Podcasts with a seal of approval

Parenting Blog

Karen Horsman

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September 10, 2022

If you’ve been wondering about any Sasquatch sightings lately, there’s a podcast for that. How about getting the most out of your BBQ smoker or a beginner’s guide to bathroom renovations? There’s a show for that too. There’s just an endless amount of podcasts waiting for someone to drop by and have a listen. Podcasts have been growing in popularity for more than a decade but thanks to a massive shift in the landscape, content has exploded. The pandemic certainly played a role in the amount of choice now available but industry observers point to another reason. Last year, Amazon joined Google in the Canadian podcast arena. A flood of new shows hit the airwaves including a ton of content for children. When it comes to kids and podcasts, new research by Media in Canada tells an interesting story. The podcast audience for young listeners has remained steady over the last four years but the children who do engage with shows, listen a lot! With so many podcasts to sort through, where’s a good place to start? Just like when a new show debuts on a streaming service, it’s helpful to get the lowdown. The usual approach is to see if there’s any buzz surrounding the content and ask around for any feedback. Think Netflix recommendations by your work colleagues before a meeting starts. If the podcast is for your child, it’s important to investigate if the subject matter is age appropriate and worthwhile.

Enter Sound Carrot. Tristan Welch and his 10-year-old daughter Maya, are podcast enthusiasts. Picture a typical busy home with podcasts playing in the background – almost like a family soundtrack. Maya is a science lover and avid reader with an insatiable curiosity. When it comes to podcasts, she can’t get enough of them. Tristan soon realized the massive amount of choice wasn’t just a problem for older listeners. “Some of the podcasts geared for kids weren’t very good and more importantly, not age appropriate,” said Tristan. “It was starting to dampen Maya’s interest so I began curating a list of some of the best of the best.” With a background in digital production, Tristan set about creating a website that would act as a portal for awesome kids’ podcasts. The initial intent was to make it easy for Maya to quickly find great things to listen to but Tristan soon realized many others could benefit from a curated kids’ podcast catalog. The website recently went live and continues to grow. The list of handpicked podcasts now features more than 200 titles. “One of our favourites is Earth Ranger Emma,” said Tristan. “I love that Maya sees women portrayed in science and it’s incredibly well done!” Earth Rangers The Big Melt is also on the list.

Sound Carrot is built for parents and kids but teachers are also included. Podcast creators are also encouraged to reach out and connect. With so much to choose from, what would make a podcast stand out for this discerning team? They have to pass the “dad test” and Maya has to give them the thumbs up. “We look for a spark,” Tristan explained. “Great storytelling doesn’t need to have slick production values,” Tristan insists. “We’ve found a wide variety of styles and a ton of material created by kids themselves.” This passionate podcaster also feels there’s something unique about listening to a show together as a family. “You can interact with the story and talk to each other about what you’re hearing. It’s also great for toothbrush time.” What about the name Sound Carrot? “Maya came up with it.” Tristan said. “It just sort of worked!”

Find more about Sound Carrot by visiting the website: Sound Carrot: The best kids podcasts You can also find loads of great podcasts for youth here: Home – Gen-Z Media (gzmshows.com)

Caption This: What is this Baby Orangutan Thinking?

Earth Rangers

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September 9, 2022

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Caption This: What is this Baby Orangutan Thinking?

We need your help! This animal is trying to tell us something but we can’t figure it out! Do you know what this baby orangutan is thinking?

Post your ideas in the comment section below.

NEW parenting blog

News

Karen Horsman

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September 8, 2022

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Equipping parents with information, resources and thoughtful content is a priority for us here at Earth Rangers. We are thrilled to be launching a new feature. Our parenting blogger, Karen Horsman, is the former national parenting columnist for CBC radio. For more than a decade, she interviewed experts from around the world, seeking insight and advice to help support parents on their journey.

Karen is looking forward to continuing her mission to connect parents with meaningful content through a story telling lens. From how to nurture independence to embracing the great outdoors, you’ll find a wide variety of topics in her blog posts. Happy reading!

Outdoor Orchestra

Creative Corner

Earth Rangers

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September 8, 2022

77

Outdoor Orchestra

Time:60 min

Difficulty:Easy

No instruments? No problem! Get the gang together and head on outside to play some tunes, with a little help from nature. It’s time for a symphony!

Here’s what you need:

Friends or family to join your orchestra
Your favourite outdoor space

Here’s how you play:

Step 1:

Make your way to your favourite outdoor space. It could be your local park, a walking trail, or even your backyard!

Step 2:

Take some time to track down your instruments. Get creative with it! Anything you see laying around is fair game. A pinecone xylophone, a blade of grass as a kazoo, a fallen bundle of leaves as maracas, small rocks to clap together like a cymbal… the sky is the limit!

TIP:

Make sure to respect your environment by only using natural items you find laying around instead of ripping up living plants.

Step 3:

Once you have your instruments, gather ’round and start playing! Pick a song and decide who will play each part.

Let the symphony begin!

And the Winners Are…

Earth Rangers

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September 8, 2022

26

This year, we held our second Backyard Biologist Photo Contest, where we challenged you to snap a picture of some biodiversity around you. Well, the results are in and we’re excited to announce the winners!

We got TONS of pictures and we were amazed by your incredible shots! There were all kinds of pictures of plants, animals, and other living things like fungi.

Check out the winners of this year’s contest!

Winning Invertebrate: Ranger Leland’s orange-belted bumblebee

“Photo of an Orange-Belted Bumble Bee, taken In our back yard in June 2022. We used Google to identify it. We plant lots of flowers for the bees in our yard.” – Leland, age 10

Congratulations, Leland!

Winning Vertebrate: Ranger Jillian’s Eastern painted turtle

“We found this baby Eastern painted turtle on the pebble bank along the Grand River. We nearly didn’t see it, so we put it safely on a rock near the water and then it swam away. We have seen babies and adults in our area before and also used Google to double check type of turtle.” – Jillian, age 9

Congratulations, Jillian!

Winning Plant or Fungus: Ranger Maelle’s orchid

“Orchids are beautiful flowers, and one day I was looking at the bottom of the orchid and I noticed that it looked like an animal. I was fascinated that the bottom of the Orchid looked like a bird and a little cheetah. Online I researched about mimicry in Orchids, and how plants develop ways to bring pollinators to them. This photo shows the details of this plant.” – Maelle, age 8

Congratulations, Maelle!

This year, we unveiled the winners at the Royal Ontario Museum. Attendees got to see the lovely Earth Ranger pics up close, but that’s not all. They even got to meet some of our animal ambassadors! In case you couldn’t make it, here are a couple of shots:

Congratulations to all our winners!

Have you accepted the Backyard Biologist Mission yet? Look for it in the app to learn all the ways you can explore and identify the biodiversity in your backyard!

Monarchs making moves!

Earth Rangers

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September 7, 2022

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Greetings from Saskatchewan, Earth Rangers! Summer might be on its way out, but in the prairies something much more exciting is making moves: monarchs! Here’s an update from Becky at Nature Saskatchewan to catch us up on the latest news about our fluttering friends!

In anticipation of their arrival to the prairies in early August, Nature Saskatchewan staff researchers were busy planning and doing fieldwork. With the native prairie in full bloom, 7 staff were out searching for the milkweed and flowering plants that monarchs rely on, visiting local land stewards to share information and raise awareness about just how important their properties are!

Rachel out in the field collecting data!

Although it was still early in the season, staff were very optimistic that all the important prairie habitat being conserved by land stewards was helping, and that they’ll see many monarchs in the coming weeks. There were already a few early sightings, including this awesome pic from the field!

So far, Nature Saskatchewan staff have visited with 91 land stewards, and almost half are already participating in the Stewards of Saskatchewan programs – amazing! 32 have signed agreements to conserve and not destroy habitat, all while reporting each year on their observations, and were equipped with a handy “toolbox” of information from Nature Saskatchewan to help them be successful stewards of this important ecosystem. Thanks Becky for the awesome update!

Head to the Adoptions Section in the Earth Rangers App or visit the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Adoption Kit and help make a difference today!

Legend of the Salamander

Earth Rangers

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September 7, 2022

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Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is an aquatic salamander that gets its name from the native Aztec language. The word refers to the Aztec god Xolotl. Legend has it that Xolotl transformed himself into an Axolotl to escape banishment.

axolotl salamander — Flicrk credit: pabloneco

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ambystoma_mexicanum.html

What season is it, anyway?

Earth Rangers

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September 2, 2022

19

Did you know that the average meal travels 1,200 km to reach your plate? That’s not breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. That’s EACH meal! You know what makes it even worse? Greenhouse gases are released at every part of that journey, and greenhouse gases contribute to climate change. When we eat locally grown foods, the impact is MUCH smaller. Supporting local farmers is a great bonus, too!

So how can we keep it local all year long? You can’t buy local food in the winter, can you? Actually, you can! Each season has its own harvest, with plenty of fresh fruit and veggies ready to eat. Check out this list of the produce available in Canada across all four seasons!

Now, remember that Canada is a BIG country. What grows in Niagara might not be the same thing that grows in Regina. When you’re shopping, always look for fruits and veggies that are grown in your region!

Summer is a prime time for picking!

There’s lots to choose from in the summer! Strawberries, rhubarb, and cherries start the season. Soon after that, raspberries, blackberries, and watermelon are ready. Other summer superstars include stone fruit, like apricots, plums, nectarines, and peaches. As the summer winds down, grapes and pears start popping up.

Oh, and we can’t forget about vegetables! Cucumbers, peppers, celeries, tomatoes, zucchini, beets, kale, corn, eggplants… the list goes on. Veggies of all kinds are available all summer long!

Leaves aren’t the only things dropping in the fall!

What’s a clue that fall is here? Apples! Time to head out to your local orchard and go apple picking! Pumpkins and squash are a pretty big deal. There are sooo many types to choose from, and so many possibilities! You can eat them, carve them, or use a funky looking one as a decoration. Most summer veggies grow until the end of fall, too.

Growing strong in the winter!

Living the locavore life doesn’t end with fall! You can find cranberries, pears, and even some apples if you’re extra lucky. You’ll probably have the most luck with veggies. Garlic and root vegetables like potatoes, turnips, beets, and sweet potatoes are everywhere in the winter.

But wait – don’t forget greenhouses! They can give us local crops year-round. For example, cucumbers, tomatoes, and strawberries are in greenhouses across the country. This is a good way to make sure your food is grown close to home, no matter the season!

Sweet, sweet springtime!

When spring has sprung, it’s time for spinach, peas, broccoli, fiddleheads, and kale! You can also find some apples and strawberries. But the best part about spring is that it’s maple syrup season! Farmers tap the maple trees to collect the sugary sap and turn it into maple syrup we know and love. YUM!

There you have it! Everything you need to know to be a locavore all year long.

When are your favourites in season?

Are you ready to become a locavore? Check out the Live, Love, Local mission in the Earth Rangers App today!

Create an Eco-Friendly Map

Creative Corner

Earth Rangers

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September 1, 2022

103

Create an Eco-Friendly Map

Time:30 min

Difficulty:Medium

This personalized map will have you walking, biking, or roller-skating over to your favourite places in no time!

Here’s what you need:

Four coloured pencils, crayons, or markers. Use any four colours you want!
One piece of paper per person in your family
A magnet to put your map up on the fridge!

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1:

Visit www.google.ca/maps and click directions. Enter your address and one of your favourite places to drive to. Select your travel method (by bike or by foot). How much longer does it take?

Step 2:

Take your paper, coloured pencils, crayons, or markers and draw a map of your non-motorized route. Use one colour for water, one colour for roads, one colour for your house, and one colour for your destination.

Step 3:

Label your map with street names. Then, create a legend for your map in the top left corner. What does each colour represent?

Remember to hang it up on your fridge when you’re done! Where will your map take you?

Fire Escapes, Convenience Stores, and Full-Service Hotels

Earth Rangers

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August 31, 2022

9

Fire Escapes, Convenience Stores, and Full-Service Hotels

Picture this: You’re on a long road trip with the family. It’s hour 2 and you’ve already run out of snacks. You still have 10 hours to go. You’d love nothing more than to take a break, stretch your legs and maybe find a bathroom.

Suddenly, you hear it: blink, blink, blink. Inside, you’re thinking, ‘YES! We’re stopping!’ as your parents pull off the road.

Does this sound familiar? It’s probably something you’ve been through before. Just like you, animals on long journeys also need a break now and then, especially the ones that go on EPIC migrations. What, you didn’t expect them to do it all in one go, did you?

Some bird migrations are SUUUUPER long. They can go from the top of the planet all the way down to the bottom. For them, a place to rest and recharge is super important. These are called stopover sites.

Now, not every stopover site is the same. It’s like how you don’t need a bed if you’re just filling up the car and popping in to use the bathroom. The things birds need at a stopover site change depending on what they’re using it for. Let’s take a look at the 3 types:

Fire escapes: For emergencies only!

What do you do when there’s a fire burning out of control near you? Find the fire escape, of course! It’s the same for a bird with a predator hot on its tail! It just needs somewhere to can go for protection, and a fire escape stopover site does the trick!

This stopover site doesn’t have a lot, but it’s somewhere a bird can go in an emergency. It will protect it from predators and bad weather, and let it catch its breath. They can be pretty much anywhere: city parks, lighthouses, even your backyard!

Convenience stores: a little of this, a little of that!

You’re about to pour yourself a big bowl of cereal when…uh oh! You’re out of milk. Now, your parents could go all the way to the grocery store and deal with long lines, or they could hop over to the corner store. Which one do you think they’re going to pick?

Like a real convenience store, birds that stop here will get a good selection of things but not everything. These stopover sites are larger patches of land that have more food and shelter than the “fire escapes”. It might not be perfect, but birds can get some much-needed food and rest.

Full-service hotels: Room service, please!

Ahhh! It’s been a long day of sightseeing and touring. You’re now ready to just relax. Are you going to choose to sit on a bench, or head back to the hotel where you have everything you need?

This stopover site is the best of the best! It has it all: lots of food, good shelter, and barely any predators. These are usually national parks, large forests, or protected natural habitats. A bird can rest and refuel for as long as it wants.

Stopover sites are super important. Without a safe place to rest during their migration, it would be a lot harder for birds to get to where they’re going.

Do you want to help birds too? Check out the For the Birds Mission in the app! You’ll learn how to help local birds and make an awesome bird feeder at the same time.

Earth Rangers

Earth Rangers

Post your ideas in the comment section below.

Outdoor Orchestra

Here’s what you need:

Here’s how you play:

Step 1:

Step 2:

TIP:

Step 3:

Let the symphony begin!

Winning Invertebrate: Ranger Leland’s orange-belted bumblebee

Winning Vertebrate: Ranger Jillian’s Eastern painted turtle

Winning Plant or Fungus: Ranger Maelle’s orchid

Summer is a prime time for picking!

Leaves aren’t the only things dropping in the fall!

Growing strong in the winter!

Sweet, sweet springtime!

When are your favourites in season?

Create an Eco-Friendly Map

Here’s what you need:

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Remember to hang it up on your fridge when you’re done! Where will your map take you?

Fire escapes: For emergencies only!

Convenience stores: a little of this, a little of that!

Full-service hotels: Room service, please!

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