Cynthia Zhang

What they built

Founded Monarchs Matter in 2023, a youth-led nonprofit on Long Island, New York, dedicated to combating the 80%+ decline of eastern migratory monarch butterflies through an 'education-to-action' model. The organization runs an annual Raise, Tag, and Release summer program, has established 15 monarch waystations covering 34 acres, planted over 21,000 trees in Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, and has expanded to international chapters in Pakistan and Nigeria. By connecting participants to the wonder of monarch metamorphosis, Cynthia turns youth into active environmental stewards, addressing the broader biodiversity and climate crises. Monarchs Matter has engaged students from over 20 schools and has been recognized as a 2025 Barron Prize winner, a Points of Light Daily Award honoree, and an ecoAmerica American Climate Leadership Awards Youth Finalist.

Verified track record

• - 15 monarch waystations / 34 acres (reported)
• - 21,000+ trees planted in Mexico biosphere reserve (reported)
• - Gloria Barron Prize winner (2025); Points of Light honoree
• Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes 2025 (age 17) (source)
• Points of Light Daily Point of Light Award (source)
• ecoAmerica American Climate Leadership Awards 2025 Youth Finalist (source)
• Bow Seat 2025 Future Blue Youth Council (source)
• EarthEcho International feature (source)
• Monarchs Matter About Page (confirms founding in 2023 while in middle school) (source)