"The life history of humanity has proved nothing more clearly than that crowded populations, if they would live in health and happiness, must have space for air, for light, for exercise, for rest, and for the enjoyment of that peaceful beauty of nature . . ."    (Charles Eliot)

Parklands Ambassadors

Do you love the Charles River Parklands, meeting new people and spending time along the Charles River? Are you interested in opportunities to become true experts in the history and ecology of the Parklands? If so, then Parklands Ambassadors might be for you.

Parklands Ambassadors will be the Charles River Conservancy's representatives in the parklands:

• Explaining the mission and programs of the CRC
• Recruiting members and volunteers
• Answering people's questions about the Parklands
• Providing guidance about events and recreational opportunities
• Listening to parklands users' concerns and relaying those to CRC staff.

This mission will be accomplished through a variety of activities including staffing tables during volunteer events and major river festivals/concerts and assisting at Conservancy sponsored events. Ambassadors will also be encouraged to initiate their own outreach activities and programs focused on aspects of the Parklands that they love.

Commitment:

The Parklands Ambassadors will be an elite group—sort of like Park Rangers without the uniform, badge or car with flashing lights. (You will get a cool T-shirt.) We are looking for people willing to commit to learning more about the parklands and taking the time to share that information with the community.

Parklands Ambassadors must:

• Be enthusiastic about the Charles River and its parklands and be excited about sharing that enthusiasm with the community.

• Attend the initial training session.

• Represent the CRC in the Parklands a minimum of five times over a twelve-month period.

• Attend at least two "continuing education" events throughout the year. (Continuing education events will be unique learning experiences with experts in Charles River history, ecology, flora & fauna and landscape design. Ambassadors with expertise in these areas will also be welcome to conduct continuing education events themselves.)

• Be a Charles River Conservancy member.

Training Sessions:

There will be an initial training sessions with several parkland experts, and during the year there will follow up sessions covering such topics as parklands history, overview of masterplan, botanical tour, and invasive species lecture.

To Apply:

Submit a written application (download the form) to CRC Volunteer Coordinator Evan Moss at edm@thecharles.org or call Evan at the CRC office (see phone number in the column to the left).