Photo: Ambassador Wells and Mayor Biltaji join youth in planting trees.

In Jordan, trees have become more than just a symbol to the YES alumni community. Each year the alumni come together to plant trees for a better future.

On March 5, 2016, YES alumni joined 40 Access English language scholarship students; AMIDEAST staff; American study-abroad students; U.S. Ambassador to Jordan, Alice Wells; and Amman Mayor, Aqel Biltaji to plant trees in Alhussein Park. The municipality donated the trees, the land, and the irrigation system, and YES alumni donated their time and endless energy.

This project began a few years ago when YES alumni decided that planting trees would be a meaningful way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the YES program. So far, more than 4,000 trees have been planted. In just a few years, they will reach their goal of planting 10,000 trees!