Get Involved: Open Space - Trail Ambassadors

Trail Ambassadors

Description:

Trail Ambassadors rove Open Space trails and answer public questions, take observations of local flora and fauna/maintenance needs and educate the public about environmental stewardship practices.

Time Commitment:

No minimum number of hours required.

Position Details:

Trail Ambassadors serve as key representatives of Open Space, helping educate the public while also observing and reporting on site conditions, visitor interactions, and stewardship or maintenance needs. Trail Ambassadors rove Open Space trails and answer public questions, provide educational and interpretive opportunities. Trail Ambassadors also help inform Open Space staff of public concerns, maintenance needs, wildlife encounters and more through Site Visit reports. Trail Ambassadors can also serve as Naturalists, making observations of local plants and animals in a notebook or naturalist apps like the iNaturalist, Merlin, eBird, etc. Trail Ambassadors do not make any law enforcement contacts with trail users, solely educational and interpretive contacts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Rove Open Space trails and engage with the public about Open Space, local flora and fauna and the importance of environmental stewardship and responsible recreation.
• Make note of maintenance requests, visitor concerns, human-wildlife conflict, trail conditions, Open Space regulation violations, etc.
• Complete Site Visit form after every visit.
• Optional: take observations of flora and fauna using iNaturalist and eBird.

Requirements:

• Be a friendly communicator and good listener.
• Basic knowledge of Open Space areas, local flora and fauna, natural history, responsible recreation/Leave No Trace is preferred.
• Comfortable being outdoors, walking on or off trails over uneven terrain.
• Able to represent Open Space in a friendly, inclusive, and welcoming manner while interacting with the public and answering questions in the field.
• Complete background check and sign a volunteer waiver.
• Available to participate in Orientation & Field Training (total of 1 day) in June.
• Has access to reliable transportation to reach Open Space areas.
• Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Volunteer Benefits:

• Be a leader and advocate for Lafayette’s Open Space and ecosystems.
• Take local action to help strengthen Lafayette’s environmental resiliency in the face of climate change.
• Cultivate community and a sense of place.
• Improve your interpersonal communication skills and learn techniques to best engage the public on environmental topics and issues.
• Enjoy the mental and physical benefits of observing nature closely.
• Opportunities for continuous learning like trainings on local flora and fauna and ecosystem restoration.
• Flexible volunteer schedule based on your availability.

Interests:

Outdoor Skills, Sustainability, Habitat Restoration, Archeology, Natural History, Public Service, Environment, Hiking/Walking, Climate Action, Geology, Conservation, Wildlife, Computers/Technology, Youth, Environmental Stewardship, Bird Watching, Resource Management, Education outreach, Waste Prevention, Cultural History, Native Plants, Stream Ecology

Skills:

Environmental Education, Mammal ID, Bird ID, Insect ID, Hiking/Walking, Wildlife Conservation, Plant ID, Engaging with the public, Birds/Raptors, Monitoring/Research, Youth Education, Interpretation/Education, Reptile/Amphibian ID, Geology, Botany, Trail Maintenance, Navigation Skills, Local Cultural History