(Washington, D.C.) – EarthEcho International, Philippe Cousteau, Jr.’s nonprofit dedicated to building a global youth movement to protect and restore our ocean planet, announced the addition of 13 new members to its Youth Leadership Council (YLC). Comprised of young environmental champions, ages 15-24, from the United States, Argentina, Canada, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines and Spain, the EarthEcho YLC expands the impact of the organization’s worldwide programs and partnerships. EarthEcho also announced a new class of Water Challenge Ambassadors, a growing network of youth promoting local community action to protect waterways around the globe.

“The diverse youth joining EarthEcho’s Youth Leadership Council and Water Challenge Ambassadors bring the energy, unique perspectives and focus to reimagine the environmental movement,” said EarthEcho Founder Philippe Cousteau, Jr. “We look forward to working with these emerging leaders as they take action and forge a new path for the future of our planet.”

Serving two-year terms, the YLC is the guiding voice driving the development and implementation of EarthEcho’s global programs designed to strengthen agency in young people worldwide to build a durable conservation movement. The YLC unites 25 young people, selected through a competitive application process, who have demonstrated an ability to mobilize their communities to have a positive impact on our planet. EarthEcho’s youth leadership work is made possible through the support of HP, the La Mer Blue Heart Oceans Fund, and both the National Ocean Protection Coalition and Ocean Defense Initiative, projects of Resources Legacy Fund.

The new 2022 EarthEcho YLC members are:

• Alyssa Reynolds - St. Catherine, Jamaica

• Anya Bansal - Edison, New Jersey, USA

• Artash Nath - Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• Brigitta Gunawan - West Java, Indonesia

• Cameron Armstrong – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

• Chloe Wetzler – Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

• Gisela López Béjar - Barcelona, Spain

• Kyra Stillwagon - Savannah, Georgia, USA

• Mae Chew - Selangor, Malaysia

• Mahfudh Khamisi Omar - Mombassa, Kenya

• Mia Niña Maria Catipon - City of Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines

• Maraki Tamrat - Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

• Marianela Pepe - Neuquén, Argentina

Visit our Youth Leadership Council page to learn more about the work of the YLC and its members.

EarthEcho welcomes 20 new environmental stewards from 11 U.S. states as Water Challenge Ambassadors this year. The EarthEcho Water Challenge Ambassadors program equips young leaders, ages 13-22, to become community scientists as they test water quality at their local bodies of water, share that data through a global database and use that data to engage community members in waterway restoration and conservation. The EarthEcho Water Challenge is made possible through the support of Xylem Inc. To learn more about EarthEcho’s 48 active Water Challenge Ambassadors, visit http://monitorwater.org/ambassadors.  

For more information, visit www.earthecho.org, follow us on social media:

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/EarthEcho

Twitter: @EarthEcho

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