OTTAWA, ON — Slimy, slithery creatures take centre stage at Halloween, but they fascinate children all year round. Kids are onto something because these animals are important to the health and biodiversity of Canada’s forests. That’s\ why the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is proud to support important conservation research on amphibians and their habitat led by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and the Earth Rangers’ School Assembly Program, which leverages kids’ love of nature — even the slimy and slithering kind.
“Amphibians have been declining worldwide for nearly two decades, and little is known about the causes of these declines,” said Peter Kendall, Executive Director of Earth Rangers. “SFI’s support of this important research and of our School Assembly Program helps increase students’ understanding of the key role amphibians play in forest ecosystems, and inspires optimism in our children for what’s possible when we all work together to protect the environment.”
Through the power of live animal demonstrations and exciting audience interaction, the Earth Rangers cross-Canada school tour helps students learn about the importance of protecting and conserving biodiversity, while highlighting important conservation initiatives across Canada. This year’s show features, among other topics, an engaging look at NCC research sponsored by SFI into vernal pools.
Vernal pools are temporary water bodies that form during periods of high precipitation or spring snow melt. They provide important habitat for a variety of plant and wildlife species of concern, including frogs, salamanders and other amphibians. A key feature of vernal pools is the absence of fish, which means amphibians’ eggs don’t get eaten. An SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant is supporting research in these important ecosystems, in partnership with the NCC and Kenauk Canada.
The vernal pools are on the Kenauk Nature property, 140 km west of Montreal. This vast territory also contains working forests. Kenauk is a great example of how forests can provide multiple values focused simultaneously on conservation, recreation and economic productivity. Kenauk Canada is an SFI Program Participant.
“With Halloween around the corner, the school year is well underway, and I’m so impressed that Earth Rangers is on track to make more than 800 school presentations in 2016. Engaging youth on biodiversity issues, like species of concern in vernal pools, is a key part of the SFI mission and central to our partnership with Earth Rangers,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc.
The Kenauk research project features cooperation between academic institutions, forest managers and conservation groups, and presents an exceptional learning opportunity as these organizations share their findings publicly through workshops, reports and outreach. “Study results will play a key role in improving understanding of the important vernal pool ecosystems in North American deciduous forests, including the Kenauk Reserve, and responsible forest management in these ecosystems,” said Caroline Gagné, Project Manager at NCC.
For this project NCC has partnered with SFI Program Participant Kenauk Canada, Institut des Sciences de la Forêt tempérée, Centre d’enseignement et de recherche en foresterie de Sainte-Foy, and Centre GEOTOP, Université du Québec à Montréal.
ABOUT SFI
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) advances sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. We are an independent, nonprofit organization that leverages four interconnected pillars of work: standards, conservation, community, and education. SFI works with the forest sector, conservation groups, academics, researchers, brand owners, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments. Collaborating with our network, we leverage SFI-certified forests and products as powerful tools to help solve sustainability challenges such as climate action, conservation of biodiversity, education of future generations, and sustainable economic development.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Leduc
VP, Communications and Government Relations
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
613-706-1114
media@forests.org
About Earth Rangers
Earth Rangers is The Kids’ Conservation Organization, 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. Earth Rangers’ School Assembly Program is a dynamic, fun and interactive presentation for grades 1-6. The program features live Animal Ambassadors like Timber the Pine Marten who demonstrate their natural behaviours and connect with children to promote a deeper understanding of environmental science. Earth Rangers reaches over 800 English and French schools annually from coast to coast, educating and inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders. For more information visit www.earthrangers.org. Join Earth Rangers www.earthrangers.com.
Media Contact
Amy Cross
Public Relations
905-417-3447 ext. 2229
across@earthrangers.com
About the Nature Conservancy of Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the nation’s leading 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 2.8 million acres (over 1.1 million hectares), coast to coast. The Government of Canada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP) is a unique public-private partnership led by the NCC. To date, $345 million has been invested in the NACP by the Government of Canada to secure our natural heritage. Additionally, more than $500 million in matching contributions has been raised by NCC and its partners. Learn more at natureconservancy.ca.
Media Contact
Elizabeth Sbaglia
Communications Manager, NCC – Quebec Region
514-876-1606 ext. 240
elizabeth.sbaglia@natureconservancy.ca
