Cleaning up the coastline!
Hey, Earth Rangers! It’s me, Penny! I’m a shoreline enthusiast, fan of the environment, and the neatest, tidiest piping plover you’ll ever meet!
I wanted to tell you about a very important day that’s coming up soon – September 21st, to be exact. That’s Coastal Cleanup Day (one of my favourite days of the year)! On Coastal Cleanup Day, we have one goal: Work together to beautify our beaches and keep litter out of the water!
Cool coastlines
Coastlines (also called shorelines) are some pretty special places, environmentally speaking. Coastlines are places where the land meets a body of water, like a lake or an ocean. Lots of animals and plants call shorelines home. In fact, Canada has the longest coastline in the ENTIRE world! (We’re talking 243,042 km in total!)
We need to keep our shores clean for some very important reasons. First, animals can mistake litter for food. An animal that eats garbage will become very sick. Second, animals can become tangled in garbage and get injured. Finally, creatures and plants can hitch a ride on litter and the wind or water can take them to new habitats – places they’re not supposed to be.
Lend a hand!
So, how can a clever Earth Ranger like you help? The first thing you need for a coastal cleanup is…a coast! You can visit a local pond, lake, river, stream or ocean – those all count! You’re going to bring along an adult and some friends or family members to be part of your cleanup crew. To stay safe, wear gloves and leave any sharp items to the grownups. And if you happen to see me out there on the shore, don’t forget to wave!
Want some more info? Just go to the Earth Rangers app and accept the Shoreline Saver Mission. There, you’ll find our handy How to Save a Shoreline guide, full of helpful tips about how to do your own coastal cleanup.
Join other Earth Rangers on September 21st for Coastal Cleanup Day and do what you can to make the world a more beautiful place!
Pixel Puzzler #51: The Great Reveal
We got tons of great guesses on Part 1 of this Pixel Puzzler and now it’s time for the answer. Are you ready for the great reveal? Find out if you got it right!
The answer to this Pixel Puzzler is (drum roll please) A Koala! How did you do? Tell us in the comments!
You might have guessed a koala bear, but here’s the reality: koalas aren’t bears at all; they’re marsupials!
Koalas might look like cuddly teddy bears, but they have sharp claws and teeth and can be quite territorial. Koalas aren’t the only animals people have misconceptions about. For example, some people think Komodo dragons are actual dragons, but in reality, they’re large lizards! Despite their fearsome name, these lizards aren’t magical creatures; they’re impressive predators with a bite that’s not venomous but can cause serious infections.
Just like these animal myths, there are also myths about climate change that can mislead us. Some people believe it’s too late to make a difference or that small actions won’t have any impact. But just like debunking myths about animals, it’s important to challenge these climate myths. The truth is, we can still make a big difference when it comes to protecting our planet.
In our NEW Myth-Buster Challenge, you’ll become THE ULTIMATE MYTH-BUSTER by uncovering and debunking climate myths! Ready to see how your actions can make a real impact? Join the Myth-busters Challenge in the Challenges section of the app!
Friendly Bug Hunt
Friendly Bug Hun!t
Time:60 min
Difficulty:Easy
We are surrounded by cool critters. Grab your camera and step outdoors to see which ones you can find!
- Your eyes, ears, and hands! (But it’s also fun to have a magnifying glass for closer looks, some paper or a journal to write down what you find, and a camera or phone to snap pictures.)
- Friends or family members.
- Your favourite outdoor space.
Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Look up!
Start by looking for flying insects like bumblebees, butterflies, and dragonflies.
Step 2: Look around!
Check in and around plants, under leaves and inside flowers with closed petals.
Insects or small animals may be using their size, shape, or colour to hide!
Step 3: Look down!
Don’t forget all the life down in the soil. Turn over rocks and logs, where many insects like to stay cool and hidden from predators (you might want to put on some gloves to protect your hands).
TIP
When you finish your hunt, think about everything you noticed (and look at your notes or photos if you have them). What kinds of creatures did you see? Did you have a favourite?
Ready to take your bug visits to the next level? Snap some awesome pictures of those who visit your bug hotel for the “Backyard Biologist” contest! Remember, the more creative and descriptive your submission is, the more points you’ll earn! Good luck!
The Backyard Biologist Contest is generously supported by:
Check out the new Backyard Biologist Contest!
Our backyards hold many treasures, and everyday we walk by these tiny wonders. If you stopped to look, you might spot awesome creatures, and fascinating plants! Just visit your nearest garden, park, pond, or field. You’ll discover that these places are bursting with life, just waiting for these moments to be captured on camera!
Maybe one of these moments could make YOU a winner?
The Backyard Biologist contest is back! We asked YOU to help us pick two of the three themes for this contest, and now it’s time for you to go out and capture those moments!
Submit your best nature photo and you could take home one of this year’s FABULOUS prizes: a Canon Rebel R100 Camera!
Backyard Safari
In this category, you don’t need to go far from home. Many wonders are outside your door, in parks nearby, and everyday animals otherwise overlooked. What will you find?
NOTE: no pets allowed!
Critter Closeups
There’s a miniature world right at your feet, under soil, rocks, and logs. Zoom in on some of these critters crucial to our ecosystem. Think Insects, arachnids, molluscs, annelids, mosses, fungi, lichens.
Winter Worlds
Winter is here–but not all wildlife is hibernating! This category celebrates the wonders of nature in winter. Bundle up to capture a photo that shows what makes this season so special!
Winners for all to see!
The winner from each category will get 1 of 3 Canon Rebel R100 Cameras generously donated by Canon, BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! The winners will also get a framed piece of their photo using Canon’s Frame Lab print and framing service!
You can be just like Kenzie and her winning picture last year, standing along with Earth Ranger Michela, and Chief Owl Officer Sonic! She and the other contest winners were interviewed on their experience, be sure to check out what they have to say.
The contest closes January 31st, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET.
Click here to learn more and submit your pictures!
Generously Supported By:
Pawsitively Hilarious Jokes #35
Why don’t koalas count as bears?
They don’t have the right koalafications.
Pixel Puzzler #51: Part 1
Let’s put your identification skills to the test! Can you figure out what is hidden in this picture? Make your guess in the comments.
Check back next week for the answer!
Tap here for more cool stuff like this!
Binturong Scramble
Binturong Scramble
Time:10 min
Difficulty:Medium
Get ready to swing! Can you put your binturong-like claws to the test and untangle this wild word scramble?
Here’s how to play:
- Read the paragraph below and use it to unscramble the words.
It may look like some cat or bear mix, but it’s not! It’s a binturong! The binturong has a long tail that helps it balance when climbing trees. You can recognize a binturong from their peculiar smell, like popcorn. They are omnivore, eating fruits, leaves, and sometimes small animals. Even though they look a bit wild, they’re shy and prefer to stay hidden high up in the trees.
Think you got them all? Tap on the puzzle image to see its secret answer!
Which New Animal Will You Adopt?
Today we’re launching ten brand new adoptable animals! When you adopt an animal through Earth Rangers, you’re supporting real-life wildlife conservation. Here’s how it works:
- You purchase the wildlife adoption kit of your choice–we’ve got ten to choose from!
- We send you an adorable plush animal, plus a wildlife adoption certificate, a trading card, and a poster packed with facts about your new furry friend.
- The proceeds from your adoption kit support a scientist or conservationist who is doing important work to save animals.
Ready to meet this year’s adoptable animals – and the amazing scientists you’ll be supporting?
Beavers & Bumblebees
My name is Sarah Bayliff! I work for the Nature Conservancy of Canada as the BC Interior Program Manager, and I am currently in the Bunchgrass Hills Conservation Area, a vast landscape of native grasslands, forests, and wetlands south of Kamloops in British Columbia. I’m helping to protect this vital wildlife corridor, as well as the creatures that live there — including bumblebees and beavers!
Want to help out? You can sponsor my work by visiting the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or check out the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Beaver and Bumblebee Adoption Kits!
Cougars
Hey there, Earth Rangers! My name is Ashley Sahulka, and I’m a Stewardship Coordinator with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). I’m working with a team of conservationists in the Cypress Uplands, a region in the southern part of Saskatchewan that includes a range of habitats—from grasslands to forests—in Cypress Hills. This area is home to more than 1,000 plant and animal species, and has one of the highest densities of cougars anywhere in Canada!
You can support our work by visiting the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or checking out the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Cougar Adoption Kit.
Snowy Owls, Red Foxes & Flying Squirrels
Hello, Earth Rangers! I’m Megan Quinn, and I’m a researcher with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. I’m working with a team in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, which is home to all different kinds of wildlife — including the snowy owl, the flying squirrel, and the red fox!
You can help us! Check out the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or visit the Earth Rangers Shop to get your snowy owl, flying squirrel, and red fox Adoption Kits.
Caribou
Hello there! I’m Claudia Haas, a biologist with Wilfrid Laurier University. I work in the Northwest Territories, home to some of the last intact boreal forest in the world! These forests are important habitat for animals like caribou, along with many at-risk species.
Are you ready to join my team? Head to the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or visit the Earth Rangers Shop — get your Caribou Adoption Kit and start making a difference today!
Grey Wolves
Hi, I’m Karl-Antoine Hogue and I’m a researcher with the University of Guelph. I’m working with The Land Guardians from the Van Tat Gwich’in community in Old Crow, Yukon. The boreal forest there is home to all kinds of animals, including grey wolves! My work with the Van Tat Gwich’in community will help us protect these animals and their homes.
But we could use your help! Check out the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or visit the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Grey Wolf Adoption Kit.
Lynxes
Greetings, Earth Rangers! I’m Sandra Yaacoub, a researcher from Queen’s University. I’m working with a team in southwest Yukon. Here in the taiga (also known as the snow forest or boreal forest), we see a lot of wildlife, including lynxes!
Unfortunately, the lynxes’ habitat has been affected by spruce bark beetles, which have killed a lot of trees. You can help us restore the forests that lynxes call home! Visit the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or check out the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Lynx Adoption Kit!
Sea Turtles
Hi Earth Rangers! My name is Gerardo, and I’m 9 years old. I live in Nicaragua and am part of a really cool program called the Sea Turtle Protection Project.
Me and lots of other kids in my community are learning about and helping to save an amazing creature who really makes a splash – the sea turtle!
While you may not be able to come to Nicaragua, you can still join our team! Visit the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or check out the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Sea Turtle Adoption Kit and help save the sea turtles!
Guess Our Tenth Adoptable Animal!
See the fresh tracks on this sandy shore? They belong to one of our newest adoptable animals! Our new slate of plush wildlife adoption kits is launching on September 9, and this tiny terrapin is among them!
Have an idea? Post your guess in the comments!
