April 28, 2026
Take a look back at a whirlwind week of connection and celebration of our planet’s defenders!
Over the past week, the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize winners explored San Francisco and enjoyed the California coast. They also networked with past Prize winners, funders, and nonprofit colleagues and shared their stories with media outlets and local students. Join us in reflecting on a busy and fulfilling week.
Welcoming the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize Winners
Our team was excited to welcome the 2026 Goldman Prize winners to California: Iroro Tanshi (Nigeria), Borim Kim (South Korea), Sarah Finch (United Kingdom), Theonila Roka Matbob (Papua New Guinea), Alannah Acaq Hurley (United States), and Yuvelis Morales Blanco (Colombia).
Inspiring Future Environmentalists with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
The Goldman Prize winners participated in an event with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy’s Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders program, a youth program designed to prepare the next generation of climate leaders by connecting young people with parks as living classrooms for climate resilience. Hosted at the Crissy Field Center, the youths met with the Prize winners and heard their stories of community action and environmental leadership firsthand.
Celebrating Environmental Victories at the Goldman Prize Ceremony
One of the biggest highlights of the week was the Goldman Prize ceremony. With an audience of nearly 3,000 people, the lively event convened the environmental community and showcased the powerful stories of the Prize winners. Watch the 2026 ceremony livestream on our YouTube channel here.
Speaking with Bay Area Students
As part of a special youth reception co-created with students from Lick Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, students heard from Goldman Prize winners Iroro Tanshi, Alannah Acaq Hurley, and Yuvelis Morales Blanco. Visit the Goldman Prize’s education page to learn more about resources available to teachers.
Exploring the California Coast
The Goldman Prize winners traveled to Año Nuevo State Park, a California state park best known for its northern elephant seals—and sharky waters! It was a perfect opportunity to connect with each other and with nature.
Gathering with Past Goldman Prize Winners and NGO Colleagues
This year’s cohort of winners met with past Prize recipients mark! Lopez (United States, 2017), Hugo Jabini (Suriname, 2009), Andrea Vidaurre (United States, 2024), and Carlos Mallo Molina (Canary Islands, 2025). Prize winners built international connections and drew inspiration from one another’s journeys. They also met with nonprofit colleagues and funders in the San Francisco Bay Area, forging relationships to amplify their work and drive impact around the globe.
Sharing Their Stories on Podcasts and Panels
Iroro Tanshi and Sarah Finch spoke on a panel at the Commonwealth Club’s Climate One, a weekly podcast and public radio show that features conversations with leaders about climate and the environment. Theonila Roka Matbob, Sarah Finch, and Yuvelis Morales Blanco also spoke on a panel hosted by Earthjustice, where they discussed the common threads of their activism and strategies to effect real and lasting change.
