Local boy trying to win Jeff Corwin Jr. Ranger Competition
- Ron Giofu
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
A boy from Amherstburg is hoping to meet a wildlife conservationist and learn from him.
Four-year-old Emmett Parker is part of the Jeff Corwin Jr. Ranger competition, with the grand prize being learning from Corwin, a picture in “Ranger Rick” magazine and a $20,000 cash prize.
“It’s an opportunity for kids 4-12,” explained Kelly Parker, Emmett’s mom.
Community votes are key at this point, she explained.
“He is right now at the stage of the competition when he needs local support and votes online,” said Parker.
The current round of voting ends Thursday, May 29 and Emmett has to make the top 20 to make it to the next round. As of press time, Emmett was in ninth place.
Should Emmett advance, the next round of voting runs from May 29-June 5. Future stages of voting would be from June 5-12, June 12-19, June 19-26 and so on.
The finals are July 18-24 and his family hopes he makes it.
“He’s the only kid from Amherstburg that has made it this far,” said Parker. “People can vote daily.”
Emmett and his family, which includes Kelly, his dad Jeff and little brother Callum, have helped build habitats for endangered species in the area. They are aiming to help fox snakes, monarch butterflies, barn owls and bats with Emmett’s favourite plant being the prickly pear cactus.
Emmett has also been a student at Natural Pathways Forest School in Harrow and Farm School in Cottam.
“Emmett embodies curiosity and enthusiasm for learning about wildlife,” she said.
The Parker family became aware of the Jeff Corwin Jr. Ranger competition through a biologist with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
Parker said the family were looking at a property to build a house on and the biologist they were working with helped encourage them to look into the competition.
People can vote for Emmett at www.jr-ranger.org/2025/emmett-3120.
Local boy trying to win Jeff Corwin Jr. Ranger Competition
By Ron Giofu