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Niria Alicia Garcia - American, North America

2020 Winner | Indigenous environmental activist | American

The Run4Salmon prayerful journey engages government officials, lawyers, advocates, and everyday people on a 300-mile journey that the endangered Chinook salmon make along the waters of California’s largest watershed. The project is aimed at inspiring, educating, and engaging people in restoring this endangered keystone species that is essential to the health of California lands and waters. In the face of climate change, ecological collapse and pandemics, indigenous-led species restoration is key to building a resilient future that can withstand and thrive as climate change continues to unravel. The project is coupled with advocacy, campaigns, and indigenous curriculum.

Niria is a Xicana human rights advocate, climate justice organizer, educator and storyteller dedicated to protecting the sacredness of Mother Earth and the dignity of historically oppressed peoples. In 2019 her climate justice work earned her the national ‘Emerging Leader Award’ from GreenLatinos’ and the internationally recognized ‘EE 30 under 30’ award from the North American Association for Environmental Education.

Disclaimer: NOTE: This content was shared online for the 2019 cycle of the Young Champions of the Earth programme and has not been updated. This listing does not constitute any endorsement by nor status with the UN Environment Programme.

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