YESAction Initiatives
YESWild
YESWild
Protecting and restoring local biodiversity.
The Problem We're Solving
Our local ecosystems such as the trees, pollinators, and wildlife that make up a healthy environment are often overlooked in conversations about sustainability, which tend to focus on human systems like energy and waste. Habitat loss, declining pollinator populations, and
invasive species are quietly reshaping communities' natural landscapes, often without residents even noticing. Most students have never planted a native species, removed an invasive one, or
tracked wildlife in their own neighborhood, even though these are some of the most direct, visible ways to make an ecological impact. Restoring even a small patch of habitat can have ripple effects for the plants and animals that depend on it.
Foundation
Every chapter participating in YES Wild should:
Identify a piece of land — a school courtyard, a park, an unused lot — that could support a small native garden, pollinator patch, or tree planting, and research and plant native, pollinator-friendly species suited to your local climate.
Maintain the space over time (weeding, watering, monitoring) so it survives and grows rather than being a one-time event.
This foundation alone builds environmental literacy at scale. Most people don't need to be convinced sustainability matters — they need to be shown exactly what to do about it.
Going Further
Chapters that want to extend their impact can:
Organize an invasive species removal day at a local park or nature preserve, and set up a simple wildlife or pollinator monitoring project, logging what species show up over time.
Start a tree planting initiative to plant more trees across your community school campus, and partner with a local conservation group, nursery, or park service to expand your project's scale and expertise.
Awareness alone rarely changes behavior — repetition and community accountability do. Pairing consistent online content with real-world touchpoints turns passive followers into people who've actually changed a habit, not just read about one.
How We Support You
YES Action is here to help. Chapters working on YES Wild can reach out to us for:
Guidance on choosing native, pollinator-friendly species for your region
Connections to local conservation groups, nurseries, or park services
Templates for simple wildlife or pollinator monitoring logs
Advice from chapters that have run successful habitat or planting projects
Recognition
As we roll out our chapter recognition system, your chapter's participation in YES Wild will count toward your standing. Chapters that establish and maintain a native habitat or pollinator patch — and those that go further by organizing invasive species removal or wildlife monitoring projects — will earn higher recognition.
