This week, Ryan’s back with “Top Five Totally True Tips for Tackling Climate Change” – but “true” is up for debate. While Ryan’s tips might need some myth-busting, Earth Ranger Emma is ready to set the record straight with her science smarts and eco-know-how!
From unplugging devices to tackling plastic and discovering real ways to make a difference, Emma proves that small changes add up to big solutions. Oh, and did we mention geese traffic jams?
Pack your bags and lace up your hiking boots extra carefully, because this week, Earth Ranger Emma is venturing into the wild, squelchy beauty of Green Swamp, North Carolina! Join her on a mission to uncover the truth behind Ryan’s very dramatic tale of a man-eating Venus flytrap. Is it fact or just another one of Ryan’s tall tales?
With the help of her botanist buddy Wesley, Emma explores the fascinating world of carnivorous plants, from tiny flytraps and sticky sundews to pitcher plants that double as bat hotels. Along the way, she discovers the vital role fire plays in preserving these plants’ habitats and how we can help protect them.
Will Emma prove that Venus flytraps are harmless to humans? Will Ryan ever apologize properly? And what exactly does a tree shrew contribute to conservation? Tune in to find out!
This week, Earth Ranger Emma is on a mission to investigate one of the most bizarre animal mysteries of all time: the jackalope. Is it a fearsome hybrid of a rabbit and an antelope, or just a campfire legend cooked up by lumberjacks?
Join Emma as she uncovers surprising secrets about “horned rabbits,” debunks myths, and learns about a real-life condition that might explain the legend.
What do you think about the jackalope? Did you know its creepy origins? The crazy real-life conditions that can cause horns?
Or, do you prefer its myth version?
Earth Ranger Emma heads to Puerto Rico to unravel the spine-tingling mystery of El Chupacabra—the legendary goat-sucker that’s haunted farmers for decades. Is it an alien vampire? A lizard gone rogue? Or something even stranger?
Creepy creatures, fascinating facts, and a sugarcane snack—this adventure has it all!
What do you think of the myth of the El Chupacabra? Did you know that it was a pretty recent myth?
Did you think it was older?? Let us know in the comments below!
Grab your snow goggles and bundle up—Earth Ranger Emma is heading to the Himalayas! This week, we’re unraveling the frosty mystery of the legendary Abominable Snowman. Did Lieutenant Colonel Charles Howard-Bury really spot Yeti tracks in 1921, or was it just a case of mistaken identity (hint: bears might be involved)?
Emma teams up with Nirmal, a real-life Sherpa and Everest climber, to explore the truth behind the Yeti myth, uncover the rich culture of the Himalayan people, and sip some yak butter tea. Along the way, they’ll discover amazing facts about snow leopards, climate change, and why the “Abominable Snowman” isn’t such a nice nickname.
It’s a frosty, fun, and fascinating trek through one of the world’s most breathtaking regions. Tune in, Earth Rangers—adventure awaits!
What do you think of the real myths behind the “yeti“? Were you aware that “abominable snowman” isn’t a good nickname to give it? Let us know some other cool cryptids you wish Ryan or Emma talked about! Ryan’s going nuts coming up with some, but why not talk about other cool legends here?
While you are enjoying your Valentine’s Day treats or Halloween sweets, do you ever wonder where that candy you are eating comes from? It might surprise you to find out that a lot of the candy you eat originally came from plants. Amazing huh? In this top ten, we take a look at ten popular candy ingredients and the plants they come from.
Did you know…the sap from the marshmallow plant was originally used to treat sore throats by the ancient Egyptians.
Native to: Europe, western Asia and North Africa
Type of Plant: Herb / flowering plant
Comes from: The sap
Used In: Marshmallows (historically)
Did you know…the licorice plant has a compound (glycyrrhizin) which is about 50X sweeter than sugar.
Native to: Eurasia, northern Africa and western Asia
Type of plant: Legume
Comes from: The root
Used In: Good & Plenty, Licorice Allsorts and other black licorice candies
Did you know…studies have shown that chocolate was eaten by the Mokaya people as early as 1900BC (almost 4,000 years ago).
Native to: Mexico and Northern South America
Type of plant: Evergreen Tree
Comes from: The seeds
Used In: Chocolates
Did you know…the stalks of sugar cane can grow to be 20 feet high. That’s taller than some giraffes!
Native to: South and Southeast Asia
Type of plant: Grass
Comes from: The stem
Used In: Sugar… so pretty much any candy
Did you know…the first documented use of vanilla was by the Aztecs who used it to flavour a drink made of cocoa beans.
Native to: Mexico and Central America
Type of plant: Orchid
Comes from: The pod-shaped fruit (called the bean)
Used In: Vanilla flavoured candy and some white chocolates
Did you know…ginger is also used to soothe an upset stomach.
Native to: South Asia
Type of Plant: Herb/ flowering plant
Comes from: The rhizome or rootstock
Used In: Crystallized ginger and ginger chews
Did you know…chiclets gum gets its name from chicle.
Native to: Mexico, Central America and Northern South America
Type of plant: Evergreen Tree
Comes from: The tree’s natural gum
Used In: Gum
Did you know…peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between water mint and spearmint.
Native to: Europe
Type of plant: Herb
Comes from: The leaves
Used In: Gum, candy canes, mints and other candies with minty flavour
Did you know…cinnamon is one of the oldest spices. It is said to be one of the first crops to start world trade (trading among countries).
Native to: Sri Lanka
Type of plant: Evergreen Tree
Comes from: The bark
Used In: Cinnamon hearts, gum and other cinnamon candies
Did you know…it takes 40 litres of sap to make 1 litre of pure maple syrup.
Native to: North America
Type of Plant: Deciduous Tree
Comes From: The sap
Used In: Maple syrup candies or taffy
Hi, I’m Sarah Bayliff! I work for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This year, I’m busy protecting beavers, bumblebees, and other animals in an amazing place called the Bunchgrass Hills!
The Bunchgrass Hills are a protected area of native grasslands, forests, and wetlands in British Columbia, south of a city called Kamloops. The hills cover as much land as 11,000 soccer fields put together!
When you adopt a beaver or a bumblebee from Earth Rangers, you’re supporting me and my team in the Bunchgrass Hills. You’re helping us keep this vital ecosystem safe for all the animals that live there. You’ll receive a cute and cuddly plush toy, an adoption certificate, a trading card, and a poster full of fun facts for your bedroom wall or your bulletin board.
Check the adoption section in the Earth Rangers App for more information!
This year, my team and I have been exploring Bunchgrass Hills to learn more about the land. We work with scientists who study how healthy the land is.
Healthy grasslands can:
Grasslands also provide food for pollinators like bumblebees. This year, we found SIX different kinds of bumblebees buzzing around the wildflowers! Scientists have discovered over 250 species of bumblebees around the world. Did you know there were so many?
We’re also discovering more about the animals that live in the Bunchgrass Hills. We’ve been searching for special creatures, including some that are at risk of becoming endangered or extinct.
One of our most exciting discoveries? American badgers make dens here! These furry friends are endangered in some places, so finding their homes is a big deal.
We also spotted Lewis’s Woodpeckers, which love to make nests in tall, old trees. Now that we know where they live, we can take care of the trees that they call home.
Other special at-risk animals we saw include:
Another important job is keeping track of invasive plants. These species aren’t native to the Bunchgrass Hills, and they can grow so fast that they make it hard for other species to grow and thrive. Me and my team make note of the places where these plants grow. That way, future teams and volunteers can come back and remove them, one plant at a time!
Because the Bunchgrass Hills are so big, we haven’t had time to explore all of the land yet. We know there are a lot of surprises waiting for us. Nature is full of secrets, and we’re excited to discover more! Who knows what we’ll find next? Maybe even a new species!
We can’t wait to keep exploring the Bunchgrass Hills! We’re going to protect all the beavers, bumblebees, and other animals that call it home.
Visit the Earth Rangers Shop or the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App to adopt your own beaver and bumblebee!
Ever wondered how an aardvark can eat termites without eating the dirt they are standing in? The aardvark’s tongue can be up to 30.5 centimetres long and is sticky to help extract termites while leaving the dirt behind.
Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love and friendship. Here at the Earth Rangers Centre, many Rangers have animal friends who remind them why it’s important to be an Earth Ranger, help the planet, and save wildlife.
Curiosity loves to help Earth Ranger Nathalie with Creative Corners. In fact, you might have seen her before in “Grow Your Own Greens”, “Suncatcher Lion” and “Cardboard Compost”. She’s got a real love for discovery and exploration, just like a real Earth Ranger!
Scout is the world’s chillest dog! Nothing really bothers her – she’s super relaxed and easygoing. But if there’s another animal in the neighbourhood, like a fox, raccoon, porcupine, or skunk, Scout gets so excited because she just wants to be their friend. Unfortunately, her new “friends” don’t always feel the same way. Poor Scout – but she never gives up on making new animal buddies!
Zephyr is an off-the-track thoroughbred, adopted through a rescue by Earth Ranger Liz when he was 3 years old (he’s now turning 17!). He’s guided Liz, humbled her, and helped her build a strong foundation in all things horsey! He keeps Liz outside (outside is BEST!), active (she’s gotta keep up!), and loving the environment (he LOVES sunny pastures and fluffy snow)! Big Z recently had an injury, and his rehab has brought many amazing experiences. His most important lesson to Liz has been never give up!
This little fish has taught Earth Ranger Dori a whole lot. She learned how to make an entire ecosystem for her – right on her work desk! Pumpkin keeps Dori company while she’s working and even gives her ideas for designs…when she’s not napping on her aquarium plants, of course.
Smeagol is a rescue kitty who loves completing Earth Rangers Missions! Her favourites are Food Waste Warrior (she never leaves a morsel of food uneaten!), Stash the Trash (she has a HUGE stash of foil balls under the couch), and Operation Conservation (she saves water by only taking baths with her tongue).
Lenny isn’t just any dog… he’s a Food Waste Warrior! This clever boy will do anything for a tasty snack – even give high fives! From kale stems to overripe bananas, he ensures no good food goes to waste. By munching on leftovers that might otherwise end up in the landfill, Lenny is helping the planet, one snack at a time!
Earth Ranger Rocky is always exploring, sniffing out new scents, and investigating the smallest changes. Did you notice the mouse on his head? He’s inspired Earth Ranger Michelle to stay curious about her surroundings and reflect on environmental changes that need action!
Meet Brie the Goat, an Earth Ranger inspiration with a spunky attitude and an unstoppable spirit! Once the smallest in her litter, Brie was rejected by her mother, but she didn’t let that hold her back. Now, she frolics around the yard with boundless energy, showing us all that resilience and a zest for life can turn any challenge into a triumph. Brie reminds us that no matter how small you start, you can always make a big impact!
Shelob is a Chilean rose tarantula, and she’s more than 20 years old! She comes from the Atacama Desert, which is the driest place on Earth receiving less than 1mm of rain each year! Because of this she has some pretty cool adaptations, including the ability to go for months without eating or drinking. Shelob reminds Earth Ranger Christina that our planet is full of incredible creatures and unique ecosystems, and that they are all worth protecting.
Squash is a silly little snail. When she’s not eating slices of zucchini, she likes to cruise around on plants and wood all day, keeping the aquarium spic and span! Squash taught Earth Ranger Dori that everyone has an important role to play, no matter how small they are.
Willow’s rescue story shows that you shouldn’t give up on animals. In 2 years she’s gone from super afraid of people to LOVING pats. She’s taught Earth Ranger Nathalie that to be an Earth Ranger, you need to know patience. Good things come eventually!
Ballou was rescued as a kitten and loves to get into trouble. When playtime is done, he stretches out for a nice nap. He taught Earth Ranger Christina the importance of pacing herself as a planet-saving hero and taking a break so she can be ready to save another day!
This is Pina the Peacock! She’s not a pet – she lives in the forest and fields behind Earth Ranger Stephan’s house, but she visits him sometimes. Pina is very shy, but if we’re quiet and gentle, she’ll eat blueberries right from our hands. As a thank you, she may even show off her colourful feather fan, which is always amazing to see!
Howie is a bundle of energy, always up for an adventure! Whether watching birds, squirrels, or even dancing leaves from the window, he never gets bored. But his true passion? Exploring the outdoors! He loves trekking Ontario Greenbelt trails, and sniffing out cool plants and animals like a true Backyard Biologist!
River is a Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon who inspires us with her love for the outdoors! Her favourite thing to do is explore new trails, always eager to see what’s around the next corner. With a never-ending thirst for adventure, River reminds us that there’s a whole world out there just waiting to be discovered!
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