Dakota Palacio has been concerned about the environment and the people around her from an early age. In 2006, when Dakota was thirteen, she founded the Beholdance organization and created a Web site, www.beholdance.org, that endeavors to "...engender love and protection for our animals, people, and planet in the minds and hearts of our youth, because ultimately the planet belongs to those who are coming and we are simply responsible for its care on their behalf."
Beholdance combines ecological and social interests. The organization has supported saving the amazing white beluga whales, saving White Kermode spirit bears and polar bears, and working to end the shooting of wolves from airplanes. Beholdance, which has developed three member organizations, also adopts highways for cleaning and collects aluminum cans for sale. Proceeds from the cans help sponsor cleft lip surgeries through Smile Train, an organization that provides reconstructive surgery for poor people around the world. It also has other projects and fund-raising events to collect money to feed the pets of the poor, to contribute to habitat for humanity, and to support a local meals-on-wheels program.
Dakota plans to continue to play an active role in conservation and environmental education. She would like to see Beholdance expand and become a leading youth conservation and community service organization. "I would like to continue to help others speak up and reach out for what they believe in because I believe together we can do anything."
Dakota Palacio received second place (in the 14-16 age category) in Action for Nature's (AFN) 2009 International Young Eco-Hero Awards. This profile was re-published with permission from AFN.
