I am thrilled to announce the six winners of the 2026 Storyfest competition, Planet Forward’s 12th annual global celebration of environmental storytelling.

This year, our talented students submitted a record number of stories: Almost 240 entries became 24 Finalists and six Honorable Mentions. Of this group, our expert judges panel has selected four winners; the Planet Forward staff named a Framing the Future winner, awarded to the story that best displays a depth of research and originality; and you, our readers, chose a Fan Favorite, casting a colossal 2,283 votes.

These six stories take readers from the sands of the Atacama Desert to the streets of the Philippines, from the canopy of Costa Rica to the cornfields of Arizona, from the waters of Wisconsin to the islands of the Amazon, and beyond.

This summer, the winners will set sail on a new adventure: a 10-day voyage to southeastern Greenland with Lindblad Expeditions. Guided by Expedition staff, including expert naturalists and scientists, plus educators, students will head to the front lines of a changing climate to explore some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes — and the innovative solutions helping protect them. We are exceptionally grateful to Sven Lindblad for his ongoing commitment to the next generation of environmental storytellers, and for his support.

Our judges, led by panel chair Jake Meyers, are excited to celebrate these stories based on their creativity, excellent communication and production, effective use of their chosen format, thorough and thoughtful sourcing, and overall potential impact. The panel included Devin Greene, Terrius Harris, Shondiin Mayo, Gina Murphy Darling, Greg Moga, Bilal Motley, Dre Pedemonte, Katie Perkins, Sagen Lily Quale, Matt Scott, and Carter Weinhofer.

Congratulations to our winners:

Best Short Video
Cameron Armendariz — University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
“Bringing back the giants: Sturgeon restoration in the Milwaukee River Watershed”

Judges said: “Our top choice demonstrates an amazing ability for voices and imagery to tell the story of why and how the restoration of sturgeons is so vital to the Milwaukee River. What drew us in the most was the editing quality being so creative and memorable.”

Best Social Video
Jhun-Jhun Agustin — Brigham Young University
“Plogging: The 1% Movement for the Philippines”

Judges said: “This piece clearly reflects the Planet Forward ethos, particularly in its emphasis on student-driven, solutions-oriented environmental storytelling. Agustin’s concise and compelling video highlights a grassroots organization working to inspire young communities to take action on trash pollution and waste management in the Philippines.”

Best Multimedia Story
Tommey Jodie — University of Arizona
“The Present Tense of a Cornfield”

Judges said: “We love the use of the timeline and how it brings in a layer of interactivity for the audience to explore the issue in depth. This story is provocative and memorable, and the inclusion of the author’s personal experience is deeply appreciated.”

Best Written Story
Kailey Aiken — University of Tampa
“The Nosara Monkey Bridge Project is saving howler monkeys in Costa Rica”

Judges said: “This is a highly engaging and well-crafted piece that effectively uses multiple sources and strong visual elements to enhance the reader’s understanding of both the issue and its solution. The story provides enough background for readers unfamiliar with the topic to quickly become invested, while maintaining a compelling and original narrative.”

Framing the Future Award
Alexia Massoud — The George Washington University
“Brazilian women make a stand for water at COP30”

Planet Forward staff said: “While studying abroad in Brazil and attending COP30 in Belém, Alexia embedded herself in local communities to tell the story of an inspiring demographic that is advancing sustainability while weathering the effects of climate change. Her outstanding original reporting highlights the women who are central to Brazil’s water-based industries, including fishing, aquaculture, and tourism. Alexia’s vivid writing, compelling use of data, and original photographs bring readers out onto the water and into COP30 to show us how these ‘women of the water’ are leading the charge to further align their industries with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”

Fan Favorite Award
Will Hinkle — Middlebury College
“Translating a foreign landscape: Reflections from Patagonia”

Planet Forward staff said: “Will Hinkle’s photo essay brings together personal reflections and stunning images from his exploration of South America’s most astonishing landscapes. He brings readers on a journey through Patagonia, from the Peruvian Andes to the Atacama Desert and beyond. He uses the medium of photography to create an immersive, awe-inspiring experience for the reader — reminding us of our responsibility to honor and reciprocate nature’s gifts.“