Feeling the summer heat these days? Take some time to chill out with this polar bear wordsearch! A perfect way to PAWS at home in ice-olation! Hopefully you don’t get brain freeze while working through this polar puzzle!

Snap a polar pic of your Earth Ranger with their completed wordsearch and share it with us, tagging our official page & #SummerEcoActivity for a chance to WIN an Earth Rangers mystery prize pack! Make sure you also like & share the official contest launch post & follow our page to complete your entry!*

You can help support important research to protect Polar Bears by purchasing a Wildlife Adoption kit through the Earth Rangers App! Plushie adoption kits are only $40 and include a certificate and a poster, and when you make your purchase through the Earth Rangers App your child will also earn points to help them level up on their Earth Rangers journey—plus a set of virtual rewards they can show off!

Now that you’ve cooled down inside, time to get back out there into nature! Do you have any thirsty trees nearby that could use some love? How about crafting them a tree bucket buddy to help give their roots what they need to feel fresh and healthy this summer?

Tree Bucket Buddy

Trees need water just like we do in order to stay hydrated and healthy! Growing new leaves and roots, transporting nutrients, and completing photosynthesis all require water. It can even help trees manage pests and disease!

Young trees that have just been planted (maybe you’ve recently completed our Just 1 Tree Mission!) especially need help getting enough water. But all trees can benefit from a good drink! Since they take in water slowly, it can be hard to hydrate without waste! Standing around with the hose pointed at your tree trunk usually just ends up with water bubbling up and spilling around the lawn, before the roots have barely sucked any up

Earth Rangers is here to help you with a little DIY fun to make your very own tree watering system: A Bucket Buddy!! All you need is a big ol’ pail (we recommend a five-gallon one) and something to carefully puncture holes in the bottom. A drill or a hammer and nail will do just fine, but make sure that you get an adult’s help to do it safely!

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Make a half-inch hole near the outer edge of the bottom of your bucket.

2. Fill your bucket all the way to the top with water.

3. Find the area directly under your tree’s “drip line”—that’s the area right under the canopy’s furthest reach. Place your full bucket here!

4. After the water has slowly drained into the tree’s soil, move the bucket to the opposite side of the tree to give the roots on the other side a good slurp! Alternatively, you could use two buckets in step 3: one on either side!

5. Repeat 2-3 times per week in the hot summer months so your tree can drink up 20-30 gallons of water! It’s a well-deserved treat for providing us with clean air all season long!

Remember to always ask for an adult’s help when using power tools! Pro tip: When it’s raining, pull your buckets out from under the trees so that you can collect rainwater to use! It’s a great way to save water! Just make sure that you temporarily plug the holes while you’re collecting it so you can use it later to help out thirsty trees.

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!

*Must be following at least one Earth Rangers official Facebook,Twitter, and/or Instagram page to qualify. No purchase necessary. This contest giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram/ Facebook/ Twitter. Entries close at 11:59pm EST on Aug 30, 2020 and the winner will be chosen at random based on entry requirements and contacted via direct message. Winners will have 1 week to claim their prize and confirm shipping details once contacted, after which prize will be given to another eligible candidate.

Today is world snake day!! Ssssscelebrate by ssssnacking on sssnake inssspired refresssshments!

What’s all the fuss about? Snakes are sssssuper important in balancing out ecosystems all over the world! They often sit somewhere in the middle of local food chains, taking roles as both predator and prey. Plus, they help keep pest populations down by feeding on small rodents that can damage crops and carry disease. Don’t worry, the ssssnake ssssnack we have in mind is quite different than what’s on their menu! Breadssssticks anyone?

Materialssss & Ingredientsss:

• 1 package store-bought bread dough
• 10 wooden chopsticks
• 3/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
• 20 whole black peppercorns

Ressscipe:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Divide bread dough into roughly 1/4 cup portions.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll portions into long, round snakes! Keep one end slightly larger (for the head), and roll the other end to a thinner point (for the tail).
4. Wind each ‘snake’ around a chopstick. Place them on the baking sheet so that the head is facing upwards.
5. Place 2 peppercorns on the head of each snake to make the eyes, and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on the snakes evenly (and generously).
6. Bake for about 20-30 minutes or until lightly browned.
7. Serve with melted butter, marinara, or your favourite dipping sauce!

Snap a photo of your completed activity and share it with us, tagging one of our official social media pages along with the hashtag #SummerEcoActivity for your chance to WIN an Earth Rangers mystery prize pack! Make sure you also like and share the official contest launch post and follow Earth Rangers to complete your entry!*

Hungry to help Canadian snake populations and other awesome animals who share their habitat? For a limited time, digital Eastern Milksnake Wildlife Adoptionssss Packagessss are 20% off!

Adopt an Eastern Milksnake in the Earth Rangers App to help support the Meadoway Project! Since females usually only lay eggs once every two years, eastern milksnakes are especially vulnerable to population declines because it takes them a long time to recover. Read this article on the Wild Wire to learn more about the Meadoway and how protecting this year-round habitat will help hundreds of species!

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!

Part of being an Earth Ranger is leading by example for the good of our planet and all species that live here, including people. Whenever we can lend a hand, we are ready to spring into action like animal-saving superheroes. And every superhero needs a cool mask!

Besides being a cool fashion statement, we’ve learned that wearing a face mask is also a super act of kindness because it can help protect others, especially in indoor spaces like stores and on public transportation. In fact, many businesses across Canada require that you wear one to enter their indoor spaces. Health Canada recommends that kids over the age of 2 and adults wear cloth face coverings in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when physical distancing can be difficult to maintain.

Cloth facemasks are a great way to be a part of the solution and help avoid adding to pandemic-related single-use waste by saying no-thanks to traditional disposable masks, which are already being seen piling up in landfills around the world or carelessly discarded on sidewalks, in parking lots, or even in greenspaces. And although many disposable masks may look like they’re made of paper or natural fabric, most are manufactured using polymers that take decades or centuries to decompose. When you make your own, you’re not only helping the environment—you can also choose the colour, pattern, and size of your mask to express your personal style! This DIY non-medical ear-loop facemask is reusable, washable, AND made from materials you’ve probably already got at home! All you need is a bandana, old t-shirt, or square cotton cloth (material should be approximately 20”x20”) and two hair ties or rubber bands for ear-loops.

Don’t forget to share your pic of your family modeling their eco-friendly reusable homemade masks, and tag us along with #SummerEcoActivity. You could WIN if you do!*

Make sure your cloth face covering:

• Fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Completely covers the nose and mouth
• Allows for breathing without restriction

For more information on the use of non-medical face covering use from Health Canada, click here.

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!

Some people think bugs are icky, but we Earth Rangers know they are super important and helpful little critters! They help break down and dispose of natural waste and are the main food source for many amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Happy bugs means a healthy ecosystem! Often we only think about them when they show up unexpectedly in our homes and give us a fright, but the reality is, we’re trampling all over their homes every day. Which brings us to today’s bugtastic eco activity – creating a mini nature reserve for all those helpful creepy crawlers living in your yard, on your balcony, or outside your building! Here’s how:

Bugs that work hard as pollinators are incredibly important to healthy ecosystems. Most plants, animals, and even us humans rely on them! That’s why we are working hard to help our buzzing bestie the Western Bumblebee!

Their digital Wildlife Adoption packages are 20% off in the Earth Rangers App! Don’t forget to order yours TODAY since this special pollinator pricing ENDS TOMORROW at 1pm!!

These powerful pollinator packages will help support important conservation work in Saskatchewan that will directly impact our bumble buddies!

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!

We Earth Rangers love completing our animal-saving, Earth-loving missions! Have you ever thought about creating your very own at-home nature challenge for your friends and family to try together? Now’s your chance to get creative, and most importantly, get Back to Nature!!

Your self-made Nature Mission should be an easy, fun challenge that gets you, your friends, and your family (safely!) outside and back into nature. Your activity should take place outside and be safe for humans, plants, and animals nearby. Here are some ideas to get your gears turning and your brain storming with possibilities: An “I Spy” Hike, Bike Race, Capture the Flag, Build the Best Birdhouse, or Plan a Forest Obstacle Course!

Sharing is caring! Take your newly-created activity to the next level by sharing your plan with friends or another family on a video call. Maybe you can even turn it into a contest—Who can find the most unique bugs? Who can spot more animal tracks? You set the rules!

Snap a photo of your completed Mission and share it with us, tagging one of our official social media pages along with the hashtag #SummerEcoActivity for your chance to WIN an Earth Rangers mystery prize pack! Make sure you also like and share the official contest launch post and follow Earth Rangers to complete your entry!*

Nature is so important since it keeps our planet healthy, provides homes for the animals we love, and can have positive effects on our own mental health! That’s why protected greenspaces are something that we should be proud of here in Canada. Did you know that Ontario’s Greenbelt is one of the world’s largest?

• It’s home to 78 of Ontario’s species at risk!
• It helps keep the temperature down in a warming climate. In fact, areas near urban river valleys with increased tree cover can feel up to 11 degrees cooler!
• The trees on the Greenbelt help combat pollutants that cause smog (about 40% of that come from our cars), giving us cleaner air to breathe!

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!

Canada is home to spectacular landscapes, abundant natural resources, and remarkable biodiversity. What better reason is there to throw Canada a moose-approved party with your nearest and dearest, eh? Celebrate by preparing a waste-free picnic, playing outdoor party games, and taking a selfie with your special little corner of the country. If you plan ahead today, you’ll be all ready for a true North strong and free celebration on July 1st!

Here’s how to plan a waste-free picnic!

1. Prepare food & drinks in reusable containers.
2. Pack reusable plates, cups, and cutlery in reusable baskets or bags that can also be used to clean everything up.
3. Lay out a fabulous Canadiana-inspired outfit. Red and white is key!
4. Plan some fun outdoor games for your picnic attendees! Maybe a scavenger hunt or animal-inspired charades? Get even more ideas in The I <3 Canada Mission in the Earth Rangers App!
5. Don’t forget to toast to Canada and our amazing animals across the country tomorrow!

Share your photo with us, tagging one of our official social media pages, along with the hashtag #SummerEcoActivity for your chance to WIN an Earth Rangers mystery prize pack! Make sure you also like and share the official contest launch post and follow Earth Rangers to complete your entry!*

Want another way to show your support for Canada and our wildlife? How about adopting your very own grizzly bear in support of an important conservation project developed to protect them!

Grizzly bears are one of the most epic creatures in Canada’s wilderness, found in the cool climates of the North all the way down into the U.S. When you adopt a grizzly bear through our Wildlife Adoptions program, you’ll be supporting our partners as their team of bear biologists work to learn how to reduce the impact of new roads and mining sites being built through key grizzly habitat.

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’s Eco Activity: Fox Friends on a Roll!

Red foxes are awesomely adorable and super fun to watch bobbing through a field or through suburban streets. Their fur coat changes with the seasons so when it is winter their coat grows long and thick to keep them warm. Then as summer approaches, they will shed all that hair, just like how your dog or cat sheds, and their coat becomes sleeker and thinner. The red fox is also the largest of all the fox species, but their size can depend on where they are found in the world. Even though they have the name red fox, they can be different colours than just the characteristic red colour that you might be used to! Red foxes can have silver or black fur, as well as a mixture of reds, browns and amber colours. 

Want to create some fox friends of your own our of recycled paper products? Here’s how!

Now your new fox friend is ready to explore, hunt small prey, and sneak around town!

Wanna lend a helping paw to Canadian Red Foxes? Check out the Red Fox Wildlife Adoption Kits in the Earth Rangers app, or right here.