New youth ambassador program being created in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new work development program is being created to inspire local youth to pursue career paths in natural resources, forestry, recreation, environment, and related fields. A partnership between the City of South Lake Tahoe's Parks and Recreation Department, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, Lake Tahoe Community College and Sierra Nevada Alliance has been created to design and implement the work development program.

The program will provide paid positions to about 12 students to serve as Ambassadors in highly visited locations around South Lake Tahoe. The Ambassadors will interact with visitors and share knowledge about the specific natural or historical sites, general information about environmental sensitivities of Tahoe and inspire visitors to be good stewards of Tahoe.

Ambassadors may hand out educational materials on good stewardship, biodegradable garbage bags and request visitors take their garbage home with them. Ambassadors will model good stewardship by picking up trash to protect the Tahoe Basin. Ambassadors will not only be “boots on the ground” but serve as extra “eyes and ears” to report directly to the appropriate City personnel regarding park violations or other issues requiring an immediate response.

The funding for the program is made possible through a variety of grants including Tahoe Fund, and El Dorado Community Foundation and in-kind support from other local organizations. Sierra Nevada Alliance is serving as the fiscal agent to administer the program in coordination with the City of South Lake Tahoe.

The program will be closely monitored and evaluated throughout the summer with the possibility of establishing a regional summer program. It is no secret that Tahoe is experiencing increasing numbers of visitors every year. The Ambassador program is one way to create face to face contact with visitors and local residents to provide information and tools to encourage good stewardship and inspire all to do their part to protect Tahoe for generations to come.

The program is still being finalized. When ready, applications will be found here https://www.cityofslt.us/196/Parks-and-Recreation.