Meet 6 people making Philly greener, one neighborhood at a time.
(and they’re all SustainPHL nominees!) From storm drains in Germantown to community gardens in Kensington, these community leaders are showing how to put a cleaner Philly into action.
How are Philadelphians showing up in sustainability?
Sometimes it’s a new tree, a teenager getting paid to clean up their neighborhood, or keeping storm drains clear of trash.
These could seem like small actions, but they’re the ones Philadelphia residents can use and benefit from every day.
This year’s SustainPHL nominees show progress doesn’t require a new law or company initiative. It can just start with someone who sees a problem and decides to do something about it.
Meet six of the SustainPHL nominees helping make Philadelphia a greener, healthier place to live on October 29, and read more below.
Kadafi El-Kardah: Looking out for Germantown, one storm drain at a time
Storm drains aren’t exactly glamorous. But anyone who’s watched a Philadelphia intersection flood after a downpour knows how important they are.
Kadafi El-Kardah is getting neighbors involved in keeping them clear.
Through Drain Buddies, the Germantown initiative he founded, El-Kardah encourages residents to take an active role in caring for their neighborhood’s storm drains. It’s a practical approach to watershed protection that also brings neighbors together.
El-Kardah has spent nearly a decade working at the intersection of environmental outreach, housing, youth leadership and community development. His work is rooted in a simple idea: Neighborhoods are stronger when residents have a say in how they’re cared for.
Elaine Wells: Connecting West Philly kids to nature
Elaine Wells has many roles in West Philadelphia. At the heart of it all is a commitment to connecting young people with their community and the outdoors.
Wells founded Global Thinking Initiatives, a nonprofit serving primarily the Haddington and Cobbs Creek neighborhoods. She also leads The Tint Trekkers PHL, a youth program that brings together trails, nature and literacy.
Her community work extends well beyond one organization. She’s helped establish the West Philadelphia Greening Coalition and the Haddington Block Captains’ Association, and serves on numerous boards and advisory groups focused on trees, trails, health and environmental education.
Jeremy Chen: Helping Kensington teens to improve their own neighborhood
What happens when neighborhood cleanup can become a job opportunity?
Jeremy Chen is exploring that question through Klean Kensington, a community-based nonprofit he founded that pays local teenagers to clean, green and improve their neighborhood.
For young people growing up in Kensington, the work offers a chance to earn income while taking an active role in shaping the neighborhood they call home.
Catherine Lowther: Making room for nature in Fishtown and Kensington
If you’ve enjoyed the waterfront from Penn Treaty Park, you may have seen some of Catherine Lowther’s work without realizing it.
As president of Friends of Penn Treaty Park, Lowther has helped bring a pollinator garden and trail, a public orchard and more trees to the waterfront green space. Her efforts have also helped the park achieve arboretum status.
And her work doesn’t stop at the park.
In East Kensington, Lowther volunteers with the Huntingdon Emerald Project to help turn a vacant city-owned lot into a community green space. She’s also developing a school garden program at H.A. Brown Elementary School and organizing neighborhood cleanups as a block captain.
Now serving as farm director at Redeemer Valley Farm, Lowther continues to connect sustainable agriculture, education and community engagement. Her work shows how much can happen when residents treat public green spaces as places worth investing in.
Kiasha Huling: Fighting for more trees where they’re needed most
Philadelphia’s tree canopy isn’t distributed equally. And on a hot summer day, the difference between a shady block and one without trees can be hard to ignore.
Kiasha Huling is working to change that.
As director of the Philly Tree Coalition at Public Health Management Corp., Huling focuses on increasing tree canopy and improving air quality in low-income neighborhoods.
Huling previously led UC Green and Food Moxie, bringing experience in grassroots organizing, public health and community engagement to her current role.
Awbury Arboretum: Keeping nature accessible in Northwest Philly
Philadelphia has no shortage of beautiful green spaces. Making sure everyone can enjoy them is another matter.
In Northwest Philadelphia, Awbury Arboretum offers a free public garden and farm where residents can explore nature, learn and find a little peace from city life.
The arboretum’s roots go back to its Quaker founders and their commitment to social justice. Today, Awbury builds on that history through environmental education, community programming and stewardship of its grounds.
And in a city where access to green space seems to be shrinking with development, keeping places like Awbury welcoming and accessible matters.
Celebrate Philly’s changemakers at SustainPHL
These six nominees represent just a small percentage of the people and organizations working to make Philadelphia more sustainable.
Join us on Thursday, Oct. 29, to meet 27 nominees at the ninth annual SustainPHL Awards, an evening celebrating the people and organizations working towards a sustainable and equitable city.
Come meet the neighbors, advocates and organizations making things happen. You might leave with a new connection, an idea for your own neighborhood or even a new opportunity.
SustainPHL 2026
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026
6:30-9:30 p.m.
German Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Get your SustainPHL tickets
Become a Supporter!
