YOUTH STEWARDS

Explore nature near you and improve local ecosystems as a Youth Steward! Our free Youth Stewards program gives students the opportunity to connect with one another, learn about nature, and make a positive impact in their community. Stewards gain experience in caring for local wildlife habitat, removing invasive plants, practicing observation skills, and more!

The Youth Stewards program is made possible entirely by grants and donations from individuals. You can support this program by becoming a Youth Steward Sponsor. Learn more about sponsorship here.

SPRING 2026 SESSION

Enrollment for the Spring 2026 Youth Stewards program is now open!

Submit your interest form by Sunday, February 1, 2026 for priority placement.

Join Grassroots Ecology’s expert naturalists outside once per week to care for your favorite new open space! Spring 2026 Youth Stewards is a free-of-cost, afterschool program for middle school and high school volunteers to explore and improve local ecosystems. Volunteers will meet on weekdays from 4-6 PM, starting February 25 until April 17, 2026, to steward the following open space preserves:

1. Stulsaft Park (Redwood City) — Wednesdays — grades 9-12

2. San Francisquito Creek and Bol Park (Palo Alto) — Fridays — grades 9-12

3. Pearson-Arastradero Preserve (Palo Alto) — Wednesdays — grades 6-12

4. Redwood Grove Nature Preserve (Los Altos) — Wednesdays — grades 9-12

5. McClellan Ranch Preserve (Cupertino) — Wednesdays — grades 9-12

How to Participate:

• For Stulsaft Park and San Francisquito Creek, please register for each session you will attend. Space is limited.

• For Arastradero, Redwood Grove, and McClellan, please fill out the interest form. Space is limited. Students will be notified of their placement site via email.

• Must complete online liability waiver before volunteering.

• Students are not required to attend all sessions. Please communicate absences in advance.

Please contact Valerie Lee at valerie@grassrootsecology.org for any questions regarding the Youth Stewards program.

Youth Stewards at McClellan Ranch Preserve is supported by the Brooke Schryver Memorial Fund.

SUMMER 2025 SESSION

Interest forms for the Summer 2026 Youth Stewards program will open in Spring 2026.

Please subscribe to our newsletter or check back in Spring 2026
for information about Summer 2026.

Summer 2025 Youth Stewards will meet on Tuesday mornings, from 9 AM – 12 PM (3 hours) from June 10 to July 29, 2025. High school aged volunteers will work in cohorts alongside Grassroots Ecology staff to steward the following open space preserves:

1. Stulsaft Park (Redwood City)

2. Foothills Nature Preserve (Palo Alto — foothills)

3. Pearson-Arastradero Preserve (Palo Alto)

4. McClellan Ranch Preserve (Cupertino)

5. Byrne Preserve (Los Altos Hills) and Redwood Grove Nature Preserve (Los Altos) — alternating locations

How to Participate:

• Review the program announcement for session dates and participation requirements.

  • This opportunity is available for rising, current, or recently graduated high school students.

  • Students are not required to attend all sessions. Please communicate absences in advance.

• Fill out the interest form. Space is limited.

• Students will be notified of their placement site via email.

Please contact Valerie Lee at valerie@grassrootsecology.org for any questions regarding the Youth Stewards program.