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Environmental Sustainability

Zoo Miami Goodwill Ambassador launches Earth Month at RE

Ron Magill, a wildlife photographer and Goodwill Ambassador for Zoo Miami, helped Ransom Everglades launch its celebration of Earth Month by sharing the compelling story of K’wasi, the first male lion cub born at the zoo. Students at the April 2 assembly at the Lewis Family Auditorium oohed, ahhed and laughed along at K'wasi's tale, which was illustrated by Magill's extraordinary photography.
K'wasi's full story is documented in Magill's new book, The Pride of a Lion, which he co-wrote with Miami Herald reporter Greg Cote. K'wasi's story did more than tug at heart strings; Magill urged students to be diligent caretakers of the Earth and reminded them to stand up for what is right.

The 40-plus-year zoo employee recently helped sink a plan to build a Miami Wilds water park near Zoo Miami, opposing his own employer as he argued the park would damage the environment around the zoo. Many young people sided with Magill and helped defeat the developers, contributing to the plan's demise. 

"You guys are the future," said Magill, who after his presentation was interviewed by Nina Tekriwal '25, a member of RE's Environmental Sustainability Council. "You guys are the voters ... When the people lead, the leaders will follow. Never stop believing in yourself. Never stop thinking you can make a difference ... You guys have such tremendous power in your age group to make a difference."
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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.