When it comes to the holidays, I know it’s easy to lose yourself in the decorations, nostalgia and music. I love all of those things more than most, and my tree has been up since November 1st but it’s also important to remember that this time of year allows us to make a difference in the world where and when we can. Especially nowadays, I like to believe that small gestures of kindness and joy can have the biggest impact of all. Here’s how I’m planning to make a difference this holiday season with WWF-Canada.
Now we all know that I am the biggest proponent for support local, especially during the holidays. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also come to realize the importance of supporting causes, not-for-profits, and charities where and when I can. Money is tight for all of us, and I’m not in a place (yet*) where I can make huge donations, but I can buy items that make a difference like the ones below.
Every eco-friendly and meaningful gift purchased with your help will bring us one step closer to achieving our mission of creating a world with where wildlife, nature and people thrive.
Perfect as a stocking stuffer or tree trimming, each ornament contains an easy-to-grow seed pack that helps restore habitat for pollinators. Not to mention that they are plastic-free packaging is adorned with Canadian wildlife and can be recycled.
An important note for those of you already clicking through to order yours (take a look at photos I share of our tree and see if you can spot ours that we got!) – It’s important to choose the right seeds for your region. WWF-Canada has two ornaments available depending where in the country you (or the recipient) lives.
National: “Bee Happy” ornament contains sunflower seeds and is a favourite of pollinators like bumblebees. This type of sunflower has been grown, cultivated and traded by diverse Indigenous peoples across North America for thousands of years—can be planted anywhere in Canada.
Bees are considered one of the most important pollinators—without them there wouldn’t be as much for us to eat! Declines in bumblebee populations have been reported all over the world. Habitat loss is one of the main threats to their survival.
Southern Ontario: “Let joy take root” ornament. In southern Ontario, you can choose between sunflower seeds or a dry grass prairie mix containing locally sourced plants native to the region such as common milkweed, wild bergamot, heath aster and more.
Milkweed is a favourite of the endangered monarch butterfly. In fact, monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of milkweed. This makes planting milkweed and other nectar-producing native flowers one of the best ways we can help their populations recover.
The seeds are sourced from an Indigenous-led nursery called Kayanase, located in Six Nations.
WWF-Canada’s hoodie also make for a fabulous gift you can enjoy all year long. Above, I’m waring a soft 100% organic cotton hoodie featuring WWF’s iconic panda logo, available in six designs, ranging from Small to XXL. All proceeds fund the conservation of some of Canada’s most vulnerable animals and ecosystems.
Here’s why this is the cause I’m choosing to support this year. Wildlife is on the decline because they’re running out of habitat. They’re losing the places they find food and water, where they give birth and raise their young, where they rest during migration and where they hibernate. To reverse wildlife loss, we need to reverse nature loss.
When you Bring Wildlife Home for the holidays with WWF-Canada, you help protect and restore their homes (habitats) in the wild. Every purchase supports WWF-Canada’s efforts to bring back nature, reverse wildlife and fight climate change.
A few of the projects you’re making possible include:
- Advocating for the creation of protected areas on land and at sea that have strong standards so species can recover
- Supporting research to secure the future of polar bears, caribou and other iconic animals in a rapidly warming Arctic.
- Helping local groups and Indigenous communities give new life to wetlands, regrow forests, cultivate native plant habitats for pollinators, and repair spawning grounds that sustain salmon, bears and killer whales.
Head to https://shop.wwf.ca/ to see all of the amazing gift ideas available today and remember to tag @WWFCanada, and if you like, @DoTheDaniel on social media when you get them! We would love to see which ones spoke to you most.
I hope you enjoyed reading and that if you’re not already, follow me on all platforms at @dothedaniel
Photos: Daniel Reyes Cocka and Jameson
Don’t forget to be kind & laugh a little more this year
*Please note that this may be a sponsored post and promotional consideration may have been offered by participating brands – our disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.