Juanita Goebertus

Colombian environmental scientist leading Amazon rainforest restoration through youth-led initiatives

Juanita Goebertus (b. 1995) is revolutionizing reforestation efforts in the Amazon through her Amazon Youth Network. Since 2021, she has organized over 500 youth-led tree planting expeditions across 7 Amazonian countries, involving 15,000+ volunteers. Her Agua Viva project developed AI-powered seed drones that plant 10x faster than traditional methods while selecting native species using soil data. Goebertus' 2023 Nature journal study revealed her methods achieve 85% survival rates compared to 30% in conventional reforestation. She co-founded the Amazon Blockchain Initiative, creating a transparency platform tracking seed sources and carbon credits. Her TED Talk 'Rebuilding the Amazon with AI and Youth Power' reached 1.8M viewers. By 2024, her network had secured $22M in green bonds from European investors, funding 15 million trees annually. Goebertus' work was highlighted in the 2025 UN Climate Action Report as a model for community-driven ecological restoration.