An epic update – and totally gNARly video – from Narwhal Researcher Leah!

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July 14, 2022

An epic update – and totally gNARly video – from Narwhal Researcher Leah!

Reporting from the chilly north, we just received an update from narwhal researcher Leah! She has been working hard to learn more about how increased noise from shipping traffic might affect narwhals living in Nunavut’s Tallurutiup Imanga, and she put together this awesome video to share tons of info (and some pretty amazing narwhal footage!) with us! Tune in below!

In the coming months, Leah plans to continue her work analyzing the 2017-2019 soundscape data that was previously collected by her team. She’ll present this data at conferences, and even work to have it translated into Inuktitut so she can share it with as many people as possible! Working with the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Organization and the Pond Inlet community, Leah hopes to get more input about how to study narwhal populations going forward, building off the thoughts and ideas of the community members’ to help protect these important Arctic animals for years to come!

Don’t forget that you can help support this important research with a Narwhal Adoption Kit, available through the App or E-Store today!

WIN with Christmas in July

Earth Rangers

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July 14, 2022

29

Summer might be in full swing, but we’ve got a different holiday on the brain here at Earth Rangers. Our friends at FPAC (The Forest Products Association of Canada) want your help: they’re working on designing this year’s holiday card, and they want to feature YOU front and centre!

Check out last year’s winning card from Earth Ranger Livia!

Simply create a piece of art that captures the beauty of trees and forests, then submit it to win one of THREE swag bags full of goodies, plus a chance to have your artwork featured on their Christmas card!

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Your artwork can be a painting, drawing, or you can get creative and design something using found forest materials. The sky is the limit!

2. The more creative the submission, the better! Take a walk through your fave forest and keep your eyes peeled for some inspiration. Think back to a time when you were awed by an outstanding tree. Can you recreate this moment on paper?

3. Your submission doesn’t have to be festive, but if you feel like getting into the holiday spirit, bring it on!

Need some inspiration? Check out some of last year’s submissions!

Here’s how to enter:

Once you’re completed your masterpiece, have a parent or guardian upload a photo of it and complete the entry form here:

www.earthrangers.com/holidaycardcontest

Hurry: the contest closes on August 8, so be sure to submit your entry soon!

Picking the Perfect Plant — Pollinator Style!

Earth Rangers

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July 13, 2022

27

Picking the Perfect Plant — Pollinator Style!

Picture this! You’ve planted your amazing pollinator garden and you’re waiting for the bees and butterflies to visit. But wait… why are only hummingbirds stopping by… Huh?

Well, it might surprise you to know that the type of flower you plant can change which pollinator stops by! The colour, shape, and sturdiness all plays a part. Check out these facts to see how pollinators find their perfect plant match!

Bees

Bees love bright flowers with lots of pollen and nectar. These insects have a pretty good sense of smell, so they use it to help their search, too. Most of all, they want flowers that will give them lots and lots of nectar… that’s why they love nectar guides! Think of them as a special pattern on the petals that shows pollinators where to find their sweet treat. Flowers with nectar guides are sure to attract bees far and wide!

Plants commonly pollinated by bees: Snapdragons, Sunflowers, Echinacea, Dandelions

Butterflies

Since butterflies need a place to perch, they like bright flowers that can hold them. Plants with flowers that lay flat or that grow in bunches are perfect! Butterflies especially love plants that can nurture the whole lifecycle, like milkweeds. That way, larvae, caterpillars, AND butterflies are all happy and healthy in one place.

Plants commonly pollinated by butterflies: Milkweed, Lavender, Lilacs

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds love flowers that have the shape of a trumpet or funnel. It tells them that even though the nectar is hidden pretty deep inside, there’s lots of it! Plus, those extra-long beaks are perfect for reaching all the nectar they like. Hummingbirds like to flutter and float beside flowers, so the size and shape of the plant doesn’t matter much.

Plants commonly pollinated by hummingbirds: Petunias, Lupines, Cardinal flowers

Other Birds

Birds like plants with warm, bright colours since they can’t smell much. Some birds are after nectar; others are after seeds… but they all get a good dusting of pollen while snacking. As long as the plant is sturdy enough to hold their weight, they’ll be happy!

Plants commonly pollinated by birds: Catkins, Marigold, Blue spruce trees, Crabapple trees

Moths

Since most moths are nocturnal, the scent of a flower is very important. They’re drawn to flowers that stay open at night and smell super strong, but that are super pale in color. Moths are happy as long as they get lots of nectar! Like their butterfly cousins, moths usually like to have a place to land while they pollinate

Plants commonly pollinated by moths: Jasmine, Yucca

If you were a pollinator, what type of flower would you look for?

Check out the Pollinator Power Mission in the Earth Rangers App to find out more about pollinators and how you can help protect them!

It’s time to SEAL-abrate with this update from the field!

Earth Rangers

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July 13, 2022

14

It’s time to SEAL-abrate with this update from the field!

Hi Earth Rangers! We just received an epic update from our Ringed Seal research partner Camille, hard at work studying the underwater kelp forests these adorable Arctic animals rely on. Let’s see what she’s been up to!

Camille just recently arrived home from Norway, where she represented the Arctic regions at an international workshop dedicated to all the many wonderful things we get from kelp ecosystems. Here’s a sneak peek of her super cool presentation!

Besides taking her work across the globe, Camille is busy getting ready for her field season. In late August she’ll be heading to Nunavut to spend three weeks between Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit, where she’ll be diving the kelp forests and sampling their incredible biodiversity – all the while snapping some amazing pics to share!

In preparation for her dives she just completed a scientific dive course in Quebec, and she tested a baited camera system as well to see how she might be able to get pics of some of the crafty creatures that call Nunavut’s kelp forests home. Thumbs up!

We can’t wait to see what Camille has to share once she’s back from her fieldwork, so stay tuned! Don’t forget that you can help support this important research with a Ringed Seal Adoption Kit, available through the App or E-Store today!

Would You Rather #20

Earth Rangers

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July 11, 2022

172

Would you rather…

Sleep in a snake den or swim in shark-infested waters?

Tell us which one you pick in the comments!

More “Would You Rather” Questions!

Movie Night

Earth Rangers

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July 8, 2022

19

Rangers, gather ’round! Plastic-Free July is here. This is the month where we ask people to work extra hard to cut back on using single-use plastics (SUPs).

Plastic is everywhere: packaging, toys, medical supplies, wrappers… and most of it is made just to be thrown away! Even though we can recycle some kinds of plastic, most of it usually gets tossed. Scientists say that almost 9 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in the ocean each year! That’s enough to wrap around the world nearly 30 times.

All of this plastic stays in the environment for a really long time because it can’t fully break down. That makes it very harmful for animals and the planet.

We know it can be tricky to switch away from SUPs, so we’ve come up with a way to help the environment AND have fun doing it! How about a movie night to kick off the month? Here are some tips on how to make your movie night plastic-free!

First things first: SNACKS!

Snacks are the best part of getting together and watching a movie, after all! Grab a few containers or reusable produce bags and head on over to your local bulk food store. When you get there, make sure to get your containers weighed, then you’re good to go! You’ll find tubs and tubs of your favourite movie snacks. Now you just have to try and pick your favourites!

Next: DRINKS!

If you’re in the mood for some fun drinks, your local bulk food store might sell drink mixes. If not, you can check out the freezer aisle at your grocery store for frozen juice concentrate! Unlike drinks that come in SUPs or non-recyclable packaging, these ones are made of cardboard and metal. Super easy to recycle!

Coming up third: ADDING SOME PIZZAZZ

Depending on the type of movie night you’re having, you might want to add some decorations! Think twice about using balloons. That’s right! They’re also a type of single-use plastic. Instead, stick to paper decorations, like streamers!

Last but not least: THE MOVIE

What to watch, what to watch…pick your favourite streaming service and get watching! Ok, a DVD case isn’t a single-use plastic, but the plastic it comes wrapped in is! Plus, streaming cuts back your plastic consumption now that you don’t need those big ol’ DVD cases.

Don’t have access to a streaming service? No problem! Stop by your local library to choose your family film!

Just like that, you’re all set for your PLASTIC-FREE movie night!

Can you think of any other ways to make your movie night plastic-free?

No-Bake Bighorn S’more

Creative Corner

Earth Rangers

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July 7, 2022

105

No-Bake Bighorn S’more

Time:15 min

Difficulty:Easy

These bighorn sheep-inspired no-bake s’mores are perfect for lunch boxes, birthday parties, or even if you just like graham crackers (or should we say ram crackers—get it?).

Here’s what you need:

Graham crackers
White frosting
Mini marshmallows
Pretzels
Chocolate wafers
Candy for the eyes

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1:

Cover the top of each graham cracker with frosting.

Step 2:

Place the chocolate wafer at the bottom center of the graham cracker to make the sheep’s head.

Step 3:

Place marshmallows around the chocolate wafer to form the sheep’s body.

Step 4:

Break off the two large loops of a pretzel and place them on top of the sheep’s head to form the horns.

Ta da! Your No-Bake Bighorn S’more is done.

Call of the Wild

Creative Corner

Earth Rangers

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July 6, 2022

413

Call of the Wild

Time:5 min

Difficulty:Medium

Awooo! Roar! Meow! Glub! Seems like that would be pretty easy to remember, but what if you’re under intense game time pressure? Let’s see how you stand up with a little game we like to call Call of the Wild!

About the game:

Objective: Keep the chain going as long as you can!
Players: 2 or more

Here’s how to play Call of the Wild:

Step 1:

First player makes an animal sound or action.

Step 2:

The next player copies that sound or action and adds a new one to the end.

Step 3:

The next player repeats the first two and adds another.

Step 4:

Keep the chain going as long as you can! The game ends when someone forgets the order.

When you’re done the first game, play it again and try and beat your record!

What was your record score? Let us know in the comments below!

Friendly Family Fishing Tips

Earth Rangers

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July 6, 2022

15

Ahhh! It’s finally summer. Goodbye homework, hello fun in the sun! We don’t know about you, but one of our favourite ways to spend our sunny summer days is out on the water. You can play, swim, and even fish with your family. Keep these tips in mind the next time you’re down by the lake, river or ocean and help keep our fishy friends and their homes safe!

Read up on local rules!

Did you know most provinces and territories each have their own rules about fishing? They tell you when and where you can go out, and how many fish you can take home with you. All of these guidelines help keep the fish populations at a healthy number. Before you start fishing, make sure you check out the local rules first!

Fish are friends, too!

If you’re fishing for fun, make sure your fishy friends are happy and healthy when you send them back in the water. It’s easy! Just pick the right kind of equipment for fish you’re looking for! That way, you can avoid that pesky wrestling with your catch. Not only will it make things easier on you, it also helps the fish to avoid injury after being released!

Leave no trail behind!

As Earth Rangers, we know how important it is to leave nature exactly how you found it (or better yet: even cleaner)! When you’re out fishing this summer, take all your waste back with you. Anything left behind can hurt animals and the environment. Luckily, you can usually find recycling centres near many common fishing sites. Of course, accidents happen too. To be safe, you can use biodegradable fishing lines and supplies! This will help keep harmful chemicals and plastics out of the water.

Everything that comes with you should go back with you too, not just the equipment! It might seem fine to toss leftover bait in the water before going home… but wait! They could be invasive species, and that’s really bad news for the ecosystem!

Save those Shorelines!

Whether fishing from land or a boat, make sure you’re not hurting the plants under the water, especially near the shoreline. They are very important for all kinds of aquatic life. Be careful if you have to pass through and make sure the grown-ups remember to lift those motors until you reach deeper water!

There you have it: some easy ways to have safe and fishy summer fun!

Doing Dishes the Lazy (and Green) Way!

Eco-Activities

Earth Rangers

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July 5, 2022

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Picture this: it’s the end of a delicious meal and you’ve licked your plate clean. But UGH, now it’s time to do the dishes! Well, if you’ve got a dishwasher, this is the Eco-Activity for you! We’ll show you that when it comes to dishes, being lazy is the greener way to go!

Did you know that using your dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand? In fact, Energy Star certified dishwashers use 15 L of water every cycle—you’d use the same amount by just running your tap for about 2 minutes!

Most dishwashers are powerful enough to take food residue off dishes so washing them beforehand is unnecessary and a waste of water. Just choose a quality detergent that is formulated to skip the pre-rinse. You should also make sure to not overcrowd the dishwasher. If there are too many dishes close together, the jets can’t clean all the surfaces.

Run your dishwasher during off-peak hours when the demand for energy is lower. Some energy companies will even give you a discount! Check with your energy company to see when your on- and off-peak hours are.

Unless you need the dishes right away, try turning off the heat-dry setting on your dishwasher. This means your dishes will drip dry on their own, and that’s energy-free!

Don’t have a dishwasher? No problem! There are tons of tips online that can help you be a green dishwasher too! Work with your parents or guardians to make a plan!

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!