Announcing the 2026 American Climate Leadership Awards Finalists

ecoAmerica is proud to announce the 2026 American Climate Leadership Awards (ACLA) finalists, showcasing a diverse, nationwide cohort of trailblazers who are broadening participation in climate action. Spanning regions and states, this year’s group celebrates a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including ranchers, farmers, health professionals, faith leaders, and grassroots advocates, focused on both local and systemic climate solutions. 

Congratulations to the 2026 Finalists! These organizations represent diverse, impactful approaches, from local grassroots initiatives to national coalitions, to foster a sustainable future and empower community engagement and action. Each of these Finalists will receive at least $5,000, and is now in the running for the final round of judging that will determine the runner-up (receiving $25,000 total) and winner (receiving $50,000), which will be announced live in the April 16 awards broadcast.

• Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet (California): Empowers youth and families to drive the transition to a healthier future, preparing the next generation to become confident climate leaders.
• ACESWorld (National, HQ in WDC): Equips youth and families in vulnerable communities with practical tools to understand, prepare for, and respond to the health impacts of climate change.
• Bedford 2030 (New York): A grassroots effort in New York dedicated to achieving aggressive, local climate action goals defined by the Bedford Climate Action Plan.
• CU Diploma in Climate Medicine (Colorado): Launched the Diploma in Climate Medicine, a first-of-its-kind, scalable education program preparing health professionals to lead on climate and health.
• Lutherans Restoring Creation (National): A national, grassroots movement promoting care for creation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
• Piedmont Environmental Alliance (North Carolina): The Green Business Network helps businesses and nonprofits in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad achieve their sustainability and climate goals.
• Run on Climate Education Fund (National): Empowers leaders in cities across the U.S. to eliminate fossil fuel use and pollution.
• U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA) (National): A farmer-led coalition representing 700,000 farmers and leading companies, advancing practical solutions for food security, rural vitality, and climate progress.
• Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) (Vermont): A statewide advocacy group focusing on climate and energy initiatives, including holding large polluters accountable.
• Youth Climate Institute (a program of the Howard County Conservancy) (Maryland): Builds the next generation of climate leaders through educating and certifying high school students.

Meet the people behind these initiatives, celebrate the finalists, and find out who will receive the top prizes by joining the Thursday, April 16, awards broadcast.

About the American Climate Leadership Awards
Since 2019, ecoAmerica’s American Climate Leadership Awards (ACLA) has recognized 200 climate leaders and awarded $1.2 million to individuals and organizations that are activating broader participation in climate solutions. ACLA advances successful climate action and advocacy with financial awards, public recognition, and guides for others to replicate the finalists’ winning work. In 2026, ACLA will award more than $200,000 to over 30 individuals and organizations for inspirational work in their communities and across the nation.

About ecoAmerica
ecoAmerica is a nonprofit organization that moves society toward climate solutions by engaging and supporting trusted national institutions to inspire and empower their millions of members in local communities across America to visibly act and advocate for ambitious, just, climate mitigation, resilience, and restoration.