Earth Month Heroes
Celebrating Champions of Our Waterways and Oceans
Earth Month Heroes
Over the years, the Wyland Foundation has proudly spotlighted individuals who make a meaningful difference in protecting our waterways and oceans. From world-renowned scientists like Dr. Sylvia Earle to dedicated teachers, activists, and business leaders, our Earth Month Heroes represent the best of what it means to go the extra mile for their community and the planet. Each Earth Month Hero not only receives recognition for their outstanding contributions but also a donation to the environmental charity of their choice in Southern California.
We extend special thanks to our media partner, CBS Los Angeles, for their invaluable support in broadcasting the work of these remarkable individuals. Through their live news coverage, the inspiring stories of our Earth Month Heroes reach countless viewers, encouraging others to take action in their own communities. Past honorees of our Earth Month Heroes award continue to set an example as creative, solution-oriented stewards of our planet.
The Wyland Foundation believes that social modeling—demonstrating positive environmental behavior—is one of the most impactful ways to inspire others to become better caretakers of our oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. We are grateful to our current and past partners, including CBS Los Angeles, Toyota, and the Toro Company, for their support in celebrating and recognizing the contributions of these exceptional individuals.
An Earth Month Hero is Someone Who:
- Demonstrates Leadership: Inspires others through their actions and words, leading initiatives that promote environmental sustainability.
- Innovates for the Planet: Develops creative solutions to protect and preserve our natural resources.
- Engages the Community: Actively involves their community in environmental stewardship efforts, fostering a collective sense of responsibility.
- Educates and Advocates: Shares knowledge and raises awareness about the importance of clean waterways and healthy oceans.
- Shows Commitment: Displays a deep, unwavering dedication to protecting the environment, often volunteering time and resources to make a difference.
- Collaborates with Others: Works effectively with diverse groups, including schools, businesses, and other organizations, to achieve common environmental goals.
- Leads by Example: Embodies the principles of sustainability in their personal and professional life, setting a positive example for others to follow.If you know someone who embodies these characteristics and deserves to be recognized as an Earth Month Hero, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]. Together, we can celebrate and support those who are making a real difference for our planet.
Proud media partner for over a decade
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At a Glance
2019 EARTH MONTH HERO MARC MCGINNES
A pioneer in the modern environmental movement. Marc McGinnes has been a champion for the planet for more than five decades. In 1969, he moved to Santa Barbara in order to begin work as an environmental lawyer in the aftermath of the offshore oil platform blowout and spill early that year. He organized the first environmental rights day, on January 28, 1970. He is the co-founder of the Community Environmental Council, the environmental defense center. Since 1971, he has won numerous teaching awards as a founder of one of the nation’s first environmental studies programs.
2018 EARTH MONTH HERO CELIA FAILOA
The Wyland Foundation was proud to select Celia Faiola, a bright young environmental activist and professor within UC Irvine’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, as the Earth Month Hero Grand Prize Winner for 2018. In addition to her great work solving issues related to air pollution, climate change, and water quality, Celia is finding new ways to share her understanding of ecology with elementary and middle school teachers, so they can better prepare their students for the environmental challenges of the future.
In addition:
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Celia is an active member of the AirUCI group, a team of atmospheric chemists, physical scientists, engineers, and biologists like Dr. Faiola working toward cleaner, healthier air especially in Southern California.
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Her peers have called her studies of airborne plant chemicals that can interact with human-caused pollution to affect air quality “truly cutting-edge.”
2017 EARTH MONTH HERO WENDY RAMALLO
As Executive Director for the Council for Watershed health, a 20-year old nonprofit headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, Wendy oversees the council’s efforts to advance the health and sustainability of our region’s watersheds, rivers, streams and habitats – both in natural areas and urban neighborhoods. Wendy leads a small but fierce team of dedicated, intelligent, passionate leaders, several of whom have been with the Council over ten years. Wendy also continues to promote the organization’s core values of facilitating an inclusive stakeholder process to advance the health and sustainability of our region’s watersheds, rivers, streams and habitats, emphasizing even more today the critical importance of community engagement and environmental justice.