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Eco-Activity: Eggcellent penguin pals

Eco-Activities

Earth Rangers

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November 17, 2020

2

Today’s Eco Activity: Eggcellent Penguin Pals

Brrrrr! Winter is nearly here, Earth Rangers! Depending on where you live, you may have even had snow already. Are you all set for a season of COOL outdoor adventures and sustainable indoor activities, like crafts? Waddle this way for this Arctic-inspired craft featuring upcycled egg cartons!

Here’s what you need:

An egg carton
Orange, black and white paint (markers or crayons can work too, they just won’t be as vibrant)
Glue
Scissors
Optional: googly eyes

Here’s how you make each one of your penguin pals:

Cut out an individual “egg holder” from your egg carton, along with three small triangles.
Turn the egg holder upside-down (like a dome) and paint a white oval on the outside for the penguin’s belly.
Paint the triangles orange.
Once the white part is dry, paint the rest of the carton black.
Once everything is dry, glue one triangle at the top of the penguin’s belly for the beak.
Add the remaining two orange triangles to the bottom for the feet!
Add eyes (create your own with scraps from the egg carton or stick on googly eyes).
Do a photo shoot with your new friend outdoors, post it and tag our official page so we can see! Your craft may even be featured on our page.

It’s almost the most wonderful time of year, and we’ve got TONS of exciting things planned that we know you’re going to love – but why wait?!

Now for a limited time only*, we’re giving you $5 off all Plush Wildlife Adoption Kits when you use code WINTER at checkout!

Each adoption kit purchased supports real conservation projects that make a big difference for the animals we love. Your plush package comes with a poster full of animal facts, plus a personalized certificate to display with pride – and don’t forget the adorable plushy any Earth Ranger is sure to love! Check them out in the Earth Rangers Shop today!

Already an Earth Rangers member? Be sure to make your purchase through the Earth Rangers App to earn the points and digital items that come with each adoption package!

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!

Love Being a Locavore!

Earth Rangers

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November 16, 2020

18

Have you ever looked at your dinner plate and wondered “Where did all this food come from?” It might seem like a strange question (because you’d probably say “it came from the fridge!”), but it’s a lot more complicated than that.

What’s Your Food’s Footprint?

Hopefully, some of the food on your plate hasn’t had to travel too far before it arrived in your kitchen, because the farther food travels, the bigger its carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is how much C0₂(carbon dioxide) something creates. If the orange slice on your plate had to travel all the way from California to Ontario, it clocked some serious kilometers. On the way, that orange was probably packaged to keep it fresh. All of this adds up to a seriously large carbon footprint for such a small fruit.

Eat Locally!
So what’s the solution? Become a locavore, of course! You probably know all about herbivores (animals that eat plants) and carnivores (animals that eat meat), but you might not be familiar with the term ‘locavore.’ It’s a fancy word for someone who does their best to eat foods that are grown locally. That means:

Learning all about what things grow in your area at different times of the year: You won’t be able to get everything locally ALL year round, but that’s okay! Try your best to find out which fruits and veggies come from your province and eat those when they’re in season.
Deciding NOT to purchase items that have traveled a really long distance: If it’s February and you live in Ontario, you’re not going to find any local peaches. There will probably be peaches at your grocery store, though. The problem is that they’ve come from warmer places in South America, and their carbon footprint is huge.
Making friends with your local farmer: Visit a farmer’s market in your area and learn all about which fruits and veggies are grown close to home. Farmers can help you choose delicious produce, and maybe even suggest something new to try!
Grow your own fruit and veggies: You don’t even have to wait for summer to do this — you can re-grow many different fruits and vegetables by taking the seeds and putting them in water or a small pot of soil in your kitchen.

Become a Locavore Today!

Are you ready to join thousands of other Earth Rangers and become a locavore? You’re going to want to check out the Live, Love, Local mission. Just visit us on the Earth Rangers App and accept the Mission to start eating locally today!

Eco-Activity: Pinecone bird feeders

Eco-Activities

Earth Rangers

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November 12, 2020

3

Today’s Eco Activity: Pinecone Bird Feeders

Even though the sky may have been busy with migrating birds this fall, there are plenty that will be sticking around long after the first major snowfall! When snow covers their habitat, it makes food-finding more challenging. This winter, you can be a birdy buddy by helping our feathered friends find an extra food source. Here’s how:

Collect some large pinecones from the great outdoors!
Fill a shallow bowl, pan, or cardboard box with birdseed.
Sift through the birdseed and investigate the different seeds! It’s a fun sensory experience and you’ll get to do a little quality control work for your fluttering friends.
Get to work covering the pinecones in thick honey or suet.
Once the pinecone is totally covered, roll it around in your birdseed until it is all covered. Pro tip: leave the very top of your pinecones un-honey-ed for easier handling and ribbon-tying later.
Tie on a ribbon, hang it from your favourite tree, and wait for your flying feathered friends to come and feast!

It’s almost the most wonderful time of year, and we’ve got TONS of exciting things planned that we know you’re going to love – but why wait?!

Now for a limited time only*, we’re giving you $5 off all Plush Wildlife Adoption Kits when you use code WINTER at checkout!

Each adoption kit purchased supports real conservation projects that make a big difference for the animals we love. Your plush package comes with a poster full of animal facts, plus a personalized certificate to display with pride – and don’t forget the adorable plushy any Earth Ranger is sure to love! Check them out in the Earth Rangers Shop today!

Already an Earth Rangers member? Be sure to make your purchase through the Earth Rangers App to earn the points and digital items that come with each adoption package!

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!

Eco-Activity: WIN with the Earth Rangers Podcast!

Eco-Activities

Earth Rangers

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November 12, 2020

8

Eco-Activity: WIN with the Earth Rangers Podcast!

Today’s Eco Activity: Animal Encounter Storyteller

Calling all aspiring storytellers, especially those who want a chance to WIN! Do you or someone you know have an interesting story about an encounter with an animal?

Record your new animal encounter stories before December 15th to get entered for a chance to win an Earth Rangers prize pack, including a BRAND NEW Earth Rangers water bottle, a surprise plushie, and a limited edition button set!

Plus, your story could be featured on the Earth Ranger Podcast! And that right there is some SERIOUS Earth Ranger clout! Don’t forget to subscribe to this awesome podcast through your favourite streaming service so you don’t miss a single new episode, exploring the awesome world of animals! Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or right in the Earth Rangers App.

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!

Check out this Mission – it’s For the Birds!

Earth Rangers

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November 11, 2020

45

Check out this Mission – it’s For the Birds!

Temperatures are dropping and many of the birds that call the north home are saying “see ya!”, heading down south for warmer weather. Must be nice! But in order to make this long journey, they need safe spaces to rest, plus plenty of food to give them the energy they need to keep going. Unfortunately there are times when some birds have trouble finding enough food to eat – and that’s where you come in! Will you lend a helping feather?

Your Mission: Build a backyard bird feeder to help our bird buddies!

Earth Ranger Liam – “The most exciting birds I saw were a red-tailed hawk and a northern flicker woodpecker! – It was fun to watch the birds and to look them up. This is my favourite mission so far!”

Accept the For the Birds Mission in the Earth Rangers App today to get started! We’ll give you a Mission Brief filled with tips and tricks to make your bird feeder, plus downloadables like a tracking sheet you can use to keep a watchful eye on your special visitors.

Did you know that Canada is home to millions of migratory birds? Every spring and fall the shores of Lake Ontario welcome hundreds of thousands of birds as they make their way to and from their final destinations. They often arrive hungry and exhausted after a long flight, but thanks to the Flyway Habitat Project, they get to come back to an amazing migratory bird habitat! The Ash Grove cement plant on Lake Ontario’s shoreline partnered with Credit Valley Conservation to create habitats full of woodland trees and shrubs, thickets full of juicy berries, peaceful meadow and grassland areas hopping with insects, and cozy new birdhouses for a ton of different bird species. This awesome habitat has everything migratory birds need to rest and refuel, but their journey doesn’t end there – that’s why it’s so important you help them along right from your own backyard!

What birds have you spotted at your feeder? Leave a comment and let us know!

Generously Supported By

Eco-Activity: Owlsome scrap stamps

Eco-Activities

Earth Rangers

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November 5, 2020

6

Today’s Eco Activity: Owlsome Scrap Stamps

Have you ever tried using bits of food scraps to re-grow plants and veggies? It’s so easy! Using just a cup of water, you can regenerate kitchen food staples like lettuce, garlic, basil, and celery. While you wait for your home-grown scrap garden to flourish, you can use some fun-shaped scraps as stamps to step up your DIY art game!

You may have some veggie scraps leftover as your family prepares autumn soups and stews. The tougher bits of celery that aren’t as satisfying to nibble on are perfect for homemade stamps! All you need is a little bit of paint or ink and you’re good to go, copy & paste style.

We’ve started our Scrap Stamp soirée by using celery to stamp in the feathers of an owl. What other animals can you recreate using food scraps? Share your project with us by tagging our official social media pages to show off your masterpieces!

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!

Podcast: Steam blasting beetles and other animals with chemical superpowers

Earth Rangers

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November 4, 2020

19

Podcast: Steam blasting beetles and other animals with chemical superpowers

Hello Earth Rangers! Today Emma will reveal some of the tricks of the mischievous gray squirrels and how they and other animal prepare for the winter. Then she will continue to explore the secrets and wonders of chemistry in ‘Emma’s Chemistry Corner’, and listen to a brand new animal encounter story!

Click the play button on the player below to listen to today’s episode!

A gray squirrel in action, looking for a place to hide his precious stash of nuts without anyone else seeing… Find out about its sneaky tricks in today’s episode.

In today’s Emma’s Chemistry Corner – Emma talks about biology, the connection between mosquitoes and elephants, and why we really need to know chemistry to truly understand the living world. She’ll also introduce some really cool animals that took chemistry to the next level like these:

Next time we’ll do a real science experiment that you can follow along with at home. Here is what you’ll need:

a coffee filter
scissors
rubbing alcohol (or nail polish)
a pen or a pencil
a bowl with hot water
different type of leaves (spinach or lettuce work really well, but any type of leaf is OK)
a jar (If you want to compare between different leaves you’ll need a few jars, one for each type of leaf)
help from a parent

Great news! The animal encounter stories contest is back!
Send us your new animal encounter stories before December 15th to get entered for a chance to win an Earth Rangers prize pack – containing a water bottle, a surprise plushie and a limited edition button set.

What is your favourite season? How do you prepare for the winter? What chemical superpowers you wish you had?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Don’t forget to send your own animal story to enter our brand new contest!!

Eco-Activity: Leafy ghost garland

Eco-Activities

Earth Rangers

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October 28, 2020

4

Today’s Eco Activity: Leafy Ghost Garland

Happy Hallo-WEEK, Earth Ranger families! Have you been on the prowl for some BOO-tiful and sustainable Halloween decorations? We’ve got you covered with these un-BOO-lievably adorable ghosts!

Hop outside to forage for some fallen leaves. Then, completely cover them with white craft paint. Once they’ve dried, glue some googly eyes on top or draw some on with a permanent marker. String together your ghost friends to create a ghoulish family to display at your haunted abode!

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!

Eco-Activity: Stash Trash and RAWR around your ‘hood!

Eco-Activities

Earth Rangers

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October 23, 2020

2

Eco-Activity: Stash Trash and RAWR around your ‘hood!

Today’s Eco Activity: Stash Trash & RAWR around your ‘hood!

Nature is awesome! It’s fun to play in, beautiful to look at, and is home to the animals we love. That’s why it’s important we do what we can to protect it and work as a family to #stashthetrash with an organized litter cleanup!

Here’s how:

Plan where and how you want to do your cleanup. Maybe on a daily walk, or pick a date where you can do a trashbag weigh-in competition against some of your neighbours or friends.
Gather your collecting supplies and safety gear, including gloves and face masks.
Snap a “before” pic with your empty trash bags.
Get out to your fave greenspace and put your cleanup crew to work!
Snap your “after” pic showing off how much you trash you saved neighbourhood animals from! Don’t forget to share it on social media and tag one of our official pages so we can see how you did!
When you’re done it’s time to Respect Animals While Recycling! Make sure your waste and recycling is wildlife-safe before you put it out for collection by doing things like rinsing out jars and containers, and cutting six-pack rings!

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!

Making Cement Greener

Earth Rangers

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October 22, 2020

28

Do you remember the story of the three little pigs? In that fairy tale, the pigs used straw, sticks and bricks when building their houses. And when that big, bad wolf came along, which house stood up to all his huffing and puffing? The one made of bricks, of course. That’s because the bricks were held together with a mixture of cement, sand and water called mortar. So cement must be pretty tough stuff, right? Well, not on its own. But mixed with other things, cement is REALLY useful.

A Concrete Example
If you mix cement with gravel, sand, certain chemicals and water, you get concrete. And concrete is used EVERYWHERE. It’s the world’s most commonly used human-made material. Buildings, bridges, sidewalks, patios, foundations — they can all be made from concrete.

Now that we know how important concrete is, and that you need cement to MAKE it, we need to learn a bit more about the creation of cement.

A Carbon Dioxide Dilemma
Cement is made by combining materials like limestone and clay and then heating them up to SUPER hot temperatures in a cement kiln (we’re talking over 1400 degrees Celsius!). During this process, carbon dioxide (also known as CO₂) is released. And that’s a problem.

Because as you know, brilliant Earth Ranger, extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere traps thermal energy, which causes the greenhouse effect and leads to global warming. That’s why we need to control how much CO₂is produced and released by manufacturing. Thankfully, some clever people at Ash Grove Cement have figured out they can capture the carbon dioxide before it enters our atmosphere.

Capturing Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide can be captured when it’s released, but before it exits the chimney of the cement manufacturing plant. When it’s captured, there are two things that can be done with it: the carbon dioxide can be stored deep underground, or it can be used in the production of other products like plastics, concrete, biofuel, and even carbon nanotubes. The second option is obviously the best one — if we can reuse CO₂instead of just storing it somewhere, that’s best for everyone…and for the Earth!

Earth Rangers

Earth Rangers

Eco-Activity: Eggcellent penguin pals

Love Being a Locavore!

Eco-Activity: Pinecone bird feeders

Eco-Activity: WIN with the Earth Rangers Podcast!

Check out this Mission – it’s For the Birds!

Generously Supported By

Eco-Activity: Owlsome scrap stamps

Podcast: Steam blasting beetles and other animals with chemical superpowers

Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Don’t forget to send your own animal story to enter our brand new contest!!

Eco-Activity: Leafy ghost garland

Eco-Activity: Stash Trash and RAWR around your ‘hood!

Making Cement Greener

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