NORQUAY — In an engaging and informative Earth Rangers presentation held at the Norquay School, kindergartners to Grade 6 students had the opportunity to learn about fascinating creatures and conservation efforts. The event was hosted by Earth Ranger educators, Julia Evans and Brandon Wood, and sponsored by Affinity Credit Union.
The presentation began on Nov. 30 with the Earth Rangers educators introducing the audience to the exciting world of wildlife. The focus of the day was on two main creatures: Millie the Armadillo, and Benjamin the yellow-footed tortoise. The Earth Rangers team utilized innovative technology, including an AI hologram named Eco, to enhance the learning experience.
Millie the Armadillo, was showcased for her remarkable skills. Students learned about her keen sense of smell, powerful jaws, and the unique shell that sets her apart as the only mammal with such a protective covering.
The spotlight then shifted to a video about the swift fox, a native species to Saskatchewan that faced near extinction in the past. Earth Rangers, in collaboration with researcher Peter Soroye from Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, highlighted ongoing efforts to protect the swift fox population by designating Saskatchewan grasslands as key biodiversity areas. The audience was encouraged to contribute to wildlife conservation by “adopting” a swift fox plushie toy through Earth Rangers' adoption program.
Evans also introduced Benjamin, the yellow-footed tortoise,
“Benjamin is a yellow-footed tortoise. They're from South America and they're actually, the largest type of tortoise in South America. But he's just five years old now. So he'll get a lot bigger. This type of tortoise can be, like 100 pounds. He's only six or seven pounds now. So yeah, he's gonna get huge.”
The event concluded with a rapid-fire quiz called the lightning round. Where two teams of students got the opportunity to showcase their newfound knowledge about the animals discussed during the Earth Rangers' visit. The teams ultimately tied six points to six at the end of the event.
