A nationally recognized environmental award now carries the Finger Lakes name — thanks to the work of Yvonne Taylor.
Grist, a leading voice in climate journalism, named Taylor to its 2025 Grist 50, an annual list spotlighting 50 U.S. leaders driving bold climate solutions. Taylor is the co-founder and vice president of Seneca Lake Guardian and a founding member of the National Coalition Against Cryptomining.
From local battles to national impact
Taylor’s grassroots advocacy has helped shut down fossil fuel infrastructure, block garbage incinerators near the Finger Lakes watershed, and build public pressure for climate protections in New York State. Her latest fight: taking on cryptomining.
Cryptocurrency operations, which require massive computing power, have become a growing threat to energy grids, local water sources, and lake ecosystems. Taylor has sounded the alarm in communities across 22 states through the coalition she helped launch in 2021.
“This award belongs just as much to our amazing team, our collaborators, and the community members who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us,” Taylor said. “I remain committed to working tirelessly for a healthier, more sustainable future — for my neighbors in the Finger Lakes, for the people of New York, and for communities across the nation.”
Grassroots power, national spotlight
Taylor’s inclusion in the Grist 50 amplifies not only her voice, but the work of Seneca Lake Guardian, a nonprofit based in Watkins Glen, and its mission to protect one of New York’s most iconic freshwater lakes.
Joseph Campbell, president of Seneca Lake Guardian, praised the recognition as a testament to what community-driven action can achieve. “Together, we are shaping environmental policy, inspiring national movements, and proving that grassroots action can take on powerful industries and win,” he said.
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