Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

Our Experience of the World

when the alchemy of Nature transmutes the sylvan landscape to one vivid and almost homogeneous mass of green;…in such surroundings the mind loses its perspective; time and space become trivial and unreal, and echoes of a forgotten prehistoric past beat insistently upon the enthralled consciousness.

Here at your fingertips is a literal book extravaganza! These books have the potential to be life changing, and it is a pleasure to draw attention to the value that these books bring to homes, schools, and communities as truly, “nothing else takes bookworms on such magical, extraordinary and exciting adventures”~^{WBD National book tokens.}

White-tailed Deer Fawn. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA

Red-Winged Blackbird. West Swale Wetlands Chappell Marsh. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Saskatoon, SK

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA

Colorado Blue Spruce Cone. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA

American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) Courtesy D. Gordon E. Robertson

Richard St. Barbe Baker, himself, was a notable author, writing books as a way to raise money in an effort to save forests and trees around the world. There is a personal warmth in all the books that Baker wrote, in his speeches, and public appearances and it is felt that we knew him in a sort of personal way, as if we had shaken hands with him, and heard his voice; and we always have a feeling that he is addressing us in our own person.

If you were to walk in nature, and write a book, what is your story, your most vivid memory of your natural world? Here is an introduction to other writers, authors, and publishers who also have written about biodiversity, wildlife, nature, and the province of Saskatchewan we have all grown to know and love.

“I believe in the Oneness of Mankind and all living things and the interdependence of each and all.”~ Richard St. Barbe Baker

Saskatchewan wildlife federation book: Wonders of Wildlife – Lori Milligan An activity manual for teachers and youth leaders for expanding the awareness of nature to young conservationists. A guide book to get youth become more involved in the outdoors, which mitigates Vitamin N deficiency.
The Great Sand Hills: A Prairie Oasis Text by Rebecca L. Grambo Photography by Branimir Gjetvaj
Saskatchewan Breeding bird Atlas in the process of compilation as we write this. Citizen scientists and professional bird watchers between 2017-2022 will collaborate to map the distribution and relative abundance of breeding birds in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan nature books compilation from Eco-friendly Saskatchewan Updates
Nature Viewing Sites in and around Saskatoon (3rd edition) (includes the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area)
Trevor Herriot’s latest books
- Towards a Prairie Atonement
- The Road is How: A Prairie Pilgrimage through Nature, Desire, and Soul
- Grass, Sky, Song: Promise and Peril in the World of Grassland Birds
Saskatchewan: The Luminous Landscape, Prairie Light, Prairie Skies by Courtney Milne and Old Man on His Back: Portrait of a Prairie Landscape, which he co-authored with writer Sharon Butala. Both Milne, and his wife Sherill Miller worked alongside environmental green groups raising awareness, and reclaiming our natural biodiversity.
The Great Saskatchewan Bucket List,Photographer’s Guide to Saskatchewan and Western Canadian Farm Trivia Challenge Saskatchewan published by Robin and Arlene Karpan
Lone Pine publishing nature books
Flora of Saskatchewan books and book reviews from Nature along with a number of other great Nature publications
- Conifers and Catkin-Bearing Trees and Shrubs of Saskatchewan (July 2016)
- Grasses of Saskatchewan (August 2014)
- Sedges (Carex) of Saskatchewan (March 2012)
- Lilies, Irises and Orchids of Saskatchewan (October 2011)
- Ferns and Fern Allies of Saskatchewan (June 2011)
- When the Ice Goes Out on Dore Lake
- Dragonflies and Damselflies in the Hand
- Grasses of Saskatchewan
- Getting to Know Saskatchewan Lichens
- Great Sand Hills: A Prairie Oasis
- On the Living Edge: Your Handbook for Waterfront Living
- Prairie Phoenix: The Red Lily in Saskatchewan
- Birds of the Saskatoon Area
- Atlas of Saskatchewan Birds
- Robert David Symons, Countryman – The Life of a Cultural Giant
- A Country Boy by R.D. Symons A Prairie Classic
- Birds of the Rosetown-Biggar District
Environment Canada publications relating to biodiversity ecosystems, migratory birds, species at risk, wildlife habitat and nature
Saskatchewan wild and other Saskatchewan books. Listing from Saskmade
Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre Publications Biodiversity
Biodiversity Handbook [online]featuring for the prairies:
- Mixedwood Forest Society ”
  A campaign to protect mixed forest, wetland, and river landscapes—and the unique species
  they contain—in the Swan River & Porcupine Hills regions of western Manitoba.”
- Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan
  “A project to increase conservation of native prairie and at-risk species within the Prairie Ecozone
  in Saskatchewan”
Saskatchewan books Prairies North listing

So today, March 5, 2017 is World Book Day. How can we, the shepherds of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area celebrate the authors, illustrators and books today? On this 20th anniversary of this United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Book Day celebrate, come together, and explore the pleasures of exploring nature, biodiversity, wildlife, the ecosystem to open your eyes and senses next time you are out in the afforestation area. If you are a primary school teacher or home school educator check out these fabulous activities and another 20 ideas.

Another marvelous concept would be to support a green group with a purchase of one of the books they have published as a fund-raising initiative as listed above. However, don’t stay inside too long. Don’t become Vitamin N deficient, or acquire Nature Deficit Syndrome. A most excellent way to be healthy, enjoy nature and its excellent bio-diversity would be to obtain one, two or more nature field guides as listed above, and set out on an explore!

Help create the Saskatchewan Breeding bird Atlas with your bird watching skills. Take out a field guide, and discover what wild plants and flowers are blooming this spring. Wander among the tall prairie grasslands and identify butterflies, trees, prairie grasses and sedges along the way with the help of a guide book or two. Reading can really help you open your eyes as to what you are seeing around you on your walks.

Please advise if there are any other most excellent books on the environment, nature, wildlife, flora and fauna which should be included to celebrate World Book Day this Sunday March 5, 2017. If we get reading now, while the snow whitens the ground, by the time the crocus pop up on April 16, 2017, oh, what amazing flora and fauna you may come to recognize by the time the Easter pasque flower shows its head.

“Mid-summer … when the alchemy of Nature transmutes the sylvan landscape to one vivid and almost homogeneous mass of green; when the senses are well-nigh intoxicated with the surging seas of moist verdure and the subtly indefinable odours of the soil and the vegetation. In such surroundings the mind loses its perspective; time and space become trivial and unreal, and echoes of a forgotten prehistoric past beat insistently upon the enthralled consciousness.”~H. P. Lovecraft

“There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti

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

P4G Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth The P4G consists of the Cities of Saskatoon, Warman, and Martensville, the Town of Osler and the Rural Municipality of Corman Park; planning for areas around the afforestation area and West Swale outside of Saskatoon city limits

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

Pinterest richardstbarbeb

Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park

Facebook: StBarbeBaker

Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

Facebook: South West OLRA

Twitter: StBarbeBaker

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!

QR Code FOR PAYPAL DONATIONS to the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. — Paypal

Payment Options

Membership : $20.00 CAD – yearly
Membership with donation : $50.00 CAD
Membership with donation : $100.00 CAD

1./ Learn.

2./ Experience

3./ Do Something: ^***

You Tube Video Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

You Tube Video Richard St Barbe Baker presented by Paul Hanley

You Tube Video Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and West Swale wetlands

You Tube Video Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area – Saskatoon’s best kept secret.

You Tube Video George Genereux Urban Regional Park Hoar Frost

You Tube Video George Genereux Urban Regional Park Saskatoon

You Tube Video George Genereux Urban Regional Park

I believe in oneness of mankind and of all living things and in the interdependence of each and all. I believe that unless we play fair to the Earth, we cannot exist physically on this planet. Unless we play fair to our neighbour, we cannot exist socially or internationally. Unless we play fair to better self, there is no individuality and no leadership. ~Richard St. Barbe Baker.

“Kind people have been expressing superlatives on my work. But I can assure you that anything which I have been able to achieve has been team work. We have a motto in the Men of the Trees. TWAHAMWE. It is an African word meaning ‘pull together’ and I pass this on to all those concerned with conservation in this country. I would like to call you to silence for a moment with the words of Mathew Arnold:

“Calm soul of all things, make it mine,
To feel amidst the City ‘s jar
That there abides a peace of thine
Men did not make and cannot mar. ”
~Richard St. Barbe Baker

“I believed that God has lent us the Earth. It belongs as much to those who come after us as to us, and it ill behooves us by anything we do or neglect, to deprive them of benefits which are in our power to bequeath.” Richard St. Barbe Baker

WinterCityYXE ~ Saskatoon, SK,CA

We feel that our greatest victory remains to be won when man will realize his oneness with the trees, the creatures and with all living things, not ours to destroy, but to be handed on for the enjoyment of future generations. – Richard St. Barbe Baker.<

“Thank goodness for the first snow, it was a reminder–no matter how old you became and how much you’d seen, things could still be new if you were willing to believe they still mattered.”
–Candace Bushnell

The Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)

According to CBC news, City of Saskatoon to formulate its Saskatoon Winter City Strategy; WinterCityYXE is seeking input before April 15, 2017 on the following:

“Winter life: How can Saskatoon celebrate its inviting and fun quality of life, even in the coldest months of the year?
Winter design: How can Saskatoon improve community comfort and accessibility for everyone, even in the ice and snow?
Winter culture: How can Saskatoon build enthusiasm for winter, take advantage of winter opportunities, and tell the story of its winter city?
Winter economy: How can Saskatoon address challenges associated with winter to create a more vibrant economy during the colder winter months?”

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
–Victor Hugo

The city of Saskatoon states as its environmental leadership mission that “We thrive in harmony with our natural environment, conserving resources, reducing our impacts, and promoting environmental stewardship.”^{Environmental Leadership}

Just as Edmonton embraced the environment and winter, so can Saskatoon call upon its green groups to help celebrate winter in the city’ natural areas. A few environmental organizations are the Saskatoon Nature Society , Saskatoon Environmental Society, Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, Wild About Saskatoon Connecting Nature and Culture in the City, Meewasin Valley Authority, Saskatoon Heritage Society, Saskatoon Geology Society, Nature Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club of Canada – Prairie Chapter, SOS Elms Coalition, Partners for the Saskatchewan River Basin, Saskatchewan Eco-Network, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Saskatchewan, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), City of Saskatoon parks, Open Spaces and Urban Forestry Program.

“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it. ”
–John Burroughs

There is absolutely nothing more enticing than a glorious walk in a mixed forest decked out in hoar frost splendour. And thank goodness, the Planning and Development Committee set City of Saskatoon policy in regards to trees on City property, declaring the trees as “‘living‘ assets owned by the City of Saskatoon and maintained as a legacy for the citizens of the City of Saskatoon.” with a purpose “to protect, preserve and perpetuate the health, beauty and safety of the City of Saskatoon’s urban forest for the enjoyment of its citizens, past, present and future.” This means, that as an amazing winter activity city residents will be able to enjoy the beauty of these urban forests ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the Urban Regional Park formerly named George Genereux ~ for many years to come as they are preserved in perpetuity.

Winter in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestaton Area

“Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.”
― Mary Oliver

Saskatoon, is definitely on its way, with the Optimist “Raise the Hill Campaign”, Winter fireworks to celebrate the ushering in of 2017 Canada’s 150 anniversary, PotashCorp WinterShines 2017 and Saskatoon Nature Society’s new publication, Nature Viewing Sites in and around Saskatoon (3rd edition). The beauty of nature is explored in and around Saskatoon, including the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Check out landscapes,species, and amazing nature facts as you explore the wild plants, birds and animals in this exciting semi-wilderness natural space. The afforestation area formerly known as George Genereux Urban Regional Park annexed into the City of Saskatoon in 2015 is another likely candidate for another edition.

Why not employ a new wave of smart-city projects to enjoy nature outside? The book set out by the Saskatoon Nature Society mitigates sensory deprivation, and stimulates and initiates other policies to multiply the urban forest experience. In winter, pleasurable sights, smells and sounds abound in the afforestation area providing the viewer with a rich and varied urban encounter as they make contact with the natural world in an urban forest.

A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky-unbidden-and seems like a thing of wonder

However, Edmonton, is not the only WinterCity in Canada, the Canadian Geographic enumerated ten of the best Canadian cities to visit in winter, including Edmonton with their winter activities and festivals, Quebec City’s winter carnival and ice hotel, Whistler for apres-ski nightlife, Ottawa featuring the world’s largest outdoor skating rink, Montreal featuring snow soccer and a polar circus, and Winnipeg hosts one of the world’s longest skating trails.

“I love the scents of winter! For me, it’s all about the feeling you get when you smell pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, gingerbread and spruce.”
–Taylor Swift

So how is Saskatoon to enter the world stage as a Winter City? The best way is to embrace who we are, Saskatoon is a wonderful prairie city nestled in a moist mixed grassland eco-system on the South Saskatchewan River featuring the channelization of the West Swale, Aspen bluffs and a cottonwood riparian forest. These ecological processes define who we are, and give to us over the winter months, a healthy environment with amazing surroundings, flora and fauna species. With these Saskatchewan wonders nestled into the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the Afforestation Area formerly named George Genereux Urban Regional Park, Saskatoon can surely offer a one-of-a-kind winter tourism experience and opportunity. We rank “as one of the world’s prime destinations for environmentally responsible tourism.”^{Atlas of Saskatchewan}

People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy. Anton Chekhov

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Atlas of Saskatchewan Celebrating the Millennium edition. ISBN 0-88880-387-7. 1999. University of Saskatchewan. Ka-iu Fung Editor.

Charlton, Johathan. City Hall wants to know: How can Saskatoon be more fun in the winter?” Saskatoon Star Phoenix. January 25, 2017.

Doyle, Sabrina. Best Canadian Cities to visit in winter. These urban centres really know how to heat up the chilly months. November 10, 2016.

City of Saskatoon Council Policy C09-011 Trees on City Property.

Environmental Leadership | Saskatoon.ca City Hall > Our Performance > Performance Dashboard > Environmental Leadership.

Feeling dreary about winter? City of Saskatoon trying to change that. New strategy designed to improve winter life, economy, accessibility, culture. CBC News. January 24, 2017

* For the Love of Winter. WinterCity Strategy Implementation Plan. The LoveofWinter-ImplementationPlan.pdf City of Edmonton. September 10, 2013.

** For the Love of Winter Strategy for Transforming Edmonton into a World-Leading Winter City. (pdf)

Lun Liu, Hui Wang Hui Wang Hui Wang, Chunyang WuChunyang Wu. A machine learning method for the large-scale evaluation of urban visual environment. a Department of Land Economy, University Cambridgea Department of Land Economy, University Cambridge
b School School School School School of Architecture, Tsinghua University of Architecture, Tsinghua UniversityMachine Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Engineering, University Cambridge
AbstractAbstract.

PotashCorp WinterShines 2017: Saskatchewan’s Premiere Winter Festival. January 28 – February 5, 2017

Saskatoon Winter City Strategy Update – City of Saskatoon

WinterCityYXE: Saskatoon’s Winter City Strategy | Saskatoon.ca

WinterCityYXE Guide

WinterCityYXE interactive map

Winter Cities Shake-Up Presentation – Alternative Approaches to Fostering a Winter City in Smaller Communities January 3, 2017. Community Planning Conference Presentations.

YXE Winter City | Optimist Hill Campaign

We feel that our greatest victory remains to be won when man will realize his oneness with the trees, the creatures and with all living things, not ours to destroy, but to be handed on for the enjoyment of future generations. – Richard St. Barbe Baker.