If you are interested in getting involved with YAC, please fill out this application!
Please view the updated Ironwood Tree Experience Covid-19 Safety Guidelines for Participants
Madeline, David, & Isolde ponder a horned lizard
YAC teens embrace their love of nature, people, and community by engaging in activities, initiatives, internships, and programs through Conservation & Restoration, Environmental Education, and Sustainable Community Development!
Organ Pipe Cactus NM
Any youth who has participated in previous ITE programs is automatically a YAC member. All YAC members are encouraged to participate in fun monthly activities ranging from workshops to backcountry adventures, where young people meet friends, share stories, and become part of committees that are making a difference in the community.
The Desert Alchemist, Hernan Castro, leading a YAC Workshop (Sept 2021)
YAC Programs
Joining YAC makes you eligible for four monthly programs!
YAC Workshops: Monthly explorations with local scientists, artists, educators and ITE staff to explore a specific topic. Past YAC Workshops include: The Magical World of Mushrooms with Hernan Castro; Ofrenda Making with ITE Field Instructor Rebecca Perez; Worthiness and Land with artist and entrepreneur Vana Dee Lewis. Open to community members with RSVP.
Dot “jumping” into their first leaf pile at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
YAC Outdoors: Monthly hikes, walks, and campouts that explore the integration of nature in everyday life and develop skills and experience for a lifetime of nature connections and stewardship! We incorporate creative expression (painting, writing, photography, natural building) into these adventures Past YAC Outdoors experiences have included visits to KERP (Kino Environmental Restoration Project), birdwatching at Paton Hummingbird Center in Patagonia, camping in Coronado National Forest and National Parks, community gatherings at Agua Caliente Park, and natural building at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.
ITE Alumni Meet N Greet Dec. 2021
YAC Alumni: An online community for ITE alumni of all ages to come together once a month and learn with one another as well as professionals in environmental sciences. Past YAC Alumni meetings have included learning about Southwestern tornadoes with alumni Nola, diving into the world of Sonoran seabirds with alum Jared, and exploring lunar mapping with ASU scientist Madeleine Manheim.
YAC Spring 2022 Calendar
YAC Calendar 2022
| Month | Date | ACTIVITY | Activity Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Saturday 3/5/22 8:00AM-5:00PM | YAC Outdoors: Art and Birdwatching and Natural Building at Canelo Project | Canelo Hills, AZ |
| Thursday 3/31/22 5:00PM-6:00PM | ITE Alumni Zoom Meeting: Equinox and Spring Self Care | Zoom | |
| April | Saturday 4/9/22 9:00AM-12:00PM | YAC Outdoors: Family & Friends Sweetwater Birdwatching | Sweetwater Wetlands |
| Tuesday 4/5/22-Wednesday 4/6/22 All Day! | AZ Gives Day: Volunteers Needed! | ITE Urban Field Station | |
| Thursday 4/21/22 5:00PM-6:00PM | ITE Alumni Zoom: Student Presentation | Zoom | |
| May | Friday 5/13/22 4:30PM-7:00PM | Creativity on the Fly Galley Showcase! | ITE Urban Field Station |
| Saturday 5/14/22 Time TBD | YAC Outdoors: Urban Birding | TBD | |
| Thursday 5/19/22 5:00PM-6:00PM | ITE Alumni Zoom: Intersectional Environmentalism | Zoom |
Contact
Do you have questions about joining YAC? Email Kristen Sawyer, Youth Development Director, at Kristen@ironwoodtreeexperience.org
