We all know that getting outside and connecting with nature is essential for our mental and physical health and wellbeing. But when the winter months arrive, it can seem like a daunting task to get out in the cold and explore the outdoors. However, a wintertime nature escape can be just as magical and therapeutic as any summer adventure.
Exploring the forest during winter can bring unique opportunities to connect with nature. The snow-covered trees and the crisp air can provide a peaceful atmosphere for reflection and relaxation. The decrease of life in the winter months also means that the sounds of nature are amplified, allowing us to take in the subtle tones of the forest.
The frigid temperatures of winter can also bring unexpected surprises. If you’re lucky, you could stumble across a group of animals migrating to warmer climates, or a herd of animals gathering in an area to keep warm. Taking a walk in the forest during winter can be an opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitats.
Spending time in nature during the winter months can also provide a number of health benefits. Studies have shown that exposure to nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while also improving overall physical health. Taking a walk in the woods can also help to boost your immune system and help you to fight illnesses.
But it’s important to be prepared before heading out in the cold. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather, and to bring food, water, and a map if you plan to explore for a long period of time.
So don’t be afraid to get out and explore the forest during winter. You’ll be rewarded with a peaceful, tranquil environment and the chance to connect with nature in a way you’d never have imagined. Come visit the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or the George Genereux Urban Regional Park today!
Did the “Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc“, non profit environmental charity mention that there are challenges and an opportunity to be eligible to win prizes? Tomorrow is Monday February 15, family day in Saskatchewan.
Well, during COVID-19 there are Public Health Organisation regulations to not arrange an event with a date and a time. So, our Take It Outside Winter Staycation programming has some amazing challenges to promote being “Outside Safely.”
Our challenges are set up for your family or your personal COVID bubble to come out to the 326 acre Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and have a lot of fun!
With family day coming up, try this activity. At home place a couple of drops of food colouring in a balloon you have freshly removed from a bag of balloons. Then take the balloon and enclose the mouth of the balloon around the water tap, and fill the balloon up. Like making a coloured water balloon.
Make a few of these and put them outside to freeze. Place them in your vehicle and come on out to the afforestation area. When you arrive you can walk your dog in the South West off leash recreation area, and place your creations (remove the rubber balloon, and just leave the coloured ice) alongside the dog park fence or up on the snow piles created by the bulldozers this year! What a great way to cheer up the edges of the forest pathways!
They will even make superlative sun catchers for everyone to enjoy. Take a picture of your snow globes which you have placed in the afforestation area, and send the email in to friendsafforestation@gmail.com to be entered into the prize draw. Yay!
“The future of the planet concerns all of us, and all of us should do what we can to protect it. ” Wangari Maathai.
“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nations saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
“Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born: – you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.” ― e. e. cummings
“We all shine on…like the moon and the stars and the sun…we all shine on…come on and on and on…” ― john lennon
“Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.”
Well, it is -28 and we are setting records for a frosty -53 windchill these days.
Therefore, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc are proud to offer to you a You Tube video of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and encourage your family / COVID bubble to come outside in this 326 acre forest when you are able to appropriately bundle for the weather.
“The future of the planet concerns all of us, and all of us should do what we can to protect it. ” Wangari Maathai.
“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nations saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
“Calm soul of all things, make it mine, To feel amidst the City ‘s jar That there abides a peace of thine Men did not make and cannot mar. “ ~Richard St. Barbe Baker
We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to conserve the environment so that we can bequeath our children a sustainable world that benefits all.~ Wangari Maathai
“ If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. ” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. Carl Jung
Take It Outside Winter Stay-cation a part of Nutrien WinterShines – Saskatchewan’s Premier Winter Festival taking place February 15 – 21, 2021 with thanks to the City of Saskatoon Take It Outside Grant Thank you
The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas have listed their exciting “Winter Staycation” to promote being “Outside Safely” with Nutrien WinterShines – Saskatchewan’s Premier Winter Festival taking place February 15 – 21, 2021. Our non profit environmental charity wish to thank the City of Saskatoon for the Take It Outside Grant to make this programming possible.
The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. non profit environmental charity is proud to present a COVID friendly Take It Outside Winter Staycation programs and challenges at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Our challenges posted online provide incentive to “take it outside.” Register your participation for prizes! We promote an “Outside Safely” lifestyle with social distancing in the large space (326 acres) Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Areas encouraging COVID bubbles to take part exciting winter challenges for the Nutrien WinterShines – Saskatchewan’s Premier Winter Festival! February 15 – 21, 2021.
“The future of the planet concerns all of us, and all of us should do what we can to protect it. ” Wangari Maathai.
“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nations saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
“Calm soul of all things, make it mine, To feel amidst the City ‘s jar That there abides a peace of thine Men did not make and cannot mar. “ ~Richard St. Barbe Baker
We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to conserve the environment so that we can bequeath our children a sustainable world that benefits all.~ Wangari Maathai
“ If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. ” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. Carl Jung
We feel that our greatest victory remains to be won when man will realize his oneness with the trees, the creatures and with all living things, not ours to destroy, but to be handed on for the enjoyment of future generations. – Richard St. Barbe Baker.<
“Thank goodness for the first snow, it was a reminder–no matter how old you became and how much you’d seen, things could still be new if you were willing to believe they still mattered.”
–Candace Bushnell
The Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
According to CBC news, City of Saskatoon to formulate its Saskatoon Winter City Strategy; WinterCityYXE is seeking input before April 15, 2017 on the following:
“Winter life: How can Saskatoon celebrate its inviting and fun quality of life, even in the coldest months of the year?
Winter design: How can Saskatoon improve community comfort and accessibility for everyone, even in the ice and snow?
Winter culture: How can Saskatoon build enthusiasm for winter, take advantage of winter opportunities, and tell the story of its winter city?
Winter economy: How can Saskatoon address challenges associated with winter to create a more vibrant economy during the colder winter months?”
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
–Victor Hugo
The city of Saskatoon states as its environmental leadership mission that “We thrive in harmony with our natural environment, conserving resources, reducing our impacts, and promoting environmental stewardship.”Environmental Leadership
“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it. ”
–John Burroughs
There is absolutely nothing more enticing than a glorious walk in a mixed forest decked out in hoar frost splendour. And thank goodness, the Planning and Development Committee set City of Saskatoon policy in regards to trees on City property, declaring the trees as “‘living‘ assets owned by the City of Saskatoon and maintained as a legacy for the citizens of the City of Saskatoon.” with a purpose “to protect, preserve and perpetuate the health, beauty and safety of the City of Saskatoon’s urban forest for the enjoyment of its citizens, past, present and future.” This means, that as an amazing winter activity city residents will be able to enjoy the beauty of these urban forests ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the Urban Regional Park formerly named George Genereux ~ for many years to come as they are preserved in perpetuity.
Winter in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestaton Area
“Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.”
― Mary Oliver
Saskatoon, is definitely on its way, with the Optimist “Raise the Hill Campaign”, Winter fireworks to celebrate the ushering in of 2017 Canada’s 150 anniversary, PotashCorp WinterShines 2017 and Saskatoon Nature Society’s new publication, Nature Viewing Sites in and around Saskatoon (3rd edition). The beauty of nature is explored in and around Saskatoon, including the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Check out landscapes,species, and amazing nature facts as you explore the wild plants, birds and animals in this exciting semi-wilderness natural space. The afforestation area formerly known as George Genereux Urban Regional Park annexed into the City of Saskatoon in 2015 is another likely candidate for another edition.
Why not employ a new wave of smart-city projects to enjoy nature outside? The book set out by the Saskatoon Nature Society mitigates sensory deprivation, and stimulates and initiates other policies to multiply the urban forest experience. In winter, pleasurable sights, smells and sounds abound in the afforestation area providing the viewer with a rich and varied urban encounter as they make contact with the natural world in an urban forest.
Colorado Blue Spruce
A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky-unbidden-and seems like a thing of wonder
However, Edmonton, is not the only WinterCity in Canada, the Canadian Geographic enumerated ten of the best Canadian cities to visit in winter, including Edmonton with their winter activities and festivals, Quebec City’s winter carnival and ice hotel, Whistler for apres-ski nightlife, Ottawa featuring the world’s largest outdoor skating rink, Montreal featuring snow soccer and a polar circus, and Winnipeg hosts one of the world’s longest skating trails.
“I love the scents of winter! For me, it’s all about the feeling you get when you smell pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, gingerbread and spruce.”
–Taylor Swift
So how is Saskatoon to enter the world stage as a Winter City? The best way is to embrace who we are, Saskatoon is a wonderful prairie city nestled in a moist mixed grassland eco-system on the South Saskatchewan River featuring the channelization of the West Swale, Aspen bluffs and a cottonwood riparian forest. These ecological processes define who we are, and give to us over the winter months, a healthy environment with amazing surroundings, flora and fauna species. With these Saskatchewan wonders nestled into the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the Afforestation Area formerly named George Genereux Urban Regional Park, Saskatoon can surely offer a one-of-a-kind winter tourism experience and opportunity. We rank “as one of the world’s prime destinations for environmentally responsible tourism.”Atlas of Saskatchewan
People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy. Anton Chekhov
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Atlas of Saskatchewan Celebrating the Millennium edition. ISBN 0-88880-387-7. 1999. University of Saskatchewan. Ka-iu Fung Editor.
Lun Liu, Hui Wang Hui Wang Hui Wang, Chunyang WuChunyang Wu. A machine learning method for the large-scale evaluation of urban visual environment. a Department of Land Economy, University Cambridgea Department of Land Economy, University Cambridge
b School School School School School of Architecture, Tsinghua University of Architecture, Tsinghua UniversityMachine Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Engineering, University Cambridge
AbstractAbstract.
We feel that our greatest victory remains to be won when man will realize his oneness with the trees, the creatures and with all living things, not ours to destroy, but to be handed on for the enjoyment of future generations. – Richard St. Barbe Baker.
For more information:
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 SW 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
Please help protect / enhance /commemorate your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail)
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!
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 