Government of Canada partnership connects more children and families with conservation

Thanks to a renewed commitment by the Government of Canada, Earth Rangers will continue to grow their educational programming and connect more children and families with conservation

OTTAWA, June 7, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is pleased to announce a contribution of $700,000 to Earth Rangers as part of their focus on creating awareness of environmental issues and empowering young Canadians across the country to get involved.

Earth Rangers is a conservation organization, which is dedicated to educating children and their families about biodiversity, inspiring them to adopt sustainable behaviours, and empowering them to become directly involved in protecting animals and their habitats.

Government of Canada funding will go towards supporting the Earth Rangers' continued expansion of their programming in a diversity of urban and rural communities as well as their efforts in helping children understand the links between climate change and biodiversity. Programs such as Bring Back the Wild and the School Outreach Program reach over 150 000 members and 800 schools across Canada each year.

Quote

"Inspiring the next generation to learn about animals and the preservation of their habitats is one of the best ways to ensure young Canadians are actively involved in protecting our environment, today and in the future. I look forward to continue working with Earth Rangers on conserving our biodiversity and fighting climate change."
? Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

• Since the Government of Canada's initial investment of $1 million per year over three years, in 2014, there has been an increase in Earth Rangers members from 35 000 to over 150 000.
• The Earth Rangers School Assembly program reaches 250 000 students annually, including children in rural areas, inner cities, and the far north.
• This year, the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge in Action Mission, in partnership with the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, focused on generating increased awareness and appreciation for Aboriginal traditional knowledge.
• Over the last year alone, the Earth Rangers' members took part in over 50 000 sustainable activities such as planting pollinator gardens, conserving energy at home, and organizing shoreline clean-ups. They also raised over $600,000 for Canadian species at risk such as the little brown bat and cold-water coral.

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada