With summer in full swing, we love getting outside and exploring our wonderful forests. There’s something so lovely about seeing the beautiful trees and their leaves dancing in the wind. Wouldn’t it be great if you could bring home a tidbit from your adventures to keep forever? Guess what…you can, and it’s pretty easy!

For today’s Eco-Activity, we’ll be making some lovely leafy fossils!

• Head outside and get searching for the coolest leaves around! Make sure they’re super veiny or thick needles—those ones will look the best as fossils.

• Once you’re happy with your collection, make sure there aren’t any hidden critters, and then head back inside.

• To make your salt dough, combine the salt and flour in a bowl, then slowly mix in the water. You probably won’t need all of it, just enough for the dough to feel like playdough.

• Roll or press out your dough to be about 1 cm thick, in any shapes you’d like. You could use a cookie cutter on your rolled out dough, or split your dough into pieces and flatten each one.

• Ask an adult to preheat the oven to the lowest setting. 

• Firmly press the back of each leaf onto your soon-to-be fossils, making sure the whole surface is touching the dough to get the best imprint!

• Peel off the leaves, and place your fossils on the baking sheet. Bake for 1-2 hours, depending on your oven.

• Once your fossils have cooled, all that’s left to do is decorate and show them off!

We want to see what you made! Share with us on social media or send a photo to 
membership@earthrangers.com!

The Earth Rangers App is where kids go to save animals! It’s free to join and you’ll have access to real-world Missions like this one. Plus, you can adopt an animal to support conservation projects, and learn all about animals in the Wild Wire Blog. Find activities like this, and so much more in the App!

Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day! It’s a day to celebrate the cultural richness and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people! 

Anyone hungry? We have a simple food staple for you to try: fry bread! Never heard of it? It’s usually called “Bannock”! Indigenous communities across Turtle Island (or North America as you might know it) each have their own take. Some use berries, others wild plants, wild rice. Try out this recipe adapted from a traditional Blackfoot recipe. 

Here’s how you make it:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. 

2. Slowly add the water – juuust enough to get everything wet – while mixing it into a big ball of dough.

3. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for a minute or two, then split the dough into round discs – about the size and shape of a hockey puck!

4. Fry it in an oiled pan for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. 

Cut up your fry bread while it’s still warm and serve with your favourite jam or wild berries. Enjoy!

We want to see your Fry Bread! Share it with us on social media or send a photo to 
membership@earthrangers.com!

The Earth Rangers App is where kids go to save animals! It’s free to join and you’ll have access to real-world Missions like this one. Plus, you can adopt an animal to support conservation projects, and learn all about animals in the Wild Wire Blog. Find activities like this, and so much more in the App!