Matias Nieto

Student, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

As a child, 16-year-old Gables resident Matias Nieto enjoyed swimming in the waters of Matheson Hammock Park. Years later he began noticing the deterioration in local waterways without fully understanding why. Feeling a moral duty to do his part, he began volunteering for beach cleanups through Miami Waterkeeper, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to ensuring swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water throughout South Florida. As a high school student, he appealed to City of Miami commissioners to pass (which they did) a resolution supporting “The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act” (H.R. 763). Earlier, as a guest of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, he attended public hearings in Washington, D.C. and lobbied Florida Reps. Ted Deutch and Donna Shalala for the same act.

Last Achievement

Nieto recently completed one full year of training to become a Junior Youth Ambassador for the Miami Waterkeeper. Program coordinator Collin Schladweiler describes their training programs as “opportunities to engage with local, science-based advocacy [leaders] and volunteer service experiences.” These included monthly lectures, advocacy campaigns (letter writing to politicians) and presentations, such as an upcoming address to his high school. His last two beach clean-ups alone collected 100 pounds of trash. Schladweiler reports that in an average year, their organization picks up about 1,400 pounds of trash.

What He Says

“I learned about climate change in 8th grade, but it was only a word to me. Then Irma hit in 2017. I saw the flooding, debris, storm surge, loss of power and after that I became more aware,” says Nieto. “I love doing beach cleanups. It’s so simple. It’s so calming to go to a local beach of ours. If I had a magic wand, I’d get it all cleaned up.” He advises that residents should do their part, no matter how small: Eliminate fertilizers or go organic with them, avoid proximity to water sources/sewage drains, and refrain from their use during the June-September rainy season. Change takes place, he says, “in the little and big things.”