A unique experience provided a capture of two different communities, the one here in Saskatchewan Canada with programs developed for the community, and the community development programs in Africa.
Here, in Saskatchewan, there was OVER 38,300 kg (11,700 pounds)of illegally dumped materials removed from the two afforestation areas to create a safe greenspace environment. This is amazing, but at the same time it is quite a statement about the culture in Saskatchewan itself.
Whereas, in Africa the community development programming has to do with how to provide enough water for the community from the boreholes. There is no consumer spending on disposable items which end up polluting the environment. Nowhere on the African horizon were there discarded chesterfields, televisions, consoles, shingles or oil containers in the environment.
In Africa there was so very much appreciation for a single tree, that it became their community meeting space. In the shade of that single tree, community would gather and celebrate that they had a tree to gather underneath.

It is indeed a culture shock, that people here in Saskatchewan, Canada think nothing of dumping their mattresses in fields, forests and urban regional parks to save a couple of bucks by disposing of their trash properly in the landfill. What is a park supposed to do with the discarded mattress, or a farmer harvesting their crop? The affluent in Saskatchewan, Canada who have enough disposable money to buy a new mattress, or a new large flat screen television shamefully do not have the additional spare change for the landfill!
What, indeed would the communities in Africa say, if they could experience the mixed woodland forests which we are so blessed to have in Saskatchewan and the afforestation areas which provide a boreal-type forest right in the city! Forests which we are so lucky to have which raise the water table, and provide nature-based solutions to climate change.
And yet, why was there OVER 38,300 kg (11,700 pounds)of illegally dumped materials removed from the two afforestation areas to create a safe greenspace environment? That alone is unfathomable.
Experiencing the African culture of trying to find water to survive is an eye-opener for how callously we here in Canada, in Saskatchewan regard our good fortune. Where here in Canada we have to develop Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies to mitigate illegal trespass and illegal dumping in a greenspace and around wetlands, people in Africa are treasuring their single tree with reverence.
We, here in Saskatchewan actually have wetlands, and there are those people who do not treasure them and figure that wetlands can so easily be filled in and discarded and built upon. And there are those who illegally dump hazardous waste near or heaven forbid in the wetlands. Again, the culture shock is quite striking, because in Africa, they travel long distances to the water bore hole which serves ten to twelve villages and communities. The African people come together to figure out equitable ways to portion out the bore hole water to ensure everyone has water to sustain their health, lifestyle, and food supply.
The community development programs in Canada are so radically different from the attention and focus of community development programs in Africa. It is quite shocking to the core.
Richard St. Barbe Baker was posted as Assistant Conservator of Forests in Kenya Africa in 1922 where the International Tree Foundation found its roots. Baker used his silviculture training from Cambridge University to enable the Kikuyu from Africa to survive. Baker changed the slash and burn food production to one which we could call agro-forestry or social / community forestry practices. Baker encouraged forest guardians called the Watu Wa Miti who took a solemn oath before Ngaire to plant ten trees a year, take care of trees everywhere, and do a good deed every day – the pledge to become one of the Men of the Trees. This organization became known today as the International Tree Foundation.
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:
NEW P4G District Official Community Plan
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′
Addresses:
Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A
Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A
S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063
Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot
Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com
Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map
Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)?with map
Blogger: FriendsAfforestation
Tumblr friendsafforestation.tumblr.comFacebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Facebook: StBarbeBaker Afforestation Area
Facebook for the non profit Charity Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. FriendsAreas
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas
Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail / e-transfers )
Donate your old vehicle, here’s how!
Support using Canada Helps
Support via a recycling bottle donation
United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
- Use the UN Decade’s Visual Identity
- Make it your own
- Spread the word about the UN Decade
- Let’s Bring Back Forests
- Let’s Green Our Cities
““Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”
Richard St. Barbe Baker