“Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall all be saved.β
β Jane Goodall
Discover the heritage of Saskatoon’s Secret Forests converting and transforming to Saskatoon’s Hidden Gems. The Wildwoods of Saskatoon Monday October 24 at 7:00 pm Treasure Saskatoon’s ecoheritage. Come to Nature. Come to Life. . . bit.ly/3rk33pN Eventbrite Link
“As we progress into the twenty-first century, anyone who considers themselves a realist will have to make the environment a top priority.”
βLeonardo DiCaprio
mail friendsafforestation@gmail.com phone or text Thanks! stbarbebaker.wordpress.com
2023 Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inspirational Calendar. Landscapes courtesy Vivian Allan. Sample January Month of the seasonal inspirational calendar! Support Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon
Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inspirational 2023 Calendar Come out to our Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Booths!
In partnership and with gratitude to Saskatchewan Polytechnic.Β Marvel at the landscapes, plants, birds and animals of the two Saskatoon Afforestation Areas throughout the months. Appreciate our urban forest with this inspirational calendar featuring quotations from global conservationist Richard St. Barbe Baker.Β Come to Nature. Come to Life. Community Place Making in the forest.Β Get your Christmas presents for that hard to shop for someone today!Β Celebrate Saskatoon and our urban forest!Β
Saskatoon’s Secret Forests transforming to Hidden Gems.
Support the afforestation areas.
Make a donation to the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, and receive aΒ calendar.Β Support wildlife, environmental protections, and environmental education.Β Donations can be made through Paypal, Canada Helps, Contact Donate A Car Canada for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.!Β Let us know when you make a donation, and we will make arrangements to get your calendar to you or for you to pick one up.
Thank you to City of Saskatoon and Mosaic for their support
Sat Sept 17 at 2:00 iNaturalist Biodiversity Challenge and Sun Sept 18 at 6:00 Easy as 1-2-3 Find It, Snap It, Share It, on the free iNaturalist app
Sun Sept 18 Wildwoods of Saskatoon Film Remai Modern at 2:00 Register Now! Seating is limited.
Commemorate #NationalForestWeek with a theme in 2022 “Canada’s Forests: Solutions for a Changing Climate.”
2022 is the 30th anniversary of “Maple Leaf Day” or National Tree Day in Canada
National Forest Week brings attention to our forests and trees from coast to coast across Canada. Maple Leaf Day (or National Forest Day) takes place the third Wednesday of September, which in 2022 is September 21. National Forest Week are the days around Maple Leaf Day.
Richard St. Barbe Baker said it this way, βIf a person loses one third of his or her skin, the person will die; if a tree loses a third of its bark, the tree will die, and if the world loses a third of its trees, the world will die.
We live less that five minutes without air and the trees give us air we breathe. We live less than five days without water, and trees are absolutely essential in the water cycle. We live less than five weeks without food, and without the trees we could not grow food.β (Filson, Bruce K. October 7, 1982, Western People, p. 5)
Find your forest and share the story about your tree friend
In the days leading up to #NationalForestWeek
οΌ Let people know about a forest you like to visit
οΌ Share the location of a unique tree
οΌ Tell a story about your favourite native tree
οΌ Create a post on social media letting everyone know what event you have to offer about your favourite tree or forest
οΌ Get together with other environmental groups to promote your forest or tree places by a networking event
There is no mood or passion that the forest cannot give us, and those of us who have discovered her secret can settle beforehand what our experiences are going to be. We can choose our day and select our hour. And lo! the dawn finds us in the obscure wood. Together witnessing the film expose the afforestation secrets, we pass through into the realm of legend. With pity or with joy, the secrets revealed, behold the stories and tales of another world, another time. Let us at least suppose so for the momentβthat at the film -we settle down to discovering the real intention and the stories of the afforestation areas. Those stories which etch and mould the form of the afforestation areas.
Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon Sunday September 18 at 2:00 pm at the Remai Modern. Register Now
50th anniversary of World Environment Day, 50th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon
Richard St. Barbe Baker said it this way, βIf a person loses one third of his or her skin, the person will die; if a tree loses a third of its bark, the tree will die, and if the world loses a third of its trees, the world will die. We live less that five minutes without air and the trees give us air we breathe. We live less than five days without water, and trees are absolutely essential in the water cycle. We live less than five weeks without food, and without the trees we could not grow food.β (Filson, Bruce K. October 7, 1982, Western People, p. 5)
A secret is elusive and evasive. So it is with the afforestation areas. Many stories hide and lurk in and about the afforestation areas. And so the picture in the film – the imagery revealed in the film -Wildwoods of Saskatoon- becomes more wonderful to us than it really is, and reveals to us a secret of which, in truth, it knows nothing, and the music of the mystical prose is as sweet in our ears as was that flute. And in this it is right, for the meaning of any beautiful created thing – such as the afforestation areas – are, at least, as much in the soul of him who looks at it, as it was in his soul who wrought it. Nay, it is rather the beholder who lends to the beautiful thing its myriae age, so that it becomes a vital portion of our lives, and a symbol of what we yearn for, or perhaps of what, having yearned for, we wonder what we may receive.
Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon Sunday September 18 at 2:00 pm at the Remai Modern. Register Now
Fraxinus_pennsylvanica Green Ash American Elm Ulmus Americana autumn leafCommemorate #NationalForestWeek with a theme in 2022 “Canada’s Forests: Solutions for a Changing Climate.”
2022 is the 30th anniversary of “Maple Leaf Day” or National Tree Day in Canada Walking in the forest Photo by Brynna SpencerWalking in the forest
National Forest Week brings attention to our forests and trees from coast to coast across Canada. Our forests and trees provide habitats for wildlife, insects, polllinator species, birds and so much more! What is the βtriple environmental emergency we are facing?
1. Loss of biodiversity 2. Climate change 3. Out of control pollution.
Out of control pollution. Our native biodiversity needs wild spaces, food and homes such as trees and forests provide in which to thrive. Forests, tree planting, and forest conservation initiatives are nature-based solutions towards climate action. Pollution, pesticides, herbicides are escalating the extinction events. Creating safe, organic forest spaces is a large step to halt and slow down the silent sixth mass extinction event of invertebrates, the planetβs bird food on wings. Ornithologists and botanists have noticed that the songbird, and raptor populations have declined by a staggering 48%. The monitored wildlife populations are reduced by a catastrophic 68%. A loss of forests and habitats have caused over 2/3 of our animal populations to totally disappear.
Richard St. Barbe Baker said it this way, βIf a person loses one third of his or her skin, the person will die; if a tree loses a third of its bark, the tree will die, and if the world loses a third of its trees, the world will die. We live less that five minutes without air and the trees give us air we breathe. We live less than five days without water, and trees are absolutely essential in the water cycle. We live less than five weeks without food, and without the trees we could not grow food.β (Filson, Bruce K. October 7, 1982, Western People, p. 5)
This biodiversity Challenge is a great way to discover new trees and unexplored forest places, or perhaps it is a time to return to celebrate a favourite forest you love and are familiar with
When the forest speaks to us and tells us their own secrets- they can always charm our ears to listening and our lips to silence. The world will never weary of watching, and yearning for their ears to hear and delve into the silence, and the secrets held in the afforestation areas. Can it be called the forests’ autobiography? -the autobiography that is irresistible?
Perhaps you have sometimes thought that the story of the afforestation areas’ secrets might be really an artistic myth, created in critical days, and serving to remind us, not merely that the Great Poet is always a Seer, seeing less with the eyes of the body than he does with the eyes of the soul, but that he is a true singer also, building his song out of music, repeating each line over and over again to himself till he has caught the secret of its melody, chaunting in darkness the words that are winged with light.
The image stained upon the afforestation areas in our minds. For those who know little of the life of the afforestation areas this film reveals the secrets. For the secrets of life and death belong to those, and those only, whom the sequence of time affects, and who possess not merely the present but the future, and can rise or fall from a past of glory or of shame. Maybe you heard of something hinted at, a glimmer of a rumour, or a tale about the afforestation areas.
Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon Sunday September 18 at 2:00 pm at the Remai Modern. Register Now
Forest Film DocumentariesCommemorate #NationalForestWeek with a theme in 2022 “Canada’s Forests: Solutions for a Changing Climate.”
2022 is the 30th anniversary of “Maple Leaf Day” or National Tree Day in Canada Tree Planting SongRichard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, -George Genereux Urban Regional Park Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CanadaRichard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area -George Genereux Urban Regional park Forest
National Forest Week brings attention to our forests and trees from coast to coast across Canada. Our forests and trees provide habitats for wildlife, insects, polllinator species, birds and so much more! What is the βtriple environmental emergency we are facing?
1. Loss of biodiversity 2. Climate change 3. Out of control pollution.
Out of control pollution. Our native biodiversity needs wild spaces, food and homes such as trees and forests provide in which to thrive. Forests, tree planting, and forest conservation initiatives are nature-based solutions towards climate action. Pollution, pesticides, herbicides are escalating the extinction events. Creating safe, organic forest spaces is a large step to halt and slow down the silent sixth mass extinction event of invertebrates, the planetβs bird food on wings. Ornithologists and botanists have noticed that the songbird, and raptor populations have declined by a staggering 48%. The monitored wildlife populations are reduced by a catastrophic 68%. A loss of forests and habitats have caused over 2/3 of our animal populations to totally disappear.
Richard St. Barbe Baker said it this way, βIf a person loses one third of his or her skin, the person will die; if a tree loses a third of its bark, the tree will die, and if the world loses a third of its trees, the world will die. We live less that five minutes without air and the trees give us air we breathe. We live less than five days without water, and trees are absolutely essential in the water cycle. We live less than five weeks without food, and without the trees we could not grow food.β (Filson, Bruce K. October 7, 1982, Western People, p. 5)
This biodiversity Challenge is a great way to discover new trees and unexplored forest places, or perhaps it is a time to return to celebrate a favourite forest you love and are familiar with
The secret of the charm of the afforestation areas, I imagine, is traceable to the fact that there is distinctly something mysterious, unknown, and heretofore hidden. From this it will be seen that I am not claiming a discovery; that what I have called a secret of the charm of the afforestation areas is a secret known to every man, woman, and child, even to those of my own friends who stoutly deny that they have any such knowledge. But I think it is best known to children. What I am here doing is merely to bring together and put in form certain more or less vague thoughts and feelings which I (and therefore all of us) have about the afforestation areas; and it is a small matter, but it happens to be one which no person has hitherto attempted.
Discover the Wildwoods of Saskatoon Sunday September 18 at 2:00 pm at the Remai Modern. Register Now
Forest Film DocumentariesElm Trees_CC-BY-SA-2.0 BriYYZNative species, Trembling Aspen or Populus tremuloides, quaking aspen, trembling aspen, American aspen, Quakies, mountain or golden aspen, trembling poplar, white poplar,, Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CAForest Film DocumentariesForest Film Documentaries
National Forest Week brings attention to our forests and trees from coast to coast across Canada. Our forests and trees provide habitats for wildlife, insects, polllinator species, birds and so much more! What is the βtriple environmental emergency we are facing?
1. Loss of biodiversity 2. Climate change 3. Out of control pollution.
Out of control pollution. Our native biodiversity needs wild spaces, food and homes such as trees and forests provide in which to thrive. Forests, tree planting, and forest conservation initiatives are nature-based solutions towards climate action. Pollution, pesticides, herbicides are escalating the extinction events. Creating safe, organic forest spaces is a large step to halt and slow down the silent sixth mass extinction event of invertebrates, the planetβs bird food on wings. Ornithologists and botanists have noticed that the songbird, and raptor populations have declined by a staggering 48%. The monitored wildlife populations are reduced by a catastrophic 68%. A loss of forests and habitats have caused over 2/3 of our animal populations to totally disappear.
Richard St. Barbe Baker said it this way, βIf a person loses one third of his or her skin, the person will die; if a tree loses a third of its bark, the tree will die, and if the world loses a third of its trees, the world will die. We live less that five minutes without air and the trees give us air we breathe. We live less than five days without water, and trees are absolutely essential in the water cycle. We live less than five weeks without food, and without the trees we could not grow food.β (Filson, Bruce K. October 7, 1982, Western People, p. 5)
Some will choose to embark on walks making every day some new acquaintance with Nature. Come walk in nature with a sense of greater space and freedom. This suggests besides, that the universe is not rough-hewn, but perfect in its details. Nature will bear the closest inspection; she invites us to lay our eye level with the smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain. Come walk in the woods, become reminded of that a wise purveyor has been there before. Perhaps the most delicate experience is typified there. Become awe struck with the pleasing friendships and unanimities of nature, as when the lichen on the trees takes the form of their leaves. In the most stupendous scenes see the delicate and fragile features, as slight wreaths of vapor, dewlines, feathery sprays, which suggest a high refinement, a noble blood and breeding, as it were. It is not hard to account for elves and fairies; they represent this light grace, this ethereal gentility. Bring a spray from the wood, or a crystal from the brook, and place it on the mantel, and all store boughten household ornaments will seem plebeian beside its nobler fashion and bearing. It will wave superior there, as if used to a more refined and polished circle. It has a salute and a response to all nature’s enthusiasm and heroism.
The afforestation areas with secret spaces and secret places in this film “the secret is to be wrung from them.” come to the Wildwoods of Saskatoon heritage documentary on Sunday Sept 18 at 2:00pm Register now
Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arboreaNative species, Trembling Aspen or Populus tremuloides, quaking aspen, trembling aspen, American aspen, Quakies, mountain or golden aspen, trembling poplar, white poplar,, Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CACaragana arborescens, the Siberian peashrub, Siberian pea-tree, or caraganaRichard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
National Forest Week brings attention to our forests and trees from coast to coast across Canada. Our forests and trees provide habitats for wildlife, insects, polllinator species, birds and so much more! What is the βtriple environmental emergency we are facing?
1. Loss of biodiversity 2. Climate change 3. Out of control pollution.
Out of control pollution. Our native biodiversity needs wild spaces, food and homes such as trees and forests provide in which to thrive. Forests, tree planting, and forest conservation initiatives are nature-based solutions towards climate action. Pollution, pesticides, herbicides are escalating the extinction events. Creating safe, organic forest spaces is a large step to halt and slow down the silent sixth mass extinction event of invertebrates, the planetβs bird food on wings. Ornithologists and botanists have noticed that the songbird, and raptor populations have declined by a staggering 48%. The monitored wildlife populations are reduced by a catastrophic 68%. A loss of forests and habitats have caused over 2/3 of our animal populations to totally disappear.
Richard St. Barbe Baker said it this way, βIf a person loses one third of his or her skin, the person will die; if a tree loses a third of its bark, the tree will die, and if the world loses a third of its trees, the world will die. We live less that five minutes without air and the trees give us air we breathe. We live less than five days without water, and trees are absolutely essential in the water cycle. We live less than five weeks without food, and without the trees we could not grow food.β (Filson, Bruce K. October 7, 1982, Western People, p. 5)
Wildwoods of Saskatoon Film premieres Sunday Sept 18 at 2:00 p.m. Remai Modern #NationalForestWeek introduces thousands of people to these unique natural afforestation areas the 132 hectare Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and the 60 hectare George Genereux Urban Regional Park.
The Wildwoods of Saskatoon heritage documentary spotlights their rich history and heritage. Walking tours delve into the diverse natural features.to appreciate the mature pine and spruce groves, a large marsh area with numerous waterfowl including horned grebes, and other endangered species, native trembling aspen, wild rose and much more.
We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their afforestation to trees which also aligns with the centenary of the International Tree Foundation, and the 30th anniversary of National Forest Week. Forest Walking Tours –Wonders of the Forest! Walking tour and Forest Gathering Walk – 50th anniversary-re Saturday and Sunday Sept 24 and 25 at 2:00 p.m. Wildwoods of Saskatoon Film premieres Sunday Sept 18 at 2:00 p.m. Remai Modern Register Now Friends Areas.ca http://friendsareas.ca friendsafforestation@gmail.com https://bit.ly/3B6Ta3q Eventbrite Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. is a non-profit, environmental charity focused on the protection and enhancement of both the. The areas were planted in 1972 under the Green Survival Program, and preserved in perpetuity by Saskatoon City Council in 1979.Tree planting initiatives, environmental stewardship work together to prevent, enhance nature aesthetics, biodiversity habitats and reverse degradation of the environment honouring the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.
What is the βtriple environmental emergency we are facing?
1. Loss of biodiversity
2. Climate change
3. Out of control pollution.Our native biodiversity needs wild spaces, food and homes such as trees and forests provide in which to thrive. Forests, tree planting, and forest conservation initiatives are nature-based solutions towards climate action. Pollution, pesticides, herbicides are escalating the extinction events.
Creating safe, organic forest spaces is a large step to halt and slow down the silent sixth mass extinction event of invertebrates, the planetβs bird food on wings. Ornithologists and botanists have noticed that the songbird, and raptor populations have declined by a staggering 48%. The monitored wildlife populations are reduced by a catastrophic 68%. A loss of forests and habitats have caused over 2/3 of our animal populations to totally disappear.
Richard St. Barbe Baker said it this way, βIf a person loses one third of his or her skin, the person will die; if a tree loses a third of its bark, the tree will die, and if the world loses a third of its trees, the world will die.We live less that five minutes without air and the trees give us air we breathe. We live less than five days without water, and trees are absolutely essential in the water cycle. We live less than five weeks without food, and without the trees we could not grow food.β (Filson, Bruce K. October 7, 1982, Western People, p. 5)
Tree planting events, forest tours, a heritage film βWildwoods of Saskatoonβ, in person and virtual events will take place during National Forest Week. PaRx has arrived in Saskatchewan attesting to the increased health and wellness benefits people experience when getting out to enjoy our forest greenspaces. Nature enriches the lives of visitors. #NationalForestWeek events are wonderful ways to help create new healthy biodiversity habitats, to discover new trees and unexplored forest places, or perhaps it is a time to return to celebrate a favourite forest you love and are familiar with.During this era of climate change take part in #NationalForestWeek This is the change to tie events together to enhance the multifaceted experience of all visitors.
Commemorate #NationalForestWeek with a theme in 2022 “Canada’s Forests: Solutions for a Changing Climate.”
2022 is the 30th anniversary of “Maple Leaf Day” or National Tree Day in Canada Yellow Sunflower Moth
Stiria rugifrons on top of Curlycup Gumweed Grindelia squarrosa Hairy Woodpecker male (note the red) (Picoides villosus)
Saskatoon, pincherry, chokecherry to name a few are pollinated bushes in the afforestation areas which rely on our bees and pollinator species. According to John Mola et al in The Importance of Forests in Bumble Bee Biology and Conservation writes, “forests and woody edges provide food resources during phenologically distinct periods, are often preferred nesting and overwintering habitats, and can offer favorable abiotic conditions in a changing climate.” Wildlife Preservation goes on to say, “forests provide lots of nooks and crannies for bumble bee queens to start their new colonies. Not only that, but the trees and shrubs in forests help slow down harsh winds, protect bees from the rain, and keep temperatures down during the heat of the summer by providing shade from the sun.” From the American Forest Foundation; “Mature stands [of forests] are also well suited for bees. Especially stands that include a variety of species, as well as openings or gaps. Mature forests can provide shade and protection from extreme weather for hives.”
What can you do?
Destroy your bug-zapper! Bug zappers kill all bugs and don’t pick and choose the bugs you don’t like. So all beneficial pollinator species bugs are also eliminated, and all the bird food on wings goes away, so the food web for the declining bird population is also gone.
Write a letter to your local, provincial and federal politician asking for a ban on pesticides and herbicides.
Buy organic food only in the supermarket or farmer’s market – or grow your own food.
There are light-free zones for star gazers to enjoy our milky way galaxy which is splendid! Why are there not Electro-magnetic Field EMF-free zones also? Environmental Health Trust EHT Executive Director Theodora Scarato writes, and says on YouTube; 5G and Small Cell Environmental Effects: Birds, Bees Trees and Climate. Take action now! Dana Dovey from Newsweek, says; “Technology is quite literally destroying nature, with a new report further confirming that electromagnetic radiation from power lines and cell towers can disorientate birds and insects and destroy plant health.” BeeHeroic says “Bees Plea, Stop 5G “Due to several factors – including body size, Β the magnetite that all animals have in their bodies and more – pollinating insects and animals are highly susceptible to 5G.Β In addition, the fact that mmWaves make plants toxic – to animals and humans – creates a combination that is forcing accelerated extinction of nearly all life on Earth.”
Plant trees and forests.
Our native biodiversity needs wild spaces, food and homes such as trees and forests provide in which to thrive.Β Forests, tree planting, and forest conservation initiatives are nature-based solutions towards climate action.Β Pollution, pesticides, herbicides are escalating the extinction events.Β Creating safe, organic forest spaces is a large step to halt and slow down the silent sixth mass extinction event of invertebrates, the planetβs bird food on wings.Β Ornithologists and botanists have noticed that the songbird, and raptor populations have declined by a staggering 48%.Β The monitored wildlife populations are reduced by a catastrophic 68%.Β A loss of forests and habitats have caused over 2/3 of our animal populations to totally disappear.
Richard St. Barbe Baker said it this way, βIf a person loses one third of his or her skin, the person will die; if a tree loses a third of its bark, the tree will die, and if the world loses a third of its trees, the world will die.
We live less that five minutes without air and the trees give us air we breathe. We live less than five days without water, and trees are absolutely essential in the water cycle. We live less than five weeks without food, and without the trees we could not grow food.β (Filson, Bruce K. October 7, 1982, Western People, p. 5)
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 