A Lake Leelanau student is in the running for wildlife biologist and TV personality Jeff Corwin’s Jr. Ranger competition this summer.
Iris Wild, a second grader at Lake Leelanau St. Mary, has been qualified as a candidate.
The Jr. Ranger competition, designed exclusively for kids aged 4 to 12, combines outdoor adventure, wildlife education, and philanthropy into one engaging initiative — all while raising funds for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).
The program encourages kids to get out in nature in support of conservation efforts for a chance at a $20,000 prize.
The competition arrives at a time when concerns about screen time and sedentary habits are on the rise. Numerous studies have shown that time spent in nature can help children develop stronger immune systems, improve sleep, reduce stress, and enhance focus — benefits Jr. Ranger aims to promote in an interactive and rewarding way.
According to a 2015 report from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, American kids spend just seven minutes per day on unstructured outdoor play, leading experts to recommend getting kids outside more.
Iris needs little encouragement to get outdoors. She and her grandmother, Sheila Anderson, spend a lot of time in the woods and near water — whether inland or Lake Michigan — as well as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Currently, she is capturing bird songs/calls using a phone app and using binoculars to watch migrating waterfowl as well.
The 8-year-old gets excited about insects, fox, bobcat, black bear and otter and enjoys hiking trails in Michigan and at Mammoth Cave National Park.
While visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom last year, Iris was eager to learn everything they had to offer at the Conservation Station, while learning about animals from all over the world.
She is also a member of the Grand Traverse Area Rock and Mineral Club’s “Pebble Pups.”
Launched by Colossal, Jr. Ranger invites young participants to dive into the world of animals and ecosystems. As they explore fascinating wildlife facts and earn badges, participants will also compete for public votes in pursuit of the competition’s grand prize: $20,000 and a feature in Ranger Rick magazine.
Public voting began Monday and will continue through July 24 and can be completed by going to: https://jr-ranger.org/2025/iris.
Voters can cast one free vote daily, with each additional dollar donated counting as one extra vote. Funds raised through voting will support NWF’s Green Hour kids campaign, which encourages kids to spend at least 60 minutes outdoors each day for better physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Organized by Colossal, a professional fundraising platform that has raised more than $177 million for nonprofits across the U.S., Jr. Ranger follows in the footsteps of high-profile competitions like America’s Favorite Pet and America’s Favorite Teacher.
