Shaping the Future: Meet 30 Young Environmental Educators Leading the Way

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

The North American Association for Environmental Education introduces its newest class of 30 visionary leaders under 30—rising changemakers from 20 countries who are transforming the future of environmental education.

[Washington, D.C., October 21, 2026] The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) is delighted to announce its eleventh class of exceptional leaders under age 30 who are using environmental education to create lasting impact in communities worldwide. These young awardees are using environmental education (EE) to tackle climate risks, strengthen community resilience, protect biodiversity, and more.

This year’s EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 honorees range in age from 17 to 30, hail from 20 countries, and work with a wide range of audiences to address complex environmental and social issues in their communities. They encompass a variety of topics and approaches to EE, from training climate-smart healthcare clinicians in Illinois to rebuilding a conflict-affected region of Cameroon to educating young people in glaciology in Peru. Their collective work is reaching more than 300,000 people each year.

The 2026 EE 30 Under 30 honorees are transforming their communities and inspiring others to take action for a more sustainable world. As part of a global community of changemakers, they’ll gain access to ongoing support—including networking, peer mentoring, global recognition, grant opportunities, and professional development.

Since 2016, NAAEE's EE 30 Under 30 program has recognized 331 individuals from 62 countries who are making a difference through environmental education. This program is made possible by NAAEE, the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP), and the Sam and Mary Lawrence Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Weeden Foundation, the Susan Byrd Foundation, and the Environmental Stewardship Fund, a fund of the Tides Foundation.

The award has a tremendous impact on these young leaders and beyond. “Being recognized as an EE 30 Under 30 honors and affirms the value of climate education rooted in communities. Through NAAEE’s global network, I will learn from fellow educators, build partnerships, and mobilize support to expand locally-grounded climate education. I hope our journey encourages young people to recognize that they can create change with the resources and relationships they already have," says Nurul Habaib Al Mukarramah, EE 30 Under 30 2026.

"Being recognized as a member of the 2026 EE 30 under 30 cohort means everything to me, especially as a man of color who’s long wondered if there was any room for me in the field. This accolade reminds me that my work has had a significant impact and empowers me to keep being ambitious in my mission to positively change the world around me and strive for a greener, more resilient future. This honor has bolstered my confidence to be a leader and brought me into a community of support and joy that has undoubtedly altered my career trajectory for the absolute best," says Aubrey Anthony, EE 30 Under 30 2026.

Executive Director of NAAEE Judy Braus says, “EE 30 Under 30 celebrates innovative and committed young leaders who are helping shape a more sustainable and just future, one community at a time. Around the world, they’re turning education into action—showing how environmental education can inspire people, strengthen communities, and drive meaningful change. Join us in congratulating NAAEE’s EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2026!”

Learn more about this year’s winners, listed below, by reading their biographies on our website: naaee.org/programs/ee-30-under-30

Aissa Linsley-Dearing, United Kingdom, 24; Angel David Paulino Batista, Dominican Republic, 18; Anooja A., India, 25; Archie Forpoh, Liberia, 26; Aubrey Anthony, United States, 26; Austin Le, United States, 28; Belinda Ng, Hong Kong, 26; Bethany Kogut, United States, 29; Bright Oluwatomilola Olunusi, Nigeria/United States, 29; Christian Adoh, Benin, 25; Christiana Rosha, Malawi, 24; Clancy Lester, Australia, 25; Philemon Djoi, Benin, 27; Etibar Mikayilov, Turkey, 29; Grace James, Nigeria, 25; Junior Adrian Figueroa Miranda, Peru, 26; Kirsten Salonga, United States, 30; Ly Le Thi Khanh, Vietnam, 29; Mohamed Ehab Ali AbdAlAziz, Egypt, 23; Neloba Ngozire, Kenya, 27; Nurul Habaib Al Mukarramah, Indonesia, 23; Juliet C. Osueke, Nigeria, 27; Pareena Gupta, United States, 17; Shatabdy Zahid, Canada, 30; Solomon Ekundayo, Nigeria,  26; Valeriia Kolodezhna, Ukraine, 25; Warri Bilson Nkeh, Cameroon, 24; Yan-Da Lee, Taiwan, 29; Zepanya Sihombing, Indonesia, 25; Zoë Temple, United States, 29

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About NAAEE

For more than five decades, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has served as the professional association, champion, and backbone organization for the field of environmental education (EE), working with EE professionals across United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as globally, to advance environmental literacy and civic engagement to create a healthy and more sustainable future. For more information on NAAEE, visit https://naaee.org.