Berks County Boy on a Quest to Support Wildlife

Berks County, PA; Photographs by Amy Muzopappa

Nicholas “Nico” Muzopappa doesn’t just love nature, he is dedicated to protecting it. This remarkable kid is in the running to be the next Jr. Ranger through a competition hosted by Wildlife Expert, Jeff Corwin. The competition is designed to inspire kids to spend more time outside. To prove his dedication, if selected to be the 2025 Jr. Ranger, Nico will be donating $10,000 to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for their education programs and IDEA Fund.

Hawk Mountain is a protected 2,600 acres wildlife conservation habitat that is focused on education, science and research. The sanctuary makes nature accessible to all, with accommodations for people who are visually impaired or have special mobility needs. They also have designated programs that provide funding for field trips, nature camps and other educational programs.

To anyone who is willing to listen, this 9-year-old has stories to share. He knows a lot about wildlife, such as where animals live and how they behave. He can identify nearly a dozen birds by their song and even knows if an animal predator is lurking, just by listening to the birds. To those who know him, it is no surprise he is gaining recognition for his enthusiasm for planet earth.

Nico knows that once people experience the wonders of nature for themselves, they will understand why it’s worth protecting. His donation will help others get outside, for better understanding, better health and a better planet.

Sadly, time outdoors is missing in most American kids’ daily lives. According to a 2015 report from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, American kids spend just seven minutes per day on unstructured outdoor play. Shockingly, the Center for Disease Control reports an average of 7.5 hours of daily screen

You can support Nico on his quest by placing your free vote each day:

https://jr-ranger.org/2025/nico-0175

Voters can cast one free vote daily, with each additional dollar donated counting as one extra vote. Funds raised through voting will support The Green Hour Kids Campaign, which challenges kids to spend “at least 60 minutes outdoors each day for better physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” according to the program’s parent company: the National Wildlife Federation.

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