This week, Earth Ranger Emma is on a mission to investigate one of the most bizarre animal mysteries of all time: the jackalope. Is it a fearsome hybrid of a rabbit and an antelope, or just a campfire legend cooked up by lumberjacks?
Join Emma as she uncovers surprising secrets about “horned rabbits,” debunks myths, and learns about a real-life condition that might explain the legend.
What do you think about the jackalope? Did you know its creepy origins? The crazy real-life conditions that can cause horns? Or, do you prefer its myth version?
Earth Ranger Emma heads to Puerto Rico to unravel the spine-tingling mystery of El Chupacabra—the legendary goat-sucker that’s haunted farmers for decades. Is it an alien vampire? A lizard gone rogue? Or something even stranger?
Creepy creatures, fascinating facts, and a sugarcane snack—this adventure has it all!
What do you think of the myth of the El Chupacabra? Did you know that it was a pretty recent myth? Did you think it was older?? Let us know in the comments below!
Grab your snow goggles and bundle up—Earth Ranger Emma is heading to the Himalayas! This week, we’re unraveling the frosty mystery of the legendary Abominable Snowman. Did Lieutenant Colonel Charles Howard-Bury really spot Yeti tracks in 1921, or was it just a case of mistaken identity (hint: bears might be involved)?
Emma teams up with Nirmal, a real-life Sherpa and Everest climber, to explore the truth behind the Yeti myth, uncover the rich culture of the Himalayan people, and sip some yak butter tea. Along the way, they’ll discover amazing facts about snow leopards, climate change, and why the “Abominable Snowman” isn’t such a nice nickname.
It’s a frosty, fun, and fascinating trek through one of the world’s most breathtaking regions. Tune in, Earth Rangers—adventure awaits!
What do you think of the real myths behind the “yeti“? Were you aware that “abominable snowman” isn’t a good nickname to give it? Let us know some other cool cryptids you wish Ryan or Emma talked about! Ryan’s going nuts coming up with some, but why not talk about other cool legends here?
While you are enjoying your Valentine’s Day treats or Halloween sweets, do you ever wonder where that candy you are eating comes from? It might surprise you to find out that a lot of the candy you eat originally came from plants. Amazing huh? In this top ten, we take a look at ten popular candy ingredients and the plants they come from.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)
Did you know…the sap from the marshmallow plant was originally used to treat sore throats by the ancient Egyptians. Native to: Europe, western Asia and North Africa Type of Plant: Herb / flowering plant Comes from: The sap Used In: Marshmallows (historically)
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Did you know…the licorice plant has a compound (glycyrrhizin) which is about 50X sweeter than sugar. Native to: Eurasia, northern Africa and western Asia Type of plant: Legume Comes from: The root Used In: Good & Plenty, Licorice Allsorts and other black licorice candies
Cacao Tree (Theobroma cacao)
Did you know…studies have shown that chocolate was eaten by the Mokaya people as early as 1900BC (almost 4,000 years ago). Native to: Mexico and Northern South America Type of plant: Evergreen Tree Comes from: The seeds Used In: Chocolates
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)
Did you know…the stalks of sugar cane can grow to be 20 feet high. That’s taller than some giraffes! Native to: South and Southeast Asia Type of plant: Grass Comes from: The stem Used In: Sugar… so pretty much any candy
Flat-leaved Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)
Did you know…the first documented use of vanilla was by the Aztecs who used it to flavour a drink made of cocoa beans. Native to: Mexico and Central America Type of plant: Orchid Comes from: The pod-shaped fruit (called the bean) Used In: Vanilla flavoured candy and some white chocolates
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Did you know…ginger is also used to soothe an upset stomach. Native to: South Asia Type of Plant: Herb/ flowering plant Comes from: The rhizome or rootstock Used In: Crystallized ginger and ginger chews
Manilkara chicle
Did you know…chiclets gum gets its name from chicle. Native to: Mexico, Central America and Northern South America Type of plant: Evergreen Tree Comes from: The tree’s natural gum Used In: Gum
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
Did you know…peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between water mint and spearmint. Native to: Europe Type of plant: Herb Comes from: The leaves Used In: Gum, candy canes, mints and other candies with minty flavour
True Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
Did you know…cinnamon is one of the oldest spices. It is said to be one of the first crops to start world trade (trading among countries). Native to: Sri Lanka Type of plant: Evergreen Tree Comes from: The bark Used In: Cinnamon hearts, gum and other cinnamon candies
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Did you know…it takes 40 litres of sap to make 1 litre of pure maple syrup. Native to: North America Type of Plant: Deciduous Tree Comes From: The sap Used In: Maple syrup candies or taffy
Hi, I’m Sarah Bayliff! I work for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This year, I’m busy protecting beavers, bumblebees, and other animals in an amazing place called the Bunchgrass Hills!
The Bunchgrass Hills are a protected area of native grasslands, forests, and wetlands in British Columbia, south of a city called Kamloops. The hills cover as much land as 11,000 soccer fields put together!
When you adopt a beaver or a bumblebee from Earth Rangers, you’re supporting me and my team in the Bunchgrass Hills. You’re helping us keep this vital ecosystem safe for all the animals that live there. 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 the adoption section in the Earth Rangers App for more information!
How Many Kinds of Bumblebees Live in the Bunchgrass Hills?
This year, my team and I have been exploring Bunchgrass Hills to learn more about the land. We work with scientists who study how healthy the land is.
Healthy grasslands can:
clean and filter water!
keep soil in place!
give animals a safe place to live!
Grasslands also provide food for pollinators like bumblebees. This year, we found SIX different kinds of bumblebees buzzing around the wildflowers! Scientists have discovered over 250 species of bumblebees around the world. Did you know there were so many?
All Kinds of Animals!
We’re also discovering more about the animals that live in the Bunchgrass Hills. We’ve been searching for special creatures, including some that are at risk of becoming endangered or extinct.
One of our most exciting discoveries? American badgers make dens here! These furry friends are endangered in some places, so finding their homes is a big deal.
We also spotted Lewis’s Woodpeckers, which love to make nests in tall, old trees. Now that we know where they live, we can take care of the trees that they call home.
Other special at-risk animals we saw include:
Horned larks
Great basin spadefoot toads
Hoary bats
On the Trail in the Bunchgrass Hills
Another important job is keeping track of invasive plants. These species aren’t native to the Bunchgrass Hills, and they can grow so fast that they make it hard for other species to grow and thrive. Me and my team make note of the places where these plants grow. That way, future teams and volunteers can come back and remove them, one plant at a time!
Because the Bunchgrass Hills are so big, we haven’t had time to explore all of the land yet. We know there are a lot of surprises waiting for us. Nature is full of secrets, and we’re excited to discover more! Who knows what we’ll find next? Maybe even a new species!
We can’t wait to keep exploring the Bunchgrass Hills! We’re going to protect all the beavers, bumblebees, and other animals that call it home.
Visit the Earth Rangers Shop or the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App to adopt your own beaver and bumblebee!
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.
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!
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!
Here’s a photo of a cougar from one of our trail cameras!
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!
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.
Here’s what you need:
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!
