find the differences – Forests of Memory. Forests of Learning. Forests for Life.

At first glance, the images seem familiar—quiet greenspaces, open grassland edges, and familiar wildlife resting in plain sight. But look closer. Something has changed.

This “Spot the Differences” nature challenge, created with the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas, a non-profit environmental charity, invites readers to slow down and observe the subtle details of local ecosystems while reconnecting with the natural world. It is both a visual puzzle and a reminder that nature is always shifting—often in ways we only notice when we truly pay attention.

Within these scenes, participants may encounter a cast of prairie wildlife: the gentle Mourning Dove resting in open areas, the industrious Yellow-bellied Sapsucker marking trees in search of sap, the migratory Lapland Longspur moving through seasonal landscapes, the winter-adapted Snowshoe Hare blending into changing ground cover, and the quick 13-lined Ground Squirrel darting through grassland habitats.

Each detail matters. Each change tells a story.

A Fragile Ecosystem Hidden in Plain Sight

The Saskatoon region sits within one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth: the temperate grasslands. Globally, grasslands have experienced extensive loss due to agriculture, urban expansion, and habitat fragmentation. In fact, temperate grasslands are widely recognized as among the most endangered ecosystems worldwide, with only a small fraction remaining in a relatively intact state.

These landscapes are not empty—they are living systems that support pollinators, birds, mammals, soil health, and water regulation. Protecting them is essential not only for wildlife, but for human well-being as well.

Connecting to Global Environmental Goals

This local nature activity connects directly to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 15: Life on Land – Protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, including grasslands and biodiversity.
SDG 13: Climate Action – Conserving natural habitats that store carbon and help regulate climate systems.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Supporting urban green spaces like afforestation areas that improve ecological resilience and quality of life.
SDG 4: Quality Education – Encouraging environmental learning through hands-on observation and engagement with nature.

It also aligns with broader international initiatives, including the:

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), which calls for preventing, halting, and reversing ecosystem degradation worldwide.
United Nations Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing urgent global efforts to meet sustainability targets by 2030.

Seeing Nature Differently

This is more than a puzzle. It is a reminder that ecosystems are dynamic, and that even small changes in the landscape can reflect larger environmental processes. By carefully observing what has shifted between images, participants are practicing a form of ecological awareness that mirrors real-world conservation work.

Can you see what changed in the trees?
Tiny differences become big discoveries when you take the time to look.

Every detail tells a nature story. Hidden changes are waiting to be found. Sharpen your eyes, explore the outdoors, and test your vision with nature’s disguise.

Because in places like Saskatoon’s grasslands and urban forests, noticing is the first step toward protecting. Please come to the forests and discover and record real wildlife surprises with iNaturalist on your smart phone, and help to discover species at risk- you cannot protect what you do not know, and help to discover invasive species- early detection rapid response to protect the forests!