Youth Conservation Leadership Institute (YCLI) is a recognition program for students in 9th- 12th grade that focuses on volunteer service and environmental stewardship. YCLI began as an expansion of Youth Conservation Camp to keep students engaged in the environmental topics introduced at camp. YCLI 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.
Students in 9th-12th grade may apply to be a part of this program. Program participants are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service with a conservation focus as well as 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 that the YCLI Participant wants to focus on. 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.
TO APPLY: submit this application to byron.minson@vaswcd.org by October 2nd, 2025. Applicants will be notified in mid-late October, with the first Kick-Off meeting to be held in late October 2025.
Past projects have included:
- Building birdhouses for Warblers
- Teaching elementary students about watersheds
- Developing and Installing Trail Signage
- Litter Clean Ups
- Clothing Drive
- Education Outreach about being an Intern with the Elizabeth River Project
- Conservation Education Outreach to Elementary Students
- Stormwater Education Outreach
- Pollinator Gardens
- Soil Compaction Education & Outreach to Homeowners