The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed May 28 to June 6, as Arbor Week in the province, with Friday, May 28, recognized as Arbor Day.
Arbor Week is designated as a time to reflect on and appreciate the many ways that trees and forests contribute to our quality of life, in our communities and in the natural environment.聽Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated by planting trees.聽
"It's hard to imagine a Saskatchewan street without its trees, and the shade and beauty they provide," Environment Minister Warren Kaeding said in a recent release. "This week, let's all take the opportunity to notice the trees growing in our neighbourhoods and how much they add to our lives, each and every day."聽
Trees provide many benefits including: habitat for wildlife and birds, reducing heating and cooling costs by sheltering buildings, producing oxygen and cleaning the air, capturing and storing carbon, and providing beautiful places for recreation and reflection.聽
The day and week have only recently returned to Saskatchewan thanks in large part to a lobby effort by the聽Yellowhead Flyway聽Birding Trail Association (YFBTA).聽
鈥淪ome of us (like me) remembered in years past when Arbor Day was proclaimed and promoted within this province,鈥� explained Water Farquharson of Saltcoats. 鈥淚 attended a small rural school (Dublin # 2838) between Zealandia and Rosetown. Each Arbor Day students brought rakes and shovels to the school - the school yard was cleaned, grasses stirred up and included in the day would be the planting of a tree or trees. That鈥檚 an area of the province where any trees growing were planted by human hands.聽
鈥淪ometimes there were trees for distribution through the PFRA farm at Indian Head. We talked conservation, visited local sloughs to deepen our appreciation of the variety of plant and animal life dependent upon healthy soils, air, water. 聽聽聽
鈥淭he role each could play was emphasized. Memories of the dirty thirties were fresh in peoples鈥� minds and many fans had sizeable shelterbelts.鈥澛�
At some point things changed.聽聽
鈥淔or many people聽today聽there is a disconnect between nature and us of humankind. The natural world is seen, and often treated, as just another marketable commodity,鈥� offered Farquharson.聽
But, many communities had continued honouring the spirit of Arbor Day even if they did not use the term, he added. 聽聽
鈥淐leanup weeks associated with tree planting were locally promoted,鈥� said Farquharson, but, 鈥淎rbor Day as an educational opportunity in schools and communities faded. The promotion of Forestry Week in the fall superseded Arbor Day - again much of the emphasis was upon the industry and did not emphasize individual and group initiatives.鈥澛�
So the YFBTA began its effort to have the day once more recognized more formally.聽聽
鈥淵FBTA has particularly focussed on birds and bird habitats but from its inception emphasized all ecological concerns,鈥� said Farquharson. 鈥淭he group readily bought into the proposal to approach the Provincial Government to again proclaim and promote an annual spring Arbor Day/ Arbor Week. 聽 聽聽
鈥淥ur local MLA Warren Kaeding was very helpful and supportive. 聽聽聽
鈥淯nfortunately COVID resulted in a curtailment of plans but in May 2020 Minister of the Environment, Dustin Duncan did proclaim Arbor Day and Arbor Week.鈥� 聽 聽聽
Despite COVID, now minister of the environment, Warren Kaeding, acted to have the proclamation for 2021 happen, he added.聽
YFBTA had been joined in 2020 by Nature Saskatchewan in advocating for such an observance. 聽聽
In 2021, SOS Trees in Saskatoon has been very proactive, adding their voice to the call to the province and promoting many local programs and activities and urging general participation in Arbor Day goals and activities throughout Saskatoon聽
SOS Trees Coalition events this year are intended to help individuals, students and families learn the how-to's of planting trees, to consider their many benefits and to experience the joy that comes from spending time around trees.聽
"This year's events in Saskatoon are focused on the theme of 'Resurgence'," SOS Trees Coalition organizer Linda Moskalyk said.聽"After many months facing a pandemic, the theme is meant to inspire renewal, hope, and a fresh start.聽 We wish to celebrate a resurgence of life and health through our relationship with trees."聽
So聽what does Farquharson see as the key values of Abor Day and Week?聽
鈥淎rbor (Tree) Day is designed to be participatory, personal and driven by local initiative,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is an opportunity for people to think about, but also feel intimately and intensely, our connection with growing things and our interdependence within creation. 聽聽聽
鈥淗opefully people of all ages become involved, and where possible involved together - talking, sharing ideas and activities.鈥澛�
The day/week also helps draw people鈥檚 interest.聽
鈥淲ith encouragement, yes,鈥� said Farquharson. 鈥淓ncouragement from government at all levels, the media, social media postings, ordinary conversations.聽 Schools play a critical role - teach a child how to plant a tree and care for it, and chances are that child will always be a planter of trees - and an聽appreciator of the trees others have planted as well as the trees that are part of the natural聽landscape.鈥澛�
For more information on Arbor Week activities, visit聽
