YES! Program

Youth Enironmental Stewards Program

How it works

Audubon YES is the PV/SB Audubon Society’s Youth Environmental Stewards (YES) Program, which brings students’ energies and idealism to bear on environmental needs of the local community, as well as the Earth as a whole.

How does Audubon YES Work?
Audubon YES participants earn awards for environmental services performed for the community. These activities are sponsored by many local groups, not just Audubon.

Qualifying activities are listed out below, and are carried out as part of a school, scout or church program. Students may also decide to work directly with Audubon on an activity they design. 

For a PDF version of our YES! Program description, click here.

What is an Audubon YES Award?
The Audubon YES Award recognizes students for their concern about the environment. When student’s earn 100 Audubon YES Activity credits, they receive the Audubon YES Award, which can be used for college and scholarship applications.

Two credits are earned for each hour of Audubon YES Service. Additional credits are earned when students take on leadership roles for a YES Activity. Credits are not lost at the end of a school year, but are cumulative from one year to the next.

Awards are presented at special award ceremonies. Audubon YES Award winners may also be invited to attend Audubon or community events to showcase the important things that the students are doing for the environment.

How do I participate?
In order to participate, the student must be a member of PV/SB Audubon.  If the student’s parent(s) is a member, the student is also considered a member. Students, parents and teachers interested in finding out about the YES Program in schools in the Palos Verdes and South Bay area should contact a YES Chapter Representative. If your school is not listed, please contact Audubon YES Coordinator.

For any questions or to communicate interest, please contact info@pvsbaudubon.org.

Example activities

• Beach, school or Community Clean ups
• Earth Day Celebrations
• On Campus Natural Area Development
• School Energy or Water use Assessments
• School Recycling Programs
• Trail Maintenance Projects

ACTIVITY LEADER  (Earn extra credits for activities listed below)

• Coordinate a school group for any activity above
• Ecology Club Coordinator
• Environmental Fair
• Audubon Display
• Fund Raising for the Environment
• Design your own Individual Project

AUDUBON CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

• MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – Student members of the board of directors earn credit for time served on chapter management duties.

• NEWSLETTER ASSISTANTS – Earn credits working with the editorial staff on writing, editing, layout, artwork and mailing of your Audubon chapter’s newsletter.

• WILDLIFE SURVEYS – Take part in annual Butterfly or Christmas Bird Counts and other – Wildlife Surveys run by your local Audubon Chapter.

• ON-GOING PROJECT ACTIVITIES – Visit our listing of current project activities for credit.



CLICK HERE for a list of our suggested local volunteer organizations if students wish to select an alternative volunteer activity. Make sure to touch base with us at info@pvsbaudubon.org if you wish to recieve YES credits.

YES! Program Highlights

January 2020
As part of our grant program (https://pvsb-audubon.org/grants/ ) the Audubon YES program asked for funding to plant host plants in the Chandler Preserve in support of federally endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly. The following letter and images document the important work that the YES club members have accomplished in support of that grant. Visit the Chandler Preserve in Palos Verdes, CA to see the results and enjoy the preserves trails and wonderful views. Click here to view the letter.

On April 3rd, 2019 Hannah Meyers, President of the Audubon Yes Club, provided this update to the plot restoration project. In the earlier months, December and January, Audubon YES Club spent hours planting over a hundred new plants including deer weed. Due to the heavy rain fall this season, the plants have thrived. The plot which is located in the Linden H. Chandler Preserve in Palos Verdes is looking very lush and green. From February to May is butterfly season so our activity at the reserve has subsided as to not disrupt the environment for the butterflies. Overall this has been a very successful year with dedicated members and lots of new plant life at the plot!

Video detailing the Blue Butterfly restoration project and the Audubon YES Club’s part to play – click here.

On April 28th, 2019 nine students received Audubon YES awards. The awards are given to students who have volunteered for at least 50 hours performing environmental community service. The awardees this year are Hannah Kwon, Doyup Kwon, Kevin Cheon, Edward Jin, Andrea Kim, Candace Kim, Dongju Seo, Kayla Yang and James Kim (not pictured). On the right is the
On April 28th, nine students received Audubon YES awards. The awards are given to students who have volunteered for at least 50 hours performing environmental community service. The awardees this year are Hannah Kwon, Doyup Kwon, Kevin Cheon, Edward Jin, Andrea Kim, Candace Kim, Dongju Seo, Kayla Yang and James Kim (not pictured). On the right is David Quadhamer, our former Audubon YES Coordinator.