About Us |
| The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. non-profit environmental charity dedicated to protecting and enhancing the Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park in Saskatoon. The Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park are both Saskatoon's best kept secret treasures! The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. has formed to help preserve them asgreenspaces, as they are loved, appreciated and enjoyed by so many members of the public, indeed, all year long. This area of Saskatoon is coming into some dynamic changes under the long range planning schemata to meet the target of 500,000 residents for Saskatoon by 2025. In fact, in the next 3-8 years, there will be 70,000 new Saskatoon residents residing in seven new neighborhoods adjacent to the afforestation areas. The afforestation areas, both Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, George Genereux Urban Regional Park, and the P4G Green Network Study Area are all important greenspaces to value in this time of growth and expansion. George Genereux Urban Regional Park is zoned industrial/park and is owned by land branch, the City of Saskatoon department in charge of buying and selling land. Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is zoned residential/park and is owned by land branch, the City of Saskatoon department in charge of buying and selling land. Please get involved. Contact us! We host tours, webinars, plan and faciliate educational events, share the rich heritage of the afforestation areas, engage in environmental restoration initiatives, advocate for nature-based solutions for climate-action, take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, encourage environmental guardianship, and work with groups of citizens to assemble an inventory of the natural flora and fauna by connecting with nature through the smart phone app iNaturalist.
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 The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas is dedicated to fostering a deep connection between people and nature. Our motto, "Come to Nature, Come to Life," encapsulates our belief in the transformative power of the natural world. With a double entendre, it serves as both an invitation to experience the vibrant life within the afforestation areas and a reminder of the revitalizing effects nature has on our health and wellness. When you visit the afforestation areas, you immerse yourself in woodlands, meadows, and wetlands teeming with biodiversity. It's a chance to embrace a lifestyle rooted in health and wellness, drawing inspiration from concepts like hygge, Shinrin Yoku, Friluftsliv. These practices, such as "forest bathing," "free air life," and "finding beauty in imperfection," promote a sense of tranquility and connection to the natural world. Discover and embrace various wellness philosophies, including hygge, Shinrin Yoku, Friluftsliv, wabi-sabi, kaizen, gemütlichkeit, and jugaad. These concepts encourage a holistic approach to health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of finding beauty in imperfection, embracing natural cycles, and fostering connections with all living beings and the environment. Moreover, our philosophy encompasses the Indigenous nêhiyawêwin (Cree) concept of niwāhkōākanak, recognizing the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of honoring our relations with the land, animals, plants, ancestors, and future generations. Through the Cree concept of wāhkōhtowin or the Michif concept of waahkoomiwayhk, we emphasize the idea of belonging and interconnectedness among all beings past, present, and future, fostering a culture of Sakihitowin, love, and kindness. The benefits of spending time in nature extend beyond mere relaxation. Research has shown that connecting with nature can improve mental and physical health. It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression while increasing feelings of vigor and vitality. Being out in nature has been linked to improved immune function, reduced risk of chronic diseases like hypertension and heart disease, and enhanced sleep quality. Through our initiatives and advocacy efforts, we aim to inspire urban city dwellers to reconnect with nature and experience the profound benefits it offers. By fostering a deeper connection with the natural world, we believe we can improve both individual health and the health of our planet. |
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The afforestation areas are situated in the West Swale Yorath Island Glacial Spillway, a sacred site in Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Métis. Those who entered into Treaty 6 are the nêhiyawak (Cree), nakawē (Saulteaux), and yankton and yanktonai (Nakota) people. May our relationships with the land, standing peoples, forests, and waters teach us to honour and respect the past and invite us to move forward in harmony. May we all come together as friends, to find inspiration and guidance from histories, languages, and cultures which broaden our understanding and community collaboration for the present and future. |
| "This generation may either be the last to exist in any semblance of a civilised world or that it will be the first to have the vision, the bearing and the greatness to say, 'I will have nothing to do with this destruction of life, I will play no part in this devastation of the land, I am determined to live and ...today it is the duty of every thinking being to live, and to serve not only his own day and generation, but also generations unborn by helping to restore and maintain the green glory of the forests of the earth." |