April 2025 | eNewsletter

Dear Friends,

Kicking off YES’s busiest season of the year–filled with overnight and day excursions, summer camp recruitment, family camps in the redwoods, and the start of two adult cohorts–I’m feeling especially grateful for our YES team and their varied and deep skillset.

As part of our strengths-based approach, each member of our 22-person team has completed a Strengths Finder Assessment, a tool that gives attributes to some of our professional skills, tendencies, and thought patterns. The results give us an idea of the situations where each of us may thrive, where we may be less comfortable, and how we approach opportunities and challenges.

One of my top strengths is Activator, which, as defined by the tool, states that I need to be doing something; that I can be “impatient for action.” It’s not necessarily a descriptor that I resonate with all of time; I value deep discussion and thoughtful decision-making. But lately, I’ve been feeling that drive to take action and am leaning into local, regional, and statewide efforts to protect our community and our planet. 

If you want to join me this spring and summer by taking action to sustain movements and support people and natural spaces, YES has a few things you can add to your calendar.

On May 28th, we're bringing together leaders in the movement for equitable outdoor access for a virtual roundtable to discuss how we move forward with this work in a moment when it’s threatened. Join us then for actionable hope, inspiration, and education.

If you can’t wait that long, you can be a part of YES’s third annual bioblitz and participate in an international day of community science with lasting impacts on conservation efforts. See more event details below. 

Lastly, YES’s Adult Leaders are a reliable source of inspiration. Read on to hear what our latest cohort is learning and getting ready to share, and help spread the word about our TREES and Nurture Your Power programs, which are both accepting applications for the new program season.

And never forget that rest and care are actions. Take it when you need it and offer it when you can. 

In community,

Eric Aaholm, Executive Director

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 4:30–5:45 PM, YES is bringing together a group of leaders—individuals like you who care deeply about access to nature, community leadership, and environmental justice. The central question we’ll be asking is: “How do we continue to make the outdoors welcoming and accessible for all Californians during yet another moment when people’s wellbeing and sense of safety feels threatened?” 

Recent orders affecting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as cuts to the National Park Service and other federal programs, have created significant challenges. But leaders at every level can give us hope as we continue to fight for the right of outdoor access.

Please join us!

Use Your Power & Adult Leadership Pathway Opportunties

YES’s Adult Leadership Pathway is a great home for those eager to take educated action to help improve their community. The third and final stage of the pathway, Use Your Power (UYP), just welcomed ten new leaders this year who are already well on their way to being powerful changemakers.

In the opening weeks of their new cohort, UYP members have covered everything from the systemic – learning how Richmond’s history has shaped current living conditions and examining the City’s budget – to the personal – connecting to their unique strengths and exploring different topics of interest. They’ve also participated in three facilitation workshops which came in handy this weekend as they stepped into leadership roles at our first of two spring Family Camp.

As summer approaches, UYP leaders will dive deeper into advocacy, picking personal projects and leveraging their strength to help shape their community for their community.  

TREES and Nurture Your Power, the first two programs of the Adult Leadership series, are both accepting applications now for cohorts beginning in June! Learn more at the links and please help us share with prospective community leaders.

Art Cafés Are Back!

You can join YES and find community at these bi-weekly events hosted by the TREES program. Kicking off this week and continuing until June 2nd, the YES multi-purpose room will transform into a relaxing art studio complete with materials, music, and cafe-style beverages. Come to socialize or just to create. Art Cafes take place every other Monday from 11AM to 1:30PM and are open to everyone.

Calling all young adults!

Ages 18-26

Use your voice to influence policy and resources right here in Richmond! Take this quick survey about cannabis usage and mental health to help the TREES program shape their advocacy work.

Nestled into the bluffs of the northern coast within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Slide Ranch is both the perfect place to spend a day and a valued partner in teaching environmental education and providing outdoor access.

The coastal getaway is well-suited with gorgeous hiking trails and picnic areas overlooking the vastness of the Pacific Ocean and shaded by cypress trees. The public is even invited to explore Slide Ranch’s gardens and pastures during daylight hours to see their commitment to healthy, local food sources up-close–one of the many things that YES’s cohorts learn during their stay at the property. Also available is top-notch tide pooling! Just ask any of the youth who just returned from a trip this month about the massive star fish they spotted (which seems to get bigger and bigger with every re-telling).

Day-use of the land is absolutely free, though you may consider a donation to support their educational work. And if you just can’t fathom leaving when the day is over (we get it!), you can reserve a tent-camping site on the property through HipCamp.

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?

And Other Conversations About Race

by Beverly Daniel Tatum