Bay Youth for the Environment 

California State Parks Foundation is leading a fundraising campaign for a 34-acre wetland restoration project at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, reviving a once thriving wildlife and natural habitat in what is known as the Yosemite Slough, a tidal channel that opens out to the San Francisco Bay.  Community involvement and education is an important aspect of the Yosemite Slough restoration project.  One way we have done this is through the Bay Youth for the Environment Program.

In 2004,  CSPF,  in partnership with Literacy for Environmental Justice, an education and youth empowerment organization based in Bayview-Hunter's Point, launched Bay Youth for the Environment (BYE),  a unique after-school, science-based work program for young people ages 14 – 18.   BYE is designed to provide participants with environmental knowledge, employment experience and important life skills while they work to restore local wetlands, build community support for the restoration project and, promote long-term community stewardship for the Candlestick Point SRA.  The youth team has built a native plant nursery located in the park's community garden and is cultivating a monthly volunteer program.

Each BYE participant works year round (48 weeks per year) up to six hours per week and receives a stipend of $10/hour for time spent on the project.   The numerous program benefits include providing the youth exposure to horticulture and wetlands ecology systems, group decision-making, public speaking and work-related skills and, inspiration to pursue academic and career goals. 

The program is supported through grants from Adobe Foundation, S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the California State Coastal Conservancy, William Randolph Hearst Foundation and,  CSPF. 

To learn more about Bay Youth for the Environment, please contact Cecille Caterson at cecille@calparks.org or by calling 415-262-4406.