August 29, 2011

Vaughan, Ontario – Thousands more children and youth in southern Ontario will be inspired to explore careers in environmental science, thanks to an investment in Earth Rangers announced by the Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Vaughan, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

“Our Government recognizes the importance of encouraging young people to study and choose a career in the environmental sciences,” said Minister Fantino. “Reaching them at a young age will help to spark their curiosity and inspire them to become the innovators of tomorrow.”

Through FedDev Ontario’s investment of up to $1,108,000, Earth Rangers will now be able to bring programming to 785 school groups and reach 400,000 students through hands-on, conservation-related activities. Earth Rangers, an organization dedicated to inspiring and educating children about the environment, will also bring its activities into museums and science centres, such as the Royal Ontario Museum, and make its website more interactive, bringing science to life for thousands of youth.

“Each year Earth Rangers educates more than a million children about the importance of protecting biodiversity and inspires them to take action to protect endangered habitats across the country. We are excited and honoured to work with the federal government on this important initiative. Children are our present and our future and this initiative will not only inspire children to focus their studies in science, engineering, technology and math, but will also provide them with the education and tools required to be the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Peter Kendall, Executive Director and co-CEO, Earth Rangers.

The investment is provided through FedDev Ontario’s Youth STEM Initiative, aimed at encouraging students in kindergarten through grade 12 to pursue an education or career in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. For more information about the program and Earth Rangers, please refer to the backgrounder.