Become an Ambassador
Hey, y'all!
Due to safety recommendations brought on by COVID-19, the Ambassador Program has ceased participating in in-person community engagement events for the time being.
However, we are still seeking Ambassadors who can assist us by participating in virtual community engagement events and have expanded our program to also include new opportunities for supporting our park system by assisting with APF programs and special events.
Fill out the application below to find out more about upcoming training sessions or reach out to cynthia@austinparks.org if you have any questions. Thank you for your time!
What Is An Austin Parks Foundation Ambassador?
Ambassadors are trained volunteers who act as representatives for APF. Our Ambassador program provides a unique and meaningful volunteer experience, allowing residents to play a pivotal role in strengthening our city’s parks. As an ambassador, you will:
- Expand APF’s capacity to participate in community events across the city
- Allow us to address needs, and invest appropriate resources, in diverse communities
- Increase awareness about Austin Parks Foundation and the resources we offer
- Assist APF in recruiting more volunteers throughout Austin and Travis County
What are the Requirements?
Our eligibility requirements help us ensure that volunteers can successfully represent APF. Eligible ambassadors need to:
- Have interest in helping strengthen Austin’s park system
- Be 18 or older
- Have reliable transportation and ability to bring outreach supplies to events
- Commit to participation in a minimum of four outreach/tabling events per year
- Agree to a one year minimum commitment
- Complete our online application and training process
What are the Benefits?
Because APF requires a deeper level of commitment from ambassadors, and to show our gratitude for your involvement, every ambassador will receive:
- Unique APF merchandise
- Networking and educational opportunities unavailable to general volunteers
- Leadership development
- Advance invitations to volunteer at APF-related events, including Party for the Parks, Austin City Limits Music Festival and more
- Volunteer appreciation events like APF happy hours
Apply to become an APF Ambassador!
Ambassador applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Simply fill out the form below and our staff will be in touch with any further questions. Thank you for your interest!
Meet Our Wonderful APF Ambassadors
Jennifer M. Ramos
Jennifer is passionate about encouraging Austinites to share in the upkeep of our parks and promoting engagement to boost a sense of ownership, leading to sustainability of our green spaces. She hopes to make people aware of the resources that are available to them and how they can impact change in their community. Her favorite park: Bull Creek District Park
Justine Hughes
When Justine moved to Austin, she wanted to utilize her years of volunteer experience in New York Cares in NYC to make a positive impact on the local community and the environment. She was inspired by the abundance of public green spaces, which was one of the many features that inspired her to relocate. Her favorite park: Barton Creek Greenbelt
Beverly Hamilton
Beverly is a two-time nonprofit founder who loves to give her time back to the parks, trails, and green spaces she frequently runs, hikes, and walks on. Being an ambassador is important to her because of her strong belief that everyone deserves the right to safe and accessible parks regardless of where they live.
Mickey Lozano
Michelle, mom of 7, strongly believes in nature-based learning for kids and wants to help others understand how valuable our parks are for younger generations. When she moved to Austin in 2017, she learned about wildschooling — a way of raising and educating kids by honoring and facilitating their connection to nature. Her favorite greenspace: Barton Creek Greenbelt
Kelly West
Kelly moved to Austin in 2016 after falling in love with all the green spaces in the city. Shortly after, she got involved with Austin Parks Foundation to make a difference in those green spaces and parks to help preserve Austin’s natural elements, and so the future generations will have access to the same natural areas. Favorite greenspace: Onion Creek Greenbelt.
Rocio Villalobos
RocÃo Villalobos grew up in East Austin and one of her fondest memories is picking up pecans with her dad at Givens Park. She became an APF ambassador because of her passion for equity and the outdoors – she believes all children and families in all parts of Austin deserve to have welcoming and accessible green spaces where they can spend time together outside. Her favorite park: Givens Park
Daniel Hernandez
Daniel has been an APF volunteer for many years and wanted to do more to advocate for Austin’s parks and trails. He loves being outdoors, tending to plants and connecting with other members in the community who share his affinity for our parks. His favorite park: Brentwood; because of the purple marlin habitat and butterfly garden.
Lisa Serrano
Lisa is a Native Austinite and grew up loving many parks in Austin and Travis County. She has put in millions of miles on our Hike & Bike Trail and has beautiful memories as a child on The Zilker Zephyr with her brother.
She volunteers at many of Austin Parks because she wants our future generations to make beautiful memories for many years to come. As a community, we can maintain our Unique Austin Utopia.
Sabrina Jindra
After being in Austin for 11 years, Sabrina considers herself a true Austinite. She enjoys being active in the community and taking part in all that Austin has to offer. You can find her running or kayaking around Lady Bird Lake, riding her bike around town and wearing yoga pants to Whole Foods-if you know, you know. She found Austin Parks Foundation as a perfect way for her to contribute and connect with the community she loves.
Kelli Weathorholt
Sarah Garcia
Finn Lozano
John Wetzel
Michael Crabtree
Veronica Nicholls
Genera Navarra
Jill Ermert
Lucia Lian
Cora Shinaberry
Jennifer Rashid
Derek Flores
Dibyeshwori Pandey
Bisby Jacyna
Jacob Clabby
Justine Hughes
Logan Coker
Meridan Burrhus
Carolynn German
Andy Bernstein
Joan Ivy
Levi Lozano
Linda Taylor
Christina Anderson
Rylee Matousek
Rebekah Whittle
Any Questions?
Have questions about the program, requirements or application? Send an email to ambassadors@austinparks.org and we’ll be in touch.