Tag: Public Awareness

Deep Time in the Hub City: The Cataclysmic Carving of the West Swale

This is a story about Time. Not the minutes and hours we use to schedule our lives, but Deep Time—the kind of time that moves mountains and carves provinces.

As we celebrate Geologists Day this April 5th, we aren’t just honoring a profession; we are honoring the detectives of the Earth. We are looking at the ground beneath our feet here in Saskatchewan and asking, “How did you get here?” To answer that, we have to look past the wheat fields and the living prairie and envision a world dominated by ice and cataclysm.

The Big Chill: Saskatchewan in the Pleistocene

To understand the Saskatchewan plains, you have to appreciate the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Imagine a slab of ice two miles thick sitting right where you are. It’s heavy, it’s grinding, and it’s moving. During the Pleistocene, this ice wasn’t just a static blanket; it was a sculptor’s chisel.

But the real magic happens not when the ice arrives, but when it leaves. When you melt a continental-sized ice cube, you don’t just get a puddle—you get a deluge. You get the kind of hydraulic power that can move house-sized boulders and rearrange the geography of a continent in a matter of weeks.

The Yorath Island Spillway: A Post-Glacial Firehose

Let’s talk about the Yorath Island Glacial Spillway.

There was a moment in our deep history when a massive proglacial lake—what geologists call Lake Saskatoon—was held back by a crumbling wall of ice. When that dam breached, the release of energy was staggering. This wasn’t a gentle stream; it was a high-pressure firehose of meltwater seeking the lowest path.

As this water tore south and east, it ripped through the glacial till, carving out more than one glacial spillway. This wasn’t a slow erosion over millions of years—this was a singular event. The water surged with such velocity -that of the Niagra Falls- that it scoured the landscape down to the bedrock in places, leaving behind the West Swale we see today – very visible on Satellite Maps. Yorath Island itself is a remnant, a “land-island” created by the sediment carried along by the sheer ferocity of these diverted currents.

The Legacy of the West Swale

When the water finally subsided and the great spillway went quiet, it left behind a masterpiece: the West Swale.

Today, the Swale looks like a peaceful string of wetlands and meadows, but to a geologist, it’s a “fossil” of that ancient flood. It is a long, linear depression—a scar on the face of the plains that marks where the Yorath Island Spillway once roared.

Because the spillway cut so deep, it exposed different layers of Earth’s history, creating a unique “micro-topography.” The West Swale isn’t just a ditch; it’s a catch-basin for biodiversity. The reason we have such rich wetlands and unique vegetation there today is directly tied to the catastrophic hydrology of 12,000 years ago. The Yorath Island soils aren’t from here—they are hitchhikers from the Canadian Shield brought south by the ice and dropped by the flood.

Why Earth Science Matters

Geologists Day reminds us that the “flat” Saskatchewan plains are anything but boring. Beneath the topsoil lies a high-stakes drama of tectonic shifts, glacial sieges, and massive floods.

When you stand on the edge of the West Swale this April, don’t just see the grass. See the Yorath Island Spillway in full roar. See the ice wall to the north. Feel the vibration of a billion tons of water reshaping the world.

The Earth is a book, and geology is the language we use to read it. There is so much more to reveal—so keep looking down, keep asking questions, and never take the ground beneath you for granted.

Happy Geologists Day!

Come to the Earth Cache MAKER MAGIC workshop

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Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and West Swale Wetlands in the fog
Map showing the Afforestation Area Formerly Known As George Genereux Urban Regional Park, and the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, South West Off Leash Recreation Area, SW OLRA and the Afforestation Area All are within City of Saskatoon boundaries as of an annexation of 2005
Canada Goose There are Geese at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Chappell Marsh and West Swale Wetlands, Saskatoon, Sk, CA
Yorath Island Channel, Moon Lake Channel, Sutherland Channel and Cory Plain Channel Pleistocene Era South Sk River Valley 2588000 to 117000 years ago Adapted from Larry Edwin Hodges
West Swale Wetlands (Chappel Marsh) Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, SK, CA

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

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.comFacebook 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

BlueSky Social

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

Support via Zeffy

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 and Join the plastic-recycle challenge!

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

““Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”

Guardians of the Elms: Saskatoon’s Ecological Emergency

The elm, with its sweeping arch of green, has long been the cathedral tree of our northern cities. Its vaulted canopy shades our streets, cools our homes, and whispers to us of continuity with nature. In Saskatoon, nearly a quarter of the urban forest is elm—a treasure beyond measure. In the afforestation areas, too, Siberian Elms, and American Elms are a great portion of the canopy. Yet today, we face a dire crisis. The City has declared an ecological emergency as Dutch elm disease spreads with alarming speed. How to Identify an Elm. How to Spot Dutch Elm Disease Symptoms.

This is no ordinary ailment. Dutch elm disease (DED) is a ruthless invader, a fungus—Ophiostoma ulmi and its more virulent cousin Ophiostoma novo-ulmi—that enters the tree’s veins and clogs them, cutting off life itself. The carriers are small, inconspicuous elm bark beetles. On their wings, they bear spores like unwelcome cargo. Seeking places to lay their eggs, they search for damaged elm—pruned in the wrong season, broken by storm, or cut for careless firewood. From there, death marches through the canopy.

Richard St. Barbe Baker, silviculturist (forest doctor) has seen many forests suffer, but few plagues advance as swiftly as this. A tree that stood proudly in May may be yellowed and withered by August, its crown shriveling, its roots starving. So entire boulevards may fall silent, their green vaults gone, sunlight harsh and unbroken upon the pavement.

American Elm Ulmus Americana autumn leaf
American Elm Ulmus Americana autumn leaf
Elm Leaves
Elm Leaves
Elm trees in the Snow showers on Saturday Nov 15 at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Winter Elm Tree

The Call to Action

The City has confirmed a record twelve cases this summer—more than ever before. Seven more trees show unmistakable signs and will be removed. Already, over 8,700 kilograms of elm wood have been gathered and destroyed, yet more remains.

Thai Hoang, Director of Parks, sounded the alarm plainly: “Do not store elm wood on your property. Do not burn it in your fire pit. About a quarter of our forest canopy is elm. This is not a minor issue—it is an ecological emergency.”

Indeed, the beetle thrives in neglected woodpiles. Every log, every stored branch, is a breeding ground. To keep elm wood is to endanger the very heart of our city.

Best Practices for Guardianship

We who love trees must become their guardians. There are simple yet essential practices:

  • Never transport or store elm wood. Dispose of it only at the City landfill, where handling is safe and free.
  • Obey the provincial pruning ban between April 1 and August 31. Fresh cuts draw the beetles like moths to a flame.
  • Water wisely. From April until mid-August, water deeply. Then let the trees harden for winter, with one or two final soakings before freeze-up.
  • Prune in very early spring. At that time, wounds heal quickly, and beetles are less active.
  • Maintain soil and roots. Fertilize thoughtfully, protect roots from damage during construction, and mulch well to prevent mower injury.

The elm is resilient if cared for. But neglect is its undoing.

The Mystery of the Survivor Elms

Yet even in this dark time, there is hope. Researchers tell us of survivor elms—trees that, though surrounded by the dying, endure. These are not unlike people who endured the scourge of COVID-19. Those with co-morbidities fared worse, while the strong sometimes resisted. So it is with elms. Healthy, vigorous trees may overcome where weakened ones fail.

In Minnesota and elsewhere, researchers funded by the MITPPC are studying these survivor trees, seeking to propagate their resilience. Early-flushing clones, resistant hybrids, and cultivars like Valley Forge, Prairie Expedition, and Jefferson may offer us a new generation of elms. Some of these hybrids draw strength from Asian species, which co-evolved with the fungus and are far less susceptible.

This is the field of hope: not only to protect the present, but to plant a future forest of resistance.

A Plea for Stewardship

Let us remember: the elm is more than wood and leaves. It is a shelter for birds, a fortress against wind, a cooling balm in summer, a companion in our daily walk. To lose it is to lose part of ourselves.

As Richard St. Barbe Baker often said, “if a man loses one-third of his skin he dies; if a tree loses one third of its bark, it too dies. If the Earth is a ‘sentient being’, would it not be reasonable to expect that if it loses one third of its trees and vegetable covering, it will also die?” The elm has stood beside us for generations; now we must stand for it.

The emergency in Saskatoon is real, but it need not be the end. With vigilance, with science, with love, and with law, we can yet preserve these cathedral trees. And in time, with resistant cultivars and survivor elms, we may restore what is lost.

But only if we act—together, now.

“The minimum for safety is one third of the total land area. I think what is happening to the elms must be alerting the whole country to the necessity of trees, of the need for more trees. The elm has the largest leaf surface of any tree in Britain. If you …. put the leaves together edge to edge, they would cover ten acres. So naturally, the first tree to suffer from air pollution was the elm and, of course, when an elm is suffering from fatigue it is subject to attack by disease: the elm bark beetle, the carrier of the elm fungus, comes along and the tree succumbs.

I look at it this way. If a person is living a normal life and not abusing themselves – not smoking too much, not eating too much, not drinking too much – but living normally and eating the right food – they will be fit and well. It is only when they start abusing themselves that they are prone to attack by disease. It is the same with trees.

The next tree to go (the next tree with the largest leaf surface after the elm) is probably the beech: after that the sycamore: and so on. Finally it will be Man’s turn. We forget that we owe our existence to the presence of trees and as far as forest cover goes, we have never been in such a vulnerable position as we are today. The only answer is to plant more trees – to plant for our lives.
Richard St. Barbe Baker answers the first question above” Richard St. Barbe Baker.

Bibliography

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

Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or

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.comFacebook 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

BlueSky Social

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

Support via Zeffy

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 and Join the plastic-recycle challenge!

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

““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

Protecting Farms, Wetlands, and Parks: Wild Pigs Canada Goes Live

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Canada) August 20, 2025 – In response to the serious ecological and agricultural challenges posed by invasive wild pigs, Canada has launched Wild Pigs Canada, a new national online hub. This platform—created by Invasives Canada and Animal Health Canada, alongside the Invasive Wild Pig Leadership Group—provides one central place for Canadians to access tools, science-based information, and resources to help combat this growing threat.

Wild Pigs Canada equips the public, producers, and communities with practical knowledge: how to recognize wild pigs, where to report sightings, and how to stay informed about the latest research and coordinated actions across the country. Visit WildPigs.ca to learn more.

According to Dr. Leigh Rosengren, industry co-chair on the Animal Health Board of Directors, the new website is a valuable step forward: “This platform provides Canadians with clear, accessible information to help reduce the spread of invasive wild pigs and support their removal from the landscape.”

Invasive wild pigs—escaped or released domestic pigs now living in the wild—are highly adaptable, elusive, and expanding in range. They root up crops, damage pastures, and tear through natural areas. Their destructive feeding and wallowing cause severe damage to wetlands, greenspaces, and even urban parks, stripping away vegetation, eroding soil, and contaminating water with pathogens. Such impacts devastate native biodiversity, destroy habitat for waterfowl and pollinators, and degrade recreational spaces enjoyed by communities.

These animals also pose risks to people, pets, and livestock. They can be aggressive if threatened and may carry dangerous livestock diseases, including African swine fever (ASF).

ASF, though not present in Canada, is a major global concern. If wild pigs were to spread it here, the impacts on domestic pig farms, pork producers, and international trade would be catastrophic.

Currently, invasive wild pig populations are established in parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, though isolated occurrences have been reported in other provinces and territories. Their rapid spread and wide-ranging impacts make it clear that no single sector can solve this issue alone. Coordinated national action is critical.

Canada’s Invasive Wild Pig Strategy (2022–2032) calls for a unified approach to prevent and eradicate these destructive animals. Wild Pigs Canada delivers on one of the strategy’s top priorities: raising awareness and mobilizing the public to act. The Invasive Wild Pig Leadership Group continues to support this work, helping align efforts across provinces and regions.

Rebecca Lord, Executive Director of Invasives Canada, emphasizes the importance of partnerships: “Wild Pigs Canada is the result of collaboration across agriculture, conservation, and government. It connects Canadian expertise with international efforts in the U.S. and Mexico, building a stronger, coordinated response.”

Matt DeMille, Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, highlights the role of everyday Canadians: “Whether you’re a landowner, a hunter, or just someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, you now have one trusted place to learn what invasive wild pigs mean for Canada and how to report them. Everyone who uses the land has a part to play in being the first line of defense.”

What the Public Needs to Know:

  • Wild pigs are not native to Canada and are one of the most damaging invasive species on the planet.
  • Coexistence is not possible. Their destructive feeding and rapid reproduction mean they quickly overwhelm ecosystems, farms, and communities if left unchecked.
  • Sightings should be reported immediately through Wild Pigs Canada so that wildlife experts and authorities can respond quickly.
  • Avoid approaching or feeding wild pigs, as they can be aggressive and unpredictable.

Wild Pigs Canada is for anyone who wants to protect Canada’s farms, wetlands, greenspaces, parks, wildlife, and natural landscapes from this urgent and growing threat.

The most widely recognized expert on wild boars in Saskatchewan is Dr. Ryan Brook, an associate professor in the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources. He is best known as the leader of the Canadian Wild Pig Research Project, a long-running initiative that tracks the spread of invasive wild pigs across the country. His team uses a wide range of methods to monitor populations, from aerial surveys in planes and helicopters to ground crews, trail cameras, and reports from local residents. Dr. Brook’s work has made him a leading voice in the national conversation about invasive wild pigs. For over a decade, he has documented their expansion across millions of square kilometers of Canada, providing the first comprehensive baseline maps of their distribution. His warnings have often made headlines, including his stark prediction that, if left unchecked, Saskatchewan could one day have more wild pigs than people. The risks he highlights are serious and multifaceted. Wild pigs are highly adaptable, reproduce quickly, and are exceptionally difficult to control once established. Their rooting behavior tears up soil, accelerates erosion, spreads weeds, and destroys native vegetation, causing long-term ecological damage. On farmland, they trample and consume crops, leaving behind significant losses for producers. Just as concerning, they carry the potential to spread dangerous diseases to domestic livestock, wildlife, and even humans—posing both economic and public health risks. Through his teaching and research in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Dr. Brook has become a central figure in raising awareness about the growing crisis. His work emphasizes that invasive wild pigs are not simply a rural problem; they threaten wetlands, grasslands, and even public parks, making them a challenge for all Canadians.

🐗 What You Can Do to Help Stop Invasive Wild Pigs

  • Report Sightings Immediately – Go to WildPigs.ca to share any confirmed sightings. Quick reports help experts respond before pigs spread further.
  • Do Not Approach or Feed – Wild pigs can be aggressive and unpredictable. Keep people and pets at a safe distance.
  • Protect Nature – Remember that wetlands, greenspaces, and parks are at risk. Sharing information helps communities defend these landscapes.
  • Be a First Line of Defense – Farmers, hunters, hikers, and everyday citizens all play a role in stopping invasive wild pigs.

Watch “How the Chinese farmers earn thousands of dollars digging trenches around their fields?” on YouTube.

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

Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area or

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.comFacebook 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

BlueSky Social

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

Support via Zeffy

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 and Join the plastic-recycle challenge!

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

““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

Still Waters Run Deep: Wetlands and the Quiet Work of Survival


Out in the long grass of August, where the sun presses its heat into the soil like a branding iron and the wind moves with the low groan of age, Saskatchewan’s wetlands are still doing their quiet work.

They’ve done it for centuries — long before we gave names to their function, long before we cut fences through the marsh, or tried to drain their bellies for crops and cattle. And still, they stay. Not for us, exactly, but with us.

This year, from August 9 to 17, Saskatchewan marks the third annual Wetlands Appreciation Week, carrying the theme: Thriving Together: Wetlands and Communities — a phrase that rings both as a hope and a reminder.

Mallard Ducks Chappell Marsh. West Swale Wetlands Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA
Red Winged Blackbird. Chappell Marsh. West Swale Wetlands. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA
Chappell Marsh. West Swale Wetlands. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA
Ruddy Duck. Chappell Marsh. West Swale Wetlands. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Saskatoon, SK, CA
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Chappell Marsh. West Swale Wetlands. Saskatoon, SK, CA

A Landscape of Memory

Consider the West Swale, where the bones of ancient ice carved their story into the land. What we now call a wetland — rich with cattail, bulrush, muskrat, and frog-song — was once a glacial spillway. A restless, roaring channel creating Yorath Island, born from meltwater in the last ice age. That ghost river’s path now hosts Chappell Marsh, a jewel in the crown of the Swale. It is a place where time seems suspended in reed and reflection, and the land’s memory lies just beneath the surface.

Wetlands like this one are more than soggy ground. They’re lungs. They’re sponges. They’re cradle and coffin for countless species. And in a time when climate’s heartbeat grows erratic, these places are also something else — carbon vaults.

The Burden They Carry

Scientists will tell you that wetlands sequester carbon — that they hold it close in deep, anaerobic soils, preventing its release into the warming sky. But the way a farmer in the Qu’Appelle Valley might say it is this: “They soak up more than water.” They soak up heat, drought, and hunger. They shelter birds on thousand-mile migrations and buffer towns from spring floods that no one expected.

But what they give, they do not give without limit.

For every wetland that disappears under gravel or concrete or corrugated pipe, a thread unravels in the cloth of community. Not just for the waterfowl or salamanders or insects that lose a home, but for us — the people who live by water without noticing how it holds us upright.

A Quiet Celebration

So what does it mean to celebrate something that asks nothing for itself?

During Wetlands Appreciation Week, across Saskatchewan, please walk around a wetlands, download iNaturalist and Merlin and take part in citizen science efforts, and moments of shared learning. Communities will come together to listen — not to speeches, necessarily, but to the low thrum of the dragonfly, the dry rustle of sedge, the plop of a frog startled by a passing footstep. Children may build bug hotels. Elders may share stories of when beaver dams meant trouble, or salvation. All of it, a small way of saying: we’re still here. We still see you.

Thriving, Together

The wetlands of Saskatchewan don’t scream. They don’t split open the ground like wildfire or send towering clouds to warn us of their power. Instead, they keep holding on — thick with duckweed, water lilies, and the cool breath of patience.

And if we are to thrive together, as this year’s theme reminds us, then we must not look away from the places that ask so little and give so much. We must remember that resilience is quiet, and that the land remembers everything — the spillways, the droughts, the glacial whisper, and whether we chose to notice.

So go. Walk into the marsh. Watch the heron lift its slow wings into the heat. Breathe. And say thank you — softly, so the cattails can carry it.

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

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.comFacebook 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

BlueSky Social

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

Support via Zeffy

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 and Join the plastic-recycle challenge!

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

““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

Local Action in the Dialogue for Climate Ambition

A Planet in Dialogue: Climate Week 2025 from Panama to the Prairies


In the warm equatorial winds of Panama City, where the Pacific Ocean meets the tropical rainforests of Central America, the world will gather under the leadership of the UNFCCC Secretariat for May Climate Week 2025 May 19 to May 23, 2025, Under the canopy of ceibas and palms, diplomats, scientists, and citizens sit side by side—engaged in a theme as vital as the air we breathe: “Dialogues for Ambition and Implementation.” The UNFCCC Secretariat refers to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, which is the administrative and coordinating body that supports the implementation of the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.

Sign up for the virtual webinar “Accelerating Climate Solutions” with Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director of Project Drawdown.

Sign up for the virtual webinar Extreme Heat Events: Media Communication with Impact May 29, 2025 2:00 – 3:00 PM CST with Rebecca Goulding, Ph.D. of the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health for a vital webinar on how to effectively communicate during extreme heat events.

This is not merely a conference. It is a chorus of voices—a planetary conversation. And though the stage is global, the echoes of this dialogue reach as far as the boreal edge of the Canadian prairies, to the city of Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. Here, half a world away from the Panama Canal, the reality of climate change is no longer a distant scientific projection. It is now part of the lived experience.

As glaciers retreat and weather patterns shift, the Canadian plains—once home to endless grasslands and rich carbon-storing soils—face hotter summers with forest firest, earlier springs, deeper droughts alternating with major flooding events. Yet in the face of these mounting challenges, there is hope. Not from the top down, but from the ground up.

Grassroots as Guiding Roots

In Saskatoon, a quiet revolution is unfolding.

Local organizations like Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas are receiving advice. Advice to turn forgotten lands into carbon sinks, restore and protect native grasslands, wetlands, and afforested spaces once dismissed as marginal. Citizen scientists document phenological shifts in blooming times and bird migrations. Volunteers advocate for trees not just for shade or beauty, but to combat atmospheric carbon.

It is here, among these hardy community hands, that the essence of “dialogue” truly flourishes. Climate action is not solely the domain of policymakers in suits. It belongs to those who monitor spring runoff, who attend neighbourhood workshops, who teach school children and community groups to love the land. This is implementation in its purest form.

Global Ambition, Local Reality

Panama’s Climate Week aims to push forward the intergovernmental process with urgency and coordination. But such processes, though critical, risk detachment from the people most affected.

Enter local actors—those in Saskatoon who transform ambition into measurable change. Their work speaks not of pledges, but of praxis: citizen science pond dipping, advocating for native pollinators, habitats and corridors, upgrading through civic engagement and public policy campaigns supporting city plans to reflect climate resilience. These are actions that scale.

Indeed, what the international community needs is not only more agreements—but more Saskatoons. More communities where a conversation becomes a campaign. Where ambition is rooted in action, not rhetoric.

Bridging the Equator and the Arctic

So what connects Panama to the prairie? A shared vulnerability, yes—but more importantly, a shared opportunity. Climate Week 2025 encourages the showcasing of innovative solutions, and Saskatoon has many: stormwater wetlands, community carbon budgeting, green infrastructure overlays, pollinator habitats and urban afforestation.

These are not experiments. They are templates for transformation.

From Panama’s tide-fed mangroves to the Saskatchewan River Basin, the global conversation must now evolve from talk to task, from promise to plan. The lessons of the tropics must meet the lived truths of the north. And the grassroots must be welcomed to the policy table.

In the end, the Earth does not distinguish between north or south, between conference or community. It knows only the sum of our actions.

So as the world dialogues in Panama, let us all—wherever we are—listen. And more importantly, let us act.

For the planet. For the future. For the delicate, interconnected web of life we share.

June 5 Tree Planting Ceremony University of Saskatchewan World Environment Day 50th Anniversary Celebration
SDG 13 Climate Action
SDG 13 Climate Action

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

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.comFacebook 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

BlueSky Social

Mix: friendsareas

YouTube

Support via Zeffy

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 and Join the plastic-recycle challenge!

United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

““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

Living in Harmony with Moose: Safe Encounters and the Name the Moose Contest

Living in Harmony with Moose: Safe Encounters and the Name the Moose Contest

The majestic moose (Alces alces) has long been an iconic symbol of the wild forests and wetlands of Saskatchewan. As these giant herbivores make their way through the woods of Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (RSBBAA) and George Genereux Urban Regional Park, it’s important for residents and visitors to understand how to live harmoniously with these magnificent creatures. This year, we are excited to announce that a female moose has recently been spotted in the west side of RSBBAA, and a moose sighting recently on the east side of the park. Previously, a moose family even overwintered in George Genereux Park. With sightings becoming more common, it’s the perfect time to remind ourselves of the best ways to coexist with these wild animals while also participating in a fun and educational event: our Name the Moose contest!

Understanding Moose and Safe Interactions

Moose are typically solitary animals, known for their peaceful nature. However, they can become agitated or aggressive if they feel threatened, particularly during the spring when they are protective of their calves. The gestation period for moose is around 230 days, meaning that moose calves are usually born in late May or early June. This makes it especially important to give mother moose and their newborns plenty of space during this time. When you spot a moose in the wild, keep a respectful distance and observe from afar.

Moose can become aggressive if approached too closely, especially by dogs. Dog and moose interactions can be dangerous, as a moose will often perceive a dog as a threat to its young. Always keep dogs on a leash, especially in areas known to have moose activity, and avoid walking near them during the spring when they are most protective.

If you encounter a moose, remember to stay calm and slowly back away. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that could startle the moose. Moose typically don’t chase humans but will defend themselves or their young if they feel cornered.

The Name the Moose Contest

To make things even more exciting, we’re asking for your help to name our local moose! This is a fun and engaging way for the community to connect with the wildlife in our parks and learn more about these incredible animals. Currently, the names that have been suggested for the female moose include:

  • Meadow
  • Shadow (She moved quietly through the bush in George Genereux like a shadow)
  • Melvin (Melvin the Moose!)
  • Nahale (meaning “forest” in Native American, for a beautiful baby boy)
  • Majestic!
  • Maggie

If we have inadvertently missed any Moose names, please email, or post on FB here

You can participate by submitting your name suggestion or voting on the names you like best. To cast your vote, visit our Facebook page, where we’ll be asking for your input on which name should be chosen for our local moose.

For the Name the Moose contest, we will be asking these five questions:

What would be your advice for a moose encounter?

Have you ever encountered a moose anywhere?

Why was the person Richard St. Barbe Baker notable?

Why was the person George Genereux significant?

What wild animals have you seen in either Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, or in George Genereux Urban Regional Park?

Join us for the grand finale of the Name the Moose Event at the upcoming Jane’s Walk:

  • When: Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 1:00 PM
  • Where: To support the likes on FB, During this event at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (RSBBAA), we’ll be discussing moose behavior, habitat, and safety tips for living with these majestic creatures, and of course, we’ll add to the existing FB vote results and at the event or shortly thereafter announcing the results of the Name the Moose contest.

Tips for Safe Encounters

  • Keep Your Distance: Always stay at least 30 meters (roughly the length of three school buses) away from any moose you encounter. If you need to pass, retreat slowly and keep an obstacle, such as a tree or vehicle, between you and the moose.
  • Stay Calm: If you spot a moose while walking or biking, don’t approach it. Stay calm, and slowly back away. Moose are generally not aggressive but may defend themselves or their young if they feel threatened.
  • Leash Your Dog: Dogs can provoke moose, so always keep your dog on a leash. In some cases, moose have been known to charge when they perceive a dog as a threat to their calves.
  • Drive Cautiously: Moose can be hard to see, especially at dawn or dusk. If you’re driving in areas known for moose sightings, slow down and remain vigilant.
  • Avoid Feeding Moose: Feeding moose is illegal and can cause them to become reliant on humans for food. Never feed wildlife, and encourage others to do the same.

Protecting Moose Habitats

Moose rely on a variety of plants for food. In the warmer months, they feed on aquatic vegetation and shrubs, while in winter, they turn to woody browse, such as twigs and young trees. Understanding their food sources helps us appreciate their role in the ecosystem and the need for conservation.

Human expansion and climate change pose risks to moose populations. Warmer temperatures can alter the types of vegetation that thrive in moose habitats, which can impact their survival. Preserving forests and wetlands is essential to ensuring moose populations remain healthy and thrive.

How You Can Help

  • Report Sightings: If you see a moose in urban areas, especially near public spaces like playgrounds, contact local wildlife authorities.
  • Respect Their Space: Understand that moose are wild animals and need their space. Always observe from a distance to prevent any distress to the animal.
  • Support Conservation Efforts: Support organizations and initiatives dedicated to preserving moose habitats and educating the public on safe interactions.

Conclusion

Living in harmony with moose is about understanding their behavior, respecting their space, and taking steps to ensure safe encounters. As we celebrate the moose that have made their way to our urban parks, let’s remember that we are part of a shared environment, and together, we can help protect these magnificent animals. Don’t forget to join us at the Jane’s Walk on May 3, 2025, to continue the vote on the winning name for our local moose and learn more about these amazing creatures. Your participation matters, and together, we can make a difference!

For more information, please visit our Facebook page or contact us at friendsafforestation@gmail.com

Bull Moose braying
Bull Moose braying
Moose
Moose
Moose laying down during daytime
Moose laying down during daytime

Nurturing Nature

Together for Tomorrow: Environmental Progress Report YouTube

Roots of Renewal 2030 Vision

Annual Report 2023

Advocacy Statement
Connecting People and Nature: The Cultural Value of Afforestation Areas: Advocacy Strategy

Nurturing Nature: The Vision and Achievements of Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas

As a dedicated non-profit Canadian registered charity, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas (FSAAI) passionately work to promote and preserve the natural beauty of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park. Our mission centers around advancing educational and interpretive programs that nurture both current and future stewards of these vital natural spaces.

Our Mission

At (FSAAI), we believe that fostering a deep appreciation for our diverse ecosystems is essential for their preservation. Through research, program development, workshops, and events, we aim to enhance the experience of park visitors, creating lasting connections between people and nature.

The magic of George Genereux Park, City of Saskatoon at RM of Corman Park 344 boundary

Progress and Achievements

Over the past year, our initiatives have flourished, leading to significant advancements in community engagement and environmental stewardship:

  • City Nature Challenge: This event successfully engaged the community in documenting local biodiversity, highlighting the richness of our urban ecosystems across Saskatoon. Supporting the environmental stewardship. Rapid detection early response to invasive species. You can’t protect what you don’t know regarding species at risk.
  • Jane’s Walk: We encouraged exploration of our urban landscapes, fostering a deeper appreciation for the unique blend of nature and city life. Learning, and appreciating the complex work undertaken by the City of Saskatoon in urban planning and environmental sustainability and supporting efforts being undertaken
  • Arbor Week & National Forest Week: These celebrations advocated for the importance of trees and forests, emphasizing their role in enhancing urban life and continuing the Richard St. Barbe Baker pledge with Forest Guides and Forest Scouts everywhere.
  • ParticipACTION Challenge: By promoting active lifestyles echoing Olympic Champion George Genereux, we encouraged outdoor engagement, connecting citizens with their natural surroundings. Come to Nature, Come to Life!

Our commitment to these programs is made possible through the generous contributions of donors, grants, and volunteers. Every effort counts, and we are grateful for the ongoing support from our community and corporate partners.

Advocacy for Sustainability

Advocacy is at the heart of our mission. It facilitates collaboration between community organizations, government agencies, and businesses, allowing us to implement effective conservation strategies. Our advocacy efforts focus on promoting sustainable practices that minimize negative impacts on our environment, ensuring that the afforestation areas remain vibrant and accessible for all.

We highlight the cultural and recreational value of these green spaces, fostering a sense of pride and connection among citizens. Through educational outreach, we raise awareness about the significance of biodiversity conservation, influencing policy decisions at local, regional, and national levels.

Geocaching, Orienteering skills in the forest wander forest trails in search of adventure led by Saskatchewan Orienteering or the Saskatoon Geocache community

Focus Areas for Future Initiatives

As we look ahead, our focus will be on several key areas:

  1. Native Ecosystem Education: Enhancing awareness of the ecological significance of native flora and fauna, particularly species at risk, by targeting various stakeholders including naturalists, walkers, and municipal policymakers.
  2. Preserving and Restoring Nature’s Diversity: Advocating strategic conservation approaches that ensure healthy populations of native species and ecosystems.
  3. Sustainable Land Utilization: Supporting practices that positively affect biodiversity and combat climate change.
  4. Diversity and Inclusion: Engaging equity-deserving groups in our initiatives, recognizing and addressing barriers faced by various communities, and fostering an inclusive environment for all.

Get Involved

We invite everyone to explore the afforestation areas and join us in our mission. Whether through membership, volunteering, or simply visiting, your involvement makes a tangible difference. We also encourage support for our sponsors who play a vital role in our success.

Skimmer (Dragonfly) mating in air courtesy Prasan Shrestha

A Community Effort

With heartfelt gratitude, we thank our local companies and community partners for their unwavering support. Your contributions enable us to achieve our goals each year and help make the Richard St. Barbe Baker and George Genereux Urban Regional Park Saskatoon’s premier urban forest destination.

For more information or to get involved, please visit our website or follow us on social media. We welcome your comments and suggestions as we continue to work towards preserving and enhancing our beloved parks.

Together, we can nurture nature and ensure that these cherished spaces thrive for generations to come.

With your dedication and support, we can create a lasting impact on the environment and our community. Thank you for being a part of the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas!

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.comFacebook 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

Richard St. Barbe Baker

““Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause. Stand firm, grip hard, thrust upward. Bend to the winds of heaven..”

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