Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. Humboldt Broncos Memorial Forest. Come to Nature. Come to Life. Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestationk Areas Inc. friendsareas.ca
Acting Locally for Global Impact in Saskatoon’s Afforestation Areas
Today, May 22, marks World Biodiversity Day, a global celebration recognizing the extraordinary variety of life sustaining our planet. This year’s theme, “Acting Locally for Global Impact,” reminds us that meaningful environmental stewardship begins within our own communities, parks, wetlands, and forests.
In Saskatoon, the afforestation areas cared for and advocated by the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas demonstrate how local conservation contributes directly toward global biodiversity goals. These urban forests are more than collections of trees; they are living ecosystems supporting birds, mammals, insects, pollinators, fungi, microorganisms, and native prairie biodiversity within Saskatchewan’s moist mixed grassland region.
The afforestation areas provide important ecological layers essential for healthy biodiversity. Towering canopy species such as native American Elm, Balsam Poplar, Manitoba Maple, Trembling Aspen, Bur Oak, Colorado Blue Spruce and White Spruce shelter birds and wildlife while stabilizing soils and moderating temperatures. Beneath them grow shrubs and understory plants including Saskatoon berry, chokecherry, red-osier dogwood, snowberry, buffaloberry, silverberry, gooseberries, currants, roses, and willow species which provide food, nesting habitat, pollen, nectar, and protection for pollinators, songbirds, mammals, and beneficial insects.
These forests also provide habitat corridors for wildlife including white-tailed deer, moose, rabbits, squirrels, owls, hawks, woodpeckers, migratory songbirds, and countless invertebrate species. Native flowering shrubs such as prairie rose, woods rose, silver buffaloberry, wolf willow, and western snowberry sustain pollinator populations critical to ecosystem resilience and agricultural health.
Biodiversity conservation also means understanding ecological challenges. Within the afforestation areas, introduced and invasive species such as European buckthorn require careful monitoring and community science participation. The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas encourage the public to assist with observations through iNaturalist to help identify invasive species locations, monitor biodiversity, and contribute valuable ecological data supporting conservation efforts.
American Beaver, Porcupine, Red-winged Blackbird, Fawn, Mallard Ducks, Waxwing, Rabbit, Deer Chappell Marsh. West Swale Wetlands. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA
Several species found within the afforestation areas also carry conservation significance. American Elm and Green Ash are listed on the IUCN Red List because of threats from disease and environmental pressures. The Red-Berried Elder is ranked as a rare species within Saskatchewan. Every healthy urban forest supporting these species contributes to broader ecological resilience and conservation awareness.
Urban forests are increasingly recognized as essential climate adaptation infrastructure. Trees absorb carbon, reduce urban heat, improve air quality, retain stormwater, provide wildlife habitat, and contribute to mental and physical wellbeing for surrounding communities. In rapidly changing environments, afforestation areas become critical refuges not only for biodiversity, but also for people seeking connection with nature.
The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas believe biodiversity protection begins with education, stewardship, and community participation. Every bird observation, invasive species report, pollinator garden, tree planting initiative, and conservation conversation helps strengthen environmental resilience locally while contributing to international biodiversity goals.
World Biodiversity Day reminds us that protecting ecosystems does not happen only within distant wilderness parks. It happens where communities choose to care for the landscapes around them. Saskatoon’s afforestation areas stand as living examples of how local environmental stewardship can create lasting global impact for biodiversity, climate resilience, and future generations.
Afforestation Area Addresses:
Part SE 23-36-6 – Richard St. Barbe Baker 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
MOST OBSERVED SPECIES IN SASKATOON FOR THIS FOUR DAY STRETCH ….IN A SNOWSTORM NO LESS Most Observed Species ROBIN! Turdus migratorius 64 yellow-rumped warbler Setophaga coronata 43 dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalis 40 American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos 28 black-capped chickadee Poecile atricapillus 25 Canada goose Branta canadensis 23
A Cautionary Story: Terri’s Quick Thinking in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
On May 11, 2026, around the noon hour, Terri was walking on the west side of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area when she noticed thin smoke rising through the trees.
The Guardians of the Afforestation Area: A Story of Thanks
As she moved closer, she discovered adebris shelter, also known as a brush tipi, built from stacked dead logs and branches arranged in a cone shape, partly supported by a living tree. Inside the structure, a fire had been started and was still active under dry spring conditions.
The situation was immediately concerning. The spring season had left dry grasses, twigs, and fallen leaves highly flammable, and steady winds moving through the forest could easily carry embers into surrounding areas.
Terri attempted to manage and cool the fire, but quickly realized it was spreading into the dry materials of the structure. The combination of wind, dry fuel, and heat made it unsafe to control alone. She made the critical decision to call the Fire Department right away.
Fire crews were able to respond quickly, helping prevent what could have become a fast-moving wildfire. Terri’s actions may have protected people having a healthy lifestyle in the forest, nearby infrastructure including the Canadian National Railway corridor and station area, and surrounding residential communities such as Cedar Villa Estates and Montgomery Place Neighbourhood, as well as all the biodiversity and over 63 species at risk!
Thank you to Terri and the Saskatoon Fire Department!
A Disaster Averted
Terri’s quick thinking prevented a potential catastrophe. Because of her:
The Forest Users remained safe from a fast-moving blaze.
The Canadian National Railway (CN) station and the trains nearby were protected.
The Hamlet of Cedar Villa Estates and Montgomery Place Neighbourhood were spared from a wildfire that could have been driven straight toward their homes by the strong spring winds.
How These Debris Shelters Form
Debris shelters are built by stacking dead branches and logs into a tipi-like shape, often leaning against a living tree for support.
Starting a fire in a debris shelter and abandoning it is more than just a mistake; it is a threat to the community. 85% of wildfires are caused by humans, and many start exactly like this one. The Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is loved by so many in our community; it would be devastating to lose this forest to fire! Once a mature urban forest is damaged or destroyed, recovery can take decades—or longer—and in some cases, it can raise difficult questions about future land use and whether pressure for development might follow. Losing our “urban lungs” would change the face of Saskatoon forever.
Please protect our greenspace; it is up to you!
Fire and Structural Hazards
These shelters can be dangerous for several reasons:
The Chimney Effect: The cone shape acts like achimney, drawing air upward and intensifying fire. One small flame can turn the entire dry shelter into a giant torch in seconds.
The Living Tree: Using a living tree as a support and then lighting a fire against it cooks the cambium (the living tissue under the bark), effectively killing the tree.
Dry branches and logs become highly flammable fuel
Fire can quickly spread through the entire structure
Heat can damage or kill the living tree used for support
The actual structure may be damaging the living tree, causing scars, which invites decay into the living tree which may cause it to fall during the next wind storm
However, in most public natural areas today, intentionally leaving a burning or smouldering structure would be considered unsafe and not permitted, is against city bylaws to have a fire in this greenspace, especially in dry spring conditions with surrounding grasses and trees. Uncontrolled fire in that situation can quickly spread and become a wildfire risk.
In protected or managed ecosystems, any burning of brush piles or greenspace area is normally done only as a planned prescribed burn i.e. by the Meewasin with strict permits, supervision, and firebreaks, not left unattended.
Just as importantly, the structure itself is often unstable.
The Risk of Structural Collapse
These shelters are rarely engineered for safety. They are held up by gravity and friction. Large, heavy logs can randomly collapse without warning. If someone—especially a child—is inside when the structure shifts, they can be pinned or seriously injured by the falling weight.
There have even beendocumented safety incidents where logs from unstable brush piles or tipi structures have fallen and struck people, causing injury and significant pain. This is one reason land managers often discourage climbing on, entering, or modifying these structures. Because they are not built for stability, they can shift or collapse over time as wood decays, wind moves them, or animals disturb them. Because the logs are not engineered or securely fastened:
Logs can shift or collapse unexpectedly
Gravity, wind, decay, or animal movement can loosen the pile
A sudden collapse can occur without warning
This means that anyone inside or near the structure is at risk of being struck by falling logs or trapped during a collapse. Even without fire, these structures should be treated as physically hazardous and unpredictable.
A Gentle Correction: While “play huts” built by kids, scouts, or hikers are fun to build, many park rangers ask people to dismantle them before they leave. Piling too much heavy wood against a living tree can sometimes damage its bark or compress the soil around its roots, which makes it harder for the tree to “breathe” and take in water.
Tires may be in the forest an environmental and fire hazard in a greenspace
Why the Fire Was So Dangerous
The “Spring Powderkeg” May in Saskatoon is the most dangerous time for forest fires. Even if the ground feels damp in spots, the forest is filled with “fine fuels”—dead grass and brittle branches that haven’t “greened up” yet. Spring conditions in Saskatoon increase fire risk significantly:
Dry fuels: Last year’s grasses and leaves ignite easily
Strong winds: Can carry embers long distances. High spring winds can blow an ember out of a shelter and into dry grass, starting a fire that moves faster than a person can run.
Root Fires: Heat from a campfire can ignite the “duff” (organic soil) and travel underground through the root system. A fire can smolder invisibly for days and erupt long after the site has been abandoned.
Rapid ignition: Dry debris shelters burn quickly
Hidden fire spread: Fire can smoulder in organic material and re-emerge
Even a small fire in these conditions can escalate rapidly.
A Cautionary Lesson
This incident highlights an important safety reality: unattended fire in natural areas is a serious hazard, especially when combined with unstable structures and dry seasonal conditions.
Thank you, Terri. Because you were in the right place at the right time and had the courage to act, our forest, our infrastructure, and our neighbors are safe tonight.
Debris shelters may appear simple or natural, but they can become dangerous both as fire risks and as unstable physical structures. They can also have unintended ecological consequences if built using susceptible tree species like elm.
Thanks to Terri’s awareness and quick decision to call emergency services, a potentially serious situation was brought under control before it could spread. Thank you to the City of Saskatoon Fire Department for your quick action to make sure the fire was out and that there were no smouldering root fires!
Her actions helped protect people, infrastructure, and the surrounding forest ecosystem—and serve as a powerful reminder that careful observation and responsible choices matter in natural spaces.
The Bottom Line: Debris shelters are more than just messy; they are structural hazards, disease spreaders, and fire traps. If you see smoke, follow Terri’s lead: Don’t wait. Call 911. One phone call can prevent a tragedy.
Part SE 23-36-6 – Richard St. Barbe Baker 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 or
Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot
Every spring, cities around the world come alive with footsteps, stories, and shared curiosity—and in Saskatoon, that spirit is thriving once again.Jane’s Walk Saskatoon 2026, taking place May 1–3, invites residents to slow down, look closer, and rediscover the landscapes and histories that shape their community.
Inspired by urban thinker Jane Jacobs, Jane’s Walks are not your typical guided tours. There are no scripts, no podiums—just people হাঁ walking together, exchanging ideas, and seeing their city through fresh eyes. This year’s walks, , bring a particularly meaningful focus: the intersection of urban nature, memory, and community identity.
At the heart of the 2026 program are two remarkable green spaces—George Genereux Urban Regional Park and Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. These aren’t just parks; they are living archives of local history, ecological resilience, and civic vision. Participants will hear stories that stretch from the land’s early uses to its evolving role in a growing city.
On Saturday, May 2 at 3:00 PM, walkers gather at George Genereux Urban Regional Park organized with SOS Trees and FSAAI for an afternoon of conversation and discovery. By Sunday, May 3 at 4:00 PM, the focus shifts to a deeply reflective theme—Forest, Memory, and the City We Choose to Build—organized with the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas within the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Here, the walk takes on added emotional resonance with the introduction of a proposed Memorial Healing Forest honouring the Humboldt Broncos. It’s a space envisioned not just for remembrance, but for healing, growth, and community connection.
What makes Jane’s Walk special is its simplicity. There’s no cost, no barrier to entry—just an open invitation to walk, listen, share, and reflect. Conversations unfold naturally: about trees and trails, about city planning and belonging, about the stories we inherit and those we choose to tell.
In a fast-paced world, these walks offer something increasingly rare: time to notice. Time to connect. Time to imagine what kind of city Saskatoon can become.
As the first weekend of May approaches, one thing is certain—whether you’re a longtime resident or a curious newcomer, Jane’s Walk Saskatoon 2026 is an opportunity to experience the city in a way that’s both grounding and inspiring.
Step by step, story by story, Saskatoon reveals what makes it not just a place to live—but a place to belong.
Part SE 23-36-6 – Richard St. Barbe Baker 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 or
Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot
Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet
In a world increasingly defined by ecological uncertainty, the forests, meadows, and urban greenspaces around us are more than backdrops—they are living, breathing systems of resilience. YOUTUBE Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines – Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet, a four-part environmental sustainability education series organized by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., in collaboration with joint co-organizers the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Animal People Inc., Juventud Unida en Acción (JUENA), and other global partners, has illuminated this truth with remarkable clarity. Through dialogue, reflection, and community engagement, the series offered a rare opportunity to witness the intersection of conservation, ethical human-animal relationships, and sustainable urban development.
Introduction: Setting the Stage
The inaugural session welcomed three visionary leaders whose work exemplifies the deep interconnection between humans, ecosystems, and animals. Julia Adamson, co-founder of Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., shared her decades-long dedication to conserving urban and peri-urban forests, promoting biodiversity, and fostering community stewardship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Wolf Gordon Clifton, of Animal People Inc., explored the ethical, ecological, and scholarly dimensions of human-animal interactions, bridging conservation science with compassionate advocacy. Dalia F. Márquez A., CEO and founder of Juventud Unida en Acción, highlighted the power of youth leadership, sustainable community engagement, and equitable environmental action on a global scale. Their contributions framed the series in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Community Engagement in Conservation
Moderated by Frezer Yeheyis Tsegaye, Co-Facilitator of the Women Major Group at UNEP, Public Advocacy and Volunteerism Director at Friends of Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., and Women 7 Advisor for the G7 Summit, this session explored the transformative power of citizen science, local stewardship, and grassroots engagement. Speakers included:
Paul Hanley, award-winning author and co-founder of FSAAI, whose writings and advocacy span over 1,500 articles and seven books on sustainability, agriculture, and urban forestry.
Dalia F. Márquez A., co-chair of Women’s Major Group at UNEP, and founder of Juventud Unida en Acción, championing youth-led environmental awareness.
Julia Adamson, co-founder of FSAAI, highlighting urban forest conservation and citizen engagement.
Wolf Gordon Clifton, executive director of Animal People Inc., emphasizing ethical conservation and human-animal coexistence.
Madison Cooke, Prairies Regional Action Coordinator for Climate Reality, promoting local climate action and community-based ecological awareness.
This session underscored the importance of inclusive, participatory approaches to environmental stewardship, where communities are empowered to become agents of change and ecosystems benefit from collective care.
Sustainable Human-Animal Interactions
Moderated by Wolf Gordon Clifton, this session brought together an extraordinary international panel to explore the ethics, policy, and practice of sustainable coexistence with animals—wild and domestic. Speakers included:
Adeline Lerambert, International Policy Manager at the Born Free Foundation, advocating for freedom, compassion, and ethical policy for animals worldwide.
Femke den Haas, Jakarta Animal Aid Network and Ellis Park Wildlife Sanctuary, sharing field experiences of rescue, rehabilitation, and coexistence.
Isaac Maina, Program Manager for Human-Animal Coexistence at the Africa Network for Animal Welfare, emphasizing community-driven solutions that sustain ecosystems.
Julia Adamson, FSAAI, connecting urban nature stewardship with broader ecological resilience.
Dr. Kimmy Cushman, Plant Based Treaty, framing sustainable food systems as ethical and ecological choices for planetary health.
Pei F. Su, CEO and Founder of ACT Asia, advocating education and cultural transformation to instill kindness toward animals in future generations.
Tozie Zokufa, Executive Director of the Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organizations, advancing compassion-driven policy across the continent.
Wolf Gordon Clifton, guiding the discussion on the interdependence of science, ethics, and public advocacy.
Varda Mehrotra, Co-Founder of Samayu and A Just World, connecting animal welfare with equity, ethics, and global sustainability.
The session illuminated a profound principle: sustainability is relational. How we live with animals mirrors how we live with each other, and with the Earth itself. Every choice, from the forests we restore to the food we consume, ripples through the web of life.
The Role of Biodiversity in Ecological Resilience
Moderated by Dalia F. Márquez A., this environmental sustainability session highlighted the scientific, policy, and practical strategies that underpin ecosystem resilience. Speakers included:
Carmen Capriles, agronomist and sustainable development specialist with decades of experience in international environmental policy, climate governance, and civil society advocacy.
Mirna Inés Fernández, environmental engineer from Bolivia, researcher at Third World Network, and founding member of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, bringing expertise in biodiversity policy and education.
Daniel Sawadogo, political scientist from Burkina Faso, offering insights on governance and social dimensions of biodiversity conservation.
Rosalyn Kilcollins, former instructor with the Florida Master Naturalist Program, long-time environmental specialist in coastal management, and citizen science advocate.
Frezer Yeheyis Tsegaye, providing leadership and facilitation connecting global expertise to local action.
Wolf Gordon Clifton, guiding ethical reflection and interdisciplinary dialogue.
The discussions emphasized that biodiversity is the backbone of ecological resilience—urban afforestation, habitat protection, and species conservation are essential threads in a planet-wide tapestry of life. Participants explored how local and global strategies intertwine, from urban green corridors to cross-continental biodiversity networks.
Gratitude and Acknowledgment
This series could not have succeeded without the vision, scholarship, and dedication of all the moderators: Wolf Gordon Clifton, Dalia F. Márquez A., and Frezer Yeheyis Tsegaye. Their collective expertise, compassion, and commitment have created a platform for actionable learning, citizen empowerment, and global collaboration.
Through their efforts, the webinars advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Each session demonstrates that the path to a resilient planet is paved not only with science and policy but with empathy, dialogue, and hands-on stewardship.
UNEA-7
In the sun-drenched halls of Nairobi, Kenya, during UNEA-7, Prince Sobere George and Dalia F. Márquez A. stood at the heart of a global convocation on our shared environment—a place where ideas, cultures, and solutions converged like rivers into a single ocean of purpose. They listened, learned, and shared, bringing home not only the stories of communities and conservationists across the world but the spark of connection that fuels change. From these encounters emerged tangible spin-offs: innovations in capacity-building, cross-continental partnerships, and educational initiatives ready to take root. One such innovation is the Capacity Building Training Program concept, envisioned as a collaborative effort with Canadian academic institutions, where curriculum development, facilitation, and participant engagement converge to empower a new generation of environmental leaders. Prince George, as program lead, in partnership with Legacy-Culture Solutions Limited (Nigeria), seeks to oversee coordination and leadership while ensuring rigorous financial, curriculum and legal compliance.
A Call to Action
As we leave the digital halls of these webinars and step into forests, meadows, and communities, we carry a renewed responsibility. Every act of stewardship—every tree planted, every species protected, every young person inspired—ripples through ecosystems, communities, and future generations. The future of our planet will belong to those who listen: to the rustle of leaves, the whisper of wings, and the subtle wisdom of all living beings. YOUTUBE Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines – Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet reminds us that the stewardship of Earth is not optional—it is essential, urgent, and profoundly interconnected.
From Insight to Action: Expanding Environmental Sustainability Through Interactive Quizzes and Global Engagement
Building on the rich insights of Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines – Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet, environmental sustainability can continue to evolve through dynamic, interactive approaches that extend learning beyond the webinar screens. One particularly effective method has been the development of online quizzes for reflection, thoughtfully designed to engage learners across different education levels and difficulty tiers. Shared widely on social media, these quizzes highlight the expertise of the series’ distinguished speakers while prompting participants to critically reflect on ethical human-animal interactions, local stewardship practices, and broader sustainability challenges.
Unexpectedly, participants reported that combining interactive tools with global perspectives significantly enhanced understanding and personal connection to environmental issues. Knowledge dissemination now flows through multiple channels: ongoing digital campaigns and quizzes, recorded webinars shared widely as YouTube videos, citizen science activities and hands-on field engagement in local environmental projects, and pre-UNEA-8 workshops and hybrid events. These efforts have already generated tangible spin-offs, including the creation of educational materials such as policy briefings, youth-led engagement programs, and interactive quizzes that collectively extend the impact of the original video series. Through these layered, reflective, and participatory approaches, sustainability learning becomes not only accessible but actionable, fostering a new generation of environmental advocates ready to implement change locally and globally.
Moving Forward
The project has generated an exciting array of spin-offs, demonstrating how local initiatives can ripple outward into global impact. Inspired by the connections and insights gained through UNEA-7, Frezer has spearheaded plans to support international environmental and sustainability initiatives throughout 2026. Central to this vision is the Rooted Coalition, a series of webinar, hybrid, and in-person events under the working title Resilience, Outreach, and One-Health: Trees, Ecology & Diversity (Rooted). This initiative aligns with the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) under The United Nations Economic and Social Council ECOSOC, embracing the theme of transformative and equitable action for the 2030 Agenda, and seeks to strengthen multi-sector collaboration, innovation, and advocacy in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Key milestones include a global convening in New York on July 13, 2026, where Rooted partners will engage with international stakeholders to advance integrated solutions, and a pre-consultation summit toward UNEA-8 on September 24–25, 2026, to be hosted in either Toronto or Saskatoon. These gatherings will unite leaders in environment, health, and sustainability, promoting cross-sector dialogue and concrete strategies to accelerate ecological resilience, community engagement, and the protection of life on Earth.
The site chosen for the memorial forest is, at present, a wasteland—an abandoned parcel of land on the outskirts of Clavet. It is the kind of landscape that typically becomes a dumping ground or development afterthought: bare soil, compacted earth, no shade, no structure, nothing that might inspire care.
In other words, it is the perfect place to begin again.
Help bring this vision to life—one tree, one family, one community at a time.
The inspiration comes partly from Ontario’s Highway of Heroes Living Tribute, where millions of trees are being planted to honour fallen Canadian service members. But the prairie variant adapts this model to a harsher climate and a different emotional terrain. Here, the goal is not only to honour those who died, but to reclaim land from neglect and transform it into a space for reflection, healing, and ecological renewal.
Their vision for the Clavet Memorial Forest is multilayered:
A sanctuary for families and communities to gather, remember, and grieve. A sanctuary for remembrance, where families and communities can gather beneath a canopy of living tribute.
A greenspace for residents and travellers, especially ecotourists following the Yellowhead Highway, looking for quiet refuge.
A teaching forest, where Indigenous knowledge keepers, scientists, and students can learn from each other.
A research and education hub, where schools, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and citizen scientists can learn and collaborate.
A restored ecosystem, replacing ecological barrens with climate-resilient trees, native grasses, and wildlife habitat.
Indigenous and Métis elders come forward to enrich community collaborating on cultural and ecological storytelling for interpretive signage, tours, pamphlets.
Schools and youth groups use the forests for climate education and citizen science.
Local businesses contribute materials, equipment, and sponsorship.
Volunteers monitor species, maintain trails, and advocate for long-term protection.
A climate-mitigating carbon sink, built on principles championed by Richard St. Barbe Baker—the Saskatchewan-born environmentalist who founded the Men of the Trees and influenced global afforestation efforts.
It is a living answer to loss—a reminder that memory can take root and spread.
Add your voice, your time, or your hands to a forest that belongs to all.
Why a Forest? Because the Prairies Have Been Stripped Bare
Afforestation in Saskatchewan is neither simple nor guaranteed. These are some of the most extreme growing conditions in Canada: scorching summers, brittle winters, drought cycles that can render the soil as hard as fired clay.
Yet it is here—precisely here—that forests matter most.
Saskatchewan’s remaining native prairie represents one of the most endangered ecosystems on Earth. Every patch of restored habitat acts as a lifeline for biodiversity: songbirds, owls, deer, foxes, pollinators, and prairie plant species that are disappearing everywhere else.
Join a community restoring hope, habitat, and heritage.
The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas know this better than anyone. Over the past decade they have advocated for two forgotten urban forests—Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park—into thriving ecological sanctuaries. They removed nearly 200,000 pounds of waste, fought for trail safety, restored wetlands and grasslands, and brought thousands of citizens into climate action.
These are not just trees. They are acts of resistance.
Be part of a prairie forest that heals the land and the people on it.
A Coalition of Care
What makes this new memorial forest remarkable is not only its ecological ambition but the breadth of those who have stepped forward to support it.
This is what community looks like—not the sentimental version promoted in political speeches, but the hard, grounded work of people choosing to care for land and each other.
Stand with us as we restore land, honour stories, and build connection.
A Future We Choose to Grow
The memorial forest near Clavet will not undo past grief. No forest could. But it will do something that is increasingly rare in the modern world: It will give grief a place to live.
A place where families can walk and remember. A place where children can learn what happened and why it matters. A place where trees grow not just upward, but outward—casting roots into a community that refuses to forget.
A correction to ecological degradation. A correction to the erasure of trauma. A correction to a cultural habit that treats tragedy as a moment, rather than a continuum.
We deeply appreciate and acknowledge all letters of support which have arrived from the RM of Blucher, the Village of Clavet, the City of Humboldt, and regional organizations. Contractors are at the ready. Businesses have expressed interest. The project hopes to secure funding by spring, plant by autumn, and grow the project for decades. When communities mobilize—when they plant, restore, educate, and refuse to forget—they do more than grow forests. They grow resilience. Perhaps the most striking element of this story is how much of it is powered by community. What emerges is not merely a forest, but an ecosystem of relationships. The project, envisioned by Project Manager René Kreutzwieser and championed by the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, has gathered support from the Village of Clavet, the RM of Blucher, the City of Humboldt, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan, and a growing chorus of environmental and community groups.
Its purpose is clear: To create a living memorial that refuses to let Saskatchewan forget.
In a province where the land bears so many scars, this forest will become something radical: a reminder that healing, like restoration, is a long, patient, communal act.
We cannot change the events that brought us here. But we can choose what grows in their shadow.
And in Saskatchewan, on ten acres of reclaimed earth beside a small prairie village, something living and lasting is about to take root.
Here, sorrow did not disappear. It took root. Here, memory is not a stone. It is a sapling. Here, we plant not just trees, but a new way of living with the land and with each other.
And perhaps, years from now, long after the first slender shoots push through the prairie wind, visitors will walk among the trees and understand that this is what resistance looks like—not grand, not loud, but persistent, rooted, and growing still.
Join us in growing a place where memory, healing, and hope take root.
The Memorial Forest honouring the Humboldt Broncos stands as a living place of remembrance—not only for the team members and staff who lost their lives in the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus accident, but also in honour of earlier tragedies that touched the hockey community and the province. The 1986 Humboldt Broncos bus accident, which claimed the lives of players including Scott Kruger, Trent Kresse, and Brent Ruff, remains a solemn chapter in Saskatchewan’s history. The 1980 Swift Current Broncos accident, which took the life of player Bryan Pergel, is remembered as well.
By naming these events openly and respectfully, the forest acknowledges that grief and resilience echo across generations. The trees become symbols of continuity—rooted in loss, but growing toward hope. The Yellowhead Memorial Forest will not erase grief. But it may transform it—into shelter, into shade, into songbird habitat, into carbon stored safely in the ground. The Memorial Forest proposes that the environment is a relationship. Relationships, unlike infrastructure, cannot simply be built. They must be cultivated. And they grow only when people insist on them.
Become a steward of remembrance, reconciliation, and renewal.
The memorial forest also recognizes that healing in Saskatchewan stretches far beyond hockey tragedies. For many Indigenous families, the impacts of the residential school system continue across lifetimes. As a greenspace dedicated to reflection, reconciliation, and connection to the land, the forest provides an inclusive setting where all forms of community healing are honoured.
Through its memorial plantings, storytelling, and shared stewardship, the forest becomes a place where the memory of the Broncos, the legacies of earlier losses, and the path of healing from residential schools can coexist—rooted in sorrow, strengthened by community, and guided by a shared commitment to move forward together.
The memorial forest will say: Here, sorrow did not disappear. It took root. Here, memory is not a stone. It is a sapling. Here, we plant not just trees, but a new way of living with the land and with each other.
And perhaps, years from now, long after the first spades of earth are turned and the first slender shoots push through the prairie wind, visitors will walk among the trees and understand that this is what resistance looks like—not grand, not loud, but persistent, rooted, and growing still.
Together, we can turn loss into legacy—and legacy into living forest.
The Clavet Memorial Forest is more than a project—it is an invitation. An invitation to honour the past, restore the land, and grow a future rooted in hope, remembrance, and reconciliation. We welcome everyone who feels called by this vision: families seeking a place of healing, educators and students eager to learn, Indigenous knowledge keepers wishing to share teachings, businesses ready to support local environmental action, and volunteers who believe in the quiet power of planting change one tree at a time.
Together, we can transform a neglected landscape into a living sanctuary—one that shelters wildlife, restores the prairie, strengthens community, and stands as a testament to resilience across generations.
Join us. Stand with us. Help this forest take root.
Global Webinar Series “Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines” Launches to Advance Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet
Co-organized by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, Juventud Unida en Acción, and Animal People, with support from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Saskatoon, SK,CA — Across the wide, turning world—over continents, oceans, forests, and plains—there stirs a rising chorus of voices, humble and mighty, human and more-than-human, calling us back to the ancient covenant between people and the land. It is in answer to that call that the global webinar series Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines: Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet now opens its doors.
On behalf of its co-organizers—Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, Juventud Unida en Acción, and Animal People—we greet you with gratitude. We extend our thanks to the United Nations Environment Programme for granting this series its blessing and for guiding participants from every corner of the Earth to join us. As the winds gather from many directions, so too do hearts, minds, and communities gather here, united by a shared devotion to the living world.
My name is Julia Adamson, from the environmental charity Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, an organization accredited under UNEP. It is an honour to welcome you into this gathering—one that draws its strength from partnership, from reciprocity, and from the shared dream of thriving ecosystems and just relations among all living beings.
We acknowledge with deep respect the many collaborators who have shaped this series. Among them are Wolf Gordon-Clifton, Executive Director of Animal People, whose work weaves together animal welfare, conservation, and interfaith wisdom; Dalia Márquez, Founder of Juventud Unida en Acción, whose leadership uplifts equity, justice, and peace; and Frezer Yeheyis Tsegaye, whose vision and dedication breathed life into this entire endeavour. Together with many global partners, these individuals help guide the three great themes of this series:biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, sustainable human–animal interaction, and community engagement in conservation.
Before we begin the journey ahead, we pause for the Global Traditional Land Acknowledgement—a reminder that no matter where we gather from, we are always held within the patient, enduring embrace of land, water, and sky. Around the world, the Earth offers her gifts freely: forests that breathe for us, grasslands that sing in the wind, waters that renew life, skies that shelter our migrations. In gratitude, we honour these gifts.
And in the spirit of reconciliation, we turn toward the teachings of Indigenous peoples whose relationship with the land is rooted in kinship. Among the nēhiyawak, the teaching of wâhkôhtowin reminds us that all beings—human and non-human—are bound together through relations of respect and responsibility. This series is guided by that wisdom. It is offered in its light.
We meet here as the world prepares for the United Nations Environment Assembly—UNEA 7, under the theme Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet. The crises that surround us—climate disruption, biodiversity loss, fraying relationships between humans and the natural world—are not separate storms but branches of the same wind. And just as a forest withstands weather through the interlacing of its roots, we too must strengthen our interconnectedness.
Through this series, you will hear from those tending landscapes with their hands, from scientists tracing the delicate workings of ecosystems, from animal protection advocates, from youth leaders, from communities building solutions where the need is greatest. These stories are branches of a larger tree—a tree of global stewardship whose roots sink deeper each time one community shares its wisdom with another.
Like the murmuring of pines or the sweep of prairie grasses, the learning here is meant to move us—to stir the imagination and provoke action. When the sessions conclude, the recordings and resources will be shared widely, extending the series’ reach into the forests of digital space, where seeds of change may settle in unanticipated places.
As John Muir once wrote, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” So too is every session in this series hitched to a deeper aspiration: that by learning together, imagining together, and acting together, we move closer to a flourishing planet.
In this spirit, we invite you to step into the circle—into a fellowship of people who believe in the possibility of renewal. May these conversations nourish you. May they spark courage. May they deepen your sense of kinship with the Earth and with each other.
Let us begin the journey.
*** Sustainable Human-Animal Interactions – Explore the links between human and animal wellbeing, mutual harms caused by unsustainable relationships with animals, and how various sectors could be transformed for the common good of all life.
*** The Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystem Resilience – Examine how diverse species and habitats contribute to the stability and recovery of ecosystems, and why protecting biodiversity is essential for adapting to environmental changes.
*** Community Engagement in Conservation – Highlight the importance of involving local communities in protecting and restoring natural environments, fostering stewardship, and building inclusive strategies for long-term conservation success.
All webinar recordings and accompanying resources will be made available through YouTube and online repositories following each session.
About the Organizers
Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas A Canadian environmental charity accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme, dedicated to conservation, restoration, education, and community engagement in the afforestation areas of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Animal People A U.S.-based nonprofit operating since 1992, focused on exposing cruelty to animals, promoting compassionate policies, and advancing science-based conservation and animal welfare.
Juventud Unida en Acción An international youth-led organization advancing human rights, protection systems, social equity, and peacebuilding through community empowerment and leadership.
Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet
Join us for the webinar series entitled Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines – Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet. This four-part webinar series will bring together experts, communities and the public-at-large from Canada, United States and Globally
The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” presents a timely and vital platform to explore the interlinked challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable human-nature relationships. In response to this global call, Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. proposes a dynamic webinar series that brings together diverse voices to highlight innovative and community-driven approaches to conservation and sustainable living.
This initiative, promotes cross-sector dialogue, amplify grassroots action, and explore practical solutions that foster environmental stewardship and animal welfare.
Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines Presents:The Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystem Resilience
As the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) calls the world to action under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” communities everywhere are stepping forward to meet the moment. Among them is a remarkable initiative from the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., whose four-part webinar series—Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines – Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet—is uniting global experts, grassroots leaders, and everyday citizens eager to build a more sustainable future.
On Thursday, November 20 at 6:00 PM EST, the series hosts its next installment:The Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystem Resilience, a free virtual event exploring one of the most foundational questions in environmental science today: How does biodiversity make ecosystems stronger, more stable, and better able to recover from disturbance?
At a time when the world grapples with climate change, biodiversity loss, and escalating pressures on land and water, this webinar offers clarity, direction, and a renewed sense of collective purpose.
Why Biodiversity Matters Now More Than Ever
The objective of the evening is clear and urgent: To examine how diverse species and habitats contribute to ecosystem stability and recovery—and to understand why protecting biodiversity is essential for adapting to environmental change.
Healthy ecosystems depend on a tapestry of interconnected life. Forests recover from fire faster when they host a rich mix of plant species. Oceans adapt to warming when fish, coral, and microorganisms maintain functional diversity. Grasslands withstand drought when pollinators, predators, and soil organisms each play their part.
Biodiversity is resilience in action. And safeguarding it is one of humanity’s most powerful tools for securing a livable planet.
This webinar aims to illuminate these interconnections while highlighting how conservation solutions must be as diverse as the ecosystems they aim to protect.
Master of Ceremonies: Wolf Gordon Clifton
Opening the event is Wolf Gordon Clifton, whose work bridges ethical human–animal relationships, animal welfare, and conservation. With a thoughtful and engaging presence, Clifton frames the evening with a reminder that biodiversity includes more than species counts—it includes the moral landscapes that shape how humans coexist with the natural world.
The Vision Behind the Series: Webinar Lead Frezer Yeheyis
Guiding the overarching vision of the webinar series is Frezer Yeheyis, Co-facilitator of the Women Major Group with UNEP, Public Advocacy and Volunteerism Director for Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., and Women 7 Advisor for the G7 Countries Summit.
Yeheyis—whose leadership blends public advocacy, global environmental policy, and community empowerment—has positioned the series as a vital connection between international dialogue and local action. Her direction ensures that each session elevates grassroots voices while aligning with the goals of UNEA-7.
Moderated by Dalia F. Márquez A.
The evening’s conversation will be moderated by Dalia F. Márquez A., CEO and Founder of Juventud Unida en Acción, a youth-led organization advancing environmental awareness, equitable community engagement, and sustainable action across borders.
Márquez brings deep experience in youth mobilization, environmental justice, and global collaboration—ensuring that diverse viewpoints are woven into a cohesive, compelling dialogue.
Meet the Distinguished Panelists
The webinar brings together seven experts whose collective knowledge spans science, policy, governance, finance, restoration, and community engagement—reflecting the multidimensional nature of biodiversity itself.
Carmen Capriles
Agronomist & Sustainable Development Specialist With decades of experience in global climate policy and civil society advocacy, Capriles brings a grounded understanding of how biodiversity connects to food systems, sustainable land use, and climate justice.
Mirna Inés Fernández
Environmental Engineer, Third World Network Researcher & Co-founder, Global Youth Biodiversity Network Fernández offers expertise at the nexus of biodiversity policy, global governance, and youth participation. Her work emphasizes education, equity, and the transformational power of informed communities.
Daniel Sawadogo
Political Scientist, Burkina Faso With advanced studies in law and political sociology, Sawadogo examines biodiversity through the lens of governance, institutional resilience, and societal structures. His perspective underscores that ecosystems cannot thrive without stable, inclusive human systems.
Rebecca Self
Co-founder & Managing Director, Seawolf Sustainability Consulting Self brings a finance and sustainability lens to the conversation, highlighting how economic systems, corporate responsibility, and innovative investment strategies influence biodiversity outcomes.
Julia Adamson
Environmental Advocate & Nonprofit Leader, Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. Adamson’s work is rooted in urban forests, community stewardship, and the restoration of Saskatoon’s afforestation areas. She offers insights into how local conservation initiatives—powered by volunteers, education, and citizen science—strengthen ecological resilience.
Rosalyn Kilcollins
Former Instructor, Florida Master Naturalist Program & Coastal Environmental Specialist With extensive experience in habitat restoration, coastal management, and citizen science, Kilcollins showcases how public education and hands-on ecological restoration enhance the resilience of both natural and human communities.
A Webinar that Connects Local Voices to Global Action
What sets this event apart is its commitment to bridging scales—linking global policy frameworks with the lived experiences of communities from the Canadian prairies to Latin America, Africa, and coastal regions of the United States.
The series itself was born from the recognition that the solutions needed to build a resilient planet must come from everywhere: scientists and students, policymakers and volunteers, activists and educators, Indigenous knowledge holders and youth leaders.
Together, these voices reflect the spirit of UNEA-7: that resilience requires diversity—not only in nature, but in the people working to protect it.
Whether you are a conservation professional, an educator, a student, or someone simply passionate about the natural world, this webinar invites you to explore biodiversity as the living foundation of planetary resilience.
From species interactions to policy frameworks, from grassroots restoration to financial innovation, this session promises a vibrant, holistic exploration of what it means to protect the web of life—and why doing so is essential for our shared future.
Join us today, Thursday, October 23 for an inspiring session in our Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines webinar series — Community Engagement in Conservation. Together, we’ll explore how grassroots initiatives and community stewardship can transform conservation and animal protection from ideas into powerful, local action.
Our moderator, Frezer Yeheyis Tsegaye, Co-facilitator of the Women Major Group for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)and Public Advocacy Director for the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., will guide this global conversation. Wolf Clifton of Animal People bringing introductions.
We’re honoured to feature Paul Hanley, award-winning author of Man of the Trees A Biography of Richard St. Barbe Baker, the First Global Conservationist A and recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Food System Vision 2050 Prize; Julia Adamson, co-founder of Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas and champion for urban biodiversity and green infrastructure; Madison Cook Prairies Regional Action Coordinator for Climate Reality Canada, leading community engagement and policy advocacy across the Prairie provinces to advance climate action, adaptation, and sustainability; and Dalia F. Márquez A., human rights advocate and founder of Juventud Unida en Acción.
This event celebrates collaboration — empowering citizens, inspiring stewardship, and amplifying hope for a more resilient planet. 🌎
Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines(the global webinar series) O gentle earth, your whispers rise, Across the seas, beneath the skies. From forest depths and city streets, A chorus of small, steadfast beats. We come to listen, we come to care, To sow the future in open air. Voices unite where green hearts stand, A resilient world grows from our hands.
Sustainable Human-Animal Interactions The fox and sparrow, deer and dove, All share this earth we cherish and love. Our hands can harm, our hearts can heal, If we learn to see, to pause, to feel. In gentle ways, our worlds entwine, Through careful thought, their fates are mine. Let kindness shape the lands we tread, So both the living and we are fed.
The Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystem Resilience A thousand voices, a thousand wings, The meadow hums, the river sings. Each leaf and stone, each creeping vine, Holds secret strength, a grand design. When storms arise or seasons change, Their myriad forms will rearrange. Protect the web, the life unseen, Where vibrant growth meets every green.
Community Engagement in Conservation Together, neighbors till and sow, Where gentle waters ripple slow. Hands in soil, hearts in sun, Each deed a song, each task begun. Shared care for forest, field, and glen, Returns the gift to all of men. In common labor, love takes flight, And turns our work to lasting light.
Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet Across the world, from shore to shore, The earth calls softly, “Learn, restore.” From every city, every glen, Rise thoughtful voices, women, men. We share the burden, share the dream, To mend the rivers, tend the stream. With care, with hope, with hands allied, A thriving world stands at our side.
Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines
Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet
Join us for the webinar series entitled Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines – Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet. This four-part webinar series will bring together experts, communities and the public-at-large from Canada, United States and Globally
The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), under the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” presents a timely and vital platform to explore the interlinked challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable human-nature relationships. In response to this global call, Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. proposes a dynamic webinar series that brings together diverse voices to highlight innovative and community-driven approaches to conservation and sustainable living.
This initiative, promotes cross-sector dialogue, amplify grassroots action, and explore practical solutions that foster environmental stewardship and animal welfare.
Forests of Memory. Forests of Learning. Forests for Life. 