FRIENDS OF THE SASKATOON AFFORESTATION AREAS INC.

•The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. publishes newsletters posters pamphlets YouTube videos & maintains social media accounts https://linktr.ee/friendsareas websites as outreach tools on environmental education networking events & issues; • Programs included development of a GPS based interpretive Prairie Forest Guide Digital Wayfinding smartphone app to enhance the appreciation of the cultural background & ecology of the afforestation areas to support a self guided tour format; •Align our activities & community action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals the International Decade of Indigenous Languages the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration UN Decade on Healthy Aging Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development; •Conduct educational heritage & nature place-based interpretive walks; •Speak at public hearings meetings conferences on issues relevant to the afforestation areas; •Work in partnership with businesses community green groups & various levels of Government to increase and enhance environmental education ecological restoration community development principles alongside CPTED approach strategies; •Provide programming & publication in magazines & conventional main stream media - newspaper radio & TV; •Maintain an archive of heritage materials related to the afforestation areas; •Create research reports and information for the general public; •Photo-documentation of the greenspace landscapes flora and fauna; •Proclamation of National Forest Week flag raising ceremony in September with virtual and in-person events; •Conduct Bio-blitzes via iNaturalist to create a natural areas inventory and report invasive species and species at risk; •Secure and install benches and bird watching stations; •Volunteer and member recruitment; •Further growth of our youth network in rewarding water assessment place-based learning and heritage events; •Organize the 'clean green community scene' volunteer clean up events; •Public engagement signage & online information about waste reduction and anthropogenic impacts on wildlife and naturalized areas; •Promote preservation and awareness of the Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park historical heritage and cultural features through education and awareness; •Update websites; friendsareas.ca and stbarbebaker.wordpress.com aimed to heighten and enhance community interest in the afforestation areas

•Worked closely with users and stakeholders of the afforestation areas community groups City of Saskatoon YXE Green Infrastructure Strategy a part of the Sustainability Department throughout the year. •Maintenance for the barriers to prevent illegal trespass benches and identification signage for both Afforestation Areas. •Launched new engaging activities for local youth groups including environmental stewardship workshops and experiential education in the parks. •Expanded volunteer programs to further support environmental restoration and maintenance of the parks. •Continued updates and improvements to the Prairie Forest Guide Digital Wayfinding App integrating cultural and ecological information to enhance user experience. •Launched new diversity and inclusion programs designed to engage underrepresented communities in conservation environmental education and sustainable environmental practices. •Through the website advocate for waste reduction practices and the 5 Rs: Refuse Reduce Reuse Repurpose Recycle. •Continue enhancing educational and community engagement programs focusing on sustainability conservation and preserving the rich heritage of the Afforestation Areas. •Support the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park and over 60 species of concern vis a vis Phase 3 of the Saskatoon Perimeter Highway Project. •Expansion of collaborative efforts with local partners and stakeholders to strengthen the environmental cultural and historical significance of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area and George Genereux Urban Regional Park. •Further engagement with the community through various heritage and nature-based educational events promoting awareness of the local environment and history.