ECO-HERO AWARD WINNERS
Spencer Hitchen
2026: SHIMON SCHWARZSCHILD SPECIAL AWARD
Spencer Hitchen, a 15-year-old conservationist and nature photographer, leads global efforts to protect Australia's Wallum ecosystem and threatened species like the Glossy Black-Cockatoo through scientific data collection, corporate advocacy and nature education calendars.
Noah Beshto
2026: HONORABLE MENTION
Noah Beshto, a 10-year-old documentarian and wildlife advocate, created "Noah's Diary" to produce nature documentaries across eight countries, raise awareness for wildlife rescue, and research birds and plastic pollution.
Hala Sharafeddine
2026: 2nd PLACE
Hala Sharafeddine, a 16-year-old innovator from Beirut, founded "Code for Earth" to empower young women across MENA and South Asia with coding skills to build tech-driven solutions for local environmental challenges.
Jack Aronian
2026: 2nd PLACE
Jack Aronian, a 16-year-old scientist and filmmaker from New York, launched the H5N1 Prevention Initiative to produce educational films on bird flu and establish a national biosecurity network for wildlife sanctuaries.
Abhiveer Gulati
2026: 3rd PLACE
Abhiveer Gulati, a 16-year-old activist from Delhi, founded the "NCR Clean Air Campaign" to address environmental injustice by distributing health protection gear, engaging communities, and pursuing legal litigation to mandate municipal accountability for air quality.
Stella Hong
2026: HONORABLE MENTION
Stella Hong, a 16-year-old researcher from Virginia, founded "HydroHarvest" to engineer upcycled, zero-electricity hydroponic grow kits, providing food-insecure urban families with low-maintenance, sustainable access to fresh produce.
Nuha Danish & Inaya Zaidi
2026: FINALISTS
Sisters Nuha Danish and Inaya Zaidi, ages 11 and 15 from Dubai, co-founded "WeGrow" to advance community organic farming, year-round school hydroponics, and surplus food donation drives across the UAE.
Vaishika Satheshwaran
2026: FINALISTS
Vaishika Satheswaran, a 12-year-old activist from Abu Dhabi, founded "Tiny Hands" to divert textile waste from landfills by upcycling discarded fabric scraps and retired school uniforms into practical, eco-friendly accessories.
Olivia Xing
2026: FINALISTS
At 16 years old, Canadian activist Olivia Xing leads "Monarch Missions," a youth organization that advances climate literacy, raises conservation funds, and connects young people directly with local policymakers to advocate for climate justice.
Nicolina Pappas
2025: 2nd PLACE
Nicolina Pappas, a 13-year-old from the United States, combats single-use plastic pollution through Nicolina's Turtle Co. She has raised over $15,000 for conservation, educated thousands, and successfully advocated for her "Skip the Plastic Campaign," leading to city-wide proclamations and state resolutions like "Skip the Plastic Day."
Josue Arias Calderon
2025: 3rd PLACE
Josué Arias Calderón, age 11 from Bogotá, Colombia, is a passionate defender of high-mountain ecosystems. Through social media videos and restoration campaigns, he educates and inspires thousands to protect vital páramos and glaciers, ensuring water for 85% of Colombians.
Availa Johnson
2025: HONORABLE MENTION
Eco-Hero Availa Johnson, age 8 from Florida, is transforming plastic waste into fashion and promoting creative reuse. Through her EcoCreators Design Club, she inspires students to upcycle materials, educating thousands and saving plastic from oceans.
Elvia Gómez Troya
2025: HONORABLE MENTION
Elvia Gómez Troya, 13, from Egüés, Navarra, Spain, is "Elvia the Tracker," inspiring global conservation. Through her popular Instagram, published book, and direct anti-poaching efforts in Zambia, she shares a profound love for wildlife, educating thousands and fostering respect for nature.
Priyanshi Poddar
2025: 1st PLACE
Priyanshi Poddar, 16, from Biratnagar, Nepal, is transforming rubber waste into comfort and dignity for underserved communities. Through her Saathi initiative, she upcycles discarded rubber into mats and clogs, benefiting over 4,000 individuals and preventing significant CO₂ emissions.
Charmante Espoire Nduwayo
2025: 2nd PLACE
Charmante Espoire Nduwayo, 15, from Bujumbura, Burundi, is saving the Gikoma River. Through tree planting and community education on sanitary waste, she's stabilized riverbanks, reduced pollution, and safeguarded her community's health and livelihoods.
Bibhuti Bhattarai
2025: 3rd PLACE
Bibhuti Bhattarai, 16, from Nepal, empowers communities through "Girls Leading Organic Way." She teaches young girls and mothers to transform kitchen waste into organic compost, fostering sustainable farming and reducing reliance on harmful chemicals.
Eesha Ande
2025: 3rd PLACE
Eesha Ande, 16, from San Antonio, Texas, combats period poverty and plastic waste through her impactful sustainable menstrual hygiene initiative, empowering menstruators with reusable products and vital education.
Aziza Kennedy
2025: HONORABLE MENTION
Aziza Kennedy, 16, from Alexandria, Virginia, transformed her school's waste management by establishing the "SJC Compost Initiative." Through unwavering persistence, she successfully implemented composting to combat food waste and reduce emissions.