$6.59M Raised Benefiting NWF, Jr. Ranger Champ
Talk about a wild success! After weeks of epic outdoor challenges, heartwarming community support, and a few friendly rivalries, the 2025 Jr. Ranger Competition has officially wrapped. The results? One incredible champion, one amazing runner-up, and a jaw-dropping $6,590,165 raised to benefit the National Wildlife Federation.
This wasn’t just a competition—it was a nationwide celebration of nature. Hosted by Emmy-winning wildlife expert Jeff Corwin and powered by Colossal, Jr. Ranger brought together kids, families, and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life. Every vote cast and every dollar donated fueled the mission to protect wildlife and wild places, ensuring the next generation can explore, learn, and grow in the great outdoors.
"The Jr. Ranger Competition proves that when communities come together, amazing things happen—not just for the champions, but for the causes we believe in," said Mary Hagen, CEO of Colossal. "Raising over $6.5 million to benefit the National Wildlife Federation means more wild places protected, more wildlife thriving, and more young people inspired to be stewards of the planet."
Meet the Champion 🏆
This year’s Jr. Ranger Champion, Thomas, is a nature-loving explorer through and through. When he’s not mapping trails or hunting for wild mushrooms, you can find him cleaning up beaches while keeping an eye out for orcas, forest critters, and fascinating sea life. His adventurous spirit and commitment to conservation perfectly embody what it means to be a Jr. Ranger. Along with his $20,000 prize, Thomas will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Ranger Rick magazine, joining decades of young conservationists who have shared their love of the outdoors in its pages.
Spotlight on the Runner-Up
We couldn’t forget about our Jr. Ranger Runner-Up, Callan. This young adventurer loves hiking, skiing with his grandpa, and scoping out every bug, lizard, and prehistoric-looking creature he can find. His curiosity about the world around him is exactly the spark we hope to ignite in every Jr. Ranger participant, because today’s curious kids become tomorrow’s conservation champions.
Why It Matters 🌎
The $6.59 million raised during this year’s competition will help the National Wildlife Federation safeguard habitats, protect endangered species, and provide educational programs that inspire families to connect with nature. From forests to wetlands to open prairies, your support is helping to ensure that wildlife can thrive and that kids will always have wild places to discover.
A Wild Thank You
To everyone who voted and cheered on our Jr. Rangers: you’re the heartbeat of this movement. Your generosity proves that protecting nature isn’t just a cause—it’s a shared passion that unites communities across the country.
Here’s to our champion, our runner-up, and every Jr. Ranger who reminded us that adventure is out there and it’s worth protecting. 🐻🌲
