Born loving the outdoors, she has been outside exploring since the day she was born. Nature isn’t just a place we visit—it’s where she feels
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Learn MoreZaiya loves how nature feels alive and connected. She often calls it Mother Nature and believes it guides and protects us. Her favorite thing is exploring barefoot, feeling the earth under her feet, putting her hands in the dirt, and discovering all the little things that make the world feel magical. She sees nature as something we’re all a part of—where everything is alive and connected, from the soil to the trees to us. To her, being outside isn’t just play, it’s a way of feeling close to Moth
Zaiya’s favorite animal is the cheetah because they’re incredibly fast and have beautiful spots. She loves that cheetahs are the fastest animals in the world and thinks their speed is amazing. She also loves that the female cheetahs are strong and powerful, which she calls “cheetah girl power.” To her, cheetahs represent strength, freedom, and confidence—running wild and powerful in nature just the way they’re meant to be
Zaiya’s favorite outdoor activity is simply to play, play, play. She loves running barefoot through the grass, climbing trees, and swimming in lakes and rivers. Sometimes she likes to sit peacefully under a tree to write or draw, looking closely at the leaves and listening to the birds sing. Nature feels like a playground and a peaceful place all at once for her. She also loves to run as fast as she can and pretend she’s a cheetah racing through the wild.
Vote for Zaiya 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.
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