Live Life Outside
Winter is a vital part of our Canadian heritage, our traditions, and in some respects, our livelihood. While we may not always appreciate mounds of snow and freezing temperatures consistent with a Canadian winter, the fact is winter plays an important role in helping maintain ecological balance in the ecosystems on which both humans and wildlife depend.
Select either path below to discover all you need to connect with nature when temperatures drop Below Zero!
Educators and Teachers
Learning more about the importance of winter and wildlife is the goal of Below Zero, a Canadian Wildlife Federation education program targeted toward teachers and educators that is part of CWF’s WILD Education program. When you’re looking for new ways to engage your students and inspire a greater appreciation for winter, our Below Zero workshops are a great training resource.
Everyone
For everyone else looking to stay connected to nature in the winter, CWF’s Below Zero section provides a variety of great resources designed to get you active and outside while reinforcing the importance of winter to us all. We’re even offering some great prizes to help get you motivated to enjoy winter even more.
What if our Canadian winter…disappeared?
No more snow. No more below zero temperatures. It would mean a radical change for both human life and wildlife in Canada. The simple fact is Canadian winters marked by freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls serve significant purpose for all inhabitants of the Great White North.
For example, cold winters help protect crops from the spread of damaging insects and disease. Many plants need shorter days and low temperatures to become dormant. This way plants can store up energy for new growth. Ample snowfall can help lessen drought and dry forests, reducing the risk of summer wildfires. Large volumes of winter precipitation helps to replenish water tables. Prolonged cold temperatures keeps flora and fauna from reemerging ahead of schedule. Strong winters also mean fewer bugs in the summer. There are so many positives to a Canadian winter, it’s hard to imagine why people migrate south to avoid it!
It’s time to give winter its due. Our Below Zero initiative is designed with a spirit of appreciation for winter in mind. Here you’ll find a variety of helpful resources to keep you from taking winter for granted. We have informative videos from Hinterland Who’s Who focused on wildlife in winter, interesting facts on the multiple ways both humans and wildlife adapt to winter, a list of 50 fun things you can do to get outside and connect with nature, plus our “Don’t Take Winter for Granted” contest with Granted Clothing, a company that knows a thing or two about dressing appropriately for outdoor fun. We hope you enjoy discovering all the fun to be had when temperatures drop below zero!
Let's Do This Today!
Discover More at Hinterland Who's Who
To discover all the unique ways Canadian wildlife species adapt and thrive in adapts, visit our Hinterland Who’s Who page on Wildlife in Winter You'll find videos, wildlife facts, games and more!
