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.
Animal Friends that inspire Earth Rangers
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.
Why not meet some of these animal friends?
EARTH RANGER CURIOSITY
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!
EARTH RANGER SCOUT
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!
EARTH RANGER ZEPHYR
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!
EARTH RANGER PUMPKIN
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.
EARTH RANGER SMEAGOL
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).
EARTH RANGER LENNY
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
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!
EARTH RANGE BRIE
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!
EARTH RANGER SHELOB
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.
EARTH RANGER SQUASH
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.
EARTH RANGER WILLOW
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!
EARTH RANGER BALLOU
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!
EARTH RANGER PINA
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!
EARTH RANGER HOWIE
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!
EARTH RANGER RIVER
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!
Do you have an animal friend that inspires you to be an Earth Ranger?
Are they a sweet dog or cute kitty…or something special? Let us know in the comments below!
Cougars on the Prowl! An Adventure in the Cypress Uplands with Ashley Sahulka
Hi! My name is Ashley Sahulka, and I work for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in Saskatchewan.
NCC is a group that protects nature in Canada. We keep the land, water, and animals safe by taking care of special places.
Saskatchewan is a beautiful province full of forests and prairie grasslands. But some of these natural areas are disappearing. People are building cities in these places. They’re also farming, logging, and mining in animal habitats.
I work in a very special area called the Cypress Uplands in the southwest part of Saskatchewan. It has forests, grasslands, and wetlands all in one place! These different habitats are important because they give animals food, shelter, and a safe place to live.
Millions of years ago, during the Ice Age, huge glaciers flowed around the Cypress Uplands–but not over them! The top 100 metres of the Uplands became a nunatuk: an island surrounded by ice. This area is home to rare plants that survived the Ice Age, plus land formations that you can’t find anywhere else in the province. That’s just one of the reasons why it’s so important to protect this special area.
A Wild Cat That Lives in the Cypress Uplands
Here’s one amazing animal you can find in the Cypress Uplands: the cougar! Cougars are big wild cats. They’re carnivores: Animals that eat meat. They hunt herbivores: Plant-eating animals like deer, elk, and rabbits.
If there are too many herbivores in the Cypress Uplands, they will eat more plants than the landscape can afford to lose. That includes the rare plants that survived the Ice Age. Without enough plants, other animals have trouble finding food and shelter, and the whole ecosystem suffers.
By hunting herbivores, cougars balance nature. They prevent deer, elk, and rabbits from eating too many plants, and they give plants time to re-grow. This keeps the whole ecosystem healthy for all the species that live in it!
Cougars need a lot of space to move, find food, and raise their cubs. Sadly, their habitat is getting smaller. People are building cities in places where cougars live. Businesses are also farming, logging, and mining in cougar habitat. This makes it harder for cougars to survive.
At NCC, my team and I are working hard to protect more land in the Cypress Uplands. That way, cougars and other animals will have safe homes for generations to come!
When you adopt a cougar through Earth Rangers, you’re helping me conserve the Cypress Uplands. Visit the adoption section in the Earth Rangers App or check out the Earth Rangers Shop to adopt your own cougar!
How I’m Protecting Cougars
We check on forests, grasslands, and creeks to make sure they’re healthy. If we find damage, we plan ways to fix it. We also count different plants and animals to keep track of how they’re doing.
We also hold fun events to teach people why nature is important. Plus, I write reports about all the work we’re doing. It’s a lot of work, but it helps nature stay strong!
By protecting the Cypress Uplands, we’re not just helping cougars. Healthy ecosystems provide clean air and water, along with parks and trails for people to have fun outdoors. By protecting Saskatchewan’s natural land, we make sure that future generations can see cougars, enjoy prairies and forests, and live on a healthy planet.
How You Can Protect Cougars
You don’t have to be a grown-up to protect cougars! Here are five simple things you can do:
- Learn about nature!
The more you know about cougars and the land they live on, the more you can protect them. You can read books, watch videos, or visit places like nature centres and museums to learn more!
- Teach other people!
Share what you learn with your friends and family. When people know how important it is to protect nature, they can help, too!
- Support NCC!
You can raise awareness about what NCC does. You can also fundraise for NCC’s projects. Plus, if you bring a grown-up along, you can even volunteer with us to protect wildlife and nature!
- Respect wildlife!
We all love to go outside! But when you head out on an adventure, remember to respect nature. Stay on trails, don’t disturb animals, and leave the land the way you found it. This keeps the ecosystem healthy and safe for wildlife, including cougars!
- Adopt a cougar!
When you adopt a cougar from Earth Rangers, you’re helping us conserve the cougars that live in the Cypress Uplands. As a thank you, 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 out the adoption section in the Earth Rangers App to get started!
Want to Work in Conservation One Day?
If you love nature and want to protect it when you grow up, there are many exciting paths you can take!
You can start by learning as much as possible about the environment, animals, and ecosystems. You can read books, watch documentaries, or volunteer with local nature organizations to get hands-on experience.
But one of the best ways to learn is to get outside and explore nature on your own. Go on hikes, watch animals, or even keep a nature journal to write about what you see.
As you get older, you can study subjects like biology, ecology, and environmental science in school. That will help you understand how nature works and how to protect it.
Working with organizations like NCC means doing research, educating people, and restoring land. Being passionate about nature, staying curious, and getting involved with local conservation–all of this can help you become a conservationist one day. Maybe you’ll join me in the Cypress Uplands, and we’ll protect cougars together!
Want to learn more about cougars? Leave a comment with your questions for Ashley! She’ll answer some in a future Wild Wire blog post!
Save your seeds for spring!
Save your seeds for spring!
Time:20 min
Difficulty:Easy
Did you know that farmers grow their crops from their own seeds? That’s right! When the growing season for most plants is over, they save some of their seeds to use the following spring.
- Recycled paper, egg carton, newspaper, tissue paper, or any form of paper you can think of
- Water
- Blender
- A strainer
- A spoon or spatula
- A sponge
- Help from an adult
Here’s how you make it:
Step 1: Take your paper and begin to tear it and shred it into very small pieces.
Step 2: Put your torn paper into the blender. Pour some warm water over top.
Step 3: Blend the water and paper together at a slow speed until your paper has turned into a fine pulp. There should be no paper flakes visible.
Step 4: Sprinkle your seeds (wildflower seeds are a great option) into your mixture and stir them in! Make sure NOT to blend them.
Step 5: Pour your mixture onto a strainer to get rid of as much water as possible.
Press a spoon or spatula on your mixture against the edge of the strainer to squeeze out the remaining water.
Step 6: Lay your mixture out on a flat surface and spread it into any shape you want. Make sure it’s as thin as possible.
Use the sponge to flatten your mixture and dry it out even more. Make sure to dry both sides. Once they’re both dry, you’re ready to store it.
Step 7: Store your seed package in a cool, dry, dark place until you’re ready to plant it in the spring!
When spring comes, place your seed package in soil, add water, watch it grow and home-grown food!
Fionna’s Battery Collection
“I have nothing but praise for this program”
Fionna led a battery collection in her community, collecting 485 batteries! She discovered with this project that she was way more passionate to help than she realized, and doing it helped solidify her choice to major in environmental science in University. Fionna found people in her community wanted to help but they don’t know how, and they were happy to help by giving them something easy to do, like dropping off batteries at their kids’ school.
Fionna shared that it was nice knowing ER Teens was always there to help. A person an email away was there to give support, and it would’ve been a lot harder to do on her own. She would 100% recommend the program!
Koyuki’s Food Waste Awareness
Koyuki, a student from Japan going to school in Ontario, was very interested in combatting food waste. During a group meeting, Koyuki explained to the other teens that the reason she wanted to research food waste in Canada and Ontario was because food waste is a big problem in Japan too.
“I’m so happy to accomplish my project. I learned about food waste and good way to avoid food waste. I realized that we can do something good for environment by ourselves. And my project was not difficult. This taught me that it was kind of easy to make something good for environment. We just need ideas, knowledge, and opportunities”
Audrianna’s Invasive Species Guide
Audrianna wanted to help raise awareness about the risks of invasive species found throughout the Niagara region. You can help keep an eye out for these pesky species by using her creative infographic below!
Sophie’s Nature Blog + Educating the Younger Generation
From creating her own blog to leading multiple classes in environmental activities, to participating in ER Teens’ featured projects like the Summer BioBlitz, Sophie clearly has a passion for the environment!
Check out Sophie’s original blog called Nature Wonders. She covers important topics like climate change, food waste, and animal conservation.
Sophie works with teachers at her old elementary school to lead fun activities and games that help primary grades understand concepts like animal adaptations.
Kaitlyn’s Holiday Shop Local Guide
Do you live in Manitoba? Kaitlyn’s got just the guide for you! She’s created an interactive digital guide of local businesses in and around Winnipeg to encourage people to purchase products locally instead of buying online and contributing to shipping emissions. Kaitlyn reached out to 50 businesses to tell them about her project and include them in her guide – she even scored a few exclusive promo codes!
“Through my project I learned not only how to help our environment but also how to take initiative and overcome obstacles, which I think are incredibly valuable skills.
My experience with Earth Rangers was fantastic. It taught me to step outside of my comfort zone and to not limit myself on what I hope to accomplish. My project showed me that with proper dedication and time, it’s possible to make a difference in your community.
The project inspired me greatly, and I have since reached out to climate groups within my community to further my involvement. For me, finishing my project doesn’t mean I’m moving on from the environment, as I plan to continue my work in my community going forward.”
