Mar 01 2024 - May 31 2024
Young Texan Ambassadors
We invite Texans ages 15-25 to help us keep Texas beautiful. Ambassadors are passionate about the environment and are committed to creating the best place to live, work and play through volunteerism and leadership.
The Young Texan Ambassador (YTA) program supports the next generation of community and environmental leaders.
The program serves youth ages 15-25 for a 9-month service learning and environmental education program. Each ambassador completes a cleanup and a capstone service project in their community.
Participants value connecting with other like-minded young people who share their passion for the environment. The program has been particularly successful in attracting young adults from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
The program has been replicated in at least four other states using our program design as a model, and we host virtual meetups for the Young Texas Ambassadors to meet with their counterparts from other states.
photo credit Claudia Amato, 2023
The 2024-25 Young Texan Ambassador Cohort Applications are open from May 1 – July 15 2024.
Requirements
- Commit to one year of service as an Ambassador
- Read & Sign the Handbook
- Attend the virtual orientation session
- Attend all required virtual educational workshops.
- Complete one community project and showcase that project by the end of the program year
- Organize and participate in 1 cleanup event per year. Submit a wrap-up report for your event
- Share pictures of your event(s) and efforts on your social media and tag KTB
Benefits
- Opportunities to engage with and learn from young Texans across the state
- Education about solid waste issues affecting the state and how you can help make a difference
- Gain connections with local environmental community leaders
- Opportunities for leadership and development
- Resume booster and community service hour fulfillment
- Dedicated support from the KTB team
- Resources and tools to help you lead your own cleanup efforts
- Cleanup supplies including: trash bags, gloves, hand sanitizer, masks, KTB bandana, KTB and DMWT swag
Geographic Groups
Geographic Group
- You will be placed in a group with other ambassadors based on your geographic area, you can work with this group to participate in program requirements together to build community.
18-25 Group
- If you are in the 18-25 age range you will be paired with a group of your peers, as being in a college or career age range may reflect how you plan your projects and cleanups.
Affiliate Pairing
- You will be introduced to the closest Keep Texas Beautiful Affiliate Coordinator to help guide you in planning your cleanup, and providing feedback for your community projects. This is a great way to start building relationships and networking within your community!
Leadership Council
Seven ambassadors will have an opportunity to join the Leadership Council. The Council will be convened to hold its own meetings and help to advise and lead the YTA program. They will also have the opportunity to write blogs and create social media posts.
Within the Leadership Council, there are four (4) available officer roles:
- Co-Chairs (2)
- Historian
- Marketing and Social Media Manager
FAQ
Who can be a Young Texan Ambassador?
-
- Any individual living in Texas ages 15-25 years old can apply to be a Young Texan Ambassador. KTB is committed to ensuring equitable representation among program participants. Throughout our work, we support what makes our communities unique, including race, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability. We commit to aligning our culture and operations to be a beacon of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Do I have to live in Texas to serve as an ambassador?
-
- Yes, we require that all ambassadors be Texas residents for the entire duration of the program year. Questions regarding this? Contact ambassadors@ktb.org
Are Ambassadors required to use social media?
-
- Yes, Ambassadors must use at least one (1) social media account in order to promote Keep Texas Beautiful.
Are Ambassadors required to participate in in-person events?
-
- Attend or organize at least one (1) organized cleanup in your area and assist with the planning/organization of a cleanup with a local affiliate (if your area has an affiliate). Ambassadors can choose to participate in this event with only family members or in groups of 10 or less.
When and where will YTA meetings and workshops be held?
-
- All required meetings with KTB staff and other ambassadors will be conducted virtually for everyone across the state. Workshops and meetings will be after school hours.
Is any previous experience required?
-
- We accept applicants of all levels of experience and knowledge on environmental issues, leadership skills, and any relevant experience.
How do I apply?
-
- Applications for the 2024-2025 cohort will open May 1, 2024.
What happens after I apply?
-
- After your application has been submitted, a KTB staff member will reach out to schedule a 20-30-minute virtual or phone interview. Past YTA members who completed all of their requirements last year will not be required to interview again.
I still have questions.
-
- Please contact us.
Resources
Community Projects
Here are some projects completed by the 2023-24 Young Texan Ambassadors.
Abigail So, Toilet Paper Roll Starter Seed Pot Packages
“I worked with the district’s sustainability director to collect 500 toilet paper tubes from across the district. We worked with student volunteers to put seed pot packages together and distribute them to schools with gardens. The packages consisted of toilet paper rolls folded into pots, soil, and vegetable plant seeds for 4 school gardens. “
Christian Cockrell, Rewilding Station 511
“The project’s goal is to create a Texas native plant pollinator garden that will serve the community as a piece of beautification, education, and restoration. The garden also provides important habitat for local wildlife such as pollinators, birds, and small mammals. This will support local biodiversity and should increase the number of these local species in the area.”
Lily Springborn & Sydney Brown, Pearce Courtyard Restoration
“We learned a lot about how much effort goes into planning an event like this one. It took multiple failed attempts at contacting businesses, countless donation application forms, and many hours at plant stores to receive all the supplies we needed. Our favorite part of the project was getting to see the result. The courtyard is now a beautiful place and we have already seen more people spending time in it during our lunch period.”
Samiha Rashid, Beauty Starts with a Seed
“The biggest takeaway from this experience was taking the initiative to host a volunteering project. I have always been the one signing up to volunteer, never the one giving out the signup sheets. My favorite part was arranging the project with the city’s team because I learned how much effort and teamwork it takes to organize one event.“
Claudia Amato, Bunny Buddies
“I partnered with our local Hale Literacy Council to host a reading and craft time at our town library. Together we read Judy Moody saves the world to learn about the importance of recycling and how it can be done. I also used this time to introduce the mission of KTB and our local affiliate. We ended it by recycling toilet paper rolls to make bunny buddies to show how we can use the materials at home to make other things, Each family got to take home a bunny buddy and a copy of the book. Overall, this project educated young minds about recycling since they are the future of our planet and introduced the initiative within homes.”“
Marleigh Alvarado, Community Clean Up
“I learned a lot about teamwork and collaboration while working on my community project. Next time, I would focus more on planning and organizing to ensure a smoother process. My favorite part was seeing the positive impact our project had on the community.”
Contact Us.
Interested in learning more about the Young Texan Ambassadors program? Fill out the contact form below. We’ll be in touch!
The Young Texan Ambassador program is supported with funding by:
