New York student wins $10,000 prize for community garden project
Emily Herra received the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes after transforming an abandoned lot into a garden and pollinator habitat.
New York student Emily Herra has been awarded the 2026 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes for her environmental work in Queens. According to the Times of India, the 17-year-old co-founded Veggie Nuggets, a youth-led climate activism group based in Jackson Heights.
The group restored a 3,600-square-foot abandoned lot near the CSX railway tracks. The site now includes a 130-foot climate justice mural and 1,800 square feet of space dedicated to pollinators.
The project faced a setback in autumn 2024 when a contractor hired by CSX cleared the land, destroying much of the students' work. Herra told The Indypendent that the destruction was a difficult moment for the group.
Following the incident, Veggie Nuggets secured a lease with CSX and received a grant of approximately $10,000 to rebuild the garden beds and replace plants. The group also produced a documentary titled 'Perennial' about their efforts, which premiered on November 8, 2025.
The Gloria Barron Prize, announced on September 15, 2026, recognises young people making a positive difference. Herra is one of 15 winners receiving $10,000 to assist with higher education or service work.
Herra said that through the experience, she learned environmental work is about persistence, particularly when situations feel uncertain.