RICK MADE ME DO IT

“My godmother got me a Ranger Rick subscription when I was 8 years old,” says David Mizejewski, who grew up to be a National Wildlife Federation naturalist. Mizejewski still believes in the power of the magazine and of nature: “Get kids outside—let them play, explore and discover the natural world on their own,” he says. “Help [them] keep a journal of their wildlife observations, and encourage them to draw or paint the things they see.” Visit Parade.com/nwf for Mizejewski’s tips for spotting wildlife.