A 9-year-old Los Angeles boy who founded a group called For Love of Frogs is one of 17 young environmental activists from throughout the world honored by Action for Nature as a 2020 International Young Eco-Hero.
Justin Sather won third prize in the 8- to 12-year-old age category for his initiative, through which he organized wetland cleanups, studied frogs with herpetologists worldwide, worked with companies that turned plastic waste into treasures and raised more than $22,000 to conserve land, reduce plastics, and improve water quality for frogs.
The boy — who has received a series of awards and whose project website is ForTheLoveOfFrogs.com — is now focusing on a new project to raise funds needed to buy land and to protect rainforests in Ecuador that are home to thousands of frogs and other critically endangered animals and plants.
“Kids like Justin have shown that the next generation is refusing to simply stand on the sidelines but instead is turning its passion for helping the planet into projects that have tangible, positive impacts on the environment now,” said Beryl Kay, president of the international nonprofit organization that encourages young people to nurture a love and respect for natural resources and to take personal action to better their environments.
“Young activists like Justin are shaping the world around them and inspiring other young people to take action to protect our Earth,” Kay ssaid.
Action for Nature has recognized more than 275 young people from over 30 countries and 25 U.S. states since 2003. The honorees are chosen by a panel of independent judges, including experts in biology, environmental science and education.