Nathan Tan, a student in the class of 2027 at St. Mark’s School of Texas, leads with passion and intention. As a member of the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots National Youth Council, he works to expand youth-led climate action across the country. At school, he founded and leads the Environmental Science and Sustainability Club, where he brings climate education and hands-on opportunities to students from first through twelfth grade. He also heads his school’s prairie restoration crew, growing thousands of native Texas plants and driving volunteer efforts that connect community members to nature. Beyond campus, Nathan speaks at national conferences and panels, advocating for systemic environmental education reform with the belief that knowledge must power our response to the climate crisis. When he’s not collecting seeds or planning club meetings, you can find him reading, writing stories about environmental hope, photographing wildlife, or running at unbelievably early times.