By: Avery Jolin

Al Gore. Naomi Klein. If you’re passionate about Climate Change, chances are you know their names and contributions to protect the planet from the effects of it. They deserve recognition to be sure, yet it’s also important to remember that the fight against climate change is a leader-full movement.

That’s why we’re highlighting three people from ThatHelps’ vetted organizations who’ve made it their mission to care for the environment and Earth’s resources: Waterkeeper Alliance‘s Malaika Elias, Bioneers‘ Nina Simons, and National Parks Conservation Association‘s Betty Reid Soskin. Here’s why you should know—and appreciate—them, too!

Malaika Elias

As an organizer for Waterkeeper’s Chesapeake, Great Lakes, and North Atlantic regions, Elias supports its mission to protect every person’s right to access clean water. She strengthens and amplifies the voice of members and affiliates through capacity-building, advocacy, communications, and fundraising. If that’s not enough, she’s a storyteller—check out one of her more recent articles here.

Why we’re grateful for her: Um, see above! Her work on environmental justice is simply awe-inspiring. NBD, she also helped create a solar-powered atmospheric water condenser to tackle water insecurity when she was in graduate school. We can’t wait to see what she does next.

Nina Simons

This visionary social entrepreneur has been a leader since 1990 when she co-founded Bioneers, the visionary, inter-generational organization that marries practical, innovative solutions to meet environmental challenges like climate change. Bioneers also hosts an amazing three-day conference every year that facilitates discussion among other change makers.

Why we’re grateful for her: She not only starts the conversation, she translates it to action in order to make a real change.

Betty Reid Soskin

One word sums up Ms. Soskin: legend. At 97-years-old, she is the oldest ranger in the National Park System under the National Parks Conservation Association. She’s also a trailblazer, starting her career protecting America’s public lands when few women worked in the Parks system, let alone women of color like her. Her energy and capacity are boundless, publishing a memoir at 96 and giving talks across the country to share her stories of perseverance and witness to history.

Why we’re grateful for her: Her commitment to preserve public lands is absolutely inspiring—and she doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.