Youth Assume Leadership Role in Addressing the World's Tough Environmental Problems

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Across the U.S. and around the globe, environmental activism is getting a boost from kid power. Action For Nature (AFN) today announced the extraordinary winners of its 2014 International Young Eco-Hero Awards competition. The organization recognized these inspirational youth because they are helping to create a better future for our planet by taking actions to address tough environmental problems. Many of this year's award-winning projects focused on the preservation of marine life and ocean habitats, and efforts to help solve the global water crisis.

First-place awards were given to Deepika Kurup (age 16) of New Hampshire, and Dylan Vecchione (age 15) of California. Deepika is a young scientist who is passionate about helping people gain access to clean water and increasing global awareness of the water crisis. She has been conducting research in water purification for three years and has developed a water-purification system that combines photocatalysis with filtration to destroy harmful bacteria and degrade organics. She has applied for two patents on her invention and its uses, one of which has been published by the USPTO. Dylan, meanwhile, was recognized for his work on coral-reef protection. He founded the nonprofit organization ReefQuest, whose mission is to foster marine science. ReefQuest is an extension of Dylan's vision that kids can become marine environmental stewards if they are given the proper tools. Among Dylan's achievements is the creation of an online Virtual Reef that is used to monitor coral reefs on the Internet by stitching high-resolution, 3D underwater panorama pictures together for educational and environmental use.

Second-place honors were awarded to Ishita Singhal (age 15) of Delhi, India, for her work in spreading environmental awareness; and to Josiah Utsch (age 14) of Montana, and Ridgely Kelly (age 13) of Maine, who collaborated on efforts to save the chambered nautilus. Third-place winners included Jane Zhang (age 16) of Connecticut, for promoting environmental awareness in China; Simran Vedvyas (age 15) of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for working tirelessly to create green landfill areas in her neighborhood and raise awareness about the need to reduce landfills and improve waste management practices; Swaraj Priydarshi (age 15) of Patna, India, for organizing a "No Waste" campaign in his city; Wyatt Workman (age 11) of California, for initiating the "Art to Save the Sea" program dedicated to stopping ocean trash; and Maria and Harrison G. Theodore (ages 13 and 15) of Massachusetts, for implementing a campaign to recycle medical flipcaps.

Honorable Mention awards were given to Christian Muller (age 13) of New York, for organizing environmental activities; Ribhu Vaipeyi (age 14) of Delhi, India, for running his Single Use Plastic (SUP) campaign; Truth Muller (age 13) of New York, for founding the Buddies for Bats program to educate the public about White Nose Syndrome and the resulting decline in the little brown bat population in North America; and Vanessa and Patricia Goeyardi (ages 9 and 13) of Indonesia, for establishing Green Team Indonesia to share information related to environmental issues.

"Our 2014 International Young Eco-Hero winners illustrate the creativity, energy and commitment of the current generation of environmental leaders," said Beryl Kay, president, Action For Nature. "Regardless of age or where they come, these young people feel a sense of urgency about protecting the environment. They are making a difference through their personal action and ability to inspire others. Their successes benefit our planet and people everywhere, and we heartily commend them for that."

About Action For Nature
Every year since 2003, Action For Nature, a U.S.-based nonprofit, has sought to recognize and reward young people ages 8-16 who are taking action to solve the world's tough environmental problems. Youth from countries around the globe submit their stories and explain their work, then a panel of judges including experts in environmental science, biology and education determines the year's top achievers. Each Eco-Hero Award winner receives a cash prize, a certificate of achievement and other benefits. 

Action For Nature will celebrate the 2014 International Young Eco-Hero Awards at a reception at the Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco, California, on Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 2:00-5:00 p.m.  Award recipients will share their stories at the event. The reception will also include keynote addresses from Charles Ogborn III, a 2011 Eco-Hero Award winner and the founder and CEO of Greening Forward, and Wallace J. Nichols, PhD, scientist and author of the best seller "Blue Mind".

For more information about Action For Nature, the Young Eco-Hero Award winners and their environmental initiatives, please go to www.actionfornature.org/.

SOURCE Action For Nature