Our Forest Returns Saskatoon

What do we actually owe the future? 🌱 On World Philosophy Day (November 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. SK time), ROOTED is going beyond the headlines to ask the big, uncomfortable questions we usually skip. We talk a lot about green tech and environmental policies, but what about the core values driving them? Join us for an unmissable conversation with Rhodes Scholar and Philosophy Professor Dr. Roger Petry (Luther College, University of Regina & Co-coordinator of RCE Saskatchewan) as we dive into ethics, human purpose, and what it truly means to build a sustainable world. How do we balance today’s needs with generations we will never meet? What responsibilities do we carry for other species and ecosystems? How can critical thinking dismantle our everyday assumptions? It’s time to rethink the blueprint. Drop a comment below with what "sustainability" means to you, and go watch the conversation live. REGISTER TODAY https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/what-do-we-value-philosophy-sustainab...

  Did you know the Earth already produces enough food to feed everyone, yet global hunger still persists? 🤯 We are chasing our tails trying to maximize production capacity while exhausting our soil, exploiting workers, and ignoring the real culprit: our assumptions about consumption and entitlement. If you are ready to stop scratching the surface and dive deep into real solutions for our food systems, you need to be in this room. REGISTER TODAY AT tinyurl.com/PHANLEY 👇 The Details 👇 🗓️ Saturday, March 20, 2027 ⏰ 2:00 pm CST UTC-6 (Note: Celebrations kick off at 2:00 PM CST for International Day of Forests!) 📍 Online (Stream from anywhere!) 🎟️ Hosted by Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. https://youtu.be/KzF-VrHkIUU     We are sitting down with Paul Hanley—an absolute powerhouse who has spent over 50 years writing 8 books and 1,600+ articles on sustainable agriculture. He is a recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Food System Vision 2050 Prize...

  🌍 Over 9 International Speakers. One Shared Goal: A Resilient Planet. 🌍 The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas invites you to the upcoming ROOTED Symposium—Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines: Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet Conference! ROOTED (Resilience, Outreach and One-health, Trees, Ecology amp; Diversity) is a collective network of organizations dedicated to driving positive global impact through shared advocacy and collaboration. In honour of World Environmental Health Day, this webinar series brings together the co-organizers to explore overlooked topics in ecology, public health, and sustainable development. Key Objectives: 🌱 Raise awareness on afforestation, biodiversity, and ethical human-animal relationships. 🤝 Foster cross-sector learning between advocates, policymakers, and animal welfare experts.💡 Provide community-driven strategies aligned with the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA).     🗓️ Mark Your Calenda...

  🐾 The Pet Trade and Biodiversity: Ecological, Ethical, and Legal Dimensions 🐾   How does the global pet trade impact wildlife and ecosystems? Join us for an eye-opening evening with guest speaker Justine Block, J.D., a leading expert specializing in environmental law, animal law, and public policy!   As the leader of the "Rescue Not Retail" campaign, Justine advocates for stronger animal protection laws and raises critical awareness about the pet trade. She also serves on the Steering Committee of the International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots and the Los Angeles County Community Action Board. Don't miss this essential conversation on the legal, ecological, and ethical forces shaping the future of biodiversity and animal welfare.   🗓️ Date: Monday, October 19 🕖 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT (Toronto Time) 📍 Location: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-pet-trade-and-biodiversity-ecological-ethical-and-legal-dimensions-tickets-2002912791075?aff=oddtdtcr...

 https://www.friendsareas.ca/events/ROOTED.html   🌍 Big changes require collective action. We are thrilled to introduce ROOTED (Resilience, Outreach and One-health, Trees, Ecology amp; Diversity)—a network of organizations united for collective advocacy, deep collaboration, and a shared goal of leaving the world better than we found it.As we prepare for the upcoming United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA7), ROOTED is launching a powerful new webinar series in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and global strategic partners:🌱 Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines: Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet This dynamic forum brings together international speakers, community leaders, policymakers, and animal welfare experts from around the world to build cross-sector solutions for biodiversity, climate adaptation, public health, and ecosystem restoration. Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines: Advancing Sustainable Solutio...

  Paul Hanley is an acclaimed environmental writer and agricultural advocate with over 50 years of experience Since 1970, he has authored eight books and over 1,600 articles focused on sustainability, food systems, and ecological stewardship About the Speaker • Notable Publications: His work includes Earthcare: Ecological Agriculture in Saskatchewan, The Spirit of Agriculture, the award-winning ELEVEN, and Man of the Trees—a biography featuring a foreword by King Charles III and an introduction by Jane Goodall • Accolades & Leadership: Paul is a recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation's Food System Vision 2050 Prize and currently chairs the Prairie Food System Vision Network He now resides on the island of Molokai Event Details • 📅 Date: World Food Day — October 16, 2026 • 🕑 Time: 2:00 p.m. Saskatchewan time CST UTC-6 • 🌱 Session: ROOTED Symposium International Speaker Series • 🤝 Partners: A collaborative event by UNEP, Juventud Unida en Acción, Animal People Inc., Frie...

  🌎 NINE EVENTS. ONE MISSION. A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. 🌿 How do we feed a growing global population while healing the planet? How can data science protect our wildlife? And what are the ancient stories that still connect us to the land? Welcome to the Rooted Symposium—a massive, multi-part speaker series bringing together leading global minds to tackle the most urgent environmental questions of our time.From the soil beneath our feet to the planetary systems above, we are diving deep into conservation, agriculture, philosophy, and ecology. 📅 Mark Your Calendars (October 2026 – April 2027): 🌾 Caring for the Earth, Feeding the FutureWorld Food Day | Paul Hanley Friday, Oct 16, 2026 🦎 Ecological Impacts of the Pet Trade National Reptile Awareness Day | Justine Block Friday, Nov 13, 2026 🧠 What Do We Value? Philosophy, Sustainability Our FutureWorld Philosophy Day | Dr. Roger Petry Thursday, Nov 19, 2026 📊 Conservation Applications of Data Science World Wildlife Conservation ...

  🌿 Growing Young Naturalists — One Discovery at a Time! 🌳 What happens when you turn a wetland and urban forest into a classroom? Students discover fish, pond snails, aquatic insects, birds, rocks, healthy soils—and perhaps most importantly, their own curiosity about nature. 🐟 🔎 🪨 🦉 Through the Junior Naturalist Program, young people explored the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and West Swale Wetlands through hands-on science, pond dipping, biodiversity investigations, bird watching, soil testing, forest walks and tree planting. One unforgettable moment came when students discovered a Brook Stickleback in the wetland. For them, it wasn't simply a fish—it was a genuine scientific discovery made right in their own community. 🌱 Some planted trees. 💧 Some explored the wetlands. 🔬 Some became budding scientists. 🦋 Some discovered a whole new world beneath the water. 🌎 And all were given an opportunity to connect with nature. We are deeply grateful to the Sas...

  Did you know that Saskatchewan’s lakes and rivers are home to incredible native freshwater mussels? 🐚 In this video, we take a deep dive into our province's native Unionid species, explore their unique life cycle, and learn how to identify them by looking at key shell features like the umbo, anterior, and posterior margins. We also examine the growing threat posed by aquatic invasive species, specifically zebra and quagga mussels. You will discover how their rapid reproduction and free-drifting larvae differ from our native species, and why they pose such a serious risk to prairie freshwater ecosystems. Most importantly, we share simple steps for cleaning, draining, and drying your gear so you can step up as a local Water Guardian and help protect our precious waterways. 🌿 WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER: How to recognize native mussel species using basic shell anatomy. The fascinating relationship between native larvae and their fish hosts. The critical differences between native musse...

 🌊 Think you know how to protect our local lakes and rivers? Test your knowledge with the Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Quiz! 🚤 Did you know that some of the biggest threats to Saskatchewan’s pristine waters are completely invisible to the naked eye? From microscopic hitchhikers in standing water to strict inspection rules on the highway, protecting our freshwater ecosystems takes all of us!   Are You Smarter Than an Aquatic Invasive Species? 😄  Take the Freshwater Guardian Challenge to see how much you really know:  🔍 What’s inside the quiz? The Invisible Hitchhikers: Discover how invasive mussels secretly travel between waterbodies. Border Patrol: Learn what really happens when you pull up to an open watercraft inspection station. The Ultimate Defense: Master the core habits every boater, angler, and camper needs to keep our waters safe. High-Risk Tactics: Find out what inspectors do if a boat presents a serious threat to our ecosystems. ...

  🦪 🌊 READY FOR THE ZEBRA MUSSEL QUIZ? Think you know zebra mussels? Now it's time to put your freshwater knowledge to the test! Our Zebra Mussel Awareness Quiz – features six new questions designed to challenge what you know about these tiny but potentially devastating aquatic invaders. 🔎 Discover fascinating connections between zebra mussels and Saskatchewan's native freshwater mussels. 🌎 Explore where zebra mussels originally came from. 🐟 Think about the role of natural predators. 💧 Discover why detecting an invasive species early can make such a difference. 🦪 And uncover some surprising facts about how zebra mussels reproduce and spread. But we're not giving away the answers! 😉 You'll have to take the quiz to discover whether your freshwater knowledge is as strong as you think. Whether you're an angler, boater, paddler, swimmer, camper, birdwatcher, nature lover—or simply someone who cares about Saskatchewan's lakes—this quiz is for you. Every ...

  🌊 How Well Do You Know the Threats Facing Our Freshwater Lakes? 🦪 Our lakes, rivers, and wetlands are more than places to swim, fish, paddle, and explore — they are living ecosystems that support wildlife, communities, and future generations. Tiny invaders can create enormous challenges. Zebra mussels may be small, but their impacts can spread throughout freshwater environments. Understanding how they affect our waters and what we can do to help is the first step toward becoming a freshwater guardian. 🦪 Take the Zebra Mussel Awareness Quiz: Why Everyone Who Loves the Water Needs to Know This interactive quiz is a fun way to test your knowledge, discover surprising facts, and learn how everyday actions can help protect Saskatchewan’s precious waters. Whether you are a boater, angler, swimmer, paddler, camper, nature lover, or simply someone who cares about the environment — this quiz is for you! 💧 Learn about freshwater protection 🌱 Discover how invasive species impact ec...

  🌿 What if Saskatchewan's greatest river... never really disappeared?     Twenty thousand years ago, a wall of ice nearly three kilometres thick covered the Saskatchewan prairie. As it melted, powerful glacial floods carved the West Swale and the Yorath Island Glacial Spillway—landscapes that continue to shape our environment today. Although the floodwaters vanished thousands of years ago, their legacy remains. 💧 Groundwater still follows ancient pathways. 🦆 Wetlands continue to nourish migratory birds and wildlife. 🌸 Rare orchids, fungi, and countless aquatic creatures thrive in hidden ecosystems. 🦣 And once, mammoths, mastodons, dire wolves, sabre-toothed cats, American cave lions, giant beavers, and other remarkable Ice Age animals walked these very plains. Join us on an extraordinary five-part journey through time as we explore the geology, hydrology, ecology, biodiversity, and prehistoric wildlife of one of Saskatchewan's most fascinating natural landscapes. 📽...

  📸🌿 Could your next photo win $1,000 while helping preserve Saskatchewan's natural and cultural heritage?   From July 11–19, 2026, join the Historic Places Days Photo Contest and discover the stories waiting to be told at some of Saskatchewan's most remarkable places. We're excited that three local historic places are registered and ready to inspire your creativity: 🌲 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area – A "Forest on the Prairies" honouring the world's first global conservationist, where wetlands, wildlife, towering trees, and the ancient West Swale reveal millions of years of natural history. 🌿 George Genereux Urban Regional Park – A beautiful urban oasis filled with forests, wetlands, birds, wildflowers, and year-round opportunities to connect with nature. 🧭 Sask-cache-one Traditional Cache GC14F – The first geocache ever hidden in Saskatchewan and the second in Canada—a landmark in geocaching history! 🏆 Grand Prize 📷 $1,000 for the winning p...

  🌍 This World Decarbonization Day (June 25), let's look beyond solar panels and focus on our most powerful, natural carbon sponges: our regional ecosystems. 🌾💧   A recent Natural Capital Asset Valuation of Saskatoon’s Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area shows that just 132 hectares provides roughly $347,600 per year in ecosystem services, storing over 54,000 tonnes of CO2e in its soil and biomass! Protecting our wetlands and grasslands isn't just eco-friendly—it's a smart economic investment in green infrastructure. 💡 How to take action today: Businesses: Audit your operations, upgrade to energy-efficient systems, and integrate natural green spaces on-site. Individuals: Improve home energy efficiency, choose active/public transit, and protect local carbon sinks. Community Healing: Support local ecological resilience by giving to the Clavet Memorial Healing Forest —honouring those affected by the tragic Humboldt Broncos accident—and registering for the upc...

  🔥🌲 WHEN A GREENSPACE IS MORE THAN A PARK 🌲🔥 What if a single cigarette butt could destroy years of restoration? What if one small spark could erase habitat for birds, pollinators, and wildlife? Following two spring fires in Saskatoon's afforestation areas, we are reminded that our urban forests are much more than places to walk and explore. They are living ecosystems that provide homes for wildlife, improve air quality, store carbon, reduce wind erosion, and connect people with nature.   These forests represent decades of growth and community stewardship. They are part of Saskatoon's natural heritage and a legacy for future generations. Our newest video explores: 🌳 Why afforestation areas are more than parks 🔥 Why spring fires are especially dangerous on the Prairies 🚭 How discarded smoking materials can start devastating fires 🤝 How stewardship and community action can help prevent future fires 🦉 Why protecting wildlife habitat matters The good news? Many vegetatio...

  🔥 TWO FIRES. ONE QUESTION. WHAT WILL WE DO BEFORE THE NEXT SPARK? A single cigarette. A gust of prairie wind. A few seconds. That's all it can take to change a forest forever. This spring, two fires impacted Saskatoon's afforestation areas, reminding us that our urban forests are more than parks—they are wildlife habitat, carbon stores, outdoor classrooms, and living legacies planted for future generations. 🌳 What happens when a forest burns? 🦉 What happens to the birds, pollinators, and wildlife that call it home? 🚒 Why are spring fires so dangerous on the Prairies? ❤️ And what can each of us do to help prevent the next one? Watch our new video: "The Forest Remembers" If you've ever walked a forest trail, photographed a bird, enjoyed the shade of a tree, or simply appreciated having nature close to home, this story is for you. Please watch, like, comment, and share. Every share helps spread a message that could prevent the next fire. 🌲 Protect the Forest. ...

  George Genereux Urban Regional Park Reopens Following Wildfire Assessment SASKATOON, SK — Following a comprehensive post-fire assessment, George Genereux Urban Regional Park has been deemed safe for public use and is once again open to visitors.     Urban Forestry staff, at the request of the Saskatoon Fire Department, inspected the wildfire-affected area and identified 44 small dead trees along park pathways. The overall risk to public safety was determined to be low, and no conditions were found that would warrant continued closure of the park. While the wildfire left visible impacts across portions of the park, environmental organizations such as the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas view the burned landscape as a unique opportunity to study ecological succession in real time. As native plants, fungi, insects, birds, and mammals gradually return, the site will serve as a living laboratory demonstrating ecosystem resilience, biodiversity recovery, and na...

  Honoured in Education for Sustainable Development: Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines Receives RCE Saskatchewan Award The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (FSAAI) is deeply honoured to receive recognition at RCE Saskatchewan’s 18th Annual Awards for Achievement in Education for Sustainable Development, held on Friday, May 29, 2026. #RCESask2026 This award celebrates the international four-part webinar series Voices from the Afforestation Frontlines: Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet , a collaborative initiative that brought together environmental leaders, educators, scientists, conservationists, and community advocates from around the world.   At the heart of this initiative was the inspiration and leadership of Frezer Yeheyis Tsegaye, whose vision helped transform a local conservation perspective into a global platform for dialogue, learning, and action on sustainability. The Friends ...