Embracing Nature’s Symphony: Participating in the City Nature Challenge Rain or Shine

Rain patters against the windowpane, a rhythmic dance of droplets painting the world outside in shades of gray. But amidst the storm, there lies a hidden opportunity, a chance to connect with nature in its most elemental form. Yes, even in the rain, you can be a part of the City Nature Challenge, unlocking the wonders of the natural world from the comfort of your own home.

Picture this: you’re nestled indoors, cozy and dry, yet your spirit yearns for adventure. Fear not, for the wild awaits just beyond your window. With the simple flick of a wrist and the tap of a screen, you can embark on a journey of discovery that transcends weather and time.

Enter the iNaturalist app, your gateway to a realm of biodiversity teeming with life. As raindrops cascade outside, open your window and listen closely. Can you hear it? The soft serenade of birdsong echoing through the air, a melody as old as time itself. Grab your phone, launch the app, open the windows and let the magic unfold.

Begin with your front yard, a canvas painted with the colors of urban flora and fauna. Record the chirps and trills of feathered friends perched among the branches, their songs a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Then, venture to the back yard, where hidden treasures await beneath the cloak of rain-soaked foliage. Capture the symphony of bird calls that reverberate through the damp air, each note a thread in nature’s intricate tapestry.

It’s that easy, stay indoors, open that window, it is that enchanting. With each recording, you become a citizen scientist, contributing to a global effort to document and preserve the wonders of our natural world. Every tweet, every chirp, is a voice heard in the chorus of conservation, a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us even in the most unexpected of moments.

Then if you are adventurous, pop into the car, drive somewhere in Saskatoon and area, open the windows, and record the sounds again! Cool hey?

So, as the rain continues to fall outside, let us embrace the opportunity to connect with nature in all its splendor. Let us open our windows, our hearts, and our minds to the wonders that lie just beyond our doorstep. For in the midst of a storm, there is beauty to be found, and in the act of discovery, there is hope for a brighter, greener tomorrow.

Wow, indeed. Rain or shine, let us heed the call of the wild and embark on this adventure together. #CityNatureChallenge #EmbraceTheRain #NatureIsCalling 🌧️🌿

Then when the rain abates, get a bit of exercise outdoors just in case a little mushroom has emerged, as they love the rain! The Saskatoon Mycological Working Group or the NPSS mentions that we need a lot more people recording Fungi around Saskatoon to determine which ones are species at risk, and which are common.

With thanks to our sponsors and supporters SaskPower, SaskTel, Saskatoon Nature Society, Wild About Saskatoon, Caswell Hill Community Association, SOS Trees Inc., Rosewood Varsity View Community Association, Nutana Varsity View Community Association, Montgomery Place Varsity View Community Association. City Nature Challenge Saskatoon CNC YXE 2024 led by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas. Reach if you would like to sponsor the City Nature Challenge, or share the City Nature Challenge information as a collaborator!

Find it

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Certificates

Ready for my closer up

Tip No 1. Flower leaves bark habitat

Check captive cultivated

Make sure to record photo or sound

Click the + sign add another photo of the same organism

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

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

Pinterest richardstbarbeb

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

Facebook: South West OLRA

Reddit: FriendsAfforestation

Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

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

““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

Saskatoon’s Green Revolution: Crafting a Sustainable Future in the City’s First Climate Action Budget

Subtitle: “The 2024-2025 Multi-Year Business Plan & Budget: A Pivotal Moment for Environmental Resilience”

Introduction: In the wake of global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, Saskatoon is at a crossroads. The upcoming 2024-2025 City Budget marks a historic opportunity to spearhead a transformative climate action budget—ushering in a new era of sustainability and resilience for the city.

Call to Action: #GrabYourPen! Saskatoon residents are invited to be architects of change by participating in the call to action. Support the Sustainability Department of Saskatoon, we beckon citizens to write letters to the City Council, emphasizing support for groundbreaking initiatives, climate action, and a cleaner Saskatoon. It’s a collective effort to shape a future where Saskatoon becomes a beacon of environmental responsibility.

Key Themes:

  • Bold Initiatives: The budget promises bold initiatives to tackle pressing environmental issues head-on. From climate action plans to sustainable practices, Saskatoon is gearing up for a green revolution.
  • Resilient Infrastructure: The city aims to build resilient infrastructure that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. This includes measures to protect the urban canopy, such as reduced tree planting and an extension of the tree pruning cycle.
  • Innovative Solutions: The 2024-2025 budget is not just about addressing current issues but also about fostering innovation. It encourages innovative solutions to environmental problems, positioning Saskatoon as a leader in sustainable urban development.

Deadline and Participation: City Council’s final budget review is scheduled from November 28 to 30, 2023. Public participation is crucial at this juncture. Citizens interested in contributing must arrange to submit letters or speak to the council before the November 27, 5 p.m. deadline.

Environmental Actions at Risk: Several environmental actions, initially proposed as potential budget cuts, are now at risk. Options like reduced tree planting and an extension of the tree pruning cycle are essential for protecting Saskatoon’s urban canopy and combating biodiversity loss and climate change.

Recommended Options: Out of the 10 proposed environmental options to trim the budget, only four have been recommended and approved by the City of Saskatoon Council. Citizens are urged to write letters in support of those recommended options potentially on the chopping block, particularly Option 7 – Reduced Tree Planting and Option 8 – Extension of Tree Pruning Cycle, to safeguard Saskatoon’s greenery.

Remaining Options: The remaining options to trime the budget cover a range of areas, including

Option 1 – Closure of East Compost Depot
Option 2 – Adjust Operating hours at Landfill and Material Recovery Centre
Option 3 – Eliminate Skunk Inspection, Trapping and Relocation Services for Private Residential Properties
Option 4 – Reduce Mosquito Control Treatment Area
Option 5 – Discontinue Christmas Tree Drop-off Sites
Option 6 – Further adjustments to Operating hours at Landfill and Material Recovery Centre
Option 7 – Reduced Tree Planting
Option 8 – Extension of Tree Pruning Cycle
Option 9 – Eliminate GHG Management Software
Option 10 – Eliminate Healthy Yards and Boulevards Garden Program
Option 11 – End Student Action for a Sustainable Future program contribution

Public engagement is crucial to ensure the prioritization of environmental conservation.

Governance and Priorities Committee’s Recommendation: The Governance and Priorities Committee recommends the inclusion of specific options in the 2024/2025 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget. These include the closure of East Compost Depot, reduced operating hours at the landfill, elimination of skunk inspection services, and a reduction in the mosquito control treatment area.

Conclusion: As Saskatoon stands on the brink of a historic budget transformation, citizens are called upon to be the driving force behind a sustainable future. By participating in the call to action, residents can ensure that Saskatoon rises to the occasion, becoming a resilient, biodiverse, and cleaner city. The 2024-2025 budget is not just a financial plan—it’s a commitment to safeguarding the environment and securing a sustainable future for generations to come.

Saskatoon’s climate budget and what it could mean for residents

Saskatoon’s first climate budget to be previewed next week

Saskatoon City Council presents first budget directed towards climate initiatives

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
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
Pinterest richardstbarbeb
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
Facebook: South West OLRA
Reddit: FriendsAfforestation
Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas
Mix: friendsareas
YouTube
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 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!
Donations can be made through Paypal, Canada Helps, Contact Donate A Car Canada, SARCAN Drop & Go 106100594 for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.
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

Join Us in Creating a Greener Tomorrow: Participate in a Food Forest Survey

We need your help. Be a Part of the Change: Share Your Input on Saskatoon’s Proposed Food Forests

Are you passionate about the environment and the future of our city? The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, a non-profit environmental charity, is excited to announce an important public engagement survey. This survey, conducted by the City of Saskatoon, aims to gather your input on the proposed food forests at Leif Erickson Park and Boughton Park.

Watch YouTube Video Short. Contribute to a More Vibrant Community: Share Your Thoughts on Saskatoon’s Food Forests

By participating in this survey, you can help shape the future of our city’s green spaces and contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant community.

Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and our community.

Don’t miss this opportunity to have your voice heard. Visit our website or contact us to learn more and participate in the survey today! Join us in shaping the future of Saskatoon.

Together, we can make a difference! Survey open April to May 2023. Take part now! Leif Erickson Park Food Forest Demonstration Site Boughton Park Food Forest Demonstration

Saskatoon’s Future is in Your Hands: Take The Survey and Help Us Preserve Our Green Spaces

https://www.saskatoon.ca/engage/food-forests

Together We Can Create a Sustainable Future: Share Your Input on Our Parks

Site https://lnkd.in/grTTMK7t

http://friendsareas.ca/

#nature4all #FriendsAreas #FriendsAfforestation @FriendsAreas #saskatoon #saskatooning #sustainability #sustainable #events #nature #forest #FriendsAreas #FriendsAfforestation #NatureInTheCity #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureForEveryone #NatureNerd #outdoors #nature #food #foodforests #foodforest #foodforlife email friendsafforestation@gmail.com stbarbebaker.wordpress.com friendsareas.ca 😀 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 🍎 #opportunity #community #environment #help #future #engagement #charity #environmental #ca #email friendsafforestation@gmail.com

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
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
Pinterest richardstbarbeb
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
Facebook: South West OLRA
Reddit: FriendsAfforestation
Twitter: St Barbe Baker Charity Twitter:FriendsAreas
Mix: friendsareas
YouTube
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 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!
Donations can be made through Paypal, Canada Helps, Contact Donate A Car Canada, SARCAN Drop & Go 106100594 for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.
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

A Fog so Thick

A bit of fog and hoar frost in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CanadaA bit of fog and hoar frost in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CanadaA bit of fog and hoar frost in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CanadaA bit of fog and hoar frost in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
A bit of fog and hoar frost in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
A bit of fog and hoar frost in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
As Richard St. Barbe Baker quoted Henry van Dyke, here is another forest poem excerpt by Henry van Dyke

“But the glory of trees is more than their gifts:
Tis a beautiful wonder of life that lifts,
From a wrinkled seed in an earth-bound clod,
A column, an arch in the temple of God,
A pillar of power, a dome of delight,
A shrine of song, and a joy of sight!
Their roots are the nurses of rivers in birth;
Their leaves are alive with the breath of the earth;
They shelter the dwellings of man; and they bend
O’er his grave with the look of a loving friend.” ~ Henry van Dyke

Just a bit of a variation on a theme regarding the fog and hoar frost at the afforestation area

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 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

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 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

1./ Learn.

2./ Experience

3./ Do Something: ***

 

“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

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. Albert Camus

“Then a quietness falls over meadow and hill,  

 The wings of the wind in the forest are furled,

The river runs softly, the birds are all still ” ~ Henry van Dyke