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Teen Transforms Lot into Thriving Eco-Haven
2 Nov
Summary
- A 17-year-old won a prize for transforming a neglected lot.
- The project includes a pollinator habitat and climate justice mural.
- The garden faced destruction but was rebuilt with a lease.
Emily Herra, a 17-year-old from New York, has been honored with the 2026 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes for her significant environmental work. Five years after initiating a school composting program, Herra co-founded Veggie Nuggets. This youth-led group transformed a neglected 3,600-square-foot lot in Jackson Heights, Queens, into a vibrant community asset.
The restored space now boasts 1,800 square feet of pollinator habitat and a striking 130-foot climate justice mural. This project emerged from a desire to utilize waste and create positive change beyond school grounds. The young volunteers collaborated with gardening experts and community groups to revitalize the abandoned lot.
Despite facing a major setback in autumn 2024 when a contractor cleared the garden, the Veggie Nuggets team demonstrated remarkable resilience. They secured a lease with CSX, ensuring the land's protection, and received a grant of approximately $10,000 for rebuilding efforts. This experience was documented in the film 'Perennial,' which premiered at the Queens World Film Festival on November 8, 2025.
Veggie Nuggets' initiatives extend beyond the garden, encompassing park clean-ups, environmental workshops, and advocacy for sustainable practices. Their work combines practical projects with activism, empowering young people to engage with environmental issues locally. Herra's persistence exemplifies how dedication can overcome challenges in environmental work.
