Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

WHO WE ARE:

The Friends of the Saskatoon is a non profit environmental charity formed to protect the two Saskatoon afforestation areas, the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and the George Genereux Urban Regional Park, educate the public about the rich geological, natural, and cultural heritage of the areas and their ecological importance as places of rich biodiversity and semi-wildness within city limits.

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area 132 hectares (326 acres) in size inclusive of the 6 hectare (14.5 acre) South West Off Leash Recreation Area and 7 hectares (17 acres) of West Swale wetlands, the northern portion of the Chappell Marsh

George Genereux Urban Regional Park 60 hectares (148 acres) in size.

Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. a non profit registered charity 777143876RR0001 and non profit entity number 102084283.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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.

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. a non profit environmental charity. The goals and purposes of the Friends aim to protect the environment for the biodiversity at the afforestation areas, and seeks to engage community citizens with information fostering deep respect and pride in the Saskatoon afforestation areas. The Friends are engaged in community outreach in our environmental education and preservation projects. "Environmental education [EE] teaches individuals how to weigh various sides of an issue through critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills on environmental topics. EE is a continuum that covers the range of steps and activities from awareness to action with an ultimate goal of environmental stewardship. EE lifelong learning; its audiences are of all age groups, from very young children through senior citizens."EPA

"In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught." Baba Dioum. The afforestation areas were preserved in perpetuity in 1972 by city council The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. is a non-profit incorporation formed with a mission to honour the council decision of 1972, and to continue onwards to conserve the Saskatoon afforestation areas which we love.

We believe in the spirit of Witaskêwin, living together on the land. We believe this project can be part of an effective long-term strategy to focus our vision on this ideal. In a significant way this project allows the past to meet the present and future. The rich geological, historical, natural, and cultural heritage of the areas honours where we have been. Science, conservation, and hands on learning about the land, the environment and sustainability ensure our future.

OUR VISION

We imagine a safe, healthy naturalized afforestation ecosystem with the greater Saskatoon area committed to caring for and valuing the rich vibrant heritage and biodiversity for the long-term benefit of the general public.

OUR STRATEGIC VALUES

Building upon a strong foundation of people, partnerships and projects, the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas empowers users, stewards and stakeholders of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas to responsibly and sustainably care for this semi-wilderness habitat, the interconnected biodiversity, this laboratory in ecological succession, the cultural heritage for present and future generations.

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"We stand in awe and wonder at the beauty of a single tree. Tall and graceful it stands, yet robust and sinewy with spreading arms decked with foliage that changes through the seasons, hour by hour, moment by moment as shadows pass or sunshine dapples the leaves. How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees we call a forest." Richard St. Barbe Baker