This page will be continuously updated with resources, information, and links for YES Coaches and Students.
Join Youth Eco Solutions Today!
Register NowAs a participant in the Youth Eco Solutions (YES) program, your team will receive a comprehensive range of support and resources designed to inspire environmental leadership and drive impactful projects.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Educational Content covering key sustainability topics such as water quality, energy efficiency, waste reduction, renewable energy, local foods, land restoration, climate change, and more.
- Ongoing Support from dedicated YES Staff and a statewide network of participating teams across Minnesota.
- Access to Funding to help cover program-related expenses, including transportation, substitute teacher fees, and project materials.
- Customized Tours and Workshops tailored to your team’s interests, including:
- The annual YES Fall Summit at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center in Spicer, MN.
- The YES Weekend Retreat at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN.
- Connections to Experts and Partner Organizations to support and enhance your team’s project work.
- Project Planning Facilitation to guide your team from idea to implementation.
- Support for Community Engagement, including assistance in organizing events that promote and celebrate your projects.
- Tools, Resources, and Project Guides to help you successfully implement, measure, and evaluate your environmental initiatives.
- Participation in the Annual YES Competition, where teams can showcase their projects to a panel of green career professionals. The top two teams will receive a fully funded field trip—details coming soon!
We look forward to supporting your team in making a lasting impact this season.
We’re thrilled to have you and your students join us for an impactful year of environmental action and innovation. Please complete the registration form below to get started.
Register NowIf you have any questions or concerns during the registration process, feel free to contact Kalley Pratt at [email protected] for assistance.
Team Fee Structure for the 2026–2027 Season:
1–10 students: $150
11–25 students: $300
26–50 students: $500
An invoice will be sent to each registered team. All fees must be paid by December 1, 2026.
We can’t wait to see what your team accomplishes this season!
Activity Checklist
YES Competition
Virtual Workshops
Reimbursement Request Details
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.