Evan Barnard

Johns Creek, GA | 18

2017 Award Recipient

After his experience repairing a vandalized braille nature trail, Evan Barnard decided to work with the visually impaired community to organize nature walks and build another trail. In an effort to encourage more people with visual impairments to utilize these trails, Evan researched other braille trail locations and found they existed in many states and other countries. He identified a need for a virtual directory that connects people who are blind or visually impaired with these trails and other accessible outdoor opportunities and created Nature for All, an initiative which advocates for inclusive public spaces for the disabled worldwide. The website features 163 braille trails and sensory gardens in twenty-eight countries, including ninety-two trails in thirty-one U.S. states, plus information for schools, summer camps, sports and educational programs for the blind. The Nature for All website has been promoted to tens of thousands through international organizations and featured in the UN’s SDSN Youth Solutions Report. Evan has been awarded numerous grants, and has presented at a TEDx about Nature For All. He also serves on EarthEcho International’s Youth Advisory Council and as a National Youth Ambassador for the Mentor Foundation USA.