Organization for Environmental Education and Protection

Our Mission

OpEPA USA, founded in 2006, is a sister organization of OpEPA Colombia founded in 1998. The organizations were created as a means to reconnect children and adults with nature and promote positive environmental actions in Colombia and Latin America. Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. It has an incredible wealth of ecosystems, flora, fauna and cultural diversity. However, Colombia suffers from serious environmental degradation. Deforestation, high levels of urban waste, polluted water and reduced air quality are just four of a litany of similar issues. The environmental movement in Colombia has employed the range of conventional tactics to address these issues. Public awareness campaigns have dotted the airwaves, and legislative changes have improved the legal basis for pursuing polluters. But young people, "the next generation of consumers and decision makers," cannot be scolded or legislated into caring about the environment. To truly change the way they approach environmental issues, they must feel personally compelled to transform the status quo. This is what OpEPA targets to do.