Fayetteville, WV (WOAY) – An eight-year-old southern West Virginia boy is in the running for a national conservation title, and the community’s votes could push him to the finish line.
Baron Grimmett is competing in the Junior Ranger competition, a nationwide campaign run through Ranger Rick magazine, which raises funds for the National Wildlife Federation. The top finisher earns a cash prize, a feature in the magazine, and a wildlife training experience with world-renowned biologist Jeff Corwin.
Baron’s mother, Savannah Grimmett, says her son’s love of wildlife is less a hobby and more a personality.
“He is the outdoors. That’s just really it. It just kind of translates to who he is at his core. He’s always outside, he’s always seeking animals,” she said. “He’d catch honeybees in the yard and inevitably he’d get stung. And then he was right back out catching another. Animals just find him.”
Right after his interview with Newswatch, Baron walked straight into the woods on his own, flipping rocks and searching the ground for animals and insects. At one point he spotted a piece of litter, picked it up, and threw it away without a word.
His mother says watching him grow into that kind of kid has been one of the best parts of the journey.
“It’s just been really cool to see this curious toddler that used to catch honey bees in the yard now becoming a really caring, compassionate kid for wildlife,” Savannah said. “And I would love to give him some momentum to keep him going on that path, to pursue his passion.”
Baron is currently sitting in second place in his group. He wants to be a biologist when he grows up, and a win would put him in a training experience with one of the top names in the field.
As for what he’d do with the $20,000 cash prize? Baron didn’t hesitate.
“I’d buy a survival kit,” he said.
Voting is free once a day at jr-ranger.org/2026/baron-a857. Donations to the National Wildlife Federation through that same link count as extra votes. The current round closes Thursday, April 30th at 10 p.m.
