Local Nine-Year-Old Campaigns for Junior Ranger Title

NEVADA CITY — Bryson Lee, a nine-year-old resident of Nevada City, has entered the nationwide Colossal Junior Ranger Competition. “I’m not running just for a title; I’m running because I truly care about the natural world around us,” says Bryson. “From our forests and rivers to the wildlife that depend on them, this community is something special. It deserves to be protected, respected, and preserved for future generations. Nature isn’t just something I enjoy; it’s something I feel responsible for. I want to be part of the solution.” Bryson also has ties to Downieville, as his mother, Kelsey, grew up in the town.

The competition is a national event for children ages 4 to 12. Organizers at Colossal, a professional fundraiser, partner with wildlife expert Jeff Corwin to highlight young conservationists. One grand-prize winner receives $20,000, an exclusive wildlife experience with Corwin, and a feature in Ranger Rick Magazine. The campaign also directs proceeds to the National Wildlife Federation for wildlife protection and education efforts across the country. Public voting advances participants through multiple rounds, and the 2026 grand prize winner will be announced on or before June 19, 2026.

Bryson currently holds second place in his group during the Top Ten round. If chosen as Junior Ranger, he plans to advance his education by attending school to become a Fish and Game Warden and by taking forestry classes. He says those steps would equip him to better protect lands, watersheds, and wildlife. He has also pledged to donate a large portion of any winnings to the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. The local nonprofit restores, preserves, and enhances recreational trails throughout the Lost Sierra region, including near Downieville. In addition, Bryson intends to raise awareness about conservation, help safeguard the watershed, and encourage others in the community to care for the environment.

Readers who wish to support Bryson may cast one free vote every twenty-four hours through his official profile at jr-ranger.org/2026/bryson-92dc. Voters complete a quick Facebook verification to ensure fair participation. The current Top Ten voting round ends Thursday, April 23, at 7 PM PDT. Optional donations through the same site provide additional votes and further benefit the National Wildlife Federation, according to competition rules posted on jr-ranger.org. The top vote-getters advance to the Top Five round from April 23 to April 30, after which additional rounds continue narrowing the field until the grand prize winner is announced by June 19.