Weekly Reader | Lead Story | Rain Forest Hero

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When Evan Green was only 3 years old, he had a big dream. He set his sights on becoming "really rich and buying all the land," he told Weekly Reader. But he didn't want to buy all the land for himself. He wanted to protect animals' habitats. Evan's special interest was, and is, rain forests.

Today, Evan is living that dream. The 11-year-old from Redwood City, Calif., founded the Red Dragon Conservation Team four years ago, at age 7. His team's mission is to raise money to protect rain forests. Rain forests cover less than 2 percent of the Earth, but they are home to half of the world's plants and animals. Weather and drinking water depend on rain forests, too. But every year, about 56,000 square miles of rain forest land is destroyed, mostly by logging or ranching.

Evan's team has raised enough money to purchase more than 16 acres of rain forest in Costa Rica through the Center for Ecosystem Survival. This land will be protected forever.

Evan's team participated in Bowl-the-Planet, the Center's annual fundraiser. They asked for donations for every pin knocked down. The Red Dragons' success in fund-raising for the event surprised Evan. He thought they would raise about $100. Instead, he says, "my whole team together raised almost $900."

Think About It!

What do you think of Evan's pledge? Write your own pledge about something that's important to you.

Evan's success inspired many other children around the country. One girl asked for donations for rain forests instead of birthday presents, and gave the money to the Center for Ecosystem Survival. "We were really grateful," says Evan.

Evan's efforts have earned him two major awards. He received an International Young Eco-Hero award in 2006 from Action for Nature. In September, Evan received the Barron Prize for Young Heroes, which is given to young people who have made a positive difference in the world.

This young conservationist has achieved all of this while working with other challenges. Evan has dyslexia, a condition that makes it difficult to read. He also has asthma, an illness that makes it hard to breathe. Until recently, he had a serious long-term illness that limited how and what he could eat.

Through it all, though, Evan has spread his message about protecting the Earth. "Every little bit counts," Evan says. For example, Evan himself recycles, composts, limits garbage, and walks wherever he can.

Evan's work and his everyday life reflect this pledge that he wrote:

"I pledge to be kind to all, live beyond myself, give what I can, take care of the Earth, and not expect myself to do it alone."

See if you can unscramble this photo of a rain forest animal in its habitat in our jigsaw puzzle!

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