What is Youth Conservation Leadership Institute?

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Youth Conservation Leadership Institute (YCLI) is a recognition program for students in 9th-12th grade that focuses on volunteer service and environmental stewardship. It began as an expansion of Youth Conservation Camp to keep students engaged in the environmental topics introduced at camp and it offers self-motivated and enthusiastic high school students interested in environmental conservation and stewardship an opportunity to build leadership skills and connect with local mentors involved with environmental issues.

 

Program participants are required to:

• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service with a conservation focus.

• Participate in a book discussion and submit required progress reports throughout the year.

 

The hours may be done as part of a single project or a series of projects but all projects must be approved by the YCLI Program Coordinator. YCLI participants work with the YCLI Program Coordinator to come up with a project upon which the participant wants to focus.

 

Participants must be self-driven individuals able to set their own goals, evaluate their set milestones, and be motivated to move their projects forward. The YCLI Participants are paired with a mentor to help them with their project. Mentors can be Soil & Water Conservation Staff, Natural Resource professionals, 4-H agents, etc.
 

Statewide group meetings will occur virtually. There will be a Zoom meeting at the beginning of the program to allow all participants a chance to meet and brainstorm for their projects.
 

The program will conclude with an in-person award and recognition ceremony to be held in June 2025. The recognition program agenda will include time for participants to share their work and hear from key speakers in the conservation field. YCLI is a unique opportunity for 9th-12th graders to receive experience and engage in networking opportunities to prepare them for future education and career paths.​