This season, Emma is racing across the United States in a high-stakes competition to find the most amazing and surprising animal facts. With her position on the podcast at stake, will she be able to defeat her competition and come out on top?

Emma is finally back at Earth Ranger’s headquarters! After her long journey to find the missing conservation legend Adelia Goodwin, she deserves a good rest – but wait: it seems like our hero is in trouble and desperately needs help. What’s going on at Earth Rangers HQ?

Emma is in trouble, her job is at stake! Turns out that while Emma was on her journey around the world searching for Adelia, someone has been secretly plotting to steal her role as the host of the Earth Rangers podcast.  Ryan is new to the team and he won’t stop at nothing to take over the role of podcast host for himself Thankfully, Number 1 is giving Emma a chance to prove herself. Ryan and Emma will be racing across the U.S. and trying to collect animal facts. Whoever has the best ones will win that quest.

Check out the show notes page here


Number 1’s Rules

  1. On every leg of the race Number 1 will give an assignment. Emma and Ryan can pick how they research it!
  2. Emma and Ryan will present ONE animal fact they learned from their quest. No googling is allowed. The most interesting, or fascinating fact wins!
  3. The person with the most points at the end of the competition will win the role of podcast host.
  4. Emma and Ryan must keep their carbon footprint low. This means: Trains, buses, carpools and hiking are OK. But no air travel is allowed in this race.

The race is on! Emma and Ryan are competing to decide who will get to be the future host of the Earth Rangers podcast. Their first stop, New York City! In the Big Apple Emma is tasked to investigate the secret life of creatures from the city; but what kind of wild animals would want to live in such a bright, loud, and crowded place?

In this episode, Emma presented her first fact: some great turtle trivia! Was it enough? Ryan was able to impress Number 1 with some great bird facts of his own! The two toured New York City, Emma visiting Central Park while Ryan headed straight for the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. There’s plenty to learn about animals who live around the city, like the Painted Turtle, Musk Turtle, Box Turtle, Piping Plover, Osprey, or American Woodcock!

Check out the show notes page here


The race continues! Emma finds herself on her next assignment: Exploring one of America’s famous hiking trails. Which one did our intrepid hero pick? The Appalachian Trail! With much ground to cover, and help from a chance encounter with a certain self-proclaimed “grossologist”, will Emma catch up to Ryan?

Emma’s adventures never end! On today’s trail, she very nearly got lost! But thankfully, she was able to make a new friend who helped her find her way: Ms. Mallory! Thanks to Ms. Mallory’s help, Emma learned a lot about various creepy crawlies. With this information, she was able to impress Number 1 with her super-duper millipede facts.

Check out the show notes page here


What day is that? Earth Day! Emma comes to you with a special episode to celebrate this special day. She’s got some good news to share, and much more! What might it all be? Let’s tune in and find out.

The “Quest for the Best” isn’t about to stop Emma from enjoying this special day. Earth Day celebrates the progress that the environmental movement has made, and the impact that raising awareness has helped bring to saving animals and the planet. To celebrate, Emma mentions some pantastic news that’s worth celebrating, as well as reveals her top 5 favorite animals! The final surprise? Emma finally got to listen to the montage of sweet messages you guys have been sending to Emma and the rest of Earth Rangers headquarters!

Check out the show notes page here


Our hero’s quest is far from over! This time, Emma dives deep underground, into the world’s longest cave system. What can she learn down there, and who will finally take the lead in the quest for the best?

Emma was super lucky to get to examine the world’s longest cave system: Mammoth Cave. Several different rare animals can be found both underground and above ground around these caves. Bats, bison, prairie dogs. What else? Well, Wind Cave, National Park where Ryan visited holds some interesting elements. Ever heard of “Boxwork” wall? That’s where you can find them!

Check out the show notes page here


The Quest for the Best goes on! Today, Emma explores a unique ecosystem: The Petrified Forest. Will the rare fossilized wood of this place be the key to winning this leg of the race?

We’re onto the last stretch of this quest! Emma and Ryan both visited interesting parks this time. Emma found herself in the Petrified Forest of Arizona, where you can find some of the oldest rocks in the world! Ever heard of Petrified Wood? Did you know it was regular wood that’s now completely crystalized? Find out more about earless lizards and jackrabbits who roam these deserts!

Check out the show notes page here


The final chapter of the Quest for the Best is here!!
The score is tied and today Emma and Ryan face off with their last challenge: to share facts about the biggest mammal they can find. Who will win? Will Ryan be taking over as the new podcast host?

After so many twists and turns, the final round of The Quest for the Best has reached its end. Ryan and Emma faced off on their last challenge. Emma went to visit the Redwood National and State Park while Ryan visited the Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Mountain lions, bears, whales, which animal will win the top fact?

Check out the show notes page here


Which episode was your favorite from Emma’s whirlwind tour of America? Which was the coolest fact presented to Number 1?
Do you have any other US trivia or cool animal facts that didn’t make it into the show? Let us know in the comments!

Heads Up, Earth Ranger: Don't share any personal details in your comments (like your last name, school name, or even age). The Earth Rangers team checks all comments to keep it safe and fun for everyone!

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