The Margo F. Souza Student Leadership Center is proud to host and support many unique programs, such as Yosemite Leadership Program.
Yosemite Leadership Program is a 2-year program that focuses on training in leadership skills, education on theories and practices of leadership, and personal and professional development opportunities to create generations of socially engaged and environmentally aware global stewards.
YLP's innovative design includes leadership seminars, speakers and crystallizing wilderness experiences in the first year. In the second year, YLP participants engage in a capstone legacy project, as well as cross-peer mentoring opportunities.
This year, YLP student have come up with an array of exciting Capstone projects:
Project Partner: Jennifer Halpin, Consultant for Applied Biomass Technicians, Inc.
UC Professors Involved in this project:
Assistant Professor Rebecca Ryals, Professor Gerardo Diaz, Professor Catherine Keske, Professor/Interim Associate Dean Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, and Professor Yangquan Chen
Project Objective:
With the state now having “fire seasons” when such a season did not exist, and where loss of life, property and environment is occurring every year, the Biomass Coalitions seeks to offer a solution for biomass reduction & reforestation that can be replicated throughout the State.
Hacer mapas y identificar los puntos calientes de los visitants
Project Partner: UC Merced Professor, Dr. Jeffrey Jenkins
Project Objective:
The capstone team will collect and organize geospatial data for Cumbres de Monterrey National Park team members will work with the project advisor and park staff to locate hotspots of visitor use associated with damage to vegetation, human-wildlife conflict, and visitor safety. This will be used to guide future visitor use management efforts, including where to direct resources, place trail counters, and conduct surveys.
Establishing A Native Pollinator Garden at Yosemite Field Station
Project Partner: Tina Moseley , Zero Landfill & Sustainability Coordinator, Yosemite Conservancy
Project Objective:
Assist with the outreach and continued development of the Yosemite Zero Landfill Initiative (ZLI). Yosemite Conservancy’s hope is to develop a ZLI Internship position for Summer 2022. The YLP students will develop experience and additional knowledge, as well as cultivate relationships with project stakeholders and park partners. The YLP capstone project would potentially be a gateway to the ZLI Internship summer position.
Establishing A Native Pollinator Garden at Yosemite Field Station
Project Partner: Breezy Jackson, Yosemite and Sequoia Field Stations Director
Project Objective:
The objective of this project is to establish a native plant garden at the Yosemite Field Station. There is a need to describe and conserve native pollinator populations in Yosemite National Park.
