Students introduced to Earth Rangers
Program works to empower youth
Some local students had a chance to meet some animals up close and become part of a team of conservationists working to make the world better for their animal friends. Students at Children of St. Martha Elementary School took part in interactive presentations by Earth Rangers on Friday, meeting a porcupine and a peregrine falcon, learning about their habitats, and things young people can do to help animals in and around their own communities.
The Earth Rangers program educates students and their families about biodiversity, how they can adopt sustainable behaviours, and works to empower youth to become directly involved in protecting animals and their habitats.
The organization uses a combination of inschool programs, real conservation projects, and a free membership program giving children the tools to get involved in a cause they are passionate about. There are currently more than 150,000 members of Earth Rangers across the province.
“We talk a lot about biodiversity and conservation,” said Marc Cuda, an animal handler and presenter with Earth Rangers.
“We bring live animal ambassadors and chat about them.”
Shannon Collier, principal at Children of St. Martha Elementary, said the event fits with Career, Technology, Foundation options and the natural sciences portions of that programming.
“It runs so fluently with what we talk about regarding biodiversity and conservation in science classes from Grade 1 to Grade 6,” she said. “We’re taking a look at how we can protect our environment.”
Collier said the school tries to make every effort to provide learning experiences to children outside of traditional classroom teaching and reading.
“The kids were thoroughly engaged, seeing animals close up,” she said. “Not just talking about them or reading about them in a book, but actually seeing them and realizing that we need to look after these animals for our future and for their future.”
Cuda said it is important for young people to realize they are never too young to help out.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re an adult, or you’re in Grade 6, or Kindergarten, there are a lot of different ways you can help. No matter what your age is.”
For more information on the Earth Rangers program, please visit earthrangers.org.
Follow @JWSchnarrHerald on Twitter