FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2025
Young Environmentalists Take the Lead in 2025 Shane McConkey EcoChallenge — With Entries Doubled, the Next Generation of Eco-Warriors Shines
TRUCKEE, CA — The Shane McConkey Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Shane McConkey EcoChallenge, a nationwide competition that challenges students to take meaningful environmental action in their schools and communities. Now in its 10th year, the EcoChallenge saw a record number of entries—double last year’s total—and continues to grow into a powerful movement of young changemakers.
From urban farms to clean water solutions, upcycled fashion to AI-powered habitat restoration, this year’s projects were bold, creative, and impactful. But as the Foundation emphasizes: every student who enters the EcoChallenge is a winner.
“Every entry makes a world of difference,” said Sherry McConkey, founder of the Shane McConkey Foundation. “These students have thought critically and creatively about their environment and taken action. That’s what Shane believed in, and that’s what this challenge is all about.”
2025 EcoChallenge Winners Announced
Student teams competed in four categories—Extreme, Black Diamond, Blue Square, and Green Circle—based on age and experience level. Projects were judged on innovation, impact, sustainability, and teamwork.
EXTREME WINNERS
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1st Place: A Sustainable Future – Reducing paper waste and climate anxiety among students (Bellevue, WA & Randolph, NJ)
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2nd Place: The Green Spark – Providing clean water and eco-education in schools (Lafayette, CA)
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3rd Place (Tie):
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Monarchs Matter – Restoring pollinator habitats and empowering youth (Great Neck, NY)
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Project Super Plants – Teaching carbon sequestration and growing 29,000+ native plants (San Mateo, CA)
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BLACK DIAMOND WINNERS
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1st Place: Project ARISE – Using AI to identify and remove invasive wildfire-fueling plants (San Diego, CA)
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2nd Place: A Taste of Home – Rescuing 700,000+ meals for those in need (Vienna, VA)
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3rd Place: Sunny Lots – Building an ultra-dense urban Greenspace with hydroponics (Glendale, CA)
BLUE SQUARE WINNERS
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1st Place: Little Fixers, Big Hearts – A winter coat repair and education event on fast fashion (Truckee Elementary, Truckee, CA)
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2nd Place: School Service Association (SSA) – Student-led sustainability at school and beyond (Glenshire Elementary, Truckee, CA)
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3rd Place: RHS Ecology Club – Creating vertical gardens to fight food insecurity (Roosevelt High School, Fresno, CA)
GREEN CIRCLE WINNERS
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1st Place: Eco-Action Club – Underwater cleanups and art installation “The Trashcade” (Tahoe City, CA)
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2nd Place: 5th Grade Environmental Rock Band Musical – An original musical inspiring climate awareness (Truckee Elementary, Truckee, CA)
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3rd Place: Up-Cyclers – Turning discarded clothing into stylish outfits to combat fast fashion (Truckee, CA)
Shane’s Legacy Inspires Action
The EcoChallenge honors the life and spirit of Shane McConkey, the legendary skier, BASE jumper, and environmentalist. His adventurous life and deep care for the planet live on through this student-driven movement.
“Shane really cared deeply about the environment, and so did I,” said Sherry McConkey. “We were always talking about what we can do. He showed me that you can do anything you want—just go for it.”
That spirit of action, creativity, and purpose lives on in the young people who participate each year. And the results speak for themselves: tens of thousands of meals rescued, plants grown, gardens built, performances staged, lakes cleaned, and communities inspired.
“When we teach kids something so powerful at such a young age, they’ll carry it with them for the rest of their lives,” Sherry said. “They become lifelong eco-warriors.”
About the Shane McConkey Foundation
The Shane McConkey Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to honoring Shane’s legacy through programs that support environmental stewardship, community involvement, and youth empowerment. The EcoChallenge is one of several initiatives inspiring the next generation to take action—and have fun doing it.
To learn more, get involved, or support the EcoChallenge, visit www.shanemcconkey.org or follow @shanemcconkeyfoundation on Instagram.
Media Contact:
Sherry McConkey
Shane McConkey Foundation
info@shanemcconkey.org
(530) 123-4567
