SYRCL’s 2024 Youth and Outdoor Leadership Opportunity (YOLO) was a success

SYRCL hosted our Youth and Outdoor Leadership Opportunity (YOLO) summer field science program from June 25th to June 28th with 7 high school students attending.  Students joined us from Nevada Union High School, Ghidotti Early College High School, Wheatland Union High School, Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, and North Point Academy. 

This program is an immersive FREE citizen science expedition that focuses on getting students out to field sites to work with SYRCL staff and learn about the role that restoration is playing in our watershed. This summer, students worked in Loney meadow where they helped with vital restoration and monitoring tasks. Students installed cattle exclusion fencing around two aspen stands around Loney meadow to protect this critical habitat, helped to collect photopoint long term monitoring data, collected groundwater data, and install fencing around ground water wells. 

Not only do students assist SYRCL with important monitoring tasks, but they also gain valuable first-hand experience in field work. Many students who join the program are interested in environmental science and use the experiences of YOLO to help them decide if this is a potential career path for them.  

One student said:

“I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the work of putting up fencing and pounding t-posts. I enjoyed it just as much as hiking or backpacking, probably because of being out in a beautiful place.”  

YOLO provides students the opportunity to engage in hands-on field work with SYRCL scientists where students collect data and learn how they can be agents of change. Students take away more than dirty hands and memorable moments. Another student said their favorite part of the YOLO expeditions was “meeting the amazing people who work with YOLO, making connections to reach my future career path!” Throughout the expedition, students develop their leadership and teambuilding skills and engage in discussions focused on climate change and environmental justice. 

SYRCL is proud to have a role in inspiring young scientists and would like to thank the National Forest Foundation for funding this incredible opportunity.