LEIGHTON, Ala (WHNT) — If you check out parks across North Alabama, they might look a little cleaner, and that could be thanks to Maybelle Garner.
“We went to several parks and she picked up all the trash that she could find,” said Betsy Garner. Garner is Maybelle’s mom.
Maybelle is a 4-year-old from Leighton who’s made it her mission to become the next national junior ranger, all while picking up trash in parks across the Tennessee Valley along the way.
“Maybelle loves being outside,” Betsy said. “She has ever since she was a baby. She’s just always been drawn to the outdoors, and she would choose it over toys and screens any day of the week.”
That’s why her parents wanted to enter her in the competition. It’s a chance to be featured in the Ranger Rick magazine with the National Wildlife Federation.
Her parents say the federation focuses on habitat conservation and protecting the environment.
At the same time, she is learning a big lesson.
“We want to teach her not only to love being outside and enjoying everything that nature has to offer, but also how important it is to protect nature,” Betsy said.
If she wins, she’ll also get $20,000. Her parents said this will help with her college tuition.
Although they are asking for you to help her win.
“It’s a small town, but I feel like our community is really strong and we can continue to push Maybelle farther and farther into the competition, and I’m confident that with your support and your help, we can get her to number one,” Betsy said.
Right now, Maybelle is in third place. If you would like to vote for her, you can do so on the Junior Ranger website.
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