MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Ron Magill led the way. We have hiked deep into the jungles of the Amazon Rainforest and climbed high into the breathtaking Canadian Rockies.

We have explored the mysteries of Machu Picchu and were awestruck in The Outback by the magical monoliths rising into the sky.

“What an incredible privilege it has been to have Local 10 document these trips. I have these video scrapbooks of the greatest times of my life,” Magill said.

From an adventure into wild Florida to a journey to the bottom of the world in Antarctica, our Local 10 News Eco Hero Contest winners have learned countless conservation lessons, and we have documented every step.

All these great times were made possible thanks to Magill’s foundation. The Eco Hero Contest, an annual competition for South Florida high school students dedicated to environmental conservation, is his lasting legacy.

“What if I could take one kid and make that kid an ambassador for the other kids? We know kids aren’t always as open to listening to us as adults as they are to listening to their peers,” Magill said. “Let’s plant a seed that grows, take them to the Galapagos or Antartica or Australia, and they become ambassadors.”

Over the years, our Eco Hero team has tracked the elusive platypus in the Australian rainforest and encountered the deadly bushmaster snake in Peru.

We have gone swimming with Florida’s lumbering manatees, and cozied up with Canada’s majestic wolf dogs.

“The most impactful for me was Antarctica; it’s the end of the Earth,” Magill said. “I remember looking at it with no sign of humans. There is something so special about being in that sort of peace and tranquility.”

Since Magill announced his retirement as Zoo Miami’s communications director, life has been anything but peaceful. The accolades just keep rolling in.

“I never thought I would have Ron Magill Day on Miami Beach,” he said.

In his office, Magill kept a wall of TV history: Rows and rows of photos of reporters.

“These are the people who enabled me to do the job I do. These are storytellers,” Magill said.

Yes, he is retiring, but he is moving from one office to another, just 30 yards north, next door, really, to the Zoo Miami Foundation, where he will take on a new role as Goodwill Ambassador.

“That’s working on conservation, working on the conservation endowment, leading travel programs,” Magill said. “God knows, I love travel and being able to speak at schools.”

The Eco Hero winners had encouraging messages.

Bela Perdomo, who traveled with us to Antarctica, is pursuing a doctorate in biomedical engineering at Florida State University. Her goal is to make space travel safe for humans.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of you and the rest of the crew, so thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy your future adventures,” Perdomo said in a message to Magill.

Justine Padron, who traveled with us to Canada, said the lessons she learned stuck.

“Thank you so much for everything you did to make my trip to Canada so amazing is something I will remember for the rest of my life,” Padron said in a message to Magill.

Sienna Robertson, who participated in the Wild Florida trip, also had a message for Magill: “All the memories and all the experiences from that trip have stuck with me and have encouraged me to pursue environmental conservation.”

Last year’s Eco Hero, Brielle Martinez, who is studying at the University of Central Florida, said conservation continues to be her passion.

“Becoming the Eco-Hero Down Under was one of the best experiences of my life, and I know that you will continue to make a lasting impact in our community and around the world,” Martinez said. “You are amazing.”

Magill is eager to continue to work with students. His next journey: The Pantanal in South America, the world’s largest tropical wetland and home to the highest density of jaguars globally.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how much money you have in your bank account, what kind of car or size of the house you live in, it’s that you make a difference in the life of a child,” Magill said.

WATCH THE SPECIAL

Eco-Hero Antarctica: Expedition To The Bottom of The Earth

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