Gratitude Amidst the Wild
For the City Nature Challenge Volunteers
There are moments, fleeting,
when the earth hums its quiet tune—
a bird’s wing cutting through morning light,
a leaf trembling on the edge of the breeze.
In these moments, we gather—
gathering not just images,
but pieces of something much larger.
We, the quiet stewards of this land,
owe so much to those who walked with us—
the volunteers, the naturalists,
who wandered through spring’s awakening,
gathering the breath of the river,
the flutter of wings, the dance of leaves.
You, whose eyes caught the hidden wonders,
whose hands took notes on the sky’s shifts,
whose hearts beat in time with the wind.
From every corner of Saskatoon,
you came forward,
silent but strong,
to witness what others often miss.
And in your quiet work,
you have taught us again
how deeply we belong to this place.
We offer our thanks,
soft as the wind that stirs the trees,
to SaskTel, SaskPower, and SaskEnergy—
your steady support has turned this vision
into a living, breathing thing.
To the Saskatoon Nature Society,
with your deep roots in this land,
and “Wild About Saskatoon”—
with your love for the wild places
that keep this city’s heart beating.
In the quiet corners,
the hidden spaces where the world’s wonders bloom—
your names echo through the grass,
in the rustling trees,
the songs of birds,
the pulse of life that we,
too often, forget to hear.
The City Nature Challenge is not just an event,
but a gathering of those
who choose to walk with nature,
to listen to her whispers,
to care for what we can never truly own.
From April 25 to 28, 2025,
we will walk together once again,
side by side with you,
as we continue this shared journey.
We thank you,
with every step,
with every leaf that falls,
with every new bud that blooms—
for this partnership,
this communion,
this love for the land.
a poem for April Poetry Month from Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas friendsareas.ca
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:
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 – 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
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
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
- Use the UN Decade’s Visual Identity
- Make it your own
- Spread the word about the UN Decade
- Let’s Bring Back Forests
- Let’s Green Our Cities
““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
Forests of Memory. Forests of Learning. Forests for Life. 