Liza Goldberg

Clarksville, MD | 18

2020 Award Recipient

Climate change and deforestation are resulting in the devastation of global mangrove forests – threatening the lives of thousands of species and major habitat loss. Until recently, there was no global data tracking system for mangrove loss around the world. At 14 years old, Liza Goldberg identified this gap and, during an internship with NASA, created EcoMap, the first resource providing real-time information on global mangrove forest loss. EcoMap uses satellite imagery to map where mangrove ecosystems are most threatened and why, helping scientists and conservationists identify priority regions for restoration and protection. In addition to identifying mangrove loss through EcoMap, Liza trains organizations and communities around the world on how they can use this information to make science-informed policy decisions to assist conservation. Liza intends to continue this project for years to come and expand the current scope to include Southeast Asia, a region of the world that is severely impacted by mangrove loss.

(photo by Ricky Lasser)