On Thursday, July 31, 2025, volunteers will gather together for a meaningful morning of environmental action hosted by the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. This dual-location event focused on restoring two of Saskatoon's cherished urban forests.

At Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, participants dig out, pull and remove invasive baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) before it could go to seed, helping protect native plant communities and reduce fire risk. Simultaneously, at George Genereux Urban Regional Park, volunteers will collect litter and bag trash to improve the health and appearance of the park.

This hands-on initiative aligned with the values of World Nature Conservation Day (July 28) by fostering biodiversity, supporting ecosystem health, and encouraging sustainable community action to protect Saskatoon’s green spaces.

We are thrilled to invite you to an environmental protection volunteer event hosted by the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. to help restore two of Saskatoon's beloved urban forests.

📍 Locations:

• Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West Side) – invasive baby’s breath removal

parking area GPS 52.102544,-106.7890215

• George Genereux Urban Regional Park (North Side) – litter and trash cleanup

parking area N 52° 06.875 W 106° 47.752 (steep ditch here; turn at right angles to grid road, or park alongside road, or at the Sask Power Substation)

🗓️ Date: Thursday July 31, 2025 - date chosen before the August long weekend when folks may leave to lake country, and to be out when Baby's Breath are flowering before they go to seed.

🕙 Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am (before the day gets too warm)🛠️ Activities:

• Digging and pulling baby’s breath from the roots at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

• Bagging trash for removal from George Genereux Urban Regional Park

Why This Matters:

Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata), also known as maiden’s breath, may look delicate and beautiful, but it’s a harmful invasive species in Saskatoon. Native to Europe, this escaped ornamental thrives in sunny, sandy soils and has become a serious threat to local ecosystems:

• A single plant can produce over 10,000 seeds
• It displaces native plants and prevents new ones from growing
• It contributes to fire hazards and waterway degradation
• Once established, it's incredibly hard to remove due to deep root systems

Removing baby’s breath now—before it goes to seed—is critical to protecting biodiversity in our forests.

What to Bring:

• Shovel (helpful for larger plants of Baby's Breath)
• Work gloves or Gardening Gloves for removing Baby's Breath / Picking up Trash
• Insect spray
• Drinking water
• Camera or smartphone (let's capture the impact and upload to the event page!)
• Your energy and enthusiasm!

We will not NOT compost or burn any removed baby’s breath — we will bag it and dispose of it properly at the landfill.

What to Wear:

• Light-colored clothing (tick season is tapering, but precautions are still wise)
• Tuck pants into socks
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Sun hat or sunscreen
• Change of clothes at home for afterward (recommended i.e. ticks)

Other Details:

• Large garbage bags will be provided
• Weather: If rain is expected, we’ll post updates on this event page.
• Baby's Breath Location: It would be appreciated if folks could take a screen shot of the compass on Geocaching.com, or create a waypoint or use the free app iNaturalist to photograph the baby's breath for additional Baby's Breath locations so they can be spot treated in the following year.

Gypsophila paniculata Baby's-Breath image in banner

• Trash: Image of trash dump area in banner (laundry basket in trash for scale or size)

Trash at George Genereux Urban Regional Park, Saskatoon, SK

World Nature Conservation Day reminds us that every action we take—no matter how small—can contribute to the well-being of our planet. That’s why this year’s trash cleanup event at George Genereux Urban Regional Park and the Baby's Breath removal at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, on Thursday July 31, 2025, takes on special meaning.

By removing litter and invasive species like baby’s breath, volunteers are not only caring for local green spaces—they’re actively participating in a global movement to protect biodiversity and safeguard the ecosystem services we all depend on. Clean air, fresh water, healthy soil, and thriving wildlife begin with clean, cared-for landscapes.

The purpose of celebrating World Nature Conservation Day is to raise awareness about the urgent need to preserve Earth’s natural resources, promote biodiversity, and encourage responsible stewardship. It’s a call to honor the interconnectedness of all life by taking meaningful action—like our cleanup day—to restore and respect nature.