Earth Ranger Michelle’s Animal Saving Tour in Canada and Costa Rica

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June 12, 2015

Earth Ranger Michelle’s Animal Saving Tour in Canada and Costa Rica

Earth Ranger Michelle is taking her animal saving adventure on the road as she travels with her family from her home in Canada to Costa Rica! This globe-trotting Earth Ranger first started a Bring Back the Wild campaign for the swift fox because she thinks “it’s a cute animal” and because she “wanted to help it because it’s becoming endangered”. Once she started her campaign, Michelle and her Mom got started planning out their fundraising strategy, which included an event at a local retirement home. Now Michelle is travelling with her family to Costa Rica where she plans to continue raising support for the protection of animals.

Michelle also makes small steps every day to help the environment which has a big impact. She doesn’t waste paper, makes sure lights are off when she’s not in the room and doesn’t waste water by doing things like shutting the tap off while she brushes her teeth. She helps her family at the grocery store too by bringing reusable bags instead of using plastic ones.

We asked Super Ranger Michelle why it’s important to protect the environment and here’s what she had to say.

“It’s important because later on in the future our world will become a disaster if we don’t take care of the animals and the environment now.”

Thanks Earth Ranger Michelle for helping to protect the environment!

What’s Threatening Bees?

Earth Rangers

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June 2, 2015

45

Bees are so important for our planet. These little insects pollinate flowers, food crops, the alfalfa and clover we feed our livestock and, of course, they make honey! Unfortunately, bees are facing some serious threats.

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

Bees need certain qualities in their habitat to keep them happy and healthy. They need for big spaces with lots of flowers for food, as well as safe and undisturbed areas for their nests. In the winter, they need places that are protected from the wind and cold. Unfortunately, development of wild spaces is causing problems for bees. When wildflowers disappear, bees that are active in early spring have a hard time getting enough food to eat, and it can make it difficult for the queen to start her colony.

Disease and Pests

Just like you, bees can get sick. Diseases and parasites can do a lot of damage to bees. Bees can become too weak to fly or be unable to reproduce. In some cases, becoming infected can even lead to death.

Parasitic tracheal mites are a big problem for bees. These mites are so small that they can invade a bee’s respiratory system. As the mites grow bigger and bigger, they cut off the bee’s air supply and make it impossible to breathe.

The Varroa destructor is another mite that hurts bees. They live on the outside of a honey bee’s body, feeding on the bee’s hemolymph (a bee’s version of blood). These mites can cause Colony Collapse Disorder, which makes bees sick, disoriented and unable to find their way back home.

Invasive Plant Species

Pests and mites aren’t the only species that are a threat to bees. Invasive plant species are also making a big impact. These plants take over the land and other resources that native wildflowers need to survive, and when the native wildflowers that the bees feed on start to disappear, it becomes harder for bees to find food.

Pesticides

It isn’t easy being a farmer, especially when the crops they are trying to grow keep getting eaten by pests. That’s why some farmers use chemicals called pesticides to protect their crops. However, in certain circumstances, these chemicals can cause some serious health problems to insects like bees, including nervous system failure, muscle spasms or even death.

Climate Change

Scientists believe that climate change is also impacting bees. Climate change is bringing on extreme weather events which can affect the timing of when flowers start to bloom. Fewer flowers available in the early spring mean less food for bees.

Help protect a pollinator with the Pollinator Power Mission!

Meet Kristina, A Recycling and Energy Saving Hero

Earth Rangers

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May 20, 2015

31

Meet Kristina, A Recycling and Energy Saving Hero

Kristina learned about Earth Rangers when we visited her school. When she heard about all the different animals that need help, she decided to do something to make a difference. She signed up to become an Earth Ranger and chose to start a Bring Back the Wild campaign to help protect the western screech owl.

Kristina told us that she loves how owls blend into the trees. She raised funds for her campaign by doing chores at home and for other family members. Her mom came up with a dollar value for each chore. The harder Kristina worked the more money she could raise, “I can say that I have done just about every chore imaginable!”

A dedicated Earth Ranger, Kristina has completed many Missions including Spring Clean Up, Homemade Holiday, Operation Conservation and Battery Blitz. Her family has even made collecting and recycling batteries a regular activity.

“At home I always make sure that we recycle and compost as much as possible. I turn off extra lights, play outside instead of watching TV and put bird feeders in our yard. We all need to do our part to help the environment. If we don’t make changes now many of the animals that we love might not be around in the next 5 or 10 years. It’s never too late to make a difference and even small things help!”

We couldn’t agree more Kristina. Keep up the amazing work!

Pollinator Power Mission

Earth Rangers

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May 11, 2015

288

Pollinators, like bees, have one of the most important jobs in the world. It’s their responsibility to keep our flowers pretty and our fruits plentiful. It’s been said that for every three bites of food you take, you should thank a pollinator! Without pollination, the foods we love so much would be a lot harder to find.

Pollinators do a lot to help us and it’s our turn to help them. When you accept the Pollinator Power Mission, you’ll be doing your part to help keep pollinators strong and healthy!

In order for pollinators, like bees, to thrive, they need to live in areas with lots of pollen and nectar. That’s why land development can be a problem. When their habitat is destroyed, pollinators can’t get enough food.

Here’s what you can do!

You can make a huge difference for pollinators, like bees, by planting a pollinator garden. The nectar and pollen from these flowers can go a long way to help hungry bees. When you accept the Pollinator Power Mission, you’ll get access to a Mission Brief that will help you get your pollinator garden started.

Do you have what it takes to protect a pollinator? Look for Pollinator Power in the Missions section in the app!

Build Your Own Bee Condo

Earth Rangers

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May 11, 2015

198

Did you know that not all bees nest in hives? Some bees use other places to lay their eggs, like in pieces of wood or in the ground. Unfortunately, as their habitat disappears, it can be hard for bees to find safe places to nest.

You can help these little superheroes by building a bee condo near your pollinator garden! Follow these instructions and take the Pollinator Power Mission to the next level.

NOTE: The bee condo will bring more bees to your garden. While bees generally aren’t aggressive, it is strongly recommended that once the bee condo is in place, it is left alone.

Here’s What You’ll Need

What to do…

Step 1:
Take your thicker piece of untreated wood and on one side mark where you want to drill your holes. Make sure each hole is about 1 or 2 cm apart.

Step 2:
Drill the holes, making them about 12 cm deep. Make sure you don’t go all the way through the wood.

Tip: Using different sized drill bits (between 6 mm and 9 mm) means your bee condo can be used by different types of cavity-nesting bees!

Step 3:
Grab your sandpaper and use it to smooth the edges around each of the holes.

Step 4:
Build a roof for your condo using the thinner wood and attach it to the top of the piece wood. This will give some shade over the entrances of the holes.

Step 5:
Roll up some paper into the shape of a straw and put it in each hole, making sure it’s a snug fit. Each roll must be several layers thick. Trim off any extra paper sticking out of the holes.

Tip: Colour the edge of the paper with your black marker. This will help attract more bees to your condo.

Step 6:
Place your bee condo in a bright, sunny spot close by your pollinator garden, making sure the side with the holes is not covered and the bee condo is hanging straight.

Tip: Once your bee condo is in a secure place, let the bees make it into a nesting place. It is recommended that once the bee condo is in place, it is left alone.

Step 7:
During the winter, protect your bee condos by putting them in a cool place (4ºc to 6ºc) like an unheated shed, basement or garage. When spring arrives, set up your condo back in the same place as before.

Step 8:
Once the young bees have emerged from your bee condo, have a parent help you remove and throw away the old paper inserts.

Step 9:
Add new paper inserts (mentioned in Step 4), then place your bee condo in the same spot as before. Remember, once your bee condo is up and secure, you’ll need to let the bees make it into their own nesting place. It is recommended that once the bee condo is in place, it is left alone.

Top Ten Largest Migratory Birds in Canada

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Top Ten

Earth Rangers

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May 8, 2015

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Top Ten Largest Migratory Birds in Canada

Earth Rangers and Parks Canada are counting down the biggest migratory birds in Canada! Leave a comment to share which bird species is your favourite.

10. Canada Goose

Average wingspan: 1.72 meters (68 inches)
Flight path: Geese follow one of four North American migratory flyways to their summer nesting grounds in Canada and northern parts of the United States. They conserve energy in flight by flying in a “V” or a long wavy line and they take turns leading the flock.
Fun fact: They are the largest and most widely distributed goose in North America.

9. Great Blue Heron

Average wingspan: 1.78 meters (70 inches)
Flight path: Great blue herons live in southern Canada, from the Maritimes to Alberta and along coastal British Columbia. In the winter, populations retreat from the northern edge of their breeding range and may fly as far south as the Caribbean.
Fun fact: They can curl their neck into an ‘S’ which gives them an aerodynamic shape for flying. This shape also allows them to strike at their prey. They go from standing still to extending their neck with lightning speed in order to spear fish with their bill!

8. Turkey Vulture

Average wingspan: 1.82 meters (72 inches)
Flight path: The turkey vulture breeds throughout North and South America. They fly south in the winter, some traveling as far as Texas through to South America.
Fun fact: Turkey vultures fly low, moving from side to side while smelling for the scent of dead animals to feed on.

7. Golden Eagle

Average wingspan: 1.98 meters (78 inches)
Flight path: The golden eagle breeds throughout most of Canada but primarily the west, the western United States and northern Mexico. In the winter, populations in southern Alaska and Canada migrate to Mexico, the Gulf coast and Florida.
Fun fact: Golden eagles are one of only three North American raptors that have legs with feathers all the way to their toes.

6. Bald Eagle

Average wingspan: 2.03 meters (80 inches)
Flight path: The bald eagle breeds across Canada and the United States. Their wintering grounds include areas on the Pacific and Atlantic coast, although many birds may stay near their nesting site year round.
Fun fact: Bald eagles are known for their food stealing tricks! They will harass other animals to steal their fish, such as osprey or even humans.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park, in Nova Scotia, is a great place to see bald eagles. For more information, click here. That species can be also be seen at many National Wildlife Areas such as Long Point, Sea Wolf Island, Mississippi Lake and Wellers Bay.

5. Sandhill Crane

Average wingspan: 2.03 meters (80 inches)
Flight path: They migrate to central and southern parts of the United States, as well as Mexico.
Fun fact: Sandhill cranes are able to fly higher by using currents of warm rising air. When winds and other conditions are favorable, they are able to alternate between gliding and powered flight. During migration they can fly an average of 250 km a day at speeds ranging from 23 – 83 km/hour!

4. Tundra Swan

Average wingspan: 2.15 meters (85 inches)
Flight path: Tundra swans migrate in large flocks from their nesting grounds in the arctic to wintering areas along the east and west coasts of North America.
Fun fact: Flock sizes may number more than a hundred! When they fly north in the spring, they stop more often at staging areas (to rest and feed) than they do when they fly south in the fall.

Important staging areas include the Peace-Athabasca Delta, a wetland of international significance located in Wood Buffalo National Park and the St. Clair National Wildlife Area. Tundra swan nesting habitat is protected in many arctic protected areas such as Queen Maud Gulf (Ahiak) and East Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuaries as well as Aulavik, Tuktut Nogait, and Ivvavik national parks.

3. Whooping Crane

Average wingspan: 2.28 meters (90 inches)
Flight path: The world’s last remaining natural migratory flock of wild whooping cranes nests and raises its young in Wood Buffalo National Park, a World Heritage Site on the border of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. In the winter, the Wood Buffalo flock migrates 4,000 km to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in southern Texas.
Fun fact: Whooping cranes are the tallest birds in North America! International conservation efforts between Canada and the United States have helped bring this endangered species back from the brink of extinction. For more information on the Whooping Crane, click here.

2. Trumpeter Swan

Average wingspan: 2.41 meters (95 inches)
Flight path: One population nests in remote mountain lakes and wetlands deep within Nahanni National Park Reserve where their numbers have increased in recent years. They migrate to wintering areas in the northwestern United States.
Fun fact: Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl in North America. They also live a long time; in the wild they can live longer than 24 years.

You can see trumpeter swans at the Vaseux Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary, which was established to provide protection for this beautiful bird. Wye Marsh National Wildlife Area and Elk Island National Park are other good places to see trumpeter swans. To learn more about Elk Island’s trumpeter swan reintroduction program, click here.

1. American White Pelican

Average wingspan: 2.7 meters (110 inches)
Flight path: Canada’s most northern colony is found in the Northwest Territories, near Fort Smith. After nesting and raising their young, white pelicans migrate to coastal areas of the United States and Mexico where they spend the winter.
Fun fact: Adults can consume up to 2 kg of food per day. They prey on fish, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates by scooping them from shallow water. The pelicans will then strain the water from their pouches before swallowing. The second largest colony of white pelicans in Canada, 15,000 at last estimate, is found on Lavallée Lake in Prince Albert National Park.

Grasslands National Park and the Swift Fox

Earth Rangers

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May 6, 2015

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Grasslands National Park and the Swift Fox

This year, Earth Rangers is taking action to help protect the swift fox! These speedy foxes are a threatened species, which is why they need all the help they can get. Earth Rangers aren’t the only friends of the swift fox; the folks at Parks Canada are also helping to protect this incredible animal.

A Swift Fox Home

Swift foxes love grasslands, especially areas with lots of diversity of both plants and animals. It is in these beautiful habitats that swift foxes make dens, raise their young and hunt. Parks Canada protects an area in Saskatchewan that gives the swift fox a safe place to call home; it’s called Grasslands National Park!

As the name suggests, Grasslands National Park has a lot of grass, but it’s not just one kind, the park actually has 70 different species of grasses and 50 species of wildflowers. That is some incredible diversity of life! Grasslands National Park is one of the only areas in Canada where this type of mixed-grass prairie ecosystem is protected, which makes it a pretty unique spot. Swift foxes like to live in Grasslands National Park because there are lots of short-grasses, rolling hills and prey, like small mammals, insects, and birds, for them to eat.

Helping Biodiversity Thrive

Parks Canada works hard to keep Grasslands National Park bustling with biodiversity through a bunch of land management strategies. For example, more grasses are planted in areas that were once used for farming. The single biggest threat to the swift fox is the loss of mixed-grass prairie to cropland so reclaiming grassland habitat is really important for their survival. Grasslands National Park has converted over 600 acres of land that was once used for farming back to native grasses. Prescribed burns are also used by the staff at Grasslands National Park to get rid of old growth and make room for new plants.

Bison Buddies

Parks Canada has help maintaining the park from the animals and plants because all of the species work together to create a balanced ecosystem. Swift foxes depend on other animals in the habitat to help them survive, and one of their good friends is the bison. Bison eat grass and leave behind dung, and both of these things help the swift fox. The dung attracts insects which are a food source for the foxes. The grasses that are grazed on by the bison are shorter, which swift foxes prefer to make their dens in because they can see better and keep an eye out for predators like coyotes.

Help protect the swift fox by starting a Bring Back the Wild campaign.

Parks Canada is proud to connect youth to Canada’s natural wonders and historical treasures. To learn more about Parks Canada’s species at risk work, click here.

Katie and Her Super Amazing Work to Protect Animals

Earth Rangers

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May 5, 2015

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Katie and Her Super Amazing Work to Protect Animals

Katie first learned about Earth Rangers at her Girl Guides of Canada Rally Day at Canada’s Wonderland. Earth Rangers was on-site to talk to kids and families about Earth Rangers programs and encourage kids to get involved and help protect animals and their homes.

With her sixth birthday approaching Katie decided to have an owl themed party. She fell in love with owls the previous summer at Mom & Me Girl Guide Camp when the sign for her sleeping quarters said, ‘Cinnamon Screech Owl/Orange Room’. After visiting the Earth Rangers website and learning that she could host a Bring Back the Wild Birthday Party to help protect the western screech owl, Katie signed up to become an Earth Ranger so she could help save one of her favourite animals.

Since she had started at a new school in the fall, Katie decided to invite all her new friends and asked them to make a donation to her campaign rather than give gifts. Katie’s friends and family helped her raise $125 for the western screech owl!

Katie loves being an Earth Ranger and in addition to her Bring Back the Wild campaign she also completed the Homemade Holiday Mission making 30 holiday and thank you cards which she gave out to friends and neighbours after singing Christmas carols with her Sparks group. Katie also completed the Water Taste Challenge with her Sparks group and reported that most of the girls chose tap water as the better tasting and most refreshing water!

Katie plans to work on the For the Birds Mission next as she will be building a bird house and would like a feeder to go with it. Katie and her family also plan to plant a garden for Monarch butterflies so these beautiful and important pollinators have a place to call home right in her own backyard.

Thank you Katie for everything you are doing to keep animals safe!

Top Ten Animal Jokes

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Top Ten

Earth Rangers

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May 2, 2015

227

World Laughter Day is this Sunday, May 3rd, to help you celebrate here are ten jokes that are making the animal kingdom crack up with a serious case of the giggles! Got your own joke to tickle our funny bone? Share it in the comments section below!

1) Where do orcas hear music?

Answer: Orca-stras!

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2) What did the porcupine say to the cactus?

Answer: Is that you Mom?

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3) How do trees access the internet?

Answer: They log on

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4) What do you call a bear with no ears?

Answer: B!

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5) What kind of cat should you never play games with?

Answer: cheetah!

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6) Why did the owl say, “Tweet, tweet”?

Answer: Because she didn’t give a hoot!

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7) What kind of a key opens a banana?

Answer: A monkey!

8) Why can’t a leopard play hide-and-seek?

Answer: Because they are always spotted

9) How do bees get to school?

Answer: By school buzz!

10) What is a snake’s favorite subject?

Answer: Hiss-story

Top Ten Reasons Earth Month is for the Animals

Earth Rangers

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April 25, 2015

86

Top Ten Reasons Earth Month is for the Animals

We are dedicating Earth Month to the animals because species around the world need our help! Many populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects are declining. What’s causing this incredible diversity of life to disappear? Here are ten of the biggest threats that are causing animal populations to decline.

Climate Change

Climate change is warming the polar bear’s Arctic home; melting sea ice and making it difficult for them to find food.

Deforestation

The giant panda’s forest home in China is disappearing as the trees are being cut down to make room for development projects.

Invasion of non-native species

Zebra mussels multiply so quickly and filter out such larger amounts of phytoplankton that they are outcompeting native species.

Ocean acidification

Shelled animals, like mussels, clams and starfish, have a harder time building their shells in more acidic water.

Pollution

Frogs have sensitive permeable skin, which means they easily absorb pollution from the water they live in causing their populations to decline.

Overfishing

The endangered Bluefin tuna’s populations have declined because of overfishing.

Hunting

Hunters target rhinos for their horns, which are sold illegally. This practice has devastated rhino populations.

Pet trade

Baby sea turtles are stolen out of the ocean by poachers, who sell them illegally as pets.

Habitat fragmentation

The forest habitat that tigers need to survive is increasingly being divided up by human development.