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I-YEL: Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders

Crissy Field Center IYEL youth participants pose for a group photo in the snow during their winter trip.
I-YEL participants snowshoeing and sledding during annual Winter Trip.

Aimes Tam / Parks Conservancy

Status: Ongoing
Crissy Field Center

Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL) is a high school leadership program for youth attending San Francisco and Marin public schools. Young adults learn the skills necessary to be stronger leaders in their community through project management, community involvement, and outdoor trips.

Since 2001, I-YEL has supported youth to expand their leadership skills, engage their voice in current social and environmental justice movements, and serve as an ambassador for their national parks. National parks are places where young people develop skills to create change in communities and society. When youth in the I-YEL program teach lesson plans, coordinate events, or recreate in their national park, they also explore social and environmental justice issues, serve as park ambassadors, and influence how parks support communities.

Apply For IYEL 2025-2026

Get Involved

Apply For IYEL 2025-2026

Please contact Program Manager, Aimes Tam for any questions.

Aimes Tam, High School Program Manager for Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders 

Cell: (510) 418-4744
Email: atam@parksconservancy.org       

Backyard Bound I-YEL Project
Prop 64 - Youth Community Access

The I-YEL program is supported through the Natural Resource Agency to improve youth access to natural and cultural resources.