Diego Mora

Colombian youth leader mobilizing grassroots reforestation efforts that restored over 5 million trees in deforested regions

Diego Mora is a 22-year-old environmental activist from Colombia who founded Bosques de Colombia in 2020. His youth-led initiative organizes annual tree-planting campaigns involving over 50,000 volunteers nationwide. By 2024, the program had restored 5.2 million trees in areas affected by deforestation from illegal mining and cattle ranching.

Mora's strategy emphasizes indigenous knowledge integration, partnering with Wayuu and Embera communities to revitalize traditional agroforestry practices. His 2022 collaboration with the Colombian Ministry of Environment established the first youth-managed forest reserves in the Amazon basin. The National Geographic Society highlighted his work in a 2023 documentary series on climate action.

Diego's 2025 Global Climate Summit speech advocating for youth representation in environmental policy made international headlines. His viral social media challenges have inspired similar movements in Peru and Ecuador. He currently serves as UNICEF's youngest Goodwill Ambassador for environmental justice.