News Release

Community Volunteer Ambassadors: Recruiting new members for September, 2022

News Release Date: June 27, 2022

Contact: Volunteers-In-Parks Program

The Volunteers-In-Parks Program is now recruiting for the 2022 September Cohort of the Community Volunteer Ambassador program! 

As a fifty-week professional internship, the Community Volunteer Ambassador program is managed in partnership between the National Park Service Volunteer-In-Parks Program and the Stewards Individual Placement Program of Conservation Legacy. 

For the September cohort, we are excited to have member youths (ages 18-30 or 18-35 if veterans) from diverse backgrounds who aspire to a future career in service and conservation stewardship head to forty-five national park sites. 

Through this unique opportunity, members are placed in park sites throughout the country to provide capacity-building services focused on connecting communities to parks through engagement and volunteerism activities. Upon completion of their term of service, members will be eligible for the Public Land Corps hiring authority and the AmeriCorps Segal education award. 

Do you know someone interested in advancing equity and inclusion in the National Park Service, conservation, and community organizing? Help us spread the word and encourage them to apply to the Community Volunteer Ambassador program through Conservation Legacy, where they will support the Volunteers-In-Parks program and park units in building lasting connections to local communities. 

Learn more about the Community Volunteer Ambassador program and apply by July 15: Community Volunteer Ambassador (cvainternships.org) 

Stewards Individual Placement is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all and prioritizes recruitment of individuals who reflect the demographics of the nation from underrepresented communities including black, indigenous, people of color, and LGBTQ+. 

For application questions please contact Geoff Elliot, Stewards Program Director at [e-mail]. 

Llyod, Community Volunteer Ambassador

NPS Photo

Meet Lloyd, a Community Volunteer Ambassador

Lloyd Crawford is the current Community Volunteer Ambassador working at Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook. He’s taken on the role of Community Volunteer Ambassador to not only further his career in the field of ecology but also to protect the endangered seabirds that nest on Sandy Hook beaches. Lloyd hopes that at the end of his service, the Shorebird Ecology Ambassador Volunteer program will show signs of longevity and play a pivotal role in the protection of native species for years to come. Halfway through his tenure, Lloyd credits his Community Volunteer Ambassador role for allowing him to meet many fascinating people with a passion for conservation and hopes that he can stay in touch with them even after his departure.

Victoria, a Community Volunteer Ambassador

NPS Photo

Meet Victoria, a Community Volunteer Ambassador

Victoria is the Community Volunteer Ambassador at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in San Antonio, Texas. One of Victoria's primary goals as a Community Volunteer Ambassador is to attract more community members to participate in park programs and events, specifically the park’s Volunteers-In-Parks program. Victoria really wants the local community to be present and represented at the park to be able to connect with others and make the park more inclusive. A vast majority of the community has been coming to church at the missions for decades and incorporating them into national park programs is a way to share their stories and acknowledge their contributions to our history.
To Victoria, working at a National Park has helped her understand what inclusive programming can look like, and the collaboration needed to make that happen. Victoria has had numerous opportunities to connect with other organizations throughout San Antonio, building up her network and the parks. Victoria says it has been heartwarming to see her neighbors' excitement when she tells them what she does at the park. She hopes to continue to be the spokesperson for the south side wherever she may go next.