Action For Nature

09/28/2026

Meet Spencer Hitchen, our 2026 Eco-Hero Winner and recipient of the Shimon Schwarzschild Award! 🏆🌿🦜💚

Since the age of six, Spencer has championed local conservation, protecting threatened species like the Glossy Black Cockatoo through his “Save Sunrise Glossies” initiative and empowering youth through “World Stand Up for Nature Day.”

Watch his story and discover how he inspires communities and leaders across Australia to safeguard precious habitats:
https://actionfornature.org/eco-hero-winners/spencer-hitchen

09/28/2026

Shining a spotlight on Australian Spencer Hitchen’s fierce dedication to wildlife conservation feature in Noosa Today!🌿🦜💚

At 14 years old, the Sunshine Beach State High School student and Action for Nature Eco-Hero Winner is leading an extraordinary campaign to protect the Glossy Black-Cockatoo and the sensitive Wallum heathland ecosystem in Sunrise Beach. Through his “Save Sunrise Glossies” initiative, Spencer has gathered more than 85,000 petition signatures, published annual fundraising calendars, and established World Stand UP 4 Nature Day every September 9th to inspire youth action across the globe.

Check out the full article in Noosa What’s On: https://noosatoday.com.au/news/25-09-2026/teen-honoured-as-international-eco-hero/

09/26/2026

2026 Eco-Hero Winner Stella Hong was recently highlighted for her innovative work fighting food insecurity. 🌱🏆

Stella founded HydroHarvest to address nutrition access and plastic waste simultaneously. Her project creates low-cost indoor hydroponic kits using recycled, food-grade buckets from local restaurants. Sourced sustainably and using up to 90% less water than traditional farming, these kits empower families to grow their own fresh produce at home. With over 200 kits distributed, 1,100 pounds of produce donated, and 1,000+ youth engaged in workshops, Stella is proving how local solutions create lasting community impact.

Read the full story by Mya Trujillo in Washington Informer: https://www.washingtoninformer.com/stella-hong-hydroharvest-award/

09/21/2026

Cigarette filters are the most littered plastic on Earth, offer no proven health benefits, and contaminate our oceans with toxic microplastics. 🚬

To stop this waste at the source, an international movement is growing to eliminate cigarette filters entirely. It's powered by inspiring youth leaders like Hao-Han "Hank" Wu, a 2026 Eco-Hero and our very first winner from Taiwan! 🇹🇼

As founder of the No Butts Alliance, Hank merges technology, data mapping, and youth advocacy to eliminate filter pollution. Through his self-developed "Butt Hunter" app, he has mapped pollution hotspots and organized 94+ cleanups, removing over 30,000 toxic butts. He also designed smart gutter nets to trap plastic litter before it reaches the sea and regularly hosts national Children's Action Forums to champion environmental policy directly with government officials. 💚

Watch Hank’s video message sharing his mission to protect our oceans and empower youth voices worldwide! 🌊

Learn more about Hank’s story: https://actionfornature.org/eco-hero-winners/hao-han-wu

09/18/2026

by Emma Lopes Art

09/18/2026

Incredible finding!

Breaking news! Scientists have described the first new wild cat species in over a century: Leopardus tilcayo (the Tilcayo cat). 🐾

Found in Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest by an international research team — including Paola Nogales Ascarrunz — this elusive, 3-pound feline is smaller than the average domestic cat.

Long thought to belong to a single widespread species, DNA analysis revealed five distinct wild cats — including L. tilcayo, defined by its slender frame, muted fur and extra-large spot markings. "We chose to name the species 'Tilcayo' — the name local communities use to describe the cat," shares Nogales Ascarrunz. "It’s our way of honoring their ancestral knowledge and connection to this animal."

Scientists are now deploying camera traps across the cloud forest to find L. tilcayo in the wild and build targeted conservation plans to protect them from habitat loss. “Describing a new cat species after more than 100 years shows how much we still have to learn about the biodiversity around us. But it also reminds us that we need to protect the Yungas forests, which are home to so many species — including some we are only beginning to understand.”

Photos by fellow Explorer Fernando Faciole

09/16/2026

It turns out moth wings aren't just for flying. They're actually functioning noses! 🦋

A study on to***co hawkmoths revealed that specialized, porous sensory hairs distributed across their wings can detect odors.

When researchers tested these "smelling wings," they found the sensors were specifically tuned to pick up distinct plant scents, helping the moths sniff out nightshade plants to lay their eggs!

Mother Nature never ceases to amaze with her adaptations! 💚

Until now, scientists have mostly focused on the wings' mechanical function. Turns out there was a lot more going on then they realized.

09/15/2026

DID YOU KNOW that less than 2% of global climate funding goes to environmental solutions, and under 1% reaches youth-led initiatives?

Our International Young Eco-Heroes are already driving real, measurable solutions: planting thousands of mangroves, developing assistive technologies for wildlife conservation, and mobilizing communities.

Starting today through October 8, we’re raising $6,000 on Earth Gives to power their ongoing impact. Give directly to support these extraordinary young leaders or create your own personalized page in under 2 minutes to invite your friends to champion youth environmental leaders!

Donate or start a fundraiser today: https://www.earthgives.org/story/ActionForNature

09/15/2026

09/13/2026

Meet the winners of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 competition, presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain.

From breathtaking marine encounters to vital conservation stories, these images showcase both the wonder and the fragility of our blue planet. 🌊✨

1st Place by Julien Anton | French Polynesia

An adult seahorse pictured with newly born juveniles in the shallow seaweed-filled waters of Moorea, French Polynesia. While it is not known if these seahorses are related, their arrangement creates the impression of a farewell, as if the tiny seahorses have gathered around their father after he has released them into the world. Seahorses are now rare in French Polynesia so this image was the result of long hours of searching among the seaweed.



2nd Place by Rafael Fernández Caballero | Mexico

In the Pacific waters of Mexico, this photograph captures the aftermath of a successful orca hunt. Nearly an hour after a pod separated a humpback whale calf from its mother, the orcas resurfaced carrying their prey between them. The event reveals the cooperative hunting strategies of orcas, where multiple individuals work together to isolate and subdue large prey. What the image doesn’t show is that after the kill, other scavengers, including silky sharks, were drawn to the remains, showing how one event can influence an entire marine food web.

3rd Place by Ariel Mei Gliboff | USA

A group of 11 gunnels gathers in a colourful cluster beneath the waters of Seattle. Although gunnels are a common species in the region, finding so many together in a tightly packed group with such varied colours is unusual. Their bright patterns stand out against the darker waters typical of Pacific Northwest diving. This image highlights the unexpected beauty found in familiar species.

Finalist by Abdulaziz Al Saleh | Kuwait

A male blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) displays his large claws above the water while protecting a female during mating in Kuwait’s Arabian Gulf. During reproduction, males guard females to reduce the risk of predation and competition. This split-level image was taken at sunrise in a