Andi Gaither, an Interpreter of Natural History at Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Representative Colin Wellenkamp, and Dana Ripper, Co-Founder of Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO), were the featured speakers at the Opening Ceremony of the St. Louis Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 25 following a welcome speech by earthday365 Executive Director Dr. Jessica Watson.

MidAmerica Clean Future Alliance Executive Director Jennifer Wendt emceed the 2026 Sustainability Awards presentation, which highlighted the achievements in sustainability over five different categories.

Congratulations to the winners and all those who were nominated for doing all the great work you do for sustainability!

Keystone Community Activist
For a Community Activist making significant impacts in the area of Environmental Justice in St. Louis area communities of color.

• WINNER – Leah Lee-Pulliam, Founder of Growing Food Growing People, Inc. 
• RUNNER-UP – shared by Darnell Tingle (Executive Director of United Congregations of Metro East), Gabi Cole (Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Fit and Food Connection), and Caran Hanks (earthday365 Board Member and Youth Program Compliance Manager at Family and Workforce Centers of America).

Circularity in Business Award
Recognizing Sustainability in Business

• WINNER – Companion Baking
• RUNNER-UP – Monarch Waste Company

Food For Thought Award
For a Green Dining Alliance certified restaurant showing excellence in their sustainability as a core value of their business.

• WINNER – Olive + Oak
• RUNNER-UP – Flavor 360

Emerging Environmental Leader Award
Affectionately known as EEL, recognizes a young leader whose actions in the past year have inspired action and spread awareness for sustainable change in the St. Louis area.

• WINNER – Shawn Finnegan, Webster Groves Sustainability Coordinator
• RUNNER-UP – Anne Cummings, University City School District

All photos credit: Jessica Peterson