The success of YES! requires many individuals to become involved in the program and many have come forward to make these sessions effective.

Engaged Scientists and Managers: A key ingredient in YES! success is the participation of scientist, managers and other professionals.  The YES! Mentors are scientists and professionals constantly engaged with the students offering expertise in cultural resources, ecology, wildlife biology, land management, etc.  Mentors are critical because they:  1) are working in the field at area locations so that students have a chance to engage in "real" science or management actions;  2) offer additional field opportunities in their own programs for youth;  3) provide a professional contact point; 4) offer specific expertise as part of the assessment or the project phase. 

Engaged partners have included: Caldwell Designs, Pima Association of Governments, Arizona Game and Fish, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, the University of Arizona, and others.

Engaged families and friends: The YES! Classes of 2013, 2014 and 2015 organized Volunteer Days for the last field session inviting their families and friends to join in on the hard work. Both days were successful. While this feature depends on the youth decisions on how to carryout their projects, we think this might be adopted by future YES! groups too.

YES! Partners: began in 2011 to establish, fund, and implement YES! We meet year-round to evaluate, fine-tune and plan the next program, recruit youth and engage other partners. Sustaining 2016 activities beyond the summer and obtaining funding for a year-round YES! program are priority issues right now. 

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