Our Story
Who is Earth Guardians?
Our History
Earth Guardians (EG) originated in 1992 as a Maui high school, fostering environmental awareness and action. Recognized for impactful initiatives like sandalwood forest restoration and ocean preservation, we gained global attention when the Dalai Lama honored 25 students by presenting the Children's Torch of Hope through Global Family in 1995.
In 1997, EG moved to Colorado to broaden its reach, empowering youth through political activism. Our efforts led to notable achievements such as pesticide bans and plastic bag fees.
In 2012, our Crews program began solidifying our commitment and belief in youth-led grassroots action. Then, shortly after, in 2015, The RYSE Youth Council was established, & EG became a plaintiff in the lawsuit Julianna VS the United States.
Today, with a global network spanning six continents, EG empowers youth worldwide to lead change in their communities, fostering a collaborative network to support their endeavors.
Our Mission
Earth Guardians (EG) is an intergenerational climate justice organization (501c3) that trains diverse youth to be influential leaders at the forefront of the climate movement across the globe - using art, music, storytelling, on-the-ground projects, civic engagement, and legal action to advance solutions and create grassroots and global impact.
What makes Earth Guardians Unique?
Our strategic priorities center youth agency, community building, & nonviolent direct action.
Our theory of change is to de-tokenize underserved identities by redistributing power and creating equity/opportunity by meaningfully involving communities; we center the work, knowledge, and voices of youth, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, women, and those living with visible and invisible disabilities within the climate justice movement. Utilizing STEM, art, cultural practices, activism, civic engagement, & training, we support, not dictate, a global network of frontline communities in implementing solutions that elevate their communities' specific critical needs.
Our team is over 90% Black, Indigenous, & queer youth, a direct reflection of the communities we aim to uplift. Together, as Earth Guardians, our diverse network pioneers resilient and regenerative innovation through a holistic lens to solve our most pressing global issue, the climate crisis.
Our Guiding Principles
💚 Guardianship - a dedication to land stewardship, environmental justice, and climate justice. We protect the environment for the next seven generations
💙 Nonviolence - a commitment to anti-oppression work, internally & externally, in all actions and campaigns rooted in peace and love
💚 Knowledge - a strong stance that environmental education, training, & knowledge should be globally accessible
💙 Community & collaboration - unity is at the heart of all our work. We are a global family bringing youth together through global campaigns, training, etc., building relationships & global networks with individuals, businesses, & communities. We create safe spaces so youth can be vulnerable & authentic while creating a strong community for themselves
Our Vision & Purpose
To create an impact that shapes the future of global decision-making by putting the power into the hands of youth & other disenfranchised identities.
We envision a world where young people and marginalized communities have the resources & power to shape decisions for a more just future. Each person is a leader, creating change for their community & paving the way for justice for generations to come.
Decode our Logo
Decode our Logo
FireAirArrows to keep us guided in our missionOur connection to SpiritEarthConnection to the UniverseWaterAt the center, Earth Guardians abbreviation, EGCreated by some of the founders of Earth Guardians, including Xiuhtezcatl, the logo represents the four elements (water, air, earth, and fire). Other images represent and acknowledge the Earth Guardians’ connection to a bigger purpose that guided their work in creating EG.
We won’t wait, it’s our future, we decide.
You C.A.N. Choose Action Now!