This page will be continuously updated with resources, information, and links for YES Coaches and Students.
Reimbursement Request Details
Youth Eco Solutions (YES), a program of Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, is proudly supported by Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. This funding allows YES to provide reimbursement opportunities to participating teams, helping offset project-related and school district expenses.
Reimbursement Details:
For the 2025-26 YES Season, your team may request up to:
- $500 for Project Seed Funds
- $750 for District Expenses, including substitute teacher costs and transportation to YES Events.
- Eligible and Non-Eligible Expenses For Project Seed Funds
Once these expenses have been incurred, please submit this form along with the receipts as soon as possible. All forms and receipts must be submitted by May 31, 2026. If you have any questions, contact Kalley Pratt at [email protected].
Activity Checklist
Directions: Complete three or more items from the following checklist. Submit photos and descriptions to [email protected] and YES will supply doughnuts to celebrate YOUR Teams’ accomplishments. Deadline for checklist items: April 30, 2026
YES Competition
Get ready to turn your environmental impact into something BIG!
The YES Competition is your team’s chance to showcase the incredible work you’ve accomplished this year and present it to real Minnesota green career professionals. But first—make sure you’ve completed every activity on the 2025–26 YES Activity Checklist and submitted it by March 15, 2026 using the official Google Form. Completing the checklist is your ticket to compete!
After submissions close, YES Team Manager, Jake Schwinghammer, will share your team’s completed activities to help you prepare. Then it’s time to choose one project to highlight. Whether it’s a focused initiative like seed bomb creation or a broader theme like prairie restoration, pick the project that tells your strongest story.
Next, bring your work to life! Record a video presentation (10 minutes max) and submit it by March 31, 2025. Share your completed video with Jake—and if you have questions, reach out at [email protected] to set up a meeting. Be sure to use the scoring rubric and your completed activities PDF to guide your presentation and maximize your impact.
Once submitted, judges will review all videos within a week. Jake will return scoring rubrics with feedback and announce the top two teams.
And the prize? An unforgettable experience! The top two teams will win a trip to either the Great Lakes Aquarium, the Bell Museum, or the Southern Minnesota Museum of Natural History—with tickets and $1,000 in transportation costs covered by Youth Eco Solutions.
This is your moment to lead, inspire, and show Minnesota what youth-powered environmental action looks like. Let’s go YES teams!
Virtual Workshops
YES Workshop with Soil Food Web School
In this inspiring talk, hear from Carla Portugal of Soil Food Web as she introduces us to the unseen heroes of our planet — the living organisms in the soil that make life on Earth possible. From microscopic bacteria to beneficial fungi, these tiny life forms work together to build healthy ecosystems, support plant growth, and restore the land naturally.
This educational session was created in partnership with Youth Eco Solutions of Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, empowering the next generation to understand and care for the soil beneath our feet.
- Learn how soil biodiversity impacts food, climate, and community resilience
- Explore the basics of the Soil Food Web
- Discover how you can support soil health in your own backyard
Funding from Other Sources
YES Team Manager, Jake Schwinghammer, can help your team seek funding from local and regional organizations such as Rotary Club, Lion’s Club, Walmart, utilities, etc.
- Funding Factory
- Inkjet and toner cartridge recycling program
- Tru Earth
- Online eco friendly product sales
- Jo Coffee
- Online and in person organic coffee sales
- Eco Phone
- Electronics recycling fundraiser
- FUNDrive
- Used items drive
- Charity Recycling Service
- Clothing recycling fundraisers
- World Wear Project
- Clothing recycling fundraisers
- Bonfire
- T-shirt fundraisers
- “One + One = Change” Campaign
- Creating a YES Campaign Worksheet
- Local Support Sample E-mail
- Local Support Sponsorship Levels
- Tips for Seeking Local Support
- Links to LOCAL organizations that have supported YES Teams in the past:
Coach Resources
- Helpful tips, from coaches, to coaches
Important Media Guidelines
We LOVE it when teams share the news about their activities through local media outlets! Please follow these guidelines:
- All press releases naming YES must be reviewed by YES Team Manager, Jake Schwinghammer, before the article is published so we can verify that program information is correct.
- If a YES Staff member was involved in the planning or implementation of the activity described in your press release, include their name and title in the article.
- EVERY press release must give credit to our major funder, the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund (ENRTF). It is a written stipulation for us receiving the grant money, and neglecting accreditation can be a reason for termination of grant funds! Copy/paste this funder language into your media release, website, poster, etc.:
Major support for YES comes from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). Thank you!
YES Blog Guest Post: Students are encouraged to showcase their team and its projects by writing a short article that will be posted in the YES Blog on our website! Contact YES Staff for more information.