa Road towards Saskatchewan Highway 7 to enter the afforestation area far west entrance. Partway through the morning the Peace Bus Youth Group [CISV International] youth arrived. Another group who contributed their time were the Mormon missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and youth from the Multi-Faith Youth Group. We are very sorry if we have not mentioned your participating group, please drop us an email and we will acknowledge your groups efforts additionally.
The volunteers arriving at 1:00 p.m. divided into two groups, supplementing morning volunteers at the west end with fresh energy. The other afternoon arrivals cleaned in the east side [between the SW OLRA and the COC] finishing up the superb 2015 spring clean up, and attending to the garbage dropped off over the winter months, which thank goodness was not a huge amount. It looked like the clean up efforts of 2015 were respected.
Can you believe it, at the clean up, there were volunteers helping out in Saskatoon at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area from Winnipeg, Utah, Philadephia, Quebec, British Columbia, Victoria, Toronto, and Halifax!
Many users of the afforestation area who could not make it out to the clean up, contributed monetary donations towards the Meewasin Valley Authority Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area trust fund [MVA RSBBAA trust fund]. These folks received a huge round of applause and recognition for the contribution they brought forward.
Please don’t allow the clean up day to only be one day, but every day of the year. If we all follow in the footsteps of Richard St. Barbe Baker, and do one good deed every day, what a phenomenal environment the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area would remain. Just picking up one piece of garbage does go a long way to maintaining the environment. Perhaps place a trash bag in your pocket while out for a stroll, filling that one trash bag when you are out walking will also carry on the pride in the afforestation area and keep the forest clean.
Paul Hanley and Robert White who both knew Richard St. Barbe Baker personally were out at the Richard St. Barbe Afforestation Area Clean UP and posted these fantastic images on facebook and these.
Each one of our volunteers are truly an inspiration. A heartfelt thanks to everyone, your dedication is a testament to the pride taken in the afforestation environment, and the respect afforded to the West Swale Wetlands. The Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is a much safer and cleaner place for both wildlife and users of the forest. “The ultimate test of a man’s conscience may be his willingness
to sacrifice something today for future generations
whose words of thanks will not be heard.”~Gaylord Nelson, Co-Founder of Earth Day
“Man must resuscitate his planet with trees, his heart with faith.”~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.
What did Saskatoon’s Global Conservationist do? Who is Baba Wya Miti, loving father of trees? Where are the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas?
Featured Speakers
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 