Future ranger Lochlan has a big passion for nature and big dreams to protect special places like the wet prairie at Pershing State Park!
You decide who will appear in a Ranger Rick magazine and take home $20,000
What is Jr. Ranger?
Learn MoreI love nature because it’s full of amazing adventures! My name Lochlan means 'from the land of the lakes,' and I live near lots of beautiful places in Missouri. I especially love visiting Pershing State Park. Walking on the boardwalk through the huge wet prairie is something special I share with my family. We have been visiting it for generations and I'd love to save it for future generations to come! Some of my favorite memories are hiking and exploring with my family here in Missouri!
My favorite animal is the pileated woodpecker! They are super cool with their bright red crest and black and white colors that look so beautiful. I love hearing their loud calls and the drumming sound when they peck on trees. Best of all, a mated pair lives right in our front yard! They help control insect populations by eating lots of carpenter ants and beetle larvae, which keeps the forest healthy. I think they are amazing and I’m so lucky to watch them from my house with my binoculars.
I love exploring new parks and hiking trails, especially if there’s a creek to jump in (I will get wet). I hunt morel mushrooms with my dad and grandma kinda like a forest detective. I look for cool plants, climb trees like a squirrel, and collect rocks and fossils like treasure. I like being outside, getting dirty, and finding things most people walk right past.
Vote for Lochlan to become the 2026 Jr. Ranger while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote below, or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation—supporting the National Wildlife Federation in their mission to protect wildlife and preserve wild places for future generations.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Jr. Ranger, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
