Callie Broaddus

There is a growing understanding that young people need to engage with those in power in order to influence decision-making for the Earth they will inherit. But I want to demonstrate that youth, who make up approximately half of the global population, also have an untapped ability to take direct action themselves. Through Reserva’s Youth Council, I have trained youth to creatively channel their interests and skills into successful fundraising initiatives, demonstrating that what some young people may lack in their savings account can be replaced through passion, creativity, and grassroots organizing.

The Dracula Youth Reserve in Ecuador’s Chocó cloud forest is home to critically endangered species including the Brown-headed Spider Monkey, the Black-and-chestnut Eagle, and many more, as well as iconic species such as the Spectacled Bear and Puma. Through our storytelling programs, Reserva is amplifying the need for conservation on the global stage. We aim to create a network of similar youth-funded reserves around the world that will provide enduring protection for Earth’s most fragile and biodiverse ecosystems.