Wetland Restoration Projects – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

Guardians of the Flow

“Guardians of the Flow: Protecting West Swale Wetlands on World Water Day”

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), wetlands mammal enjoys the emergent vegetation around Chappell Marsh such as cattails

Permanent wetlands in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area with cattails and emergent vegetation in the summer

As we celebrate World Water Day on March 22, it’s crucial to turn our attention to the local gems that sustain our region—the West Swale Wetlands home to the Chappell Marsh in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Here are ten effective ways we can play a role in safeguarding these vital ecosystems:

Educate and Advocate: Raise awareness about the importance of West Swale Wetlands and Chappell Marsh. Advocate for their protection and sustainable management.
Wetland Clean-Up Events: Organize or participate in clean-up events to remove any litter or debris that could harm the wetlands. Every piece matters!
Native Plant Restoration: Support and participate in initiatives to plant native vegetation around the wetlands. Native plants contribute to the health of the ecosystem.
Proper Waste Disposal: Dispose of waste responsibly. Avoid dumping toxic materials like oil, shingles, or tires, which can harm the water quality and biodiversity.
Community Monitoring Programs: Join or establish community monitoring programs to keep a close eye on the wetlands’ health. Report any unusual activities or signs of pollution.
Responsible Pet Ownership: Keep pets on a leash and pick up after them. Pet waste can introduce harmful bacteria and nutrients into the wetlands.
Water Conservation: Practice water conservation at home. Conserving water in our daily lives directly impacts the water supply for wetlands and the South Saskatchewan River.
Support Wetland Conservation Organizations: Contribute to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to wetland conservation. Your support makes a significant difference.
Participate in City Planning: Engage with local government planning processes to ensure sustainable urban development that considers the protection of wetlands.
Environmental Education Programs: Participate in or support environmental education programs about wetlands. The more we know, the better equipped we are to protect these essential ecosystems.

Remember, the West Swale and Chappell Marsh are integral parts of the South Saskatchewan Watershed, affecting our water supply and urban biodiversity. By taking these steps, we become stewards of these invaluable resources, ensuring they thrive for generations to come.

🌊 Join us in safeguarding the West Swale Wetlands and Chappell Marsh! 🌿 On March 27, Saskatoon City Council votes on the Saskatoon Freeway Phase 2 Functional Design Report. Public comments due by March 25. Let’s take action for #WorldWaterDay on March 22! #SaveTheWetlands #ProtectOurWaterways @SwaleWatchers. Learn more about how you can help protect these vital ecosystems and ensure sustainable urban development. 🌎 Together, we can make a difference for our environment and future generations. Act now! #WetlandConservation #EnvironmentalProtection #CommunityEngagement 🌱💧

Every living being is connected intimately, and from this intimacy follows the capacity of identification and as its natural consequences, practice of non-violence .. Now is the time to share with all life on our maltreated earth through the deepening identification with life forms and the greater units, the ecosystems, and Gaia, the fabulous, old planet of ours.
Arne Næss

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.com Facebook 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

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

West Swale Wetlands: Nature’s Canvas on World Wetlands Day

In the depths of nature’s embrace, Where wetlands shimmer with grace, Lies a haven of life untamed, Where water’s essence is proclaimed. World Wetlands Day; Wetlands and Human Well-being celebrate February 2 and all year round!

Cherished Wetlands, Global Treasures.

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) This is the brightly colored male. The female of the species will use the cattails, reeds or rushes standing above the surface of the water to weave a nest, and lay 2-5 eggs.

Richard St. Barbe Baker’s vision grand, A forested legacy upon this land, In the heart of the prairie’s embrace, A sanctuary for all life to embrace.

Within the West Swale’s gentle sway, A tapestry woven in Pleistocene’s day, Man-made forests, a testament rare, To the magic of nature’s care.

On World Water Monitoring Day, Let’s gather in this sacred way, And celebrate the wetland’s might, Guided by knowledge, love, and light.

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, West Swale Wetlands. Chappell Marsh. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada — Chappell Marsh. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Cherish Wetlands, Conserve Life.

Here, let us engage, together we thrive, Seven activities, our souls will revive:

Wetland exploration, a journey to embark, Discovering the wonders, from dawn till dark.
Water quality monitoring, a scientific quest, To ensure the wetlands are at their best, Testing and analyzing, hands-on and true, Preserving water, a vital value.
Restoration projects, where hands unite, To heal the wetlands, restore their light, Removing invasives, planting anew, Creating havens where life can renew.
Wetlands and wonders, Guiding hearts and minds, imparting a start, With visuals and stories, we shall see, The magic and wonder of wetlands’ decree.
Citizen science, a community’s pride, Joining forces, side by side, Collecting data, sharing insights, Contributing to knowledge’s great heights.
Photography wonders, a visual delight, Capturing wetland’s beauty, a captivating sight, Through lenses and frames, we shall tell, The story of water’s magic spell.
Community engagement, voices in chorus, Advocating for wetlands, a united force, Forums and discussions, knowledge we share, To protect these treasures, with love and care.

So let us honor World Water’s Day, In Richard St. Barbe Baker’s array, In these naturalized green spaces, we find, A deep respect for water, forever enshrined.

In the West Swale’s embrace, we stand, Guardians of wetlands, hand in hand, For Chappell Marsh and the West Swale’s might, Let’s cherish them always, with all our might.

Canada Geese West Swale Wetlands. Chappell Marsh. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA

Wetlands Wisdom: Sustaining Life, Securing Future

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.com Facebook 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!

Beyond the Reeds: Exploring West Swale Wetlands on Wetlands Day.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful wetland nestled within a lush forest in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. This wetland, spanning across 7 hectares or 17 acres, was an integral part of the ecosystem, providing habitat for various plants and animals. It was known as the West Swale wetland and was situated at the north end of Chappell Marsh, a precious natural resource.

Marsh Magic: World Wetlands Day, Where Miracles Unfold

World Wetlands Day Wetlands and Human Well-Being 2 February 2024

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and West Swale Wetlands in the fog

The West Swale wetland was part of an ancient glacial spillway river that existed long before humans set foot on the land. This spillway river was known as the Yorath Island Glacial Spillway and was an essential feature in the evolution of drainage networks for the South Saskatchewan River watershed. The West Swale was a remnant of this river, which featured rushing waters across the floodplains with the force and speed of Niagara Falls.

Isn’t it so scary to speak of wetlands in the past tense like that?

Today, the West Swale wetland can still be seen on Google satellite maps as a lush and fertile valley fed by underground springs between the wetlands. It is separate from the moist mixed prairie ecosystem and plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the local ecosystem.

The wetland was home to a variety of plant species, including reeds, cattails, and other aquatic plants, which helped to filter the water and remove impurities. The wetland also provided a breeding ground for various bird species, including ducks and geese.

Horned Grebe Podiceps Auritus breeding colours — Scaup

However, humans have had a significant impact on the West Swale wetland over the years. The landscape architecture, including building and construction activities, have disrupted the natural flow of the creek that once existed between the afforestation areas and the South Saskatchewan River. This disruption has resulted in a loss of habitat for various plant and animal species that rely on the wetland for survival.

The West Swale wetland is a testament to the importance of wetlands in maintaining a healthy and diverse ecosystem. It highlights the need for humans to take action to protect and preserve these valuable natural resources for future generations. By doing so, we can ensure that wetlands like the West Swale will continue to provide critical habitat for various plant and animal species and contribute to the overall health of our planet.

Wetlands are important ecosystems that play a vital role in the natural environment. The West Swale wetlands, nestled within the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area woodlands and meadows, are a prime example of the significant role wetlands play in preserving natural habitats. The West Swale was formed from an ancient glacial spillway river, the Yorath Island Glacial Spillway, which once connected the North and South Saskatchewan Glacial Rivers. Today, the West Swale remains separate from the moist mixed prairie ecosystem and is a lush and fertile valley fed by underground springs between the wetlands. In addition to the permanent wetlands of the northern portion of Chappell Marsh, both the George Genereux Urban Regional Park and Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area feature temporary wetlands. These wetlands play an important role in the evolution of drainage networks for the South Saskatchewan River watershed, and their preservation is vital for maintaining the natural balance of the environment.

Ripples of Change: Celebrating Wetlands, Shaping Tomorrow.

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and West Swale Wetlands , Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

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