Movie Night

Earth Rangers

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July 8, 2022

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

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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

3

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!

Caption This: What is this Moose Thinking?

Earth Rangers

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July 1, 2022

232

Caption This: What is this Moose 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 moose is thinking?

Post your ideas in the comment section below.

Looking for something fun for your eco-fam to enjoy this summer? Check out the Earth Rangers Summer Adventure Pack!

Every one sold directly contributes to our Wildlife Adoptions Program, which means you’re making a donation to our incredible conservation partners hard at work protecting the animals you love.

Sticky Door Signs

Creative Corner

Earth Rangers

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June 29, 2022

72

Sticky Door Signs

Time:30min + drying time

Difficulty:Medium

Has your family been eating lots of popsicles this summer? We sure have! Our leftover popsicle sticks started to pile up, so we’ve come up with a great way to upcycle them AND make a fun craft! No Popsicle sticks? No problem! You can gather twigs from outside instead.

Here’s what you need:

Popsicle sticks (or twigs!)
Paint
Glue (white craft glue will do the trick, but if you want to use hot glue, ask for an adult!)
String
Decorations (old puzzle pieces, pom-poms, leaves, pebbles... anything you have on hand!)

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1:

Cut a piece of string about 30cm long.

Step 2:

Tie the ends of your string to both ends of your stick so you have a loop.

Step 3:

Glue 3 more popsicle sticks to the first one to make a square with the loop on top.

Step 4:

Once the glue has dried, flip the whole thing over so you can secure the back with another layer of popsicle sticks.

Step 5:

Decorate your door hanger and personalize it with a message for any visitors!

You can use your sign to make a fun door hanger to welcome guests to your humble abode, or keep others out during some much-needed alone time in your room!

How will you decorate your sign? Let us know in the comments below!

Snake Snack

Creative Corner

Earth Rangers

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June 29, 2022

124

Snake Snack

Time:45 min

Difficulty:Hard

Let’sss sscelebrate our ssslithering friendsss by sssnacking on sssnake inssspired refreshmentsss! Breadssssticks anyone?

Here’s what you need:

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

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2:

Divide the bread dough into roughly 1/4 cup portions.

Step 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).

Step 4:

Wind each ‘snake’ around a chopstick and place them on the baking sheet.

Step 5:

Place 2 peppercorns on the head of each snake to make the eyes, and evenly sprinkle the parmesan cheese on the snakes.

Step 6:

Bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Serve with melted butter, marinara, or your favourite dipping sauce!

Bon appétit!

Bye Bye Bug Candles

Creative Corner

Earth Rangers

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June 29, 2022

85

Bye Bye Bug Candles

Time:30 min

Difficulty:Medium

There’s nothing better than a summer evening outside until you hear that pesky buzzing and suddenly you get bit! Save your campfires, family dinners, and sunset-watching with these DIY floating citronella candles!

Fill your jars in this order:

Fresh herbs

Rosemary, basil, thyme, and lavender work well.

Water

Fill it up to an inch below the lid rings and leave enough space for your candle.

Optional:

10-20 drops of essential oil (depending on the size of your jar). A mix of citronella and lemongrass works great!

1 lime wedge and 2 lemon slices

The fruit and the citrus oils are great as natural bug repellent!

Floating candle

A tea light candle works perfectly for this DIY!

That’s it! These will last about 3-4 days before the herbs and citrus need replacing. That means they’ll last for the entire weekend!

Handy Tips for a Green Garden

Creative Corner

Earth Rangers

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June 29, 2022

70

Handy Tips for a Green Garden

Time:30 min

Difficulty:Easy

Eating locally grown food has tons of benefits, and what’s more local than your own backyard?! Here are a few ideas to make your gardening even greener by Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling!

Here’s how to get growing!

Give fruit crates a new life:

Old wooden fruit crates (the ones tangerines come in) can be reused as seedling trays, mini garden beds, or handy homes for garden tools!

Popsicle sticks:

These work great as plant labels – write your plant names on them with pen or permanent marker and stick them in the ground to keep track of your goodies as they grow!

Plastic berry baskets:

Flip ’em upside down and place over baby plants to protect them from strong winds, harsh sun, and critters that might snack on those tender leaves!

Yogurt containers, egg cartons, or old juice/milk containers:

Perfect little homes for newly planted seedlings! Since you might have to start your seeds indoors until the weather warms up, cutting the tops off old containers is a perfect, easy DIY.

Bottles or jugs with lids:

These make great slow-release watering systems for your plants! Have an adult poke a hole in the lid, then fill it with water, close the lid, then stick it in the soil upside down beside a plant that needs frequent watering. Refill the jug when it’s empty to keep your plants happy and hydrated!

These are just a few tips to get you started, but the sky is the limit: get creative and try to come up with more ways to repurpose materials into handy garden tools!

Earth Rangers

Earth Rangers

First things first: SNACKS!

Next: DRINKS!

Coming up third: ADDING SOME PIZZAZZ

Last but not least: THE MOVIE

No-Bake Bighorn S’more

Here’s what you need:

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

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

Call of the Wild

About the game:

Here’s how to play Call of the Wild:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

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!

Read up on local rules!

Fish are friends, too!

Leave no trail behind!

Save those Shorelines!

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

Post your ideas in the comment section below.

Looking for something fun for your eco-fam to enjoy this summer? Check out the Earth Rangers Summer Adventure Pack!

Sticky Door Signs

Here’s what you need:

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

You can use your sign to make a fun door hanger to welcome guests to your humble abode, or keep others out during some much-needed alone time in your room!

How will you decorate your sign? Let us know in the comments below!

Snake Snack

Here’s what you need:

Here’s how you make it:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

Step 6:

Serve with melted butter, marinara, or your favourite dipping sauce!

Bon appétit!

Bye Bye Bug Candles

Fill your jars in this order:

Fresh herbs

Water

Optional:

1 lime wedge and 2 lemon slices

Floating candle

That’s it! These will last about 3-4 days before the herbs and citrus need replacing. That means they’ll last for the entire weekend!

Handy Tips for a Green Garden

Here’s how to get growing!

Give fruit crates a new life:

Popsicle sticks:

Plastic berry baskets:

Yogurt containers, egg cartons, or old juice/milk containers:

Bottles or jugs with lids:

These are just a few tips to get you started, but the sky is the limit: get creative and try to come up with more ways to repurpose materials into handy garden tools!

What will you grow in your green garden? Let us know in the comments below!