At just 17 years old, activist Amara Nwuneli is making history—and greenery. The dynamic teen has been named the 2025 Earth Prize Africa Winner.
She won the prestigious award for her groundbreaking project Preserve Our Roots, a youth-led initiative that transforms neglected urban spaces into vibrant, sustainable community parks.
This marks the first time a Nigerian has earned the prestigious honor, making Amara a trailblazer in environmental innovation across the continent.
From Lagos Streets to Global Stage
Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria—a bustling city of over 17 million people where green space makes up less than 3% of the land—Amara witnessed firsthand the severe effects of unchecked urbanization. Soaring heat levels, poor air quality, and the loss of biodiversity were not distant issues; they were part of her daily reality.
“I grew up where nature was a luxury,” said Amara. “Thanks to The Earth Prize, this vision is no longer just a dream—it’s becoming a reality.”
That vision is now embodied in the Preserve Our Roots initiative, which launched its first eco-park in Ikota, Nigeria. Built using recycled materials and the support of hundreds of volunteers, the park serves as a peaceful refuge and a live learning space where young people are taught about climate resilience and sustainability.
The Earth Prize: A Global Catalyst
The Earth Prize, created in 2021 by the Geneva-based Earth Foundation, is hailed as the world’s top environmental competition for teenagers. With over 15,000 participants from 160 countries and territories to date, the initiative awards $500,000 annually to youth-led teams with game-changing environmental projects.
Seven regional winners—including Amara for Africa—each receive $12,500 in funding, mentorship, and guidance to scale their ideas. Amara captivated judges during the mentorship phase and secured her win with a compelling pitch focused on building sustainable “green sustainability parks” in under-resourced neighborhoods.
According to Earth Foundation founder Peter McGarry, this year’s winners represent “beacons of hope and creativity in the fight for environmental sustainability.”
Building a Greener Future—One Park at a Time
Armed with her Earth Prize award, Amara plans to expand Preserve Our Roots by launching three additional eco-parks in underserved Nigerian communities. The goal? To reach tens of thousands with hands-on climate education, community-driven sustainability projects, and new green spaces that double as sanctuaries and schools.
“This is by youth, for youth,” said Amara, underscoring the movement’s mission to empower the next generation of environmental changemakers.
Amara Nwuneli is offering a fresh reminder that lasting change starts from the ground up. Or in her case—from parks built with passion and purpose.
