Some resources from federal government sites are currently unavailable; when possible, we’ve provided alternative non-government links to ensure continued data access.
Provided by: Goldman Environmental Foundation |Published on: August 7, 2025
Articles/Websites
6789101112
Synopsis
This resource introduces Goldman Environmental Prize winner Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari and tells her story of protecting the Marañón River in Peru.
Students will learn about the pollution resulting from oil spills into the river, its impacts on the health of people and animals in the area, and how Mari Luz and the rest of the Kukama women's association, Asociación de Mujeres Huaynakana Kamatahuara Kana, worked to get the river legal personhood, retaining its right to stay clean and free-flowing.
This story is an excellent example of the importance of women's voices.
Many students will find the environmental law aspects of this story intriguing.
Prerequisites
Teachers may need to explain what free-flowing means in this context.
Differentiation & Implementation
This guide from the Goldman Environmental Foundation is a companion resource with note-taking guides, activities, and questions that can be implemented with any of the videos for the prize winners.
To make geography connections, teachers can have students identify the Marañón River on a map and discuss its geographic importance.
Teachers can use this story to explain the interconnectedness between the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, and SDG 14: Life Below Water.
The article briefly mentions the Kakuma people's connection to the river. Students can explore this connection and use what they learn and what they know to construct a definition of the word steward.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
