When toxins get into the environment, they can do a lot of damage by polluting our ecosystems and making the animals we love sick. What’s worse is that you might be adding to the problem and not even know it. Why? Because some of the products we use every day release toxins into the environment.
Well, now it’s time we got tough on toxins, with Toxic Takedown!
What is a toxin?If something is toxic, it means that it’s harmful to the health of humans, animals and/or the environment. You can think of toxins as a kind of poison.
Toxins in products you have at home can cause big problems for wildlife. And we’re not just talking about the animals in your neighbourhood. If these toxins get into our important waterways, like the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Rivers, they can travel all the way to the Arctic!
We need your help to protect animals by keeping these toxins out of our ecosystems.
In this Mission, you’ll learn about some of the household products that contain toxins that can hurt the environment. Then, you’ll do your part to eliminate these products by unleashing your inner scientist to create your own eco-friendly plastic, cleaners, and bath bombs!
The Toxic Takedown Mission shows you how to protect animals by cutting down on toxins in your home, but animals aren’t the only ones who will benefit when you accept this Mission. You’ll be helping yourself too! That’s because many of the toxins that hurt the environment can also hurt you. When you work to reduce them, you’re making your home safer for yourself and for the planet.
Check out these guides to help you reduce toxins in your home.
The Environmental Defence Guide to Cleaning and Indoor Air
Cleaning should be about fighting grime, not fighting for your health. The problem is that a lot of popular cleaning products can impact indoor air quality by releasing a group of chemicals called volatile organic compounds (or VOCs), which can really hurt you.
Canadians are exposed to toxic chemicals every day, but you can reduce your exposure if you know where they lurk. Substances that are dangerous to your health are still in lots of everyday products on Canadian store shelves – and even in our homes.
Companies who have taken Environmental Defence’s Just Beautiful Pledge
Environmental Defence’s Just Beautiful Pledge exists to help consumers (shoppers like you or me) make smarter decisions about the products we buy. It also helps to promote the good work of manufacturers and retailers making and/or selling products that are free of the Toxic Ten ingredients.
Here are some of the companies who have taken the pledge:
Bats are amazing, don’t believe us? Count down through these ten reasons that bats are the best! Sadly bats in North America are being threatened by White Nose Syndrome. Start a campaign to help protect them and check out this fun Halloween activity to help you raise awareness about bat protection.
1) Bats are really unique; they are the only flying mammal
2) Many bats eat insects, which helps to control bug populations
3) They are super social, living in huge colonies
4) When hanging upside down, they look like they’re dancing
5) Bat droppings, called guano, is one of the world’s richest fertilizers
6) Swaddled baby bats look like an adorable burrito
Photo credit: Australian Bat Clinic and Wildlife Trauma Center
7) Bats are really diverse, with lots of different species to pick a favourite
8) Many species are endangered and really need our help
9) Bats are loud but keep it quiet for humans by making sounds at octaves we can’t hear
Bats often show up in Halloween stories and decorations but how did the only flying mammal become such a scary symbol?
Bats are known to live in caves or ruins and are most active at night. This night time lifestyle makes it pretty easy for people to associate bats with evil things. The connection with vampires makes sense – Hello? Vampire bats! But what about witches? It is believed that bats would fly around witches’ fires to catch the moths that were drawn to the light and heat.
A Bat Reputation
Of course, that’s just Halloween legend! Bats are actually really cool creatures. Did you know that bats are great for pest control? One little brown bat can easily capture 600 mosquitoes in one hour! Bats are also really important pollinators and seed dispersers. By eating fruit and nectar from plants, bats carry seeds and pollen to new places. Not so scary anymore, huh?
Well, there is one thing about bats that’s pretty scary…it’s that they are disappearing. Bats all over the world are at risk from a disease known as White Nose Syndrome.
What is White Nose Syndrome Anyways?
White Nose Syndrome is a disease responsible for the death of over 5.7 million North American bats since 2006. This fast spreading disease takes advantage of bats hibernating close to each other in caves during the winter, and spreads through the air and direct contact.
It is named after the white growth it causes on the infected bat’s muzzle and wings, but this isn’t its only symptom. White Nose Syndrome also causes bats to wake up during their hibernation. Sure that might not sound like a big deal to you, but this can harm the bats. By not sleeping through the winter, these bats use up too much energy before food becomes available again in the spring. As a result, bat populations in Eastern Canada have declined by 90% in only two years!
Help From a Friend
There are things you can do in your own back yard to make a bat’s life a little easier. Create a safe place for bats to live by building or buying a bat house. Or talk to your parents about not using chemicals or pesticides in your yard. And by staying out of bat caves, you can help reduce the spread of White Nose Syndrome. These are excellent and easy ways to help bats out!
Bats are also getting a little leg up from scientists at Parks Canada. They are doing bat research in caves found in Glacier National Park in the hopes of being able to better protect bats and their caves.
A bat dormitory. Photo Credit: Parks Canada/Jean-François Charest
A Batty Spectacle
You can also help bats by learning more about them and spreading the word. If people aren’t frightened of bats, they will be sure to help.
Visit national parks to explore old growth forests where bats nest or watch them devour bugs at sunset. You can even check out three “bat dormitories” in Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site (QC), which Parks Canada built to preserve bat populations.
Don’t live near Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site? You can find bat populations in national parks all over Canada, including Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (BC), Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve (BC), Banff National Park (AB), Fundy National Park (NB), Kouchibouguac National Park (NB), Gros Morne National Park (NL) and Prince Edward Island National Park (PEI)
There are over 1,000 different species of bats! With so many species how do you choose a favourite? We’ve got you covered, take this quiz to find out which bat species you are most like.
Looking to complete your Outdoor Explorer Mission but not quite sure where to start? Let Parks Canada help you out! From the Pacific to the Atlantic and everything in between, you’ll be able to find a great spot to get outside and start exploring…and it’s probably a lot closer than you think!
Check out this list of National Parks that can help you discover the natural world around you.
Haven’t accepted your Outdoor Explorer Mission yet? Click this button to get started
1. Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (3hr from Vancouver; 30min from Victoria)
If you’re looking for reefs, seals, and singing shorebirds, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is the place for you! With 15 islands and one of the most at risk natural regions in south Canada, there’s tons of learning and exploration to be done. To discover the wonders of this beautiful reserve and to learn how to plan your Mission trip, see the Parks Canada website.
2. Banff National Park (1hr from Calgary)
Settled in the slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains lies Banff National Park, Canada’s first ever national park! From glaciers to forests and bighorn sheep to bears, there is a never-ending amount of sights to take in! To learn more about this amazing place, click here.
3. Elk Island National Park (30min from Edmonton)
With some of the best wildlife viewing in North America, Elk Island National Park is a great place to spot animals, both large and little! Hike the trails, get stuck in a bison traffic jam, or watch a beautiful sunrise – there’s year-round adventure waiting for you. Learn about the ample activities offered at Elk Island National Park by clicking here.
4. Riding Mountain National Park (3hr from Winnipeg)
There are endless opportunities to roam this vast prairie parkland and reconnect with the best of Manitoba and Canada. Close your eyes and listen for the rustling footsteps of animals in the woods or hike through the Aspen forest and past the beaver-filled lakes. There is plenty to see and do and you can learn more about it right here!
5. Rouge National Urban Park (within GTA, 45min from Toronto)
Right in the backyard of Ontario’s capital is North America’s largest urban park! There are plenty of sights, sounds & scents for explorers to experience – frogs, flowers, birds and beaches make Rouge Park a definite must-visit. Find out what else Rouge Park has to offer at their Parks Canada website.
6. Fathom Five National Marine Park (4hr from Toronto)
Wander the shorelines, see 400 million year old rocks, view the 43 different species of orchids, or enjoy the company of birds at Fathom Five National Marine Park. One of the best activities is a visit to Flowerpot Island, famous for its rock pillars, rare plants, scenery, hikes and even caves! Click here to help you plan your trip to this impressive marine conservation area.
7. Thousand Islands National Park (1.5hr from Ottawa; 3hr from Toronto)
For a truly unique explorer experience that will be done mostly by boat, plan a trip to Thousand Islands National Park. With over 20 islands, windswept pines, and northern wilderness, Parks Canada works hard to protect the many species that call this place home. By clicking here, you can begin to plan your unforgettable trip.
8. La Mauricie National Park (2hr from Montreal; 2hr from Quebec City)
Lakes and forests are a big part of this natural playground, perfect for those looking to enjoy themselves outdoors. With over 50 species of mammals, 19 species of reptiles and amphibians, extensive aquatic habitats, and over 200 types of birds, there won’t be a single dull moment at La Mauricie National Park! For more information on what you can do during your visit, head to the Parks Canada website.
9. Fundy National Park (1hr from Moncton; 3.5hr from Halifax)
With the world’s largest tides changing twice a day, a visit to Fundy National Park means you can discover the wonders at the bottom of the bay during low tide and the surging excitement at high tide. There are over 25 trails that await you, as well as migrating birds, pristine forests, and even the chance to snorkel with salmon! Make the most of your trip and click here to plan ahead.
10. Kluane National Park and Reserve (2.5hr from Whitehorse)
Nestled in the mountains of the Yukon Territory, Kluane National Park and Reserve has Canada’s highest peak, largest ice field, and even North America’s most diverse grizzly bears! Full of big and tall natural wonders, Kluane is also home to many smaller creatures including marmots, foxes, beavers, and hares. Check out what else Kluane has to offer and start planning your extraordinary visit!
The ATK in Action Mission is about channeling your inner artist to share the knowledge of an elder. We asked you to listen to a story about nature and then turn that story into a piece of art, making sure it features one of the animals in the Mission Brief.
So far you’ve sent us tons of awesome pictures of your amazing artwork. Just look at these fantastic submissions!
You’ve made some incredible drawings.
Some of you have made art out of paper and others used a computer.
And some of you have thought outside the box by making a necklace and clay sculptures.
But we don’t want you to stop there! We want you to keep creating amazing artwork. That’s why we’ve collected some other craft examples that you can use as inspiration.
If you have a toilet paper roll or some felt, you can make one of these:
If you have an egg carton, some paper or an old sock, you can make one of these:
Or if you have a paper bag, you can make one of these:
Credit: Flickr User iamraincrystal
Those were just a few ideas to get you started. Accept the ATK in Action Mission and let your imagination run wild!
Oh hi! I’m caribou living in Torngat Mountains National Park. I’ve seen fewer and fewer of my kind around these parts and I’m getting pretty worried. Solving the mystery of the missing caribou won’t be easy and it will take a team of animal saving heroes to get to the bottom of it!
First, let me tell you a bit about my home. The Torngat Mountains are found way up at the top of Labrador. We live here with a ton of other animals like Arctic hares, voles and even polar bears, along with many Inuit.
In fact, our Inuit friends are some of the people we have to thank for getting this area turned into a national park in 2005. The park’s name actually comes from the Inuktitut word “Torngait” which means “place of spirits.” Partnering with the Government of Canada, Inuit wanted to figure out where the park should go and how big it should be. This not only allows all of us caribou to roam free, but it also protects the traditional Inuit way of life.
We’ve been living side by side with Inuit for as long as we can remember so they know a lot about us, like how we’re built for snow. We use our big wide hooves like shovels to dig through the snow to find lichen (our favourite food), and they also help us walk on top of the snow instead of sink in it. We also have special fur that keeps us warm in the winter, not to mention some pretty awesome antlers.
But this information is something you can find out without ever seeing a caribou. Inuit know even more about caribou because they’ve not only seen us, they’ve lived with us for generations. That’s why I’m so happy that the scientists and Inuit are working together to find what’s happening to caribou like me!
Right now, Inuit know much more about my herd than herd than scientists do, so the scientists are listening closely. They’re learning about the places that caribou like me live, how we act, where we might have moved and how healthy we are. By bringing Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK), like the knowledge held by Inuit, together with Western science, they will hopefully be able to help keep us caribou healthy and around for a long time.
To learn more about ATK and how it’s helping to protect animals, accept the ATK in Action Mission. Plus, you’ll also be able to do an awesome craft, which I can’t do because I don’t have fingers.
Well I should get back to eating. Oh no…what did I step in? I better take care of this. See you next time!
There are many examples of Aboriginal traditional stories and teachings. You can see some in the ATK in Action Mission Brief but we couldn’t wait to share more with you.
Tiam (Moose)
For many years traditions of the harvest were lost because there were no Moose. For most of the 1900s, there were so few Tiam on Cape Breton Island that it was illegal to harvest them. Over the years, the Tiam population has come back and with the return of Mi’kmaq rights, traditional ways are being rediscovered. All parts of Tiam are used. Their hides have many uses, including clothing, wigwams, and moccasins. Fat is used for skin ailments and insect repellent. Antlers are used as bowls and can be cut and carved for beads, buttons, fishhooks, arrowheads, knife handles, and more. Bladders are used as water containers, like a canteen. Intestines are used as thick ropes. The stomach is used as medicine. Mi’kmaq communities are happy to have revitalized the traditional Moose harvest and participate in practices and events that celebrate their return.
One day Kluskap met a very old woman, Nukum, who said “I am your grandmother.” Kluskap asked how she arrived in the Mi’kmaq world. Nukumi said that she owed her existence to the rock, the dew, and Naku’set, the Sun. One chilly morning a rock became covered with dew. By midday, the rock got warm and then hot. With the power of Naku’set, the rock was given a body of an old woman. Nukumi was very wise and knowledgeable. She told Kluskap that he would gain spiritual strength by listening to and respecting her. Kluskap called Apistane’wj who was swimming in the river. The Marten came ashore and Kluskap asked him to give up his life so that he and his grandmother could live. Apistane’wj agreed. Nukumi then took Apistane’wj and quickly snapped his neck and placed him on the ground. For the first time Kluskap asked Creator to use his power to give life back to Apistane’wj because he didn’t want to upset the animals. Apistane’wj went back to the river and in his place lay another Marten. Kluskap and Apistane’wj became friends and brothers forever. Because of Apistane’wj’s sacrifice, Kluskap called all the animals his brothers and sisters from that point on.
One day, Rabbit decided to play a trick on the animals and try to convince them that the sky was falling. The animals knew Rabbit too well to believe such nonsense and were too busy to be bothered by Rabbit’s trickery because they were working hard to prepare for the winter. The animals warned Rabbit to prepare for the winter, but when the moon came out, all the animals notice that the moon appeared larger than usual. Rabbit used the moon’s size to his advantage and managed to convince all the animals that the sky was falling, causing them all to panic.
He told Beaver, “Did you know that the sun was not going to rise again?” Of course Beaver told Squirrel and Squirrel told Chipmunk and Chipmunk told Skunk and so on. The story soon got around and all the animals were worried. They said, “If the sun is not going to shine anymore, it will be dark and cold like winter. We will have to gather our food and get ready right now.” Squirrel was busy gathering all the nuts he could find. Even Bear was worried. He began to eat and eat the blueberries all around him, so he could grow fat and store his food. Everyone was busy getting ready for the sun not to shine again that they had no time to play and Rabbit really thought this was funny. He hid in the bushes, laughing and laughing as he watched the other animals all running around.
Along came Glooscap. Normally the animals were all very glad to see Glooscap. They usually gathered around to talk to him. But this day no one ran up to greet him. Glooscap asked Bear, “How are you? How is everything going?” Bear said, “I don’t have time to talk to you.” Glooscap just kept walking. No one paid any attention to him. Glooscap went back to Bear and said, “What’s wrong with you? You’re not talking to me. What is going on? Talk to me. Something is wrong!” “Well, don’t you know?” Bear said. “The sun is not going to shine anymore and we have to hurry up. I have to get ready for winter now. That is what everyone is doing.” Glooscap told bear, “Whoever told you that story is lying. It’s not true.”
So Glooscap called a meeting with all the animals and they all gathered around him in a circle. He wanted to get to the bottom of it. He said, “Who told you Bear?” Bear said, “Raccoon told me.” And Raccoon said, “Well, Chipmunk told me.” Everyone said who they heard the story from, all the way down to Beaver. Beaver said, “It was Rabbit that told me.” Glooscap said, “Well, where is Rabbit?” Rabbit was really scared, so he hid in the bushes. Glooscap knew for sure, that Rabbit had started the story. “Where is Rabbit?” he asked again. “Not here. He is gone. He must be hiding,” Beaver said. Glooscap went and looked in the bushes. He found Rabbit and when he did he grabbed him by his ears and lifted him up. That is how Rabbit got his long ears.
Wabanaki version, adapted from Silas T. Rand and Eva Apukjij Keewesoo Nicholas (We’koqma’q, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia)
Nanabosho, Soaring Eagle and the Great Sturgeon
One day Nanabosho and Soaring Eagle went out fishing and caught many fish. The trickster Nanabosho stole all the trout for himself and this left Soaring Eagle and his family without fish. They had no food for the winter. The spirits felt sorry for Soaring Eagle and his family and invited Soaring Eagle to a feast. They spent the evening teasing, laughing and joking with Soaring Eagle. After Soaring Eagle was fed, the spirits gave him food to take home to his family. The Trout spirit told Soaring Eagle that he and his wife needed to make twine so that Soaring Eagle could use it to tie and lower his oldest son into a hole that he would make in the ice. This would allow his son to catch some trout and then be pulled out of the hole. Trout told him that as soon as he had enough fish to live on for the winter, he had to stop fishing. Soaring Eagle and his family did as they were told and were rewarded with plentiful fish. Soaring Eagle became greedy though and wanted more fish so they kept fishing. Soon, the twine broke and Soaring Eagle lost his son to the Great Lake Sturgeon.
With Otter’s help, Soaring Eagle went to see the Great Sturgeon to get his son back. Great Sturgeon told Soaring Eagle that he had taken too many fish and that is why his son was taken. After Soaring Eagle returned many of the fish, Great Sturgeon gave Soaring Eagle his son back and told him “ Let this be a lesson to you. Take only what you need”. Soaring Eagle and his son returned to the surface and Soaring Eagle gave Otter the excess fish.
Adapted from ‘Nanabosho, Soaring Eagle and the Great Sturgeon’, Joe McLellan, Pemmican Publications 1993.
Halibut
Halibut is an abundant food source, the Kwagiulth believed the Halibut threw off its skin and fins to emerge as the first Human after the Great Flood subsided. The Halibut is a flat fish that starts life swimming in a vertical plane and eventually turns over on its side to become a bottom feeder. The underneath eye moves to the upper side, giving the fish its unique appearance.
Hummingbird
Hummingbird symbolizes beauty, intelligence, and love. He sends messages to the people of things to come. A messenger of joy, this beautiful tiny bird is also called Sah Sen and represents friendship, playfulness and is a symbol of good luck in Northwest Coastal Native art. It is a positive sign to see Sah Sen prior to a major event such as hunting or travelling to another village. Hummingbird’s ability to hover back and forth at great speeds is believed to be a skill for guiding the people; if they fall behind Hummingbird can easily back up to keep pace.
Loon
Loon symbolizes peace, tranquillity, communication, serenity, & generosity. With a generous and giving nature, Loon features significantly in the art and mythology of Canadian First Nations Peoples. Loon is famous for its unique and often haunting voice, and is respected for its knowledge of various realms. Animals with unique vocal talents are held in high regard by Northwest Coast peoples, who traditionally perceive words, voice and song as carriers of power and magic. Loon is associated with copper and wealth. In the years of the great flood that took over our lands, a loon carried a willow branch across the water bringing hope to the nation, by telling the people the water was receding.
Butterfly
Butterfly symbolizes metamorphosis, balance and grace. The Butterfly has the ability to accept change, is also a messenger to our people. The Butterfly is a multicultural symbol of the beauty of nature, appearing in numerous examples of nature scenes of many artistic styles. Butterflies are included as elements of these scenes because they most effectively represent all positive characteristics of nature.
Frog
Frog symbolizes cleansing, peace and rebirth. The Frog is a sign to our people to put away the winter activities and prepare or a new season. In Northwest Aboriginal Culture, a Frog is a great communicator and often represents the common ground or voice of the people. A Frog embodies magic and good fortune connected with shaman or medicine man and with spiritual and therapeutic cleansing. Frog’s songs are believed to contain divine power and magic.
This is a broad overview of general symbolisms from many First Nations across the Pacific Northwest Coast. Each Nation has more specific beliefs and meaning for animals that relate to their history, legends, stories and family crests. For more info visit http://shop.slcc.ca/legends-symbology.
The Inukshuk
The mysterious stone figures known as Inukshuk can be found throughout the circumpolar world. Inukshuk, the singular of Inukshuk, means “in the likeness of a human” in the Inuit language. They are monuments made of unworked stones that are used by the Inuit for communication and survival. The traditional meaning of the inukshuk is “Someone was here” or “You are on the right path.”
The bowhead was a very important part of the Inuit way of life. Our ancestors hunted the whale with respect and no part of the whale was wasted. Here are some of the ways each of the different parts can be used:
1) Whale Oil – used to light the qulliq (oil lamp)
2) Maktak – maktak is a healing food, scraped blubber could be used as a ‘Band-Aid”
3) Whale meat – healthy food for the entire Inuit camp, including dog teams. Meat was shared
4) Whale bones – used to make qamutiit (sled) runners, tent frames, sod house frames, tools and carvings
5) Baleen Plates – very flexible; used as harpoon lines, dog boot straps, and as ties for a qajaq (kayak) or qamutiit (sled).
Source: http://www.inuitmyths.com/downloads/kaak_eng_sm.pdf, Qikiqtani Inuit Association Nunavut Bilingual Education Society
Owl and the Siksik – Qikiqtani Region, Nunavut Version
Siksik: Arctic ground squirrel Qamutiit: Sleds There once was an owl who hunted siksiks for his family. It had been a long time since the owl had caught a siksik. But today would be different. “Siksiks go in and out of their dens,” thought the owl. “Today I will find a siksik den and wait there until I see one.” The owl found a siksik den and sat beside it. When a siksik finally came out, the owl jumped quickly to his feet. He blocked the entrance of the den. The siksik couldn’t go back in. The siksik stood paralyzed with fear. The owl was so grateful and happy that he caught the siksik. He called out to his family:
“Two dog teams, come. I’ve caught a siksik. Come! Let us load the qamutiit with our catch!” The owl was confident and happy. Even though he had not yet killed the little ground squirrel, he again called for the dog teams to come.
“You are so excited and so happy,” said the siksik. “Why don’t you dance?”
“Yes, siksik! I am so grateful. I will finally have some meat! Yes, I will dance!” The owl danced a grateful dance.
“Ah, yes, look at the sky and dance,” said the siksik. “But spread your legs, owl. Make more room … dance faster.” The owl was so grateful. He danced faster.
The siksik sang again to the owl: “Look at the sky and dance, owl. Spread your legs. Make more room … dance faster.” The owl danced and danced. His legs spread further apart, and he danced a very happy dance. But he forgot to watch the siksik. Finally, the siksik saw his chance. He ran through the owl’s legs, and hurried into his den. Siksiks are known to chirp like a bird as they go into their den. As the owl heard this, he realized the siksik had tricked him. He said: “Iaa, crazy, two dog teams go back, go back!”
That is what happened.
Source: Qikiqtani Inuit Association Nunavut Bilingual Education Society
We are sending a warm welcome to Super Ranger Stephany as she joins the Wall of Fame for her outstanding efforts fundraising to help protect animals!
Super Ranger Stephany started as an Earth Ranger at her summer camp where she raised $75 by selling arts & crafts to protect the Eastern Wolf. This past year Stephany raised a WHOPPING $500 for the Little Brown Bat by selling popcorn and hosting multiple bake sales at her school!
To add to her list of amazing work, Super Ranger Stephany took on multiple Earth Rangers Missions!
Stephany is truly an inspirational Super Ranger and she would like other kids to know – “Humans have done great damage to the earth and should fix the damage. If the Earth is destroyed we will have no planet to live on. Lots of humans do not see this, but lots of people do, like us Earth Rangers.”
Thanks Super Ranger Stephany, keep up the amazing work!
There once was an owl who hunted siksiks for his family. It had been a long time since the owl had caught a siksik. But today would be different. “Siksiks go in and out of their dens,” thought the owl. “Today I will find a siksik den and wait there until I see one.” The owl found a siksik den and sat beside it. When a siksik finally came out, the owl jumped quickly to his feet. He blocked the entrance of the den. The siksik couldn’t go back in. The siksik stood paralyzed with fear. The owl was so grateful and happy that he caught the siksik. He called out to his family:
