Planet Forward is pleased to announce seven student winners for our fourth annual storytelling competition — Storyfest.

Winners will travel to Alaska, courtesy Alaska Airlines, for an 8-day voyage between Sitka and Juneau with Lindblad Expeditions aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion with Lindblad-National Geographic photo instructors, naturalists and scientists to explore Alaska’s coastal wilderness. 

“The Planet Forward Storyfest winners brought together commitment, information, and storytelling to spark our imaginations and inspire us,” said Frank Sesno, Chief Executive at Planet Forward and Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University. “They are already moving the planet forward.”

“Sven Lindblad’s investment in this initiative reflects his passion of the environment, his love of exploration, and his belief in the power of story. The stories our students we will tell aboard his ship will showcase the incredible ecosystems of one of the last frontiers,” added Sesno. 

The grand prize winners are: 

MOST COMPELLING CHARACTER(S)

Tutors for a farming illiterate society
Shandra Furtado, The George Washington University

MOST CREATIVITY IN THE ART OF
ENVIRONMENTAL STORYTELLING (TIE)

Changing minds in the age of changing climate
Navya Pothamsetty, University of California-Berkeley

AND

We’ve been ‘shellfish’ enough already: It’s time to take care of the Chesapeake Bay 
Ashley Gallagher and Jordan Mullaney, The George Washington University

BEST USE OF SCIENCE OR DATA IN
ENVIRONMENTAL STORYTELLING

Counting calories? Count your carbon, too
Katherine Baker, Columbia University

BEST SCALABLE INNOVATION

From waste to wetlands: A small town solution to water scarcity
Vanessa Moss, Sewanee: The University of the South

MOST AMBITIOUS IDEA

New gadget helps find household leaks, save water & money
Emily Arnold, Georgetown University

THE GW PRIZE

Where does it go? Composting at GWU
Alex Rubenstein

MORE STORYFEST 

See the full list of finalists and ALL of the Storyfest 2018 entries.