What is it – Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park.

A focus on insects this spring

City Nature Challenge ID Party – Insects! Help for insect IDs/questions Tue, May 3, 2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST

What is it? Help to convert the unknown observations! With an insect specialist – entomologist – to answer questions

About this event

Help discover the answer to “what is it?”

About this event

Get together virtually – in attendance will be an insect specialist by the name of Sydney Worthy Entomologist from the City of Saskatoon City of Saskatoon to help with I.D.s on insects which is fantastic!

Join together to make identifications on iNaturalist for the Saskatoon and Area City Nature Challenge.

EVERYONE is welcome to join, you absolutely DO NOT need to be an expert to help with IDs! And it is a great time to learn more about insects, and our insects in Saskatoon and get any insect questions answered as well.

We’ll start off with an introduction on how to identify and will go through some observations together, so join in if you’d like to learn more about how to help with IDs! After that, folks can jump off if they’d like to work on IDs on their own, but we’ll stick around if people would like to share some of the observations they’re coming across or just want to chat more about the City Nature Challenge or insects in general.

We would concentrate on the observations that “require ID” depending on how many people are online.

People can identify something, or ask some questions on various id’s.

Ask for others to confirm an id so that it can be listed as a “Research Grade”

also to help correct false ID’s.

Need assistance identifying your observations or eager to learn how to identify?

Pre-requisites: You will need a computer, laptop, tablet signed into your user name on iNaturalist to take part! or…If you want just to help by watching the zoom screen with your shout outs and questions that is fine also!

It may be easier if you have done some iNaturalist observations on your smartphone ahead of time, but as an someone with questions about insects, as an iNaturalist observer, a beginner, or an experienced specialist scientist all are welcome!

iNaturalist Connect with nature for the City Nature Challenge Saskatoon and Area Défi nature urbaine hosted by the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.

City Nature Challenge Insect Hints and Tips Tues, April 26, 2022 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST

Celebrate 50 years! Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional park were planted to trees in 1972, 50 years ago. Come out and say Happy Birthday!

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

Identification Hints and Tips for iNaturalist

The YouTube video is online for making identifications on iNaturalist. Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to the zoom session. We had inquiries from others who would like to watch this video when it is online, so here is the YouTube Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0qzwlVhiXc

Where that YouTube hints and tips to become an “identifier” and place identifications upon the observations of other people, this YouTube provides hints and tips for making observations in the field so that the question “What is it?” can be answered.

That being said, basically the iNaturalist app is as easy as 1-2-3 to use!

Just download the free iNaturalist app to your smart phone for observations, and sign in.
Find a wild organism in nature.
Snap! Take a picture.

We Need Your Help!

We have just provided some YouTube videos to enhance the nature experience.

City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challenge

Yellow Sunflower Moth Stiria rugifrons on top of Curlycup Gumweed Grindelia squarrosa — City Nature Challenge CNCYXE Saskatoon area versus YQRCNC Regina and area in a mini SK challenge

YouTube

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

What’s coming up for National Forest Week?

Still upcoming are an afternoon tree planting session out at Diefenbaker park, Followed by a session on National Healing Forests, a wonderful opportunity to engage in truth and reconciliation and healing between cultures. A Healing Forest project brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous neighbours to plan and develop green spaces where survivors and families of the Residential School legacy, as well as all Canadians, can heal, do ceremony, reflect, discuss and meditate.

The City of Saskatoon celebrates National Forest Week during “Urban forests and greenspaces enhance Saskatoon’s quality of life.” YXE Green infrastructure strategy is a new department at City Hall, and will speak to their grassroots programme. Evolving challenges, opportunities and constraints faced by Urban Forestry best management practices are critical elements in development and implementation of plans and the promotion of urban forestry biodiversity. Learn more about our green city.

Ecological assessment through citizen scientist will be examined in an evening virtual webinar where insight is provided into a great tool to find out “What is it?” Right after Why is the sky blue? another great all time favourite question and curiosity is to delve into the natural world around us and learn more natural history. If you would like to know how to promote and preserve biodiversity – species at risk- around you, “When and Where did You See what?” will provide guidance in your successful and fun endeavours.

Health and wellness outdoors is always a favourite go-to, and now the best ever prescription is that your physician can actually have this capacity to boost our immune system. What a great time to validate the relationship between human health in nature, and the value of this time invested.

Finally, there will be a great way to commemorate the tenth anniversary of National Forest Week with a grand finale with a holistic connection with nature. A bioblitz or nature assessment in the afternoon in a large 326 acre green space will explore the heritage and natural aspects of a man-made forest on the prairies. If you miss this heritage walk and nature connection tour, please email friendsafforestation@gmail.com to arrange another time. This Sunday afternoons at two place based tour will be followed by a virtual evening session on the holistic approaches and strategies of the forest wildland-urban interface.

SOS Trees has a guided urban forestry walk which is available online.

We gratefully acknowledge the amazing speakers to date for National Forest Week – Our Forests Continually Giving.

Dr Ryan Brook’s WECE lab was wildly exciting evening as the wildlife in Saskatoon was expounded upon. The co-existence of wildlife and the growing urban population is imperative during climate change as the shortage of wild habitats decreases, and climate change affects the very lives and existence of the native wild animals we take for granted. The TREE lab of the MAD lab, and the Shelterbelt Decision Support System [SB-DSS] App were both truly fascinating topics to experience from Dr. Colin Laroque. The climate history of the CLS synchotron was amazing, and provided food for thought in the various aspects being undertaken to involve students and teachers across Canada. Saskatchewan and Canadian government programmes going forward will find great opportunities to support farmers with the Shelterbelt Decision Support System [SB-DSS] app provides concrete scientific data for the carbon capture capacity of shelterbelts now that we are in the fourth year of drought. The Shelterbelt Decision Support System [SB-DSS] – how does this free tool give value to farmers and the potential for cash in pocket?The preservation of trees is not only a great way to maintain the top soil on the prairie farmland, the urban forest canopy does so much for cities. Linda Moskalyk from SOS Trees shed fascinating insights into the value of nature based solutions for climate action.

Before the week is over – pop down to City Hall and have your picture taken with the National Forest Week flag!

Thank you for coming out to the preliminary National Forest Week sessions, and we hope to see you at the upcoming programmes. Our Forests Continually Giving – protecting us from droughts and floods, providing us with air and water, mitigating climate change, our forests are amazing.

Our goal for National Forest Week is to promote discussion about trees and forests, and their multiple and essential benefits. The health of trees is being affected by climate change but trees are also a necessary solution in mitigating it. We aim to raise awareness about what trees and forests give us and what we need to do in return to protect and enhance trees and forests.

Urban forests and greenspaces enhance Saskatoon’s quality of life. — Our Forests. Are They Alive?

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

Double your celebration for National Forest Week with these Tips

Celebrate Forests and All they have to Give us.

An amazing celebration of virtual and in-person events for the 10th Anniversary of National Forest Week!

“Our Forests – Continually Giving” is an appropriate theme for this year’s National Forest Week. September 22 is Canada’s National Tree Day or Maple Leaf Day. National Forest Week is the week around Maple Leaf Day, the third Wednesday of September. Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. has a virtual guest speaker series Saturday September 18, to Sunday September 26, alongside in-person events such as guided forest walks, forest heritage tours, and a National Forest Week flag raising ceremony on Monday Sept 20 at City Hall Saskatoon at 2 pm to show your love of forests.

What if you are wandering in the forest and discover something. How do you find out what it is? “To the extent that each person can feel like a naturalist, the old excitement of the untrammeled world will be regained. I offer this as a formula of re-enchantment to invigorate poetry and myth: mysterious and little-known organisms live within walking distance of where you sit. Splendor awaits in minute proportions.” E.O. Wilson, Biophilia. Enjoy our forest favourites, the 326 acre Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or the 148 acre George Genereux Park right here in Saskatoon!

Tune in to Saskatoon’s Wildlife where the real night life in the city will be revealed. Discover the ecological, social benefits of nature-based solutions to climate change, and the mutual advantages which can be had for climate, society, and nature presented by our partner, SOS Trees Inc. The webinar series provides the opportunity to hear from the City of Saskatoon YXE Green Infrastructure Strategy and Urban Forestry for best practices, innovative strategies, experiences and approaches when it comes to the urban forest in our city. It is a time to discover our university’s very own TREE program; how it involves students across Canada investigating how our Trembling Aspen communities are faring amid contamination and toxicant, climatic and human events.

Over 2,000 km of shelterbelts became established in the prairies between 1930 and 2013, and during this era of climate action, 40% have been lost. Now into four years of drought, this speaker series will focus on the benefits of shelterbelts with an innovative free app developed by the University to enable farmers to know what their shelterbelt is worth under the $50 per tonne CO2E tax expected to roll out in 2022 – a great way for farmers to reap the benefits of the 2022 carbon offset value for the carbon pricing system and to increase their potential benefits with successful tree plantings.

Or maybe you are intrigued to learn about the health care system capacity under the PaRx program which uses nature to boost patient health.

Another initiative addresses an ingenious Truth and Reconciliation programme. Imagine woodlands setting(s) for health, wellness, understanding, and respect across cultures under the National Healing Forest initiative and how you can become involved.

Join us as we delve into forests and their multiple blessings, for as Richard St. Barbe Baker says, “We stand in awe and wonder at the beauty of a single tree. Tall and graceful it stands, yet robust and sinewy with spreading arms decked with foliage that changes through the seasons, hour by hour, moment by moment as shadows pass or sunshine dapples the leaves. How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees, we call a forest.”

National Forest Week The last full week of September. Maple Leaf Day the Wednesday of that week.

10th Anniversary of National Forest Week

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

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

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