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Earth Island Institute, founded by David R. Brower in 1982, moved into a new era with the passing of our legendary Chairman in November, 2000. The Brower Legacy campaign, first launched in 1997 in honor of David's 85th birthday, has been expanded to honor his lifetime of bold action, inspiring mentorship, and principled effectiveness which helped give birth to the modern environmental movement.
In the face of an increasingly urgent environmental situation, the programs of the Brower Legacy inspire and support the next generation of visionary environmental leaders, the "David Browers" of the new century. David's vision of CPR for the Earth will live on as long people are inspired and moved to action by his life and what he stood for. EII has taken on the challenge of transforming David Brower's bold vision of Peace On and With the Earth into reality by providing opportunities and support for "those who would save the Earth."
 David Ross Brower was born in Berkeley, California, on July 1, 1912. During his extensive career, Dave served as the first Executive Director of the Sierra Club; founded Friends of the Earth (FOE); co-founded the League of Conservation Voters; and initiated the founding of international FOE organizations (now active in 69 nations). In 1982, he founded Earth Island Institute with colleagues from FOE. A famous mountain climber as a young man, Brower was a lifelong wilderness enthusiast who started working in 1938 to establish Kings Canyon National Park and didn't stop fighting conservation battles until 2000 when he died at the age of 88. He was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Established in 2000 by Earth Island Institute, the Brower Youth Awards honor and reward outstanding younger leaders (ages 13 to 22) doing David's work of CPR for the Earth - Conservation, Preservation, and Restoration. This program is one of the primary strategies in the David Brower New Leaders Initiative, which continues the mentorship, hands-on training, and financial assistance that Brower provided to young leaders throughout his career. Each year, six winners receive $3,000 cash prizes, wilderness training in Yosemite National Park, and ongoing access to mentors, resources, and opportunities to further their work. Winning projects have ranged from campus organizing to restoration of wildlife habitat to toxic waste clean-up.
A new center for environmental advocacy is now in the planning and development phase in Berkeley, California. The David Brower Center will be a place for the world to carry on work in the spirit of legendary environmental advocate and lifelong Berkeley resident, David R. Brower. This state-of-the-art green building will be home to Earth Island Institute and a community of other environmental and progressive organizations.
One way to honor David Brower's life is by ensuring that the work he began is continued and strengthened. We he died, David Brower left the remainder of his Blue Planet Prize money to Earth Island to continue his work at the Brower Fund. David used Brower Fund to provide small grants to seed innovative environmental initiatives, foster the development of young environmental leaders, and bring his message of Conservation, Preservation and Restoration to wider audiences. Help match David's gift to the Brower Fund, and we will continue the tradition, seeding big ideas and bold leaders for the Earth.
Visit our sister site, The Wildness Within Us, for a portfolio of classic Brower images and writings.
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