Earth Day is celebrated all over the world on April 22nd
Our planet is truly a wonder filled with incredibly diverse plants and animals that need our help. On Earth Day we are reminded of the importance of the 3 Rs, to reduce, reuse, and recycle, practises that help reduce waste, conserve energy, and protect the environment. Other great initiatives include composting, using reusable shopping bags, water bottles, lunch bags, collecting rainwater, and planting trees.
This Earth Day, spend some time outdoors exploring and discovering nature. Connecting with nature is often the first step to becoming an environmental steward. Loving our planet often goes hand-in-hand with wanting to protect it.
Discover our family-friendly Earth Day activities perfect for kids of all ages. Let’s begin exploring Planet Earth!
Pond Dipping!
Your local pond is the perfect place for you and your young explorers to visit. The combination of water, mud, and interesting creatures can help kids connect to the natural world and pique their curiosity.
May to September are the best months for pond dipping, as this is when most pond critters will be active and breeding. Pond creatures include vertebrates that have bones inside of their bodies like fish, frogs, tadpoles and newts and invertebrates that have no bones inside of their bodies like mosquito larva, leeches, dragonfly nymphs, and diving beetles. Counting the legs of any creatures you find is a way to help you to identify them.
Check out our Pond Dipping 101 for step-by-step instructions on pond dipping complete with a photo guide!
Discover Bird Watching!
Bird watching is a great way to connect with nature. It builds patience and concentration. For young budding scientists, this may be the first step in piquing an interest in biology or ornithology (bird biology). Interest in bird watching has soared over the years. Access our colourful guide to one of the fastest growing hobbies, Backyard Bird Watching.
Exploring Wild Wetlands!
Put on your rubber boots, engage your sense of observation, and head to a Wild Wetland near you to find these 18 Scavenger Hunt items! Download our free resource, Exploring Wild Wetlands. Print the guide, attach to a clipboard, and head outdoors.
Support the learning by watching our Exploring Wild Wetlands Video. Discover animals and plants that live in the water. Water is important for all living things. Some need it to breathe, lay eggs, or provide shelter. Join Scientist Heather on a wild outdoor adventure.
Earth Day in the Classroom
Gain an appreciation for owls, plants, wetlands, and invertebrates with our hands-on virtual workshops! Follow the influence of the sun and discover the impact energy has on the planet. Explore our hands-on curriculum workshops.
It’s in Our Nature Video Series
Is this cute furry opossum sleeping or playing dead? Join us on a mini outdoor adventure to find out and discover why opossums (sometimes referred to as just possums) are a benefit to our ecosystem and an essential part of nature’s clean-up crew.
Watch It’s in our Nature! A mini film series featuring: The Opossum
Spotlight with Julian Victor: Wildlife Filmmaker and Educator
Watch Julian Victor, a wildlife videographer, conservationist, and wildlife junkie! Julian’s mission is to educate people about our planet’s incredible wildlife, raise awareness, and encourage us to think globally and act locally.
Julian’s motto: “Wildlife is everywhere, you just have to look!”
Spotlight with Scientists in School is an original interview series available on our YouTube channel! Interviews are fun and engaging, featuring incredible STEM trailblazers from wetland biologists to beluga whale snot collectors to many more.
