 He was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2005 for his nonviolent efforts to defend old 
growth forests from devastating logging.As of January 2017, this prize has been awarded to 4 Mexican activists, including Baldenegro.Goldman Environmental Foundation's president said that Baldenegro's "relentless work organizing peaceful protests against illegal logging in the Sierra Madre mountains helped protect the forests, lands and rights of his people.He was a fearless leader and a source of inspiration to so many people fighting to protect our environment and indigenous peoples."