Arbor Week Experiences 2021

Saskatoon Nature Society Tour

It was a rainy afternoon but a few hardy souls turned out for the tour which started at the weir on the west side of the river and proceeded along the footpath close to the river as far as the old Mendel Gallery site. Sara Bryson from Saskatoon Nature Society and trained in forestry led us in a hands-on tree identification experience.

Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas

The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. were proud to host the Arbor Week "Take Care of Trees Programme" Forest Restoration Event which removed a lean to shelter partially falling down. This initiative protected species at risk, the forest from Dutch Elm Disease, wildlife and users of the greenwoods urban regional park.

Georges Vanier School

Happy Arbor Day! This year our students were connected to nature throughout the year. We started our year growing lettuce, sunflowers and space tomatoes from the International Space Station. We were fortunate this year to not only take care of two Peking ducks from Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for 5 weeks but we also hatched two chicken eggs and raised two Leghorns. Our holistic environmental journey did not stop there. Thanks to SaskPower, we were able to donate 450 Red Dog Osier shrubs to every student at George Vanier Catholic Fine Arts school. This was part of our ongoing Climate Change and Trees of Saskatchewan research assignment. We are proud to be part of the climate change conversation and how we can prevent it. - Rod Figueroa - Georges Vanier School.

True Tree Stories

We put out a call for interesting stories about trees. This could include something about a rare species, an amazing survival story, a family planting, a strange looking tree or anything that would be fun to share. True Tree Stories were published in the Arbor Week editions of "Tree News".

Our Partners

Thanks to our sponsors!

City Proclamation

The City of Saskatoon officially proclaimed May 28th - June 6th, 2021 as 'Arbor Week'.

Provincial Proclamation

The Government of Saskatchewan officially proclaimed May 28th - June 6th, 2021 as 'Arbor Week'. May 28th, 2021 was officially designated as 'Arbor Day'.

2021 Arbor Week Experiences

SOS Trees Coalition in partnership with many community organizations hosted Arbor Week 2021, an opportunity for individuals and families to learn the "how to" of planting trees, the benefit of trees and the joy of spending time in them. The theme of Resurgence appropriately depicts renewal, hope, and a "fresh start." Trees can provide positive benefits on our mental and physical health.

We are extremely thankful to our partners and sponsors who made the week's events a success. 22 events at 18 different venues made for a very Covid safe week. Over 1,000 individuals participated directly in Arbor Week educational activities and the outreach went well beyond that with 6 live media interviews and multiple articles published. None of this would have been possible had it not been for the Arbor Week Committee.

Read the details of all 2021 Arbor Week Events that took place:

List of Events

Mayoral Ceremonial Tree Planting

Mayor Charlie Clark took part in Arbor Week by planting a tree in recognition of the front line workers who helped us all to get through a challenging year.

Saskatoon Cycles: Hot Drinks Outside

Saskatoon Cycles and SOS Trees committee members celebrated trees in Meewasin Park. It was a relaxing afternoon in the shade of a tree sharing tree and bike stories.

QR Code Tree Walk

This was a fun event involving interactive signs containing QR Codes with audio to learn about trees. Through storytelling and interesting facts 6 tree species were introduced to the listeners. Developed by Wildernook, this event was up for the entire Arbor Week.

Richard St. Barbe Baker information session with Robert White

Listening to inspirational stories by Robert White about Richard St Barbe Baker -The Man of the Trees.

Meewasin & the South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards - Beaver Creek

Meewasin celebrated Arbor Week by hosting a self-guided tree themed eco-scavenger hunt at Beaver Creek Conservation Area. The public was encouraged to learn about, identify and record their native tree and shrub sightings using the iNaturalist app. The eco-scavenger hunt was a hit, with 157 cards given out and more than 400 visitors engaged during Arbor Week. The collected data will be used to assist Meewasin's stewardship efforts. It was exciting to see so many visitors excited and look at trees in a new way!
Representatives from the South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards were also on site at Beaver Creek on May 29 & 30 promoting the Saskatchewan Trees for Life Program. Free trees were given out to visitors with the goal of planting 24,000 trees across Saskatchewan! It was a beautiful sunny weekend, and many visitors took trees home to plant and to do their part to keep the Meewasin Valley healthy and vibrant.

Plein Air Sketching (Hue's Art Supply)

Hues Art Plein Air Painters led by Jean Dudley enjoyed two sessions of painting and sketching trees.

Story Map at St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

WILD Outside Saskatoon was excited to partner with the Friends of The Afforestation Area to create and install signs in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. The Story Map is here.

Wanuskewin Community Connections Interview

Thursday May 13th, 12-1 pm. Wanuskewin did an interview with Linda Moskalyk representing SOS Trees to talk about Arbor Week celebrations and trees in general. The show is archived on Facebook at Wanuskewin Community Connections Facebook live.

ICI Saskatchewan interview with Linda Moskalyk

Here's the Saskatchewan Weekend Telejournal 19 h, hosted by Karel Houde-Hébert. On the menu: activities in Saskatoon to highlight the importance of trees and forests.

SOS Trees Coalition