tree poems – Forests of Memory. Forests of Learning. Forests for Life.

Dancing is so much fun in the forest as well. Richard St. Barbe Baker had two tree poems or songs to honour forests that he had actions to dance along to, here is one of them….

From our Hearts.

With our Hands,.

To the Earth.

All the world together.

This song or motto was created for the International Foundation started by Richard St. Barbe Baker Children of the Green Earth. In April 1980, Richard St. Barbe Baker, known as the Man of the Trees, along with environmental educator Michael Soulé and Hearthwind Farm’s Ron Rabin and David Koteen, came together to discuss a new idea. This collaboration gave birth to Children of the Green Earth, a vision for a global network that unites children and adults in the fight against deforestation and the decline in ecological awareness. Their goal was to inspire and support young people in planting, understanding, and nurturing trees, fostering a global commitment to environmental stewardship.

Here are some creative body movements and dance actions for children to embody the theme “From our Hearts. With our Hands. To the Earth. All the world together”:

From Our Hearts:
- Heart Hug: Richard St. Barbe Baker would have the children cross their arms over their chests and give themselves a big hug, as if they are holding their hearts close and giving best wishes to the trees and forest.
- Heartbeats: Use rhythmic tapping on their chest to mimic the beat of a heart, moving in sync with their breath.
With Our Hands:
- Hand Movements: Extend arms out and move hands in various shapes—like making circles, waves, or heart shapes—to show the impact of their hands.
- Hand Movements: Richard St. Barbe Baker would extend arms and hands straight out
- Touch and Connect: Have children reach out their hands to touch different surfaces (air, floor, each other) and then bring their hands back together, symbolizing connection.
To the Earth:
- Earth Touch: Richard St. Barbe Baker encouraged people to bend down from the waist and touch the ground, then stand up and stretch arms upward, symbolizing a connection from the earth to the sky for the next sentence.
- Earth Circle: Move hands in a circular motion around the ground, as if drawing or feeling the earth beneath them.
All the World Together:
- Group Hug: Form a circle and join hands with each other, then gently sway side to side to show unity and togetherness.
- Global Circle: Richard St. Barbe Baker would suggest forming a large global circle by raising your arms around your body in a sweeping motion, creating a circle that meets overhead, symbolizing the earth.
- Global Dance: Have children move in a circle, taking turns leading with different dance steps, representing how everyone moves together as one world.

Create a large sweeping circle by raising arms overhead suggesting the earth

These movements help children connect physically and emotionally to the theme of unity and interconnectedness, blending individual actions with collective expression.

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

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Blogger: FriendsAfforestation