When Chance Ruder decided to volunteer to help rehabilitate injured birds of prey, he unwittingly found his passion and also, quite literally, found a new name. On that fateful day, six-year-old Brooks decided to change his name to Chance because as an apprentice falconer, he foresaw the "chance" to help animals survive. As Chance rehabilitated birds, his brother, Josh, stayed by his side filming the birds' stories. At the young ages of 7 and 8, they filmed their first educational video. Now, eight years later, the brothers continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the environment and the creatures they love.

Josh and Chance consider themselves "translators," voicing the plight of injured and endangered animals. They wrote a play that teaches responsible land stewardship, produced their own video programs, and collaborate with the The Discovery Channel to raise awareness about endangered species. In demonstrations that feature animals, Chance serves as the speaker and Josh assists as an animal wrangler and videographer. By the end of 2007, the brothers had given 28 presentations to audiences ranging from fifth-graders to graduate students.

Realizing that creative fundraising was critical to advancing their mission, the brothers once collected $800 in pennies to pay for raptor rehabilitation. Additionally, they recently won a $5,000 check from a national clothing company in an essay contest to be used toward preserving Salado Creek. Yet Josh and Chance refuse to accept money for speaking engagements, believing they have been called to help educate others.

Years of spirited effort on behalf of wildlife led to an invitation in October 2007 to attend the Discovery Channel Young Scientists Challenge in Washington, D.C. The brothers also were interviewed last year by Robert Kennedy, Jr. for his nationally syndicated radio show. All of which goes to show how persistence and passion can carry a message well beyond a single city.