Earth Day 2026: Planet Power!

Terri has been drawn to nature since a child and started nature journaling as an adult in 2019. She is a Wild Wonder Foundation certified Nature Journaling Educator, using teaching methods developed by John Muir Laws; and a UC ANR Certified California Naturalist. Her goal is to connect people in Southern California--Los Angeles, East San Fernando Valley, West San Gabriel Valley--to explore nature through curiosity... to look closely and record their observations. She teaches Nature Journaling workshops, leads monthly outdoor meetups at several locations and enjoys sharing her passion about recording the natural world using artistic expression and scientific methods, while utilizing iNaturalist to participate in Citizen Science and as a learning tool.

Nyerges has a lifelong passion for wild foods, self-reliance, and survival skills. He began to teach Wild Food Outings in 1974, sponsored by WTI, and over 34,000 students have attended the classes in the last 40 years. Nyerges was editor of Wilderness Way for 7 years, and outdoor columnist for over 12 years, and the author of numerous books ("Guide to Wild Foods," "How to Survive Anywhere," "Self-Sufficient Home," and more). Christopher and his wife Dolores started the School of Self-reliance as a means to share practical real-life everyday skills with average city-dwellers via classes and publications. Though Dolores passed away in 2008, Nyerges continues to share unique and life-changing classes with an astounding array of world-class itinerant teachers, each of whom Nyerges considers not just associates but close friends.

Sarahjeet is a public health student at UCLA and a sustainable food systems advocate who approaches the climate crisis through a population health lens, with a focus on community-centered public policy. As a Youth Climate Commissioner, she brings experience from both startups and nonprofits, with work spanning policy analysis, program management, event planning, and community engagement. In her current role as Program Coordinator for the Plant-Powered Fellowship Program, she supports a cohort of 14 students advancing K-12 climate-friendly school food local and federal policy. She is also the founder of UCLA’s Sustainable Food Futures Career Fair and is a leading voice in making sure young people have a seat at the sustainability table.

Niloofar is a 3rd-year Environmental Studies and Legal Studies double-major at the University of Southern California. As Deputy Director of Communications at Climate Cardinals, she leads global efforts to expand multilingual climate communication and elevate youth-led solutions through strategic messaging. As an LA County Youth Climate Commissioner, she uses her role to bridge the gap between policy and lived experience, ensuring that youth perspectives - especially those from underrepresented communities -are not only heard but translated into tangible, community-centered climate solutions. Across her work in government and nonprofit spaces, she has driven policy research and development, strengthened intergovernmental partnerships, and developed public-facing sustainability initiatives.

Drew has worked for 18 years with cities, businesses, schools, and residents to advance sustainability practices. His professional mission is to ensure our community is a good steward of resources for future generations and to equitably and cost-effectively implement sustainability solutions. His specialties include greenhouse gas emissions accounting, decarbonization of buildings and transportation, utility rate analysis, building electrification, solar and storage implementation, electric vehicles and charging, and water conservation and supply strategies.