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Say yes to ugly vegetables!

News

Earth Rangers

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November 8, 2022

Our NEW Project 2050 Challenge is tackling the issue of food waste and we have lots of ideas to help. The goal of each Challenge is to encourage families to adopt climate friendly habits in the home that have the potential to change the world if we all work together. Our All Taste, No Waste Challenge has just launched in the Earth Rangers App.

One particular habit we’re suggesting is to rethink how you look at veggies. Next time you’re in the grocery store, think about choosing that misshapen carrot or awkward pepper. Since many of us are drawn to more perfect looking produce, these oddly shaped but still perfectly tasty vegetables get tossed away.

In Canada, we throw out 2.2 million tons of food a year. We’re not talking about bones, eggshells, fruit cores and peels, but food that was meant to be eaten, like leftovers or forgotten fruits that hid in the back of the fridge. All of this wasted food produces a huge amount of greenhouse gases. But we can make a difference when we work together. Adopting a few new habits can go a long way to help planet earth. Cool rewards are up for grabs including a sustainable cookbook in collaboration with Maple Leaf Foods Chef Sam!

Check out this video to learn more:

Project 2050 is named after Canada’s climate goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Ask an Expert: Arctic Fox Researcher Interview

Earth Rangers

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November 4, 2022

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Ask an Expert: Arctic Fox Researcher Interview

In our last “Ask an Expert”, we asked you to send in questions for real-life Arctic fox researcher, Kayla Buhler. Wow, did you ever listen!? We got over 200 questions! Now, we couldn’t ask Kayla all of them—that interview would take all day—but we did get to ask her a whole bunch!

Press play to check out the interview! You’ll find out if your question was asked AND learn a lot about fluffy white foxes from the north. Psst! You’ll also get to meet one of our FASTEST Animal Ambassadors!

Want to support Kayla’s research? Look for the Arctic fox in the Adoptions section of the Earth Rangers App.

You’ll have another chance to “Ask an Expert” at the end of November.

Our next “Ask an Expert” will be all about peatlands and the amazing animals that call it home: wood frog, polar bear, and caribou. Start thinking of your questions now!

The Arctic fox project is generously supported by:

Beverly Beaver’s Dam Breakdown

Earth Rangers

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November 3, 2022

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Hello, Earth Rangers, Beverly Beaver here!

I’m taking a break from building my lodge because an interesting thought occurred to me: which is better, a beaver dam or a hydroelectric dam? And what’s the difference, anyway?

Let’s break it down!

Beaver Dams

Beaver dams are made by beavers (obviously). Why do we make them? Well, think of us as ecosystem engineers. We build dams because we want to stop flowing water and create a nice, still pond where we can build our lodge (home, sweet home)!

When we dam up a river, we’re not the only animals that appreciate the calm, watery wetland that results—other creatures like frogs, fish, and birds also benefit. That’s the reason beavers are a keystone species. Without us, wetlands would look totally different (and some of them wouldn’t even exist)!

Hydroelectric Dams

Now, what about hydroelectric dams? Those are built by people, and the goal is to create electricity.

A hydroelectric dam is built in a river. Damming the river creates a reservoir of water that flows into the dam to spin a turbine. That turbine is connected to a generator that produces electricity. The more water that flows through the dam, the more electricity can be generated. Because water is a renewable resource, this is a cleaner, greener way to power up homes and businesses.

So, I guess beavers and people aren’t so different after all: we’re both great at building dams. I think I’ll stick to making mine from logs and mud!

Want to learn more about renewable energy and make a wind turbine, water wheel, and solar oven? Accept the We’ve Got the Power Mission in the Earth Rangers App!

Generously sponsored in Ontario by:

Bighorn Sheep Hike

Creative Corner

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November 3, 2022

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Time:60 min

Difficulty:Easy

Get outside and explore by taking a hike inspired by bighorn sheep!

Layer Up!

Bighorn sheep have thick wool that keeps them warm in the chilly temperatures on the mountain! Make sure you bring a sweater or a jacket during your hike so that you can layer up or take it off!

Bring Snacks!

Bighorn sheep are foragers and graze on grasses and shrubs as they move through their habitat! Make sure you pack some trail mix, fruits, and other snacks in case you get hungry!

Wear Comfortable, Sturdy Shoes!

Bighorn sheep have strong hooves that help them to balance on the steep, rocky terrain. Wear sturdy running shoes, sneakers, or hiking boots to protect your feet and help you balance! In the winter, you can wear snow shoes or winter boots!

Stick Together!

Bighorn sheep travel in herds and are always on the lookout for one another. Make sure you stay with your hiking buddies.

Bring Along Supplies!

Bighorn sheep are always alert and on the lookout for things around them. A notebook, binoculars, and an animal tracking guide are great hiking companions. They can help you discover the nature you see along the way!

Enjoy your hike and don’t forget to let us know how it goes!

Two New Missions ignite eco-action

News

Earth Rangers

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November 2, 2022

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Building DIY renewable energy sources like wind turbines and running a home audit for ecolabels are just two of the new ways kids and their families can take part in the Earth Ranger Missions program. We’ve Got the Power and Certified Green launched in the app this fall with enormous success! Missions empower kids to help the planet through environmental action and hands-on activities. Missions build confidence by reminding children that every little bit helps!

Forget the EasyBake oven—Earth Ranger Esme made s’mores in her very own solar oven! It’s one of three DIY renewable energy devices the kids can make when they take part in the We’ve Got the Power Mission. With the amount of energy we use every day, it’s helpful to find out where it all comes from, and how greener energy can help reduce our carbon footprint. There’s solar, geothermal, wind and more!

We’ve Got the Power is about the amazing climate-friendly benefits of renewable energy. Ready to get charged up?

JOIN NOW

Generously sponsored by:

Organic! All natural! Fair Trade! Made with recycled materials! Ecolabels like these can be found on just about every product these days, but what do they actually mean? And are they really better for the planet? The Certified Green Mission helps your family decode the many ecolabels found on products, and learn which ones are truly more environmentally friendly.

It starts with a personal green check. With the help of a checklist, the kids can take charge of a home ecolabel inspection and keep track of which products have an ecolabel and which don’t. Then it’s time to mobilize! Take the Mission’s Ecolabel Guide with you every time you and the kids hit the stores, and make a difference with your wallet. Get started today!

JOIN NOW

In partnership with:

When is my child ready to walk to school alone?

Parenting Blog

Karen Horsman

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November 2, 2022

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When is my child ready to walk to school alone?

“You’re causing problems for me you know, Karen!” My neighbour laughed as she said this to me as we chatted on her driveway one day after work. There may have been a smile in her voice but I detected something else. She went on to explain that her nine-year-old daughter was asking to walk to school by herself just like my youngest child. Jenna was also nine at the time and had been walking on her own for a couple of months. My neighbour went on to say, “I just don’t think my daughter is ready and it adds a lot of pressure when other kids are allowed this kind of freedom. Besides, I’m nervous about it and I want her to be safe.” You couldn’t ask for a more honest perspective and I appreciated that she was vulnerable enough to share it with me. I explained the preparation we did beforehand which included practicing the route and running through a list of scenarios. For the first few weeks, I stood at the end of the driveway to watch Jenna until her figure disappeared. And little by little, I let go.

This isn’t just about independence. According to a recent CBC report, encouraging kids to walk to school is becoming part of the climate change discussion. Annual events like “Walktober” and International Walk to School Month encourage families to reduce their carbon footprint by leaving the car at home to walk or cycle to school. Brianna Salmon, the executive director of Green Communities Canada, told the CBC that since parents don’t seem to be transferring their knowledge from when they were kids about biking and walking, today’s children need more walking and cycling education. That’s where organized community events come in. They can inspire new habits and the momentum can grow from there. Walking to school isn’t a fit for every family. Not everyone lives within a reasonable distance and some routes may involve crossing busy streets. Tight work schedules can also interfere with timing and the list goes on. There are also two separate stories here. The one that involves a parent walking with their child to school and allowing them to walk alone.

My neighbour had an issue with the second. During our conversation, we spoke about the “legal” age to grant your child this kind of independence. According to several experts including Parachute, a charity focused on injury prevention, it’s believed that children around the age of nine are less impulsive, more attentive, and have the cognitive ability needed to cross the street safely. Equipping your child with the tools is a key step. Not only did my daughter and I practice and role play, we took baby steps by walking the route half way together for a few days. I also believe that you know your child. I’ve often heard it said by parents who have more than one child, “Oh, my youngest daughter would be ready for that but not my oldest.” Maturity and a willingness to stick to the rules is a key part of the decision.

At the root of this issue is fear. Every parent wants to protect their child from harm. It’s figuring out a balance between innate parental worry and the need to nurture confidence. To this day, my two youngest children have fierce independent streaks! As they grew, they were always looking for ways to do things on their own. I had to learn to breathe and trust that they could tackle these new challenges. I needed to fight the urge to hold on tight. I struggled with when to say no and when to let go. More often than not, I leaned into letting them try. What helped me in the tough times? I would remember how much independence I had when I was a child. As I grew into a young adult, at times, I was scared to try new things, but I was confident I could handle the outcome. I would inevitably jump right in, nerves and all! Big and little tastes of freedom can do that for a child. We just have to learn to trust and let go.

Aging Sand

Earth Rangers

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November 2, 2022

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Ever wonder how old those little grains of sand are? Researchers took this question to the Namib Sand Sea, in Africa, one of the largest and oldest deserts, and found that the grains of sand were more than a million years old!

Halloween Animals

Earth Rangers

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October 31, 2022

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As Halloween quickly approaches, come with us as we investigate the spookiest mystery of all: why some animals, like bats, toads, wolves, owls and spiders, remind us of this ghostly night.

Bats

Bats are a staple 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.

Gerina Dunwich, Witch’s Halloween. Avon, MA: Adams Media, 2007: Page 50 – 52

Silver RavenWolf Halloween. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1997: Page 64 – 66

Toads

Tales of toads and witches are a big part of Halloween. They are found in witches’ brews and were even associated with witches in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

These amphibians got such a bad reputation partly because of some icky warts. In the Middle Ages, people who had warts were believed to have touched a toad that had been poisoned by witches.

Edna Barth Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols. New York, NY: Clarion Books, 1972: Page 54 – 56

Spiders

Creepy crawly arachnids can certainly give people the heebie jeebies. After all, what’s Halloween without a few black spiders and hanging webs?

In Greek Mythology there was a goddess who used spider webs to tell the future. This magical side to spiders took a dark turn when they were linked to Crones (you know, those evil old ladies in fairytales) due to some of their scarier traits. For example some female spiders eat their mates, a not so friendly habit that has left them with a bad reputation.

Gerina Dunwich, Witch’s Halloween. Avon, MA: Adams Media, 2007: Page 69 – 70

Wolves

AWOOOOOOOOO!! A wolf’s cry in the night is a piercing sound that is not only used to frighten us on Halloween but also shows up in movies just before things get really scary.

The idea of a person turning into a wolf started in Ancient Greece where it was believed that Apollo lycaeus could take the shape of any animal. This inspired the belief that wearing a wolf pelt could also cause a person to change into that animal. This freaky thought has left a frightening imprint in people’s minds whenever they hear or see a wolf.

Silver RavenWolf Halloween. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1997: Page 66 – 68

Owls

A lot of Earth Rangers love Animal Ambassador Sonic, so it might be surprising that these birds are linked with darkness and evil spirits.

Ancient Romans believed that owls were bad omens and their cries were thought of as a sign of death. Since owls only come out at night, they are also thought of as evil spirits. Like bats, they were linked to witches because they flew around their fires at night to eat the insects that were attracted by the light and warmth.

Lesley Pratt Bannatyne Halloween: an American Holiday, an American History. Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Company, Inc., 1998: Page 89

Edna Barth Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols. New York, NY: Clarion Books, 1972: Page 50

What animal do you think is the scariest?

Your Next Mission: Certified Green

Earth Rangers

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October 27, 2022

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Ecolabels like these can be found on just about every product these days, like food, paper products, shampoo, and even toys and clothing. But what do these ecolabels mean? How do you know which ones are really better for the planet, and which ones are not all that they seem to be?

It’s time to take a closer look at the products we buy and learn why it’s important for them to be
Certified Green!

Get ready to learn all about ecolabels! When you accept this Mission, you’ll get access to a Mission Brief that’s full of ecolabel info. In it, we show you examples of real ecolabels that you might see at the store, and explain what they mean.

When you’re finished reading, you’ll jump into action. It’s time to do a Certified Green Check! Go around your house and inspect your products for ecolabels. Keep track of which products have them and which ones don’t.

Next, you’ll prep your ecolabel guide. You can make your own with ecolabels that are important to your family, or use the one in the Mission Items. When it’s time to go shopping, take it with you to help you decide what to buy!

Look for Certified Green in the Missions section of the Earth Rangers App!

In partnership with:

Crash Landing with a Puffin

Earth Rangers

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October 26, 2022

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Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) wouldn’t make the best flying instructors. These birds struggle to get in the air, beating their wings an average of 300 to 400 times a minute just to stay in flight! They also have trouble landing, often crashing into the water or rolling onto the grass, tumbling into any other puffins that may be in their way.

Say yes to ugly vegetables!

Ask an Expert: Arctic Fox Researcher Interview

Want to support Kayla’s research? Look for the Arctic fox in the Adoptions section of the Earth Rangers App.

You’ll have another chance to “Ask an Expert” at the end of November.

The Arctic fox project is generously supported by: