A Vernon youth's love for the outdoors has him in the quarterfinals of an international competition.
James Malay has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Jr. Ranger contest.
The competition is for North American youths, promoting engagement with nature, wildlife and environmental stewardship.
Malay placed first in his group during the opening round, where 1,024 groups of 84 kids each from the U.S. and Canada took part.
After a wildcard round allowed additional second-place finishers to join, there are now 1,280 quarterfinalists, including Malay, who sits seventh.
"He has a genuine passion for wildlife and the outdoors, from local trail runs, hundreds of kilometres of hikes and being a camping enthusiast," said James' mother Jocelyn Dickie. "He has been recording videos, explaining animal facts, and thanking his supporters with enthusiasm and heart."
His favourite animals are the peregrine falcon, blue whale and tardigrade. He loves camping, being immersed in nature and finding adventures around every corner.
The Jr. Ranger competition is organized by the National Wildlife Federation and offers kids the chance to learn directly from wildlife expert Jeff Corwin, be featured in Ranger Rick magazine and compete for a cash prize.
"The competition allows people to vote daily for free, but there is also a paid donation voting system that many families are using to get ahead," said Dickie. "We are hoping to rely on merit and community support and would love your help spreading the word to rally votes for James through his personal page."
You can vote for Malay until Thursday, July 10 at jr-ranger.org/2025/james-1a6f.
