This summer, we challenged kids across Canada to Take a Stand for Wildlife. We gave Earth Rangers the tools to launch their own fundraising campaigns and collect donations to support wildlife conservation. It was incredible to see our community come together and raise money to save animals – in all kinds of creative ways! Whether you set up a lemonade stand, sold pretty handmade crafts, or got creative with chocolate chips for a bake sale, every Earth Ranger who participated made a difference for animals.

We’d like to take this moment to celebrate one very special Earth Ranger: Addison from British Columbia. Addison raised a whopping $1,007.75 to save swift foxes, an adorable animal that was, until very recently, extirpated from Canada’s prairies. (Extirpated means that a species has gone extinct in one area, but it still lives in other places.) Thanks to the hard work of conservationists, swift foxes have returned to Canada in small numbers. But they need our help in order to keep growing and thriving.

In addition to collecting donations online, Addison went from door to door in her neighborhood selling delicious homemade cookies and beautiful hand-crafted bracelets. She got a lot of no’s and some funny looks, but she didn’t give up. Her goal was to raise $500 – and she more than doubled it!

We asked Addison all about her successful campaign – keep scrolling to read all about how she persevered and raised so much money to save swift foxes! Plus, she gives her fellow Earth Rangers some great advice for making a difference and protecting animals.

What makes swift foxes special to you? Why did you choose to fundraise for them? 

I picked the swift fox because I wanted a creature that wasn’t as commonly supported as animals like the polar bear or grizzly bear but also an animal that lived in Canada, and since I’ve always had an affinity for canines the swift fox was the perfect pick! 

What was your original fundraising goal and what did you achieve?

My original fundraising goal was $500 because I felt that it was reasonable but would still significantly help the swift fox. However I ended up raising $1,007.75!

What was the hardest part about fundraising?

The hardest part about fundraising was when I went door to door, selling cookies and bracelets. I got a lot of no’s and some people gave me funny looks, but I didn’t let that stop me and because of that perseverance my bake and bracelet sale raised $150.

What part was the most fun?

I had lots of fun creating the pamphlet that I handed out when I sold my bracelets and cookies. As part of the door to door sales portion of my fundraising campaign I wanted to not only raise money but inform people about the swift fox and about Earth Rangers if they weren’t familiar with the topics.   

What did you discover about yourself through this challenge?

I learned a lot about perseverance. Raising money was hard especially because during the door to door portion of my campaign I got a lot of no’s and was originally very discouraged but I stuck with it and am very proud of both myself and my results! 

What advice would you give to other young people who want to fundraise but don’t know where to start?

My advice would be to think about your skills, think about what gets you excited, think about what kind of cause you or people you know would want to donate money to and then just get started. Figure things out as you go because you never know what you can accomplish until you try. 

The post Way to Go, Earth Ranger Addison! She Raised Over $1,000 to Save Swift Foxes! first appeared on Earth Rangers.

Today we’re launching ten brand new adoptable animals! When you adopt an animal through Earth Rangers, you’re supporting real-life wildlife conservation. Here’s how it works: 

1. You purchase the wildlife adoption kit of your choice–we’ve got ten to choose from! 
2. We send you an adorable plush animal, plus a wildlife adoption certificate, a trading card, and a poster packed with facts about your new furry friend.
3. The proceeds from your adoption kit support a scientist or conservationist who is doing important work to save animals.

Ready to meet this year’s adoptable animals – and the amazing scientists you’ll be supporting?

Beavers & Bumblebees

My name is Sarah Bayliff! I work for the Nature Conservancy of Canada as the BC Interior Program Manager, and I am currently in the Bunchgrass Hills Conservation Area, a vast landscape of native grasslands, forests, and wetlands south of Kamloops in British Columbia. I’m helping to protect this vital wildlife corridor, as well as the creatures that live there — including bumblebees and beavers!

Want to help out? You can sponsor my work by visiting the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or check out the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Beaver and Bumblebee Adoption Kits!

Cougars

Hey there, Earth Rangers! My name is Ashley Sahulka, and I’m a Stewardship Coordinator with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). I’m working with a team of conservationists in the Cypress Uplands, a region in the southern part of Saskatchewan that includes a range of habitats—from grasslands to forests—in Cypress Hills. This area is home to more than 1,000 plant and animal species, and has one of the highest densities of cougars anywhere in Canada!

You can support our work by visiting the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or checking out the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Cougar Adoption Kit. 

Snowy Owls, Red Foxes & Flying Squirrels

Hello, Earth Rangers! I’m Megan Quinn, and I’m a researcher with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. I’m working with a team in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, which is home to all different kinds of wildlife — including the snowy owl, the flying squirrel, and the red fox!

You can help us! Check out the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or visit the Earth Rangers Shop to get your snowy owl, flying squirrel, and red fox Adoption Kits.

Caribou

Hello there! I’m Claudia Haas, a biologist with Wilfrid Laurier University. I work in the Northwest Territories, home to some of the last intact boreal forest in the world! These forests are important habitat for animals like caribou, along with many at-risk species. 

Are you ready to join my team? Head to the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or visit the Earth Rangers Shop — get your Caribou Adoption Kit and start making a difference today!

Grey Wolves

Hi, I’m Karl-Antoine Hogue and I’m a researcher with the University of Guelph. I’m working with The Land Guardians from the Van Tat Gwich’in community in Old Crow, Yukon. The boreal forest there is home to all kinds of animals, including grey wolves! My work with the Van Tat Gwich’in community will help us protect these animals and their homes. 

But we could use your help! Check out the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or visit the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Grey Wolf Adoption Kit.

Lynxes

Greetings, Earth Rangers! I’m Sandra Yaacoub, a researcher from Queen’s University. I’m working with a team in southwest Yukon. Here in the taiga (also known as the snow forest or boreal forest), we see a lot of wildlife, including lynxes!

Unfortunately, the lynxes’ habitat has been affected by spruce bark beetles, which have killed a lot of trees. You can help us restore the forests that lynxes call home! Visit the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or check out the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Lynx Adoption Kit!

Sea Turtles

Hi Earth Rangers! My name is Gerardo, and I’m 9 years old. I live in Nicaragua and am part of a really cool program called the Sea Turtle Protection Project.

Me and lots of other kids in my community are learning about and helping to save an amazing creature who really makes a splash – the sea turtle!

While you may not be able to come to Nicaragua, you can still join our team! Visit the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or check out the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Sea Turtle Adoption Kit and help save the sea turtles!

The post Which New Animal Will You Adopt? first appeared on Earth Rangers.

Have an idea? Post your guess in the comments!

The post Guess Our Tenth Adoptable Animal! first appeared on Earth Rangers.

Think you’ve got it? Leave your guess in the comments!

The post Guess Our Ninth Adoptable Animal! first appeared on Earth Rangers.

Know which critter we’re talking about? Share your guess in the comments!

The post Guess Our Eighth Adoptable Animal! first appeared on Earth Rangers.

Think you’ve figured it out? Leave your answer in the comments!

The post Guess Our Seventh Adoptable Animal! first appeared on Earth Rangers.

Have a guess? Drop it in the comments!

The post Guess Our Sixth Adoptable Animal! first appeared on Earth Rangers.

Think you know the answer? Leave your guess in the comments!

The post Guess Our Fifth Adoptable Animal! first appeared on Earth Rangers.

Can you guess which one? Post your answer in the comments!

The post Guess Our Fourth Adoptable Animal! first appeared on Earth Rangers.

Think you’ve solved it? Leave your guess in the comments!

The post Guess Our Third Adoptable Animal! first appeared on Earth Rangers.