Youth Civic Service (YCS) Partners with NYC Parks for Successful Wetland Restoration Project on Staten Island

Volunteers Plant 1,450 Salt Grass Plugs to Bolster Urban Ecosystem Resilience

STATEN ISLAND, NY

June 21, 2025 — Youth Civic Service (YCS), a nonprofit organization founded by Hudson Yang, today led a team of its members in partnership with NYC Parks for a significant ecological restoration event at the Saw Mill Creek Wetland on Staten Island.

During the project, volunteers planted 1,450 salt grass plugs and studied how the New York City Mitigation Bank operates as a model for ecological restoration and urban resilience.

The event provided participants with hands-on experience in environmental stewardship and offered an opportunity to understand the critical role urban wetlands play in supporting local ecosystems. Wetlands such as Saw Mill Creek are essential for improving water quality, managing stormwater, and providing vital habitats for native species.

"YCS is dedicated to engaging young people in community service and environmental learning through partnerships with civic and environmental organizations across New York City,” said Hudson Yang, Founder of YCS. “Today’s event is not only a direct contribution to the health of Saw Mill Creek but also an inspiration for the next generation to become active stewards of our urban environment.”

The restoration project was part of YCS’s ongoing effort to engage young people in community service and environmental learning.