Thanks to students at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School, Wild at Heart Animal Refuge Centre is no longer pining for food for some of its smaller critters this winter.

Students collected thousands of pine cones this year to support the Lively-based refuge centre. Students collected these cones in the fall as a part of their Dearness Conservation "Direction" challenge (East Eagles, South Turtles, West Buffalos and North Bears).

Students were asked to try to each bring in one closed pine cone, which would be 330 pine cones for the Centre. The response was overwhelming as some students brought in hundreds of cones each.

“What a great response by our students,” said Laura Stirrett, vice-principal of the school.

“The virtue of the month for January is responsibility, and we are so proud of our students for recognizing that is all of our responsibility to take care of the earth and all of its inhabitants.”