ECO-HERO AWARD WINNERS
Harley Fatahillah Yodhaloka Sunoto
2026: 1st PLACE
Harley Fatahillah Yodhaloka Sunoto, a 14-year-old coastal conservationist, founded "Mangrove Warrior" to protect Surabaya's vulnerable fishing communities by planting tens of thousands of mangroves and developing sustainable products with local women to support the coastal economy.
Lily Valentina Niederhofer
2026: 2nd PLACE
Lily Valentina Niederhofer, an 11-year-old swimmer and ocean advocate, raised over $12,000 through an open-water Atlantic swim and successfully lobbied U.S. and European lawmakers to ban industrial octopus farming.
Neha Blunt
2026: 3rd PLACE
Neha Blunt, a 13-year-old software developer and environmental activist, created the "Water Saver" web app to gamify household resource conservation, saving over 20 million gallons of water and educating over one million people.
Juan Sebastián Ávila Pérez
2026: 3rd PLACE
Juan Sebastián Ávila Pérez, a 14-year-old Colombian birdwatcher and inventor, created "Wings of Inclusion" (Alas de Inclusión) to build accessible vibrotactile tech tools that allow deaf youth to "feel" birdsong and connect with nature.
Lindsay Carlson & Brandee Van Donsel
2003: Age 8 - 12
In 2003, Lindsay Carlson and Brandee Van Donsel stood up to protect the ancient trees of the Sierra foothills. While their journey faced challenges, their story remains a powerful example of local youth activism and the fight for our natural heritage.