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
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
Opening the Gates: Why Accessibility in Greenspaces Matters for Everyone
When we talk about access to nature, we often picture a trail winding through wildflowers, the gentle hush of the riverbank, or the crunch of leaves underfoot. But for many people, those paths are still blocked — by design, by oversight, silence and sometimes by people who, without realizing it, create exclusion through a lack of understanding of what it means to live with a disability. The result is more than inaccessibility; it’s the quiet ripple of loss, isolation, and non-acceptance that touches not only individuals but their families and friends too.
Accessibility in greenspaces isn’t just about ramps and railings. It’s about belonging. It’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, age, or background, can find joy, calm, and connection in the natural world. As Meewasin works toward creating a more inclusive valley, we’re being reminded that inclusion isn’t a checkbox—it’s a practice, one that grows stronger when communities are invited to shape it.
Listening First: Meewasin’s Accessibility Plan
Meewasin has made a public commitment to identify and remove barriers in how people access its facilities, trails, information, and programs. To make this commitment real, Meewasin is developing an Accessibility Plan—a living document that will evolve every three years as new needs, ideas, and technologies emerge.
But this plan isn’t being written behind closed doors. Meewasin is asking for voices—your voice. The Meewasin Accessibility Survey invites feedback from staff, visitors, community groups, partners, and local businesses to ensure the plan reflects the real experiences of those who use and love the valley.
Your responses will directly shape the strategies that define how everyone experiences Meewasin’s landscapes—whether that’s a parent with a stroller, an elder using a walker, or a child who navigates the world differently.
This conversation extends beyond Saskatoon. Earlier this year, the 2025 Canadian Inclusive Green Spaces Symposium, held right here in Saskatoon, gathered more than 150 leaders from across the country. The event sparked essential dialogue on how we can ensure everyone in Canada has access to safe, welcoming, and inclusive green spaces.
The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) is now compiling insights from that symposium—stories of success, collaboration, and the persistent work ahead. Their findings will be shared at the upcoming Forward Together Summit later this autumn, continuing the national conversation on how parks can advance wellbeing, sustainability, and community resilience.
Before then, you can join the next step of this dialogue at a CPRA webinar on November 20 at 1:00 p.m. EST (12:00 noon CST), where new research will be unveiled and participants will help shape the next chapter of inclusive park planning. 👉 Register for the Webinar
Accessibility as a Right, Not a Privilege
Here in Saskatoon, accessibility planning is being strengthened by the Accessible Saskatchewan Act, which calls on every municipality to develop its own accessibility plan. The City of Saskatoon recognizes that while much progress has been made to improve access and services, there is still room to grow.
Over the coming year, the City aims to develop an Accessibility Plan for #BarrierFreeYXE that truly reflects the lived experiences of all residents. The goal is to find, fix, and remove barriers so that everyone—especially people with accessibility needs—can participate fully in community life. This plan, required by December 3, 2025, will be a foundational step toward making Saskatoon a city where inclusion is not an afterthought but a guiding principle.
As a disabled environmental advocate, we’ve often thought about how access to nature is a form of justice. When greenspaces are designed inclusively, they don’t just become more accessible—they become more human. They invite diversity, connection, and care. They remind us that nature isn’t exclusive terrain—it’s shared ground.
Imagine sitting in your car on a bright afternoon, the sound of birdsong drifting in from the trees just beyond reach. Your family steps out, their laughter carried by the wind as they head toward the path winding through the greenspace. But for you, that simple act—leaving the vehicle—is impossible. The trail isn’t accessible, and your wheelchair isn’t allowed. You watch as your children run ahead, their shoes splashing near the wetlands, their voices tumbling back toward you with stories of frogs, flowers, and freedom. They press their faces to the window, eager to tell you what they saw before darting off again with their dad or their auntie. You smile, because they are happy. But as you sit in the quiet that follows, tears come. You realize that even as a nature lover that this is one joy you’ll never fully share with them—one world from which you are quietly, systematically excluded. So you weep in silence. Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and pathways; it’s about belonging, and the heartbreak of being left behind in places meant for everyone. Your wheelchair isn’t allowed.
Meewasin’s call for input isn’t just about compliance; it’s about co-creation. It’s about reshaping what it means to belong in our natural spaces. And it’s about ensuring that every person—whether rolling, walking, or resting—can find themselves reflected in the landscape.
Accessibility isn’t a finish line. It’s a shared journey. And with every survey response, every conversation, every redesigned trail, we move one step closer to a future where everyone can come to nature, come to life.
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
WALKING THROUGH TIME AND TERRAIN: A Pilgrim’s Journey Into the Heart of the Wild City
Today, at one o’clock sharp, the soul of Saskatoon will stir.
There in the whispering grass and willow-thick shadows of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, people will gather—not to build, pave, or take—but to listen and talk and join the conversation. We’ll join the walk called “Walking Through Time and Terrain”, one thread in the great tapestry that is the Jane’s Walk Festival. It’s a festival born not of fanfare or flash, but of principle—Jane Jacobs’ principle—that cities are most alive when we, the people, are fully present in the places we call home.
We’ll be there, boots dusty, journal in hand, walking not just through the marshes and woods of the West Swale, but through eras, stories, and ice age adventures. This is no idle stroll—it is a pilgrimage through past and present: a chance to hear how glaciers sculpted our land in the Pleistocene, how leaders like B.T. Chappell and Richard St. Barbe Baker shaped its meaning, and how, even now, a moose once quietly moved through the trees, as if summoned by our collective memory.
Yes, moose.
Because alongside our musings on infrastructure, wetlands, and community planning, we will take time to honor the silent sentinel of our woodlands. She had no voice in meetings or maps, yet she reminds us, more eloquently than any city planner, what it means to coexist. Meadow, Shadow, Maggie—what shall we name her to retain her memory? The people will decide. The children will dream. And together, we’ll remember how to live with wildness at our doorstep.
That is the gift of this Jane’s Walk: not just movement through space, but a deepening of place. You’ll leave not only with wind-kissed cheeks and soil on your shoes, but with a new sense of belonging. Of stewardship. Of awe.
So pack your repellent. Tie your laces. Bring your questions and your reverence.
And if you should meet the moose? She is gone. Bow your head a little. She was the keeper of an ancient truth we’ve nearly forgotten:
We are not the masters of this land. We are its guests.
As the sun crosses the equator on September 22nd, marking the Autumn Equinox, we witness a unique moment of balance when day and night are equal. This astronomical event is not just a transition into fall but an opportunity to reflect on the diverse ways different cultures perceive and celebrate the changing seasons. In particular, Indigenous Cree cultures offer a rich and nuanced understanding of the seasonal cycle, revealing a profound connection between people and nature.
Indigenous Cree Seasonal Perspectives
In many Cree communities, the year unfolds through six distinct seasons, each with its own rhythms and significance. This perspective contrasts with the conventional four-season model and highlights a deep-rooted relationship with the natural world.
Pre-Spring (March and April): Known as the time when the moon is reflected on the ice, this period is a precursor to the rebirth of nature. March, or “otter month,” and April mark the gradual melting of ice and the promise of renewal.
Commemorate #NationalForestWeek “Maple Leaf Day” or National Tree Day in Canada American Elm Ulmus Americana autumn leafRed Osier Dogwood Cornus sericea fall leafThe Trembling Aspen is also referred to as the Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) Autumn colour of foliage CC3.0 Stan ShebsA dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. Josh Billings
Spring (May and June): Spring, or “sīkwan,” is a time of awakening and growth. May is celebrated as the month of flowers, while June is recognized for the abundance of strawberries, symbolizing the bounty of nature’s resurgence.
Summer (July and August): As the days stretch towards the summer solstice on June 21st, summer, or “nīpin,” brings forth the arrival of fruit and the maturing of young animals. July is the month of raspberries, and August witnesses young birds learning to fly.
Autumn (September): September, or “takwākin,” is marked by the falling leaves and the breeding season of porcupines. The Autumn Equinox on September 21st signifies a time of balance before the daylight hours begin to wane, leading into the winter months.
Pre-Winter (November and December): The transition into winter, or “mikiskāw,” is characterized by the return of snow and the preparation of animals for the colder months. November and December are times of trapping and utilizing every part of harvested animals.
Winter (January and February): Winter, or “pipon,” sets in with full force. January is the longest month, and February, known as Groundhog Month, continues the deep winter phase until the days begin to lengthen again.
Australian Aboriginal and Woodland Cree Seasonal Systems
Interestingly, this nuanced view of seasons is mirrored in other Indigenous cultures, such as the Noongar people of Australia, who celebrate six distinct seasons:
Birak (December – January)
Bunuru (February – March)
Djeran (April – May)Makuru (June – July)
Djilba (August – September)
Kambarang (October – November)
Similarly, the Woodland Cree recognize six seasons, reflecting a detailed observation of environmental changes:
Break Up (mithoskamin)
Spring (sīkwan)
Summer (nīpin)
Fall (takwākin)
Freeze-Up (mikiskāw)
Winter (pipon)
Activities and Reflections for the Equinox
To honor the Autumn Equinox and connect with these seasonal traditions, consider engaging in activities that celebrate the transition and reflect on the natural world:
K-2 Students: Take a walk to observe fall changes. Collect leaves, acorns, and seeds to create art projects like collages or crayon rubbings. If a walk isn’t possible, guide an imaginary forest journey, focusing on sensory experiences and changes.Grades 3-5: Investigate the causes of seasonal changes and their impact on daily life. Explore when the autumn equinox occurs in your area and discuss the seasonal adjustments families make.Grades 6-8: Research why leaves change color and create collages reflecting autumn hues. Additionally, test the myth of balancing an egg on the equinox, and analyze the results to understand the scientific principles behind it.
The Autumn Equinox serves as a potent reminder of the cyclical nature of our environment and the deep connections Indigenous cultures have with the seasons. By exploring these traditions and engaging with seasonal changes, we honor the profound wisdom embedded in diverse cultural perspectives and enrich our understanding of the natural world.
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
Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure into the realm of biodiversity? Look no further than the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park! Get your smartphone, tablet, or digital camera ready with free iNaturalist app because the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Big Backyard BioBlitz is here, and it’s calling all nature enthusiasts to participate.
From August 3rd to 7th, join thousands of individuals, from beginners to seasoned bioblitzers, in an exciting quest to explore and document the incredible species diversity in these remarkable natural spaces. The BioBlitz presents a unique opportunity to connect with nature while contributing to the protection of the species we hold dear.
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritusGeorge Genereux Urban Regional Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Sept 24 iNaturalist Observation with smart phone connecting with nature, supporting vital conservation research worldwide.
Participation is easy! Simply venture into the parks and capture photos of plants, animals, insects, and other creatures you encounter along the way. By sharing your observations, you’ll play a crucial role in helping scientists assess local biodiversity, monitor rare species, and combat invasive ones.
As an added bonus, your participation could lead to fantastic prizes.Share your BioBlitz photos on social media using the hashtag #NCCBioBlitz, and you’ll automatically be entered into a draw for a chance to win a Nature Conservancy of Canada prize pack or one of our Visa gift cards**. So not only will you be immersing yourself in nature, but you could also walk away with a special reward!
This summer, let’s continue to protect the species and spaces we love by taking part in the 2023 BioBlitz. Prepare to unveil the wonders of the natural world and discover the extraordinary sights that await you. To get started, sign up for free today and gain access to new tip sheets and resources that will enhance your BioBlitz experience.
Join us on this thrilling adventure and become a citizen scientist, helping to safeguard our precious biodiversity. Together, we can make a meaningful difference while reveling in the awe-inspiring beauty of our natural world.
Sign up now for the Big Backyard BioBlitz and let the wonders of nature unfold before your eyes!
P.S. Remember to share your remarkable BioBlitz moments and spread the excitement by using the hashtag #NCCBioBlitz on social media. Your captivating photos and experiences will inspire others to connect with nature and join the movement.
YouTube Walk Through History; Walk In Time; Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Doors Open
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker
Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan,
University Archives & Special Collections,
Richard St. Barbe Baker fonds, MG 71Canada 150 km walkHeart health forest walking
The first of two tours in the afternoon will take visitors around the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, a heritage greenspace that provides a beautiful and spiritual landscape within Saskatoon. The afforestation area is a unique natural semi-wilderness habitat of great biodiversity that showcases the horticulture phase in the history of Saskatoon and North America. Planted as part of the Green Survival Campaign in the war against ecological abuse, the afforestation area has a rich history of developments in town-planning and architectural landscape design aimed at improving the future environment of the city. The area is also significant for its association with Richard St. Barbe Baker, founder of the Men of the Trees and the first global conservationist. The tour will provide visitors with insights into the economic, cultural, and historical significance of the site, and its association with the Kikuyu tribesman of Kenya. Visitors will learn about the importance of trees as espoused by St. Barbe Baker and their role in combating climate change.
The second tour will take visitors to the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, a heritage greenspace that boasts great biodiversity and a unique natural semi-wilderness habitat. This area was planted as part of the Green Survival Campaign, an award-winning program aimed at improving the environment and conserving land from erosion. The afforestation area is significant for its association with Richard St. Barbe Baker, a local and internationally renowned conservationist and founder of the Men of the Trees (now the International Tree Foundation). Baker’s legacy and efforts saw the planting of at least 26 billion trees worldwide, and his impact on environmental conservation is still felt today. Visitors will learn about the importance of trees, natural history, earth sciences, ecology, and the effects of climate change while exploring the site. Visitors will learn about the city’s history, the challenges it has faced, and the initiatives taken to overcome them. The tour will provide visitors with a deeper understanding of what makes Saskatoon a unique and special place to live and visit. Two tours offered 12:00 noon to 2:15 pm and 2:45 – 5:00 pm offer a unique perspective on Saskatoon’s heritage, culture, and environmental values. Visitors will gain a greater appreciation for the city’s history, as well as its efforts towards sustainability and environmental conservation.
Please meet at parking area P2, the South West Off Leash Recreation Area in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area 241A Township Road 362-A in Saskatoon, SK – GPS 52.100826, -106.742013
Do you have a fond or meaningful memory of visiting the afforestation areas? Post a selfie or a photo and describing your experience with us for #HistoricPlacesDays by July 31 for a chance to win awesome prizes! @nationaltrustca #HistoricPlacesDays Join us as we discover the history, culture and story of all these amazing historic sites. Save the date to visit and explore the history around you. www.historicplacesdays.ca @nationaltrustca Come Out July 22 and July 24 for events!
Historic Places Days Historic Places Days Thousands of visitors will celebrate #HistoricPlacesDays by visiting historic sites around the country from July 8 -31, 2022. Join us in celebrating through film and in-person. Learn more today!
George Genereux (March 1, 1935 – April 10, 1989) photo courtesy SPL b-875950th Birthday for Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in SaskatoonJuly 22 at 7:00 pm Reviving Local Heritage Film screening at the Remai Modern.Reviving Local Heritage. July 22, 2022 at 7:00 pm Remai Modern
Dr Richard St. Barbe Baker, O.B.E., Hon. L.L.D. (Sask), F.A.I.L., For, Dip. Cantab. (St. Barbe) 9 October 1889 – 9 June 1982. Today is St. Barbe’s birthday! It is the 129th anniversary of St. Barbe’s birthdate. October 9 means he is a Libra. What is known about persons who are born under this horoscope sign? … Continue reading “Many happy returns!”
Dr Richard St. Barbe Baker, O.B.E., Hon. L.L.D. (Sask), F.A.I.L., For, Dip. Cantab. (St. Barbe) 9 October 1889 – 9 June 1982.
Today is St. Barbe’s birthday! It is the 129th anniversary of St. Barbe’s birthdate. October 9 means he is a Libra. What is known about persons who are born under this horoscope sign?
Libra Horoscope: Zodiac Sign September 23 – October 23
Rowan Tree (Sensitivity) – October 04 to October 13
Characteristics: Full of Charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, unrestful, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive. From LagoSmart
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections,
E. E. Cummings born October 14, 1894 [a fellow Libran]
what if a much of a which of a wind
what if a much of a which of a wind
gives the truth to summer’s lie;
bloodies with dizzying leaves the sun
and yanks immortal stars awry?
Blow king to beggar and queen to seem
(blow friend to fiend: blow space to time)
-when skies are hanged and oceans drowned,
the single secret will still be man
what if a keen of a lean wind flays
screaming hills with sleet and snow:
strangles valleys by ropes of thing
and stifles forests in white ago?
Blow hope to terror; blow seeing to blind
(blow pity to envy and soul to mind)
-whose hearts are mountains, roots are trees,
it’s they shall cry hello to the spring
what if a dawn of a doom of a dream
bites this universe in two,
peels forever out of his grave
and sprinkles nowhere with me and you?
Blow soon to never and never to twice
(blow life to isn’t:blow death to was)
-all nothing’s only our hugest home;
the most who die, the more we live
Photo of Richard St. Barbe Baker Courtesy: University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections,
The Curious Events Day is celebrated annually on October 9.
Fire Prevention day is commemorated every year on October 9.
Should you wish to help protect / enhance the afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail) Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal using the e-mail friendsafforestation AT gmail.com, or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Members e-mail your contact information to be kept up to date!
“St. Barbe’s unique capacity to pass on his enthusiasm to others. . . Many foresters all over the world found their vocations as a result of hearing ‘The Man of the Trees’ speak. I certainly did, but his impact has been much wider than that. Through his global lecture tours, St. Barbe has made millions of people aware of the importance of trees and forests to our planet.” Allan Grainger
“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
“I believe in the Oneness of Mankind and all living things and the interdependence of each and all.”Richard St. Barbe Baker
What an excellent way to bring in the summer months.
Puppies. Puppy Day March 23.
Grooming the Trail, Packing the Path
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, West Swale Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
June 1, 2019 is a Saturday, and also commemorates International Trail Day which falls on the first Saturday of June.
By June the Winter season for the Winter Fatbike Trail Network is finished as all the snow has indeed melted. However, that being said, Jeff Hehn ambassador of the Fatlanders Fat Tire Brigade and other members of this group have created Fatbike winter trails in addition to the existing to the paths previously extant in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.
Additionally, the city of Saskatoon has created the South West Off Leash Recreation Area, with trails to enjoy, and take your dog along on the trails.
The Saskatoon Nature Society did in fact include the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area in their 2016 new edition of the book. “Nature Viewing Sites in and around Saskatoon”. Members of the Nature society have been actively ringing (banding) birds in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area for a number of years, so keep your eyes open while out on the trails, and bring your binoculars and cameras.
Walking: the most ancient exercise and still the best modern exercise.
Carrie Latet
Participants in the trails day event at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, or at the Afforestation formerly known as George Genereux Urban Regional Park, are invited to post on facebook your photos while walking, bicycling, hiking, or bird-watching along the trail incorporating why you love urban forests in Saskatoon.
To show your appreciation for the afforestation area, while you are out on the trails, please bring along an extra plastic bag and volunteer to remove debris in the afforestation area, or remove trash in the parking lots or scoop some poop in the off leash area.
These are the ethics of “Leave no trace” to help preserve the afforestation area and its trails for the future generations, and for your families use tomorrow.
Take someone to the Richard St. Barbe Baker afforestation area who has never been to this “best kept secret” of Saskatoon or perhaps take your family out on a new trail which you have not explored yet.
“Hiking is a bit like life:
The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other…again and again and again.
And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek,
you will witness beauty every step of the way,
not just at the summit” ~Unknown
Take only photos and memories, Each leaf, flower, stone and berry is an integral part of the ecosystem in the afforestation area. If we were to remove items from the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area we are removing what may be food and shelter for the wildlife community.
Leave only footprints along the paths. Animals and wildlife subsist better on food from the wild. Trash can cause distress and harm to the animals and vegetation and wetlands in the area. Human food and human garbage can make animals sick. This is a wetlands area, trash can also make humans sick as the West Swale drains into the South Saskatchewan River.
Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail. Robert Motherwell
Explore the afforestation area with respect. Extend your adventure on the trails of the park to preserve the ecological system. Walking off path disturbs the vegetation of the understory and affects the water drainage of the site. There are still wild animals in the afforestation area, and as the city grows, it would be amazing if it would stay that way for future generations to enjoy as well.
Sustainable trails and trail signage preserve the wildlife habitat, prevent erosion, conserve the forest understory, and provide a conservation friendly direction for the eco-footprint caused by an increase in users
With a growing awareness of the afforestation area, a proper trail network establishing proper and appropriate paths mitigates damage to wildlife habitat and ensures long term preservation practices while allowing increasing numbers of user to appreciate the full scenic beauty of the afforestation area. Well planned sustainable trails mitigate soil movement and erosion, require minimal long term maintenance, while allowing vegetation and wildlife to inhabit the area.
Eliminating illegal use of motorized vehicles in the afforestation area and the wetlands will eliminate unprecedented erosion, ecological and habitat damage. Taking responsibility and accountability for the environment will increase public appreciation for a picturesque urban forest by walkers, bicycle riders, educational classes, naturalists, bird watchers, and a number of other users on properly planned and designed pathways to mitigate the ecosystem footprint.
Remember next year’s International Trails Day is June 6, 2020.
Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail)
Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal using the e-mail friendsafforestation AT gmail.com, or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Members e-mail your contact information to be kept up to date!
“St. Barbe’s unique capacity to pass on his enthusiasm to others. . . Many foresters all over the world found their vocations as a result of hearing ‘The Man of the Trees’ speak. I certainly did, but his impact has been much wider than that. Through his global lecture tours, St. Barbe has made millions of people aware of the importance of trees and forests to our planet.” Allan Grainger
“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
“The trees and vegetation, which cover the land surface of the Earth and delight the eye, are performing vital tasks incumbent upon the vegetable world in nature. Its presence is essential to earth as an organism. It is the first condition of all life; it is the “Skin” of the earth, for without it there can be no water and, therefore, no life.”Richard St. Barbe Baker
The Trembling Aspen is also referred to as the Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx)
Trembling Aspen grove Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CA
Trembling Aspen grove Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CA
A ramet is an individual plant belonging to a clone. The botanical term for a sucker is ramet. The clone originates from one ortet. An ortet is the original or mother plant. A clonal colony is also referred to as a genet. A genet is the group of genetically identical individuals, such as plants, fungi, or bacteria, that have grown in a given location, all originating vegetatively, not sexually, from a single ancestor. In plants, an individual in such a population is referred to as a ramet. All plants (ramets) reproduced asexually from a common ancestor (ortet) and have identical genotypes which means it is an exact clone or perfect copy of the original ortet. A genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual organism.
The Trembling Aspen May 25, 2019
Tomáš Herben of the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University and at the Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Science relates rhizomes to clonal growth. Rhizome is from both Latin and Greek root rhizoma meaning “mass of tree roots”, and from the root rhizoun meaning “cause to strike root, root into the ground” and from the Green rhiz meaning “root” and -ome. In botany, rhizome is a horizontal, underground plant stem which is able to produce the shoot and root systems of a new plant. Duana A. Pelzer, also states that “Aspen (Populus tremuloides) dominates the southern treeline in western Canada, has long‐lived below ground connections between mother and daughter ramets, and reproduces vegetatively via resprouting rhizomes.” The Trembling Aspen clone can be called rhizomatous.
The Trembling Aspen May 25, 2019
Scientists, foresters or gardeners can practice vegetative propagation using rooted cuttings, grafting, or tissue culture. In the case of the Trembling Aspen, the original plant is also called the ortet.
The Trembling Aspen root suckers are produced from meristems featured in the cork cambium of the root systems. The Cambium is a layer of tissue between the wood and the bark from the Latin cambium meaning “exchange” and Latin cambiare “change. The cork cambrium, also called a phellogen, produces an outer protective barrier or corky tissue, and an inner phelloderm- a thin, food conducting vascular tissue.
The Trembling Aspen tree bark May 25, 2019
The roots twist, coil and undulate underground. Growing sideways, laterally, they do not reach lower than 40 cm (16 inches) below the surface of the soil and most often stay within 2 to 10 cm (1 to 4 in) from the soil surface.
A meristem is a collection of cells forming plant tissue in the zones where plant growth can take place. These undifferentiated cells (meristematic cells) have the capability for cell division, promoting growth and change. Meristem comes from the Greek root “merizein” which means “to divide” which is the main function of the merismatic cells, to change and divide thus providing new growth for the tree. Differentiated plant cells cannot produce new growth, as they cannot change.
The shoots develop following apical dominance. Apical dominance occurs when the shoot apex inhibits the growth of lateral buds so that the plant may grow vertically upwards towards the light. These shoots however, lie in wait, remaining dormant due to hormones called “Auxin” expressed by the main Trembling Aspen clone. High soil temperature, depletion of carbohydrate food sources, or excess soil moisture may inhibit the formation of suckers. If the Aspen Grove is disturbed, the hormonal balance is upset within the Trembling Aspen grove. There is a decrease in Auxin allowing meristem to develop into buds, then into shoots above ground, finally developing fully producing ramets which can be visibly seen above ground as part of the Trembling Aspen grove. Suckers originate after disturbances such as clearcutting, girdling, tree defoliation or fire.
The Trembling Aspen Dioecious Catkin or Ament May 25, 2019
When the suckers start to form, the parent root changes. The suckering rhizomatous root system has four parts:
The root collar, stump or root cap
The distal parent root
The proximal parent root
The adventitious roots
The root collar is the underground area of the Trembling Aspen sucker where it adjoins the stem. This root collar is the protective layer, so that apical meristem (upward changing new growth) is not affected by rocks, dirt or pathogens (germs.) The sucker roots and the parent roots cannot be distinguished from each other at the root collar, root cap or stump.
The distal parent root grows quite large to accommodate the new sucker formation. The distal parent root fills with juicy sap, and is quite succulent and tender. Distal means situated on the outside edge away from the point of attachment to the parent.
The proximal root which is on the close side of the root collar, or stump formation. Proximal means to be on the nearest to the point of attachment.
The adventitious roots of the newly initiated root suckers reveal growth downwards on the distal end of the roots reaching down to the root cambium of the Trembling Aspen clone or grove. Adventitious means formed accidentally or in an unusual anatomical position. These sucker roots will rely on the parent root for water and nutrients for the first few years. In some cases the suckers rely on the parent roots for more than 20 years. This interplay between parent root and ramet gives the sucker a distinct advantage over Aspen seedlings and other species arising on the forest floor.
Whereas shoots arising inside the meristem are one way to give rise to shoots as above, there are also shoots which arise from the exterior surface of Aspen roots from pre-existing primordia. It is believed that these primordia arise from injury or disturbance to the root system, perhaps by a grazing animal. Primordia comes from the Latin root prīmōrdiālis which is the earliest stage of development of the organism.
Root sprouting is the most commonly seen means of reproduction for the Trembling Aspen. This is referred to as vegetative asexual reproduction.
The Trembling Aspen is also referred to as the Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) Leafy branchlet, Female Ament or catkin, Young Male Ament or catkin, Fruit, Floral Bract.
A Trembling Aspen grove or stand of trees is connected underground by this common root system originating from the ortet. Each Aspen Clone is dioecious. One Aspen stand of trees may be composed of a mosaic of clones with their roots interspersed with each other. Dioecious means that there are distinct male and female organisms, or boy and girl clones. A stamen is the pollen producing male organ of the flower. Pistils arise on the flowers of the female Trembling Aspen stands, and feature a base ovary, a style or pillar which extends from the ovary to the stigma. The stigma is sticky enabling it to capture the pollen from the male Trembling Aspen clone.
The Trembling Aspen Dioecious Catkin or Ament
A Trembling Aspen feature aments, also referred to as catkins. Each catkin bears many tiny dense flowers. The name catkin comes from the German root “kätzchen,” or in Dutch “katteken” meaning kitten. The aments look like the furry tail of a kitten. The catkins can be anywhere from 1 to 8 cm in length (1-1/2” – 3”) The flowers with red stigmas are female flowers. The flowers bearing black, dark anthers are male flowers. The seeds will spread in the wind across distances of 500 meters (1,600 feet) up to several kilometers in heavy winds. The seeds are plumose, which means having many fine filaments or branches which give a feathery appearance. Seedlings have barriers to establishment because early spring rainfall in the semi-arid prairie regions may be followed by a dry period ~ killing newly germinated seedlings.
The Trembling Aspen Dioecious Catkin or Ament
Trembling Aspen will hybridize, or cross with other species of poplar trees (Populus)
The extent of a single Trembling Aspen clone of trees can be determined by several features; morphology, and phenology. These two methods bring in the observation of the leaf size and shape, the character and colour of the bark, and the changes in the season. Morphological analysis is the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features such as the outward appearance of the shape, structure, colour, pattern and size of the visible aspects. Morphology has as its roots the Greek word, morphé “form” and logos “the study of.” The study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, as well as habitat factors (such as elevation) is the science referred to as phenology. Phenology means the study of the influence of climate on recurring natural phenomena, and is derived from phainō, which is Greek for “to show, to bring to light, make to appear” and logos.
Taking the observations one step further would be to employ a procedure called digital morphometrics. This digital approach utilizing scanned leaf images carefully tracking the location and statistics of each leaf, and comparing the digital scans of each leaf recording the analysis and observation of the morphology of each digital leaf scan. Specific and unique clone signatures appear under the observation of discernible patterns.
Aspens feature leaf dimorphism which arise from two types of leaflets, featuring short fixed shoot (stem) growth, and long free shoot growth. Short shoots can only produce embroynic early leaves, and are the very first set of leaves which appear in the spring from the winter bud. Embroyo is from the Greek embryon, “a young one”, or “one that grows at an early stage of development.” This is referred to as the spring flush. The first late leaves are also present in the winter bud, but they are arrested primordia or stopped at the beginning. Primordia comes from primus meaning ”first” and ordior “to begin”.
The Trembling Aspen Autumn foliage
Lateral long shoots may produce “early” or “late” leaves. The fact that the long shoots can produce two types of leaves means that they are called heterophyllous stems or shoots. Heterophyllous meaning having two different kinds of leaves on the same stem comes from the Greek root heteros meaning “other”, and phyllon, “leaf”. Late leaves have more variety in their shape than the early leaves. Gland-tipped teeth are featured around the leaf margins on late leaves only.
A Trembling Aspen Clone leaf flush will occur at the same time because clones share the same genotype. Likewise, since the Trembling Aspen genet is all one clone, the entire genet will change colour all at once in the autumn.
Scientists have studied how to differentiate one clone of Trembling Aspens from another, and there is much discussion and preferences stated on the criteria and methods used. Hana Jelı´nkova et al have determined that finding the unique signature morphological traits to be superior to the use of spring phenology for successful analysis.
Spring phenology is more accurate than autumn phenological changes according to Michael Grant, and J.M.I. McGrath et al wrote that the phenology during spring flush showed a variety in morphology depending upon climate change variations. Both first and second leaf flushes, and their characteristics (morphology) were studied by Samuel B. St. Clair’s team. Defoliation of the leaves by insects, may require the trees to flush out a second time, as would drought and temperature extremes such as a late spring frost causing damage and defoliation of the first flush. Defoliation is to destroy or cause widespread loss of leaves.
The Trembling Aspen Leaflets and Dioecious Catkin or Ament May 25, 2019
The size and shape of leaves showed a variety between Trembling Aspen groves depending upon if the trees were in an area of elevated oxygen or Carbon Dioxide. In an interesting data collection, Reimo Lutter et al studied spring and autumn phenology on the Aspen tree from one year to the next, and found that the growing season has been lengthening.
“The timing of bud break and bud set represents events in survival and growth, discernment of these mechanisms and their interactions with climatic variables is a key to understand the consequences of the projected climate change for Populus forests”(Sivadasan, 2017). Leaf phenology has been shifting in response to earlier leaf flushing due to warm winters in relation to climate change state Yongshuo et al. Now then, Joyce G. Greene suggested that it would be wise to look at six different features to seperate Aspen clones;
“Sex
Time of leafing, and of leaf fall
Spring and Autumn leaf colour
Shape and Size of leaves,
Leave serration
Pubescence of dormant buds.”(DeByle, 1985)
Burton V. Barnes developed another set of criteria for distinguishing clones, by season and in order of usefulness.
All Seasons
Bark
1. Texture
Color
Stem Characteristics
Form
Branching habit (angle, length, and internode length)
Susceptibility to injury
Sunscald
Frost crack
Insect and disease injury Miscellaneous
Self-pruning
Galls ~ Plant galls are abnormal swelling outgrowth of plant tissues caused by various parasites, from viruses, fungi and bacteria, to other plants, insects and mites.
Spring
Sex
Time of flowering, and flower characteristics
Time, color, and rate of leaf flushing
Summer
Leaf shape (width : length ratio), color, and size
Shape of leaf blade base
Leaf margin; number, size, and shape of teeth
Shape of leaf tip
Leaf rust infection
Autumn
Leaf color
Time and rate of leaf fall”
(DeByle, 1985)
Note: Pages 149-152 of Norbert V DeByle book features an appendix entitled, Wild Mammals and Birds Found in Aspen and Aspen-Conifer Mixed Forests of Western United States and Adjacent Canada.
Article copyright Julia Adamson
The Trembling Aspen Autumn foliage
Citizen Science:
Use these tools to track the morphology and the phenology of the Trembling Aspens out at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and in the George Genereux Urban Regional park. There is more than one Trembling Aspen stand in both the afforestation greenspaces.
A great way to engage in citizen science at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and in the George Genereux Urban Regional park is to post your images on their facebook pages!
Is it easy or difficult to determine how the Trembling Aspen clone groves are distinct from each other in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, and in the George Genereux Urban Regional park? Can this interesting experiment to study morphology and phenology in relation to clonal colonies be repeated to determine where one genet begins and another ends? How many female genets are there? How many male genets? How many Trembling Aspen groves are mixed mosaics of both female and male clones?
What is the role of Auxin?
Have you seen Heterophyllous long stem shoots?
What colour is the bark of the Trembling Aspen?
What colour is the Trembling Aspen leaf in the autumn?
What is a catkin?
What time of year would it be best to see a catkin – spring, summer, autumn or winter?
What does dioecious mean?
What is the difference between stoloniferous roots and those which are rhizomatous?
What is an ortet, and what is a ramet? Are they related to each other?
How do Trembling Aspens propagate?
What colour are Trembling Aspen stigmas? What colour are Trembling Aspen anthers?
What does plumose mean?
What does morphology mean?
What is phenology?
Would you prefer to use phenology or morphology to study an Trembling Aspen stand of trees to determine if it is a mosaic, or a male clone or a female clone?
What upsets the Trembling Aspen’s hormonal balance?
How can studying phenology with citizen science lay the methodology for observing the effects of climate change?
Herben, Tomáš (September 2001), Rhizome: a model of clonal grow(PDF), Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University and at the Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Science, retrieved May 25, 2019
Schier, George A (May 29, 1972), Origin and Development of Aspen Root Suckers, U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Intermountain and Range Experiment Station, Ogden Utah, retrieved May 25, 2019
Sivadasan, Unnikrishnan; Randriamanana, Tendry; Chenhao, Cao; Virjamo, Virpi; Nybakken, Line; Julkunen‐Tiitto, Riitta (October 7 2017), Effect of climate change on bud phenology of young aspen plants (Populus tremula. L), Ecol Evol. 2017 Oct; 7(19): 7998–8007. Published online 2017 Sep 1. doi: 10.1002/ece3.3352, retrieved May 25, 2019
SPECIES: Populus tremuloides, Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) Index of Species Information Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, 2018, December 4, retrieved May 25, 2019
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