Esther Bonney, 17, from La Plata, Maryland, has been named a 2024 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes recipient. This prestigious annual award honors 25 young leaders across North America who have made a significant positive impact on their communities or the environment. Fifteen top winners are awarded $10,000 each to further their service work or pursue higher education.
Bonney earned the accolade for her efforts to protect biodiversity and empower youth through her nonprofit organization, Nurture Natives. The group focuses on educating both children and adults about the threats posed by non-native species to agriculture, pollinators, and local ecosystems. By leading native plant giveaways throughout Maryland, Nurture Natives has distributed over 47,000 native seedlings and 550 sapling trees and shrubs. Additionally, the group has planted 2.2 million seeds and provided $24,000 worth of native plants to underprivileged communities.
In collaboration with horticulture experts, Bonney published Nurture Natives: A Guide to Invasive Species and Their Native Look-Alikes. Hundreds of copies have been distributed to nurseries in seven states along the East Coast.
Bonney’s journey toward environmental activism began in the wake of personal tragedy. At 13, she lost her older brother to suicide, and nature became her refuge. Spending time walking near a creek by her home, she gradually learned to identify native plants and pollinators, which rekindled her sense of purpose. “My experiences have reinforced my belief that a flourishing environment is inseparable from the health of the communities it sustains,” Bonney said. “I am committed to advocating for a future in which both our youth and environment thrive.”
Her interest in conservation grew when she became a 4-H Pollinator Ambassador, conducting educational presentations in schools and libraries. After attending the National 4-H Summit on Agriscience, she returned to Maryland eager to address agricultural problems in her community. By speaking with local farmers and scientists, Bonney identified the proliferation of invasive plant species as a major threat to local crops and ecosystems.
Through her advocacy work, Nurture Natives has played a significant role in helping pass state legislation banning the planting of Callery pear trees, an invasive species commonly used in landscaping. The organization is also working on additional legislation that would require the integration of native plants into public landscaping projects.
Bonney’s work exemplifies the core mission of the Barron Prize, which was founded in 2001 by author T. A. Barron. Named in honor of his mother, Gloria Barron, the prize recognizes young people who demonstrate qualities of courage, compassion, and perseverance. Since its inception, the Barron Prize has honored more than 600 youth who have made meaningful contributions to their communities and the environment.
“Nothing is more inspiring than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world,” said T. A. Barron in a statement. “And we need our heroes today more than ever. Not celebrities, but heroes – people whose character can inspire us all. That is the purpose of the Barron Prize: to shine the spotlight on these amazing young people so that their stories will inspire others.”
The $10,000 awarded to Bonney and the other top winners can be used to fund their ongoing community service projects or their future educational goals. In Bonney’s case, the funds are likely to help further the mission of Nurture Natives, as she continues to promote the use of native plants and combat the spread of invasive species.
Nurture Natives has already made a lasting impact in Maryland, and Bonney hopes to extend its reach even further. By empowering young people to take an active role in environmental conservation, she aims to ensure that future generations will live in healthier, more sustainable ecosystems.