Earth Rangers Student Appreciation Day

Earth Rangers Hosts a Bring Back the Wild!™ Student Appreciation Day to Recognize Youth Achievement in Conservation

Woodbridge (May 25, 2011) – On Wednesday May 25th, 2011 Earth Rangers will host a Student Appreciation Day at the Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainable Technology. The event will recognize students’ achievement in conservation through their participation in Earth Rangers’ education and take action program, Bring Back the Wild!™

Launched in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Earth Rangers’ Bring Back the Wild!™ program educates children about biodiversity loss and empowers them to fundraise to help protect and steward animal habitats across Canada. Schools were selected for recognition based on their level of participation and creative expression on the importance of protecting biodiversity.

Students from schools across the Toronto will arrive at the Earth Rangers Centre at 10:30am for a day of activities including a meet and greet with Earth Rangers’ Animal Ambassadors, a tour of the Earth Rangers Centre and participation in eco-themed activities.

“We are thrilled to welcome students from across Toronto who are so actively engaged in Earth Rangers’ Bring Back the Wild! program. These passionate, determined and dedicated young Earth Rangers are essential to the success of our Bring Back the Wild program. These young Earth Rangers are actively working to make the world a better place and this day is our way of celebrating their efforts, while also offering them an experience with the animals and nature that they are working so hard to protect” says Mark Northwood, President and Co-CEO of Earth Rangers.

Earth Rangers, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, launched the Bring Back the Wild!™ program in May of 2010, and thanks to the efforts of children and their families across Canada, the Bring Back the Wild!™ projects are reaching high levels of success. For example, the Jefferson Salamander project in Happy Valley Forest has resulted in fences and signs to protect the endangered salamander’s habitat, especially during breeding season. The signs have also helped to protect the area for other native species including trilliums, Ontario’s provincial flower.

“Our partnership with Earth Rangers is helping to protect important places like Happy Valley Forest, which provides a home for the Jefferson Salamander and other species.” said John Lounds, President and CEO of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “The Bring Back the Wild program doesn’t just help raise funds for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, it engages and inspires children to protect some of Canada’s greatest natural treasures.”

All four of Earth Rangers’ Bring Back the Wild!™ projects, including the Jefferson Salamander are active at www.earthrangers.com.

ABOUT EARTH RANGERS:
Earth Rangers is an award-winning charitable organization dedicated to educating children about biodiversity loss and empowering them to Bring Back the Wild™. Building on children’s natural connection to wildlife, Earth Rangers’ focus is to communicate to children a positive science – based message on the importance of protecting biodiversity and adopting more sustainable behaviours. Through programs including a children’s website – www.earthrangers.com, a permanent studio at the Royal Ontario Museum and an Education Outreach Program featuring live Animal Ambassadors, Earth Rangers is able to reach, inspire and enable millions of children each year to take action to help ensure the lasting survival of species in Canada.

ABOUT EARTH RANGERS’ BRING BACK THE WILD™ PROGRAM:
In April 2010, Earth Rangers launched Bring Back the Wild™ in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Bring Back the Wild™ is Earth Rangers’ national program that educates children about biodiversity and inspires them to fundraise to help acquire and restore animal habitats. Funds raised will help protect species living in each of the following areas:
• The Jefferson Salamander in HAPPY VALLEY FOREST, Ontario
• The Grizzly Bear in GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST, British Columbia
• The Peregrine Falcon in CHIGNETCO BAY (Upper Bay of Fundy), New Brunswick
• The Wolverine in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta

Follow us on Twitter: @EarthRangers
Visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/bringbackthewild
www.earthrangers.com (kids site)
www.earthrangers.org (corporate site)

ABOUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA:
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962 NCC and its partners have helped to protect more than 2 million acres (800,000 hectares) coast to coast. To learn more visit: www.natureconservancy.ca.
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/NatureConsCDA
Become a fan on Facebook: facebook.com/natureconservancy.ca

Media Contact:
Amy Cross
Media Relations, Earth Rangers
Tel: 905-417-3447 ext.2229
Email: across@earthrangers.com
www.earthrangers.org (corporate site)
www.earthrangers.com (kids site)