winter exploration – Forests of Memory. Forests of Learning. Forests for Life.

Season’s Greetings

🌲 Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas – Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year 🌲

As the winter solstice marks the longest night, we send our warmest season’s greetings to you and your loved ones. May the coming year bring peace, joy, and new beginnings! 🌟

As we approach the end of 2024, we reflect on the effect on the amazing events and initiatives that have shaped this year, and look forward to exciting opportunities in 2025! 🎉

❄️ Frozen Trails and Wagging Tails: Dog Sledding Delight – January 4, 2025 🐕

Join us on January 4th for a family-friendly adventure at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area! 🌨️ Enjoy a 10-minute dog sled ride, meet the sled dogs 🐾, and learn about the history of dog sledding in First Nations and Métis culture.

Staggered arrival times (1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM) make this a special, limited-capacity experience. Pre-registration is required. City of Saskatoon YXE WinterCity support

WinterCity YXE

Don’t miss this unforgettable winter adventure! 🏔️

🌍 Global Connections – January 22, 2025

On January 22nd, we’ll host Urban Forest Guardians Protecting Saskatoon’s Natural Heritage Global Connections at Amigos Cantina! This event unites local and global communities to safeguard our urban forest and afforestation areas. 🌱🌏

We’ll explore how we can collaborate to protect our planet through local actions and global partnerships. Join us from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for an international adventure, as we hear from six inspiring speakers.

🌿 City Nature Challenge 2025 – April 25-28, 2025 📸

Get ready for the City Nature Challenge 2025 (CNC YXE 2025) in Saskatoon! 🌸 From April 25th to 28th, unite for nature by discovering, photographing, and sharing the natural world around you.

Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just someone who enjoys a good walk in the park, anyone can participate. It’s fun, easy, and a great way to explore the natural beauty of our city and its surroundings! 🌳

How to participate:

Find it: Take a photo or record the sounds of any plant, animal, or living organism.
Snap it: Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
Share it: Help identify species and contribute to the collective knowledge of Saskatoon’s biodiversity! 🌾

It’s that simple!

🏅 Global Citizen Awards 2025 – Nominations Open 🌟
Nominations are now open for the Global Citizen Awards 2025! These prestigious awards celebrate individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing global justice and sustainable development in Saskatchewan. 🌍

How can you help?

Share on Social Media: Use this script to spread the word!
“Nominations are open for the Global Citizen Awards 2025! Know someone making an impact in global justice? Nominate them today! Deadline: January 6th. Details: [Link to Nomination Page]”
Reaching Out: Share this opportunity within your networks or with anyone who may know a great candidate. Let’s work together to recognize those working toward a better world! 🌏💫

🎄 Holiday Greetings
As the holiday season approaches, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. 💖 We are grateful for your continued support of the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas and look forward to another year of exciting events, initiatives, and community connections. Happy Holidays and a joyous New Year from all of us! 🎉🎅

P.S. While today was the last day for Canada Post to deliver Christmas cards in time, you can still send an eCard and make a donation to support our mission: Send ECard Here. 🎁

📱 Let’s Connect on LinkedIn!

We are excited to announce the launch of our new LinkedIn page! Stay up to date on our latest initiatives, events, and community partnerships. Please follow us, share our posts, and connect with your network to help us grow our online community and continue our mission for a sustainable future. Find us at: LinkedIn

Save the Date “Celebrating Black Excellence: Inspiration and Environmental Justice”

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month with an inspiring evening of Black Excellence and environmental justice! 🌍✨ On February 23, 2025, we’ll gather for a special event, Legacy of Leadership: Advancing Sustainability for a Resilient Planet, to support sustainable communities and empower diverse voices in climate action. 🖤🌱

❤️ Heartfelt Thanks
As we close out 2024, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, donors, members, volunteers, board members, and everyone who visited the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park 🌿 This year has been monumental, and together, we have made history ! 🌟 Your support and engagement have been key to our success, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue our shared mission of environmental stewardship. Thank you for being part of this journey with us! 🌍💚

About Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas
Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas (FSAA) is a local environmental charity dedicated to protecting and promoting the rich biodiversity of Saskatoon’s afforestation areas, including the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 🌳

We’ve already discovered over 60 species at risk in this beautiful part of the city and are working to ensure these habitats are preserved. Through initiatives like the City Nature Challenge, we empower citizens to actively contribute to protecting our environment and biodiversity.

A BioBlitz in action!
Join us for a BioBlitz to document nature and organisms during the observation period (April 25 – 28, 2025). This is your chance to help catalog as many species as possible using iNaturalist. Then, during the identification period (April 29 – May 4, 2025), you can help identify the species from the photos and sounds uploaded by participants. 🌿

Let’s put Saskatoon on the map as a leader in biodiversity and citizen science! 🌍

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our shared vision of a greener tomorrow. 🌱🌟
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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.com Facebook 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

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

Dog Sledding Through the Saskatoon Winter

Dog Sledding Through the Saskatoon Winter: A Journey Into History and Adventure

Tune in Monday December 30, 2024 around 7:30 a.m. to hear the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Area interview with Jeremy Dodge, Anchor CTV News Saskatoon CTV Morning Live airs weekday mornings 6:00 am – 9:00 am.

The greatly appreciated Television Coverage by Global News, Saskatoon. — The greatly appreciated Television Coverage by CTV Morning Live, Saskatoon.

Dog Sledding Event Saturday January 13, 2024 at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area — The greatly appreciated Television Coverage by CTV Morning Live, Saskatoon.

There’s something magical about the Saskatoon winter. The air, biting and crisp, wraps itself around you like a secret waiting to be discovered. The quiet of the snow-covered forest, the beauty of frost on the trees, and the exhilarating rush of a dog sled ride. This January, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Area invite you to experience it all, with the Frozen Trails and Wagging Tails: Dog Sledding Delight event. And you can get a sneak peek of this unforgettable adventure on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 7:30 a.m., when Jeremy Dodge, the anchor of CTV Morning Live, sits down to interview Julia Adamson and Rahul Shekar of the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Area. Stay tuned to your television, or the CTV News Website.

Jeremy’s interview will focus on the unique history of dog sledding, an integral part of First Nations and Métis culture. For those of us more accustomed to the land of urban convenience, there’s something enchanting about connecting to the past through the sound of sled runners gliding over snow, and the sight of sled dogs working in perfect harmony with their mushers.

The event, taking place on January 4, 2025, will introduce participants to two passionate mushers, Dan Kirkup from Battle River Kennel and Garrick Schmidt from Eagle Ridge Kennel. Garrick’s kennel, Métis owned and operated, adds an extra layer of significance to the day, linking the rich culture of dog sledding with the modern-day preservation efforts of the region. These men, who could easily be mistaken for Santa’s most enthusiastic helpers, have dedicated their lives to working with dogs—dogs that are more than just athletes—they are family.

Dan and Garrick share a genuine love for their dogs, and the joy is infectious. The dogs, some of which can hardly contain their excitement before a race, show just how much they thrive on the run. Watching them in action, it’s easy to forget the chill in the air as you’re swept away by the energy and enthusiasm of these incredible canine athletes.

But it’s not just the dogs who will steal your heart. The event is designed to give you a deeper connection to Saskatoon’s wilderness and the rich history of the land. You’ll enjoy a 10-minute sled ride through the pristine forest, with expert guides sharing their knowledge of the forest’s beauty and its cultural significance. The experience promises winter fun, heartwarming moments, and stunning views.

Of course, as with all great adventures, this is a limited-capacity event, so pre-registration is a must. The last thing you want is to miss out on an afternoon of frosty fun because someone else beat you to it! Head over to the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Area website at friendsareas.ca to reserve your spot.

For those unfamiliar with the area, the event location is easily accessible. Drive along Circle Drive toward the City’s landfill, passing the Civic Operations Centre, Bus Barns, and Snowdump area. Then turn right (north) off onto Valley Road and follow Township Road 362-A (Cedar Villa Road). Continue west until you reach the forest and signs for the South West Off-Leash Recreation Area. From there, the adventure awaits. Please come out ahead of time and explore all the parking areas of this Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.

The Frozen Trails and Wagging Tails event is made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of the City of Saskatoon and the YXE WinterCity Grant. This collaboration celebrates not just winter sports but the importance of preserving our natural spaces and connecting with history in meaningful ways.

So, mark your calendar for January 4, 2025. Tune in to CTV Morning Live on December 30, 2024, to learn more about this extraordinary event. It’s more than just dog sledding. It’s an experience that will stay with you long after the snow melts. And who knows? It might just inspire you to put on your warmest coat, grab your mittens, and start planning your next winter adventure.