When Olivia Bouler’s grandparents in Alabama described how the oil spill would harm Gulf Coast wildlife, the fifth-grader began to cry. “I couldn’t stand it when I heard about the birds,” said Olivia, who spent her vacations in the Gulf Coast area.

Olivia wrote a letter to the National Audubon Society decorated with a drawing of a cardinal:  “I’m a decent drawer,” she wrote, “and I was wondering if I could sell some bird paintings and give the profits to your organization.”  Olivia’s artwork has inspired nature lovers to donate over $150,000 for Gulf cleanup efforts led by the National Audubon Society.

Today Olivia speaks on behalf of bird and wildlife advocacy and was named the ASPCA “Tommy P. Monahan Kid of the Year” in 2010.  She was also a “Featured Friend” of Disney’s Friends for Change – Project Green Initiative.

For her creative ideas and leadership ability, the Dale Earnhardt Foundation granted Olivia the 2010 Legend Leadership Award.

http://www.oliviabouler.net/