Let’s get outside

WWF Canada

I love the first warm days of April. The temperature is finally in the double digits, the sun is shining and nature is blossoming all around us. On my daily commute from home to the office, I notice people tend to busy themselves with their smart phones on the bus, walk in a hurry and bolt indoors. Now I’m seeing my fellow commuters looking out the window and taking in the nature all around us. Some are even skipping that bus ride for a walk instead! That might seem like a small thing but it’s important to me because it’s about reengaging with our natural environment. And even little things like choosing to walk or bike is a wonderful way to start.

Wild grass silhouetted against the setting sun, Canada. © J. D. Taylor / WWF-Canada
Wild grass silhouetted against the setting sun, Canada. © J. D. Taylor / WWF-Canada

At WWF, April is Explore Outdoors month. So if you’re looking for ways to get outside, have some fun, support WWF, even get your hands dirty with a shoreline cleanup or two, we’ve got some ideas for you.
Organize a shoreline cleanup
Find a local beach, lake or any place where land meets water, and organize a cleanup with your family, friends or class. Presented by Loblaw Companies Limited, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is jointly organized by the Vancouver Aquarium and WWF. This is a great way to learn about how litter impacts our waters and affects the ecosystem, species and our communities.
Volunteers cleanup Parliament Hill shoreline, Ottawa, Ontario. © Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Volunteers cleanup Parliament Hill shoreline, Ottawa, Ontario. © Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

Garden for the monarch butterflies
You might have seen recent news from WWF that the monarch butterfly population is in trouble. Monarch numbers have dropped dramatically in recent years partly due to the loss of habitat and reduction in milkweed (the primary source of food for monarch larvae). Plant some native milkweed seeds in your garden or backyard this weekend and check back with us in a few weeks. We’ll be sharing lots of great monarch stories and other ways you can help this species.
Caterpillar larva of monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) on Milkweed leaf (Asclepias sp), USA © naturepl.com / Ingo Arndt / WWF-Canon
Caterpillar larva of monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) on Milkweed leaf (Asclepias sp), USA © naturepl.com / Ingo Arndt / WWF-Canon

Train for the CN Tower Climb
Start doing those jump jacks and sign up today for the 24th Annual Canada Life CN Tower Climb for WWF. It’s taking place May 1st and 3rd in Toronto and your climb and fundraising efforts go to support our critical conservation work for species at risk and their habitats. Get a group of friends together and go to your favourite park or hiking trail to start training for the climb. And if you can’t climb the CN Tower this year, you can still train outdoors and sign up for the Climbless Climb to support WWF.
Hamilton Mountain Steps, Niagara Escarpment. Hamilton, Ontario. © Christina Reinhardt
Hamilton Mountain Steps, Niagara Escarpment. Hamilton, Ontario.
© Christina Reinhardt

Outdoor classroom fun
And finally, a special note to teachers who are looking for ways to explore the outdoors with their class. Check out our new Grace 2 classroom resource Amazing Animals from our education program, Schools for a Living Planet. This unit introduces students to the diversity of wildlife and explores the similarities between humans and animals.
Children playing, Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada © WWF / Troy Fleece
Children playing, Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada
© WWF / Troy Fleece

Whatever outdoor activity you choose, remember to have fun and appreciate the beauty and bounty of your corner of Canada! Visit wwf.ca and learn more about how you can give back to nature and support WWF.