The Kortright Centre for Conservation is a suburban conservation area and educational facility in Vaughan , Ontario , Canada in the northern part of the Greater Toronto Area . It is operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority . The area in which it is located is predominantly forested in its western and northern extent. The Humber River is situated in the west and the Cold Creek and Harris Creek are to the north.
28-472: The 325 hectare facility opened in 1979. There is a 16 km trail network for hiking and snowshoeing, a Visitor Centre, and several demonstration sites. Inside the Visitor Centre there is a gift shop, a theatre, and space for educational programs, weddings, and events. The access to the pathway leading to the syrup shacks is located at the northeast exit of the Visitor Centre. The Earth Rangers Centre
56-636: A digital or a physical adoption kit with a plush toy. Each animal is tied to a conservation project led by different researchers and conservation groups across the country. A portion of funds from each adoption supports those projects. Past examples include supporting western bumble bee habitat restoration with the Nature Conservancy of Canada , protecting the Saskatchewan River Delta with Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society , and studying wolverine populations with researchers at
84-684: A free Earth Rangers membership in the Earth Rangers App, available on Android, iOS, and Amazon. Once parents have activated the account via email verification, they receive a welcome package in the mail that includes a personalized membership card. Through the Earth Rangers App children can create avatars, listen to podcasts, read blog articles, answer daily trivia questions, and complete environmental activities to gain points and virtual badges, and unlock avatar items and animal habitats. Missions are environmental activities that are designed for children to complete with their family and friends in
112-541: A series of commercials promoting the campaign. The Landmark Campaign launched in 2013 with a goal of raising $ 750 million for conservation across Canada. It was completed in 2020 with more than 110,000 donors contributing. The Landmark Campaign resulted in 540 new conservation projects completed across Canada, totaling 115,000 square kilometers and protecting habitat for 130 species at risk, including seven that are endemic — meaning they are found only in Canada. In April 2022
140-466: Is NCC’s third-party certified carbon credit program. NCC has spearheaded several campaigns to raise awareness and funding for evidence-based nature conservation. The Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP), launched in 2007, was a public-private partnership between the Government of Canada and NCC, along with program partners Ducks Unlimited Canada and Canada’s land trusts . Administered by NCC,
168-535: Is a Canadian registered charity focused on environmental education and conservation for children and families. The goal of the organization is to educate children and their families about environmental issues, and mobilize them to take actions that protect animals and the environment. Earth Rangers is membership-based, with over 300,000 members and alumni across Canada. Earth Rangers also provides in-school programming to elementary schools, with school assemblies that feature live animal ambassadors. Earth Rangers headquarters
196-544: Is a registered Canadian charity (charitable registration #8922 00528 RR0001). Annual audited financial statements are publicly available. Earth Rangers Foundation receives support primarily through foundation grants, government grants, and corporate donations and sponsorship. Earth Rangers applies at least 50% of its funds to conservation programs and outreach. Less than 25% of annual expenses represent fundraising and administration costs. Earth Rangers has won over 30 awards and accolades, including Canada Clean50's Top Project for
224-485: Is a showcase of leading edge sustainable building technology, including energy metering, smart automation and controls, innovative water and wastewater management, solar generation , a green roof , and geothermal heating and cooling. The Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainable Technology has been awarded LEED Platinum Certification from the Canada Green Building Council . Earth Rangers
252-526: Is an educational blog that includes animal facts, top 10 lists, quizzes, and content related to Earth Rangers programs such as Missions and Wildlife Adoptions. The Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainable Technology is an advanced green building, located in Woodbridge, Ontario , on the grounds of the Kortright Centre for Conservation . It is home to Earth Rangers' staff and animal ambassadors, and
280-519: Is located in Woodbridge, Ontario . Founded in 2004 by Robert Schad and Peter Kendall, Earth Rangers began as a local organization serving schools and communities across the Greater Toronto Area . In 2011 the organization expanded its reach across Canada, and has grown into the largest kid-focused conservation organization globally. The mission of Earth Rangers is to create a generation of conservationists. Children can sign up for
308-614: Is situated about 500 m south of the Visitor Centre. The facility was used as the location of the Somafree Institute in David Cronenberg's film The Brood (1979). The facility is named after Francis Kortright (1887–1972), an engineer, businessman, author and dedicated conservationist. Between March and mid-April, the Kortright Centre for Conservation hosts its annual Maple Syrup Festival. The focus of
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#1732776323080336-642: The Treaty 9 (James Bay Treaty) lands. NCC formally acknowledges that “Indigenous Peoples have protected and cared for the natural areas, plants, and wildlife that have sustained them for millennia and NCC has much to learn from Indigenous Peoples across Canada that will help us to become better land managers and conservationists.” Collaborative projects include the Gámdis Tlagee Conservation Area in Haida Gwaii , BC, working with
364-572: The University of Calgary . Earth Rangers has two podcasts: The Earth Rangers Podcast and The Big Melt . They can be accessed through the Earth Rangers website or on a variety of podcasting platforms. The Earth Rangers Podcast is geared towards children aged 6-12. It is hosted by Toronto-based actress Lee Lawson, who plays a fictional wildlife biologist named "Earth Ranger Emma" who educates kids about animals and their habitats around
392-468: The three-banded armadillo . Earth Rangers visits up to 850 schools nationwide each year. The Earth Rangers Club program allows teachers and educators to register their classroom or eco-club as an Earth Rangers Club. Earth Rangers provides free materials and resources, including progress tracking sheets, posters, announcements, and curriculum-linked activities. Project 2050 is named for Canada's climate goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by
420-603: The Earth Rangers App in 2022, and the Canadian Museum of Nature 's Nature Inspiration Award Not-for-Profit Large in 2014. Nature Conservancy of Canada The Nature Conservancy of Canada ( NCC ) is a private , non-profit , charitable nature conservation and restoration organisation based in Canada . Since its founding in 1962, the organisation and its partners have protected 15,000,000 hectares (37,000,000 acres) of land and water across Canada, which includes
448-567: The Government of Canada with more than $ 800 million in matching contributions. The result is more than $ 1.2 billion in conservation outcomes including the protection of nearly 700,000 hectares for more than 200 endangered species — an area slightly larger than Banff National Park . Launched in 2007, the Force For Nature Campaign raised more than $ 500 million for land conservation, with Ryan Reynolds, Jason Priestley, William Shatner and other Canadian celebrities appearing in
476-933: The Haida Nation, to the Cascumpec and Conway Sandhills projects in conjunction with L’Nuey, the Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative on PEI. In 2014, NCC launched "Learning the Land" in partnership with several Indigenous schools to bridge the understanding between Indigenous and scientific worldviews. In 2019 that partnership was further formalized under the NCC’s Indigenous Conservation Engagement Framework. In addition to funding from various levels of government, NCC’s accepts donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. Landowners can also donate ecologically important properties to
504-582: The Maple Syrup Festival is to educate the public on how Maple Syrup production has changed over time. Demonstrations are given on how to properly identify a maple tree, how First Nations people cooked sweet water, how European settlers brought over kettles for cooking, and how maple syrup is made today in a modern Sugar shack . 43°49′55″N 79°35′28″W / 43.83202°N 79.5912°W / 43.83202; -79.5912 Earth Rangers Earth Rangers (French: Éco Héros )
532-643: The NCC announced its largest project to date: the Boreal Wildlands. The 145,000-hectare site consists of more than 100 freshwater lakes, rivers and streams, peatlands, swamps, and mixed forests. Located near the town of Hearst in Northern Ontario, the area is home to species of flora and fauna, including lynx, black bear, moose, and the threatened boreal caribou, as well as hundreds of species of migratory and resident birds. The carbon sequestered in
560-428: The importance of protecting biodiversity, and encourages them to undertake environmentally friendly initiatives at home and in their communities. The assembly also highlights conservation initiatives other organizations and researchers are undertaking across Canada. Presentations include live animal demonstrations by Earth Rangers animal ambassadors, such as Finigan the bald eagle , Shelley the painted turtle , and Millie
588-634: The natural habitat of more than a quarter of the country’s endangered species . With offices in each province, NCC works at a local level with interested parties and partners to secure parcels of land. NCC’s first conservation project was the Cavan Swamp and Bog (now the Cavan Swamp Wildlife Area) west of Peterborough, Ontario , in 1968. The 1,340-hectare site provides habitat for a variety of species, including 22 species of orchids . The organization’s first project outside Ontario
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#1732776323080616-498: The organization and receive tax incentives in return under the Ecogift program. After serving as president and CEO of NCC for 23 years, John Lounds retired from the role in 2020. NCC’s current president and CEO is Catherine Grenier. In 2020, NCC was selected as one of “Canada’s best charities” by Maclean’s magazine and in 2021 was added to Charity Intelligence’s “Top 100 Charities.” Other accolades include consistently ranking at
644-578: The program allowed partners to match federal investment at a two-to-one ratio with contributions from foundations, corporations, individuals and other levels of government. In 2019, the NACP was succeeded by the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP), a four-year partnership with a $ 100 million commitment from the federal government. To date, this important partnership has leveraged nearly $ 400 million in investment from
672-422: The real world. Mission activities include improving shoreline health by organizing a cleanup, reducing energy at home by adjusting the thermostat, helping pollinators plant native flowers, and more. Once completed, children can gain rewards and unlock additional content on the Earth Rangers App. Earth Rangers delivers live and virtual school presentations for grades 1-6. The hour-long program educates children about
700-451: The soil and trees is estimated to be equivalent to the lifetime emissions of three million cars. NCC is purchasing the land from pulp and paper manufacturer Domtar . Once completed, it will be the largest private land conservation project in Canada’s history. As of May 2022, the NCC has raised 70% of its $ 46-million goal to purchase and maintain the land. The Boreal Wildlands project is within
728-575: The world. The Earth Rangers Podcast was listed as one of the Best Canadian Podcasts of the Year in 2018 by Apple, and also won the 2018 Gold - Audio Experience from Mom's Choice Awards. The Big Melt is for preteens and teens, and focuses on climate change and its solutions. Both podcasts include interviews with a variety of guests, including wildlife and climate experts, authors, researchers, and students. The Wild Wire Blog
756-513: The year 2050. Children can participate in Project 2050 by logging the provided climate-friendly habits daily through the Earth Rangers App or website. Habits may include unplugging unused electronics, composting, turning off lights, and walking instead of driving. As habits are logged, members collectively attempt to reach set community goals to unlock special rewards. Wildlife adoptions are symbolic animal adoptions that can be purchased as either
784-736: Was Sight Point on Cape Breton Island , Nova Scotia, in 1971. The organization has now conserved more than 1,000 properties from coast to coast to coast, including the 5,300-hectare Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area in Saskatchewan, the 11,000-hectare Waterton Park Front in Alberta, and the 55,000-hectare Darkwoods Conservation Area in British Columbia, the largest single private conservation project in Canadian history. The Darkwoods Forest Carbon Project
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