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.

Applications are now closed. You can see our 2021-2022 Young Texan Ambassadors team below!

The Young Texan Ambassador Program seeks to inspire and empower youth to keep our communities clean and beautiful.

Our goal is to provide ambassadors with rich resources

Educate on the importance of litter prevention and other environmental efforts
Spread awareness and organize efforts in their local communities
Become leaders and capacity builders in their communities

What are the requirements?

Commit to one year of service as an Ambassador
Read & Sign Handbook
Attend the virtual orientation session.
Attend at least 2 virtual or in person 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.

What are the benefits?

Cleanup supplies including: trash bag, gloves, hand sanitizer, masks, KTB bandana, KTB and DMWT swag
Resources and tools to help you lead your own cleanup efforts
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
Dedicated support from the KTB team
Opportunities for leadership and development
Resume booster and community service hour fulfillment

Committee Opportunities

Cleanups
- This committee is responsible for evaluating the cleanup program and ensuring members are up to date on their responsibilities.
Events
- Plans and implements fun social events for YTA members
Membership and Recruitment
- Works alongside KTB staff to recruit new YTA members each year and oversee membership requirements of current members.
Social Media and Marketing
- Oversees social media and marketing initiatives for the YTA program.
Workshops and Training
- Plans and implements educational workshops.

Leadership Council

A small number of participants will have an opportunity to join the Leadership Council to advise and lead the YTA program.
The Council will meet monthly beginning in September, for 1-1.5 hours.
Within the Leadership Council, there are four (4) available officer roles:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Historian
One council member will be chosen to be a liaison to the Keep Texas Beautiful Board of Directors.

FAQs

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 a Texas resident for the entire duration of the program year. Questions regarding this? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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 cleanups in my area and assist with the planning/organization of a cleanup with my local affiliate (if my area has an affiliate). That event can take place safely using social distancing and utilizing proper PPE. Ambassadors can choose to participate in this event with only family members or in groups of 10 or less. We expect all Ambassadors to follow local and state guidelines in regards to COVID-19 precautions.
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. Most workshops and meetings will be after school hours.
- KTB may hold optional in person events in ambassador communities and will follow all local guidelines in regards to COVID-19 precautions.
- Group meetings can be held in person or virtually, and is up to the discretion of the team.
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 open online July 18, 2022. You can apply at this link here
Comment start What happens after I apply?
- After an application has been filled, 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.
Application Questions for the Young Texan Ambassador Program 2022-2023

Cleanup Resources for Ambassadors & How to Best Prepare

1. Review COVID-19 Guidelines

When picking up litter, KTB recommends participants to do so responsibly and at their comfort level. Please have participants wear a face mask and disposable gloves, and use a litter grabber (when available). Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from passersby and those not from your immediate household.

When participants are finished collecting litter, please make sure their trash bags are securely tied to protect sanitation workers. Advise them to immediately wash their hands with soap and water and hand sanitizer after collecting litter. Please have them dispose of their single-use face masks and disposable gloves properly and in the waste bin. Please follow all CDCl guidelines surrounding COVID-19. Additional guidelines and resources can be found on the KTB COVID-19 page.

PPE Litter Cleanup Guidance

How to properly pick up littered personal protective equipment (PPE).

Download pdf

PPE Litter Cleanup Guidance

How to properly pick up littered personal protective equipment (PPE).

Download pdf

2. Determine a plan

Identify a location in your community that could be cleaned and that is safe and accessible. Come up with a plan to dispose of the trash and recyclables you collect properly. Visit the site in advance of the cleanup date to determine where to set up a check-in station, where to leave bags of trash and recyclables and what areas volunteers will clean.

3. Register Your Event With Keep Texas Beautiful

Use this form to request your cleanup supplies and materials. You must also register your event in our events calendar.

4. Contact Your Community

Encourage friends, family and colleagues to get involved and help organize the cleanup. Create a Facebook event so interested volunteers can RSVP, and you can easily communicate with attendees.

Spread the word through email, social media, and e-invites. You can also print and post event flyers in the area.

1. Set-up

Arrive early to set up and post appropriate signage for attendees. At your check-in station, ensure you have pens, pencils and sign-in sheets ready for your volunteers.

2. What To Tell Volunteers

This will depend on the type of event your hosting. Be prepared for everything. Make sure group leaders have a volunteer welcome and safety speech to give. For cleanups, provide a volume to weight estimation sheet and data card. Consider other things you might want from volunteers, such as a photo release waiver.

Establish a point-person to stay at the check-in station in case of health emergencies or any late arrivals.

3. Document the Clean Up

Take before and after photos of the cleanup site as well as shots of your volunteers in action and a final group picture with all of the trash collected. You can submit these with your data card or tag @KeepTXBeautiful online with #GreatAmericanCleanup. If you're hosting a cleanup, remind volunteers to review the information they entered into the Data Cards and then make sure they submit! Collect all completed paper data forms to submit to Keep Texas Beautiful. Ensure all trash is left in the designated drop-off location and that no materials are left behind as you leave the cleanup location.

How to Wrap Up Your Clean-up

1. Submit Your Wrap-up Report

Wrap-up reports must be submitted TWO WEEKS after your event. After your volunteers submit their data online, encourage them to share it on social media and with their local press!

We have a great resource to help you with closing out your cleanup!

2. Submit Your Data to Keep Texas Beautiful

If you have any questions, or would like to share photos or highlights, feel free to reach out to Keep Texas Beautiful:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mail: Keep Texas Beautiful Attn: Don’t mess with Texas® Trash-Off

8850 Business Park Drive, Suite 200 Austin, TX 78759

3. Survey Your Clean-up Team Post Event

Encourage everyone to share experiences, stories and pictures about what they saw. This might encourage others to attend future events—and now is the time to start planning.

4. Let Them Know About Your Next Clean-up

Get volunteers onboard while their enthusiasm is high!

5. Say Thanks!

Send out an email saying, “Look what we did!” Include how many friends, family and community members joined in and the weight of trash were collected. Celebrate your accomplishment as a cleanup organizers and ocean advocate.