Page 7 - NWF November Updates

Ranger Rick

Ranger Rick first came to life in The Adventures of Rick Raccoon, a book published by the

National Wildlife Federation in 1959. The idea came from National Wildlife Federation

executive J.A. “Ash” Brownridge, who created the talkative raccoon as the book's writer under
the pseudonym John A. Morris. In doing so, he hoped to develop a future generation of
conservationists who would understand the problems facing our environment and be willing
to work toward the solution—a goal that continues to be central to the National Wildlife
Federation's work.

The book took readers on the journey of Ranger Rick and his animal friends as they cleaned
up their creek and pond. Another book followed, and in 1966 the National Wildlife
Federation's board approved the creation of a monthly magazine for children with the wise
and friendly raccoon at its core. With the founding mission to educate children and make
them aware of their world, the first issue of Ranger Rick® magazine—then called Ranger

Rick's Nature Magazine —was published in January 1967.

In 2017 Ranger Rick magazine celebrated 50 years of inspiring children and families to care
about wildlife and the great outdoors. In honor of his 50th birthday, Ranger Rick and his
animal buddies were given a fresh new look thanks to Emmy-nominated art director and
illustrator Parker Jacobs.