The Earth Island Institute’s New Leaders Initiative is celebrating the achievements of six remarkable young leaders with the prestigious Brower Youth Awards. This annual prize recognizes the impact of youth between the ages of 13 and 22 who are making a difference in the fight for environmental protection. Now in its 25th year, the Brower Youth Awards remain the leading environmental youth award in the nation.
This year’s recipients are addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, from ecologically-informed art murals in public spaces to coral reef restoration in Latin America. Their innovative solutions and dedication to environmental justice are truly inspiring.
“Earth Island Institute is committed to serving as a platform for the next generation of leaders who are helping us address the many ecological challenges we currently face. We have much to learn from the intersectional lens today’s youth bring to their problem-solving, and are incredibly inspired by the determination, focus, and motivation of this year’s winners. Their impact is felt every day in their communities and beyond,” said Sumona Majumdar, chief executive officer of Earth Island Institute.
Since 2000, the New Leaders Initiative has been dedicated to supporting and empowering young environmental and social justice activists. Each year, six individuals based in North America, including US territories, are awarded a $3,000 cash prize in recognition of their exceptional contributions. This year’s winners are:
Raina Maiga (16, Indianapolis, Indiana): Empowering Youth to Push for Policy Change
As an asylum seeker from Burkina Faso, Raina Maiga understands firsthand the feeling of powerlessness in influencing policy decisions. She is determined to ensure that young people’s voices are heard in the legislative process. Maiga is the executive director and director of legislative affairs for Confront the Climate Crisis, a youth-led organization focused on environmental issues in Indiana. Under her leadership, the organization has co-written and lobbied for state bills aimed at creating a statewide climate solutions task force and has secured grants to support high school students’ participation in annual events at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
Asa Miller (17, New York, New York): Helping Restore Cuba’s Coral Reefs
An aspiring marine biologist with deep roots in Cuba, Asa Miller was deeply moved by the efforts to restore coral reefs in the country’s Matanzas Province. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of coral loss on developing countries like Cuba, Miller launched ¡Viva el Vivero!, an international campaign to aid in the restoration of these stunning coral reefs. Miller has conducted extensive interviews with Cuban divers and scientists, analyzed data to identify the most successful coral nurseries, and drafted detailed maps of the restoration project. Back in New York, he founded a marine biology club to raise funds for coral planting tools and produced a short documentary highlighting his team’s restoration methods, which has garnered multiple awards at film festivals worldwide.
Yuki Qian (17, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania): Helping with Radon Remediation in Pittsburgh
Living in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, a region with extremely high levels of radon, Yuki Qian is addressing a public health crisis that often goes unnoticed. Radon, a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas, is responsible for thousands of deaths annually in the United States. Qian’s mission is to break down socioeconomic and political barriers to ensure that radon mitigation measures are accessible to those most in need. In 2023, she founded RadONRadOFF, a project that distributes free radon test kits, information on low-cost remediation methods, and safety education to local communities, particularly in lower-income and highly-impacted areas. Qian is also working with state officials to pass radon mitigation policies to address this public health disparity.
Vishruth Dinesh (16, Fremont, California): Empowering Youth to Achieve Self-Sustainability through Gardening
At the age of eight, Vishruth Dinesh wanted to get involved in climate activism but was often met with suggestions that were beyond the reach of young people. In 2022, he created The Green Therapy, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through sustainable gardening. The Green Therapy works directly with schools, helping them set up environmental courses and garden-based educational programs that foster a connection with nature and promote sustainable practices. Currently, the nonprofit is collaborating with 14 schools across the San Francisco Bay Area, equipping over 2,500 students with the knowledge and skills to protect the planet through native-friendly gardening.
Austin Picinich (19, Kirkland, Washington): Saving Salmon through Art
Austin Picinich founded Save Our Salmon through Art (SOS), a nonprofit that uses public art projects to educate and engage communities in the protection of local salmon-spawning streams. Picinich’s campaign was inspired by Juanita Creek, a stream near his home where only three salmon returned to spawn in 2021. Through interactive mural painting events, SOS brings communities together to create salmon-themed murals that raise awareness about the importance of protecting these vital ecosystems. Picinich has led nearly 750 volunteer painters in the Greater Seattle area, reaching over 980,000 people through their awareness efforts.
Amelia Southern-Uribe (21, Fayetteville, Arkansas): Supporting Equitable Climate Education
Amelia Southern-Uribe is dedicated to combating educational disparities and promoting environmental justice. In 2019, she founded the first Arkansas chapter of Zero Hour, an organization dedicated to environmental justice. Recognizing the connection between racism, injustice, and environmental neglect, Southern-Uribe co-founded Roots magazine, which amplifies the voices of BIPOC Southern individuals and provides free art supplies to help them share their stories through visual art, music, essays, and recipes. Roots has published two editions and has distributed free copies to students, changemakers, and community members across Arkansas.
The Brower Youth Awards is just one aspect of the New Leaders Initiative’s year-round commitment to supporting emerging environmental activists. The initiative provides youth with various programs, including fellowships, microgrants, workshops, and events, both in-person and virtual. You can find information about the upcoming October awards ceremony and the New Leaders Initiative online.
About Earth Island Institute
Earth Island Institute is a leading international environmental organization that supports over 75 projects working on climate change solutions, conservation, environmental justice, Indigenous communities, wildlife protection, and more. The organization includes Earth Island Advocates, the New Leaders Initiative, and the award-winning Earth Island Journal. Founded in 1982, Earth Island Institute is a prominent force in the fight for environmental protection in the United States.
