What Is The EcoAmbassadors Program?

EcoAmbassadors act as amplifiers for city and county climate action programming by engaging with community members and encouraging residents to take more action to make our neighborhoods and homes healthier and more livable. Focus areas include energy conservation and electrification, multi-modal transportation, and waste reduction. The EcoAmbassador program is managed by EcoAction Arlington and the Virginia Cooperative Extension in partnership with Arlington County and the City of Alexandria.

After completing training, EcoAmbassadors make an annual service commitment to participate in a variety of community outreach and education projects, and to continue their own sustainability education. Adults commit to 20 hours annually and student EcoAmbassadors commit to 10 hours annually. The program is modeled after the successful Energy Masters program.

who can become an ecoAmbassador?

If you want to be a volunteer educator, help your neighbors, and protect our environment, this program is for you! Anyone in the DMV area interested in climate action and community engagement can apply, including high school and college students ages 16 and up. Priority will be given to those that live in Arlington County and the City of Alexandria.

The role of EcoAmbassadors volunteers is to engage community members one-on-one and in groups. That doesn’t mean everyone needs to be able to deliver a presentation in front of an audience when joining! Our training will build skills in how to effectively engage community members. The program also offers a variety of ways to volunteer including behind-the-scenes work to develop and refine content.

When To Apply and Program Dates:

Apply by: August 31 – $110. August 17 – $90 (early-bird discount)

Tuition waivers are available with no questions asked. (If you’d like to request a waiver, email bill@ecoactionarlington.org)

The volunteer commitment is one year. Formal training will take place from September through November and consists of training sessions, self-paced online learning, and practicum work. Volunteers must also attend a monthly check-in meeting from January through September. 

• Weekly trainings, Monday and Tuesday evenings 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. (Monday, 9/14, Tuesday, 9/22, Monday, 9/28, Monday, 10/5, Tuesday, 10/13, Monday 10/19).
  • The training locations will be published by late August. We are planning for these sessions to be held both in person and virtually, anticipating 80% in person and 20% virtual. )
• Online Self-Study – to be completed by October 19
• Practicums – October 13 to November 15
  • Dates and locations TBD 
  • Volunteers must complete a minimum of two practicum sessions
• Celebration and Recognition Event – Monday, November 16, 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. (in-person, location TBD)
• Monthly Check-In Meetings – first Monday evening of each month from January through September of 2027 (in-person and virtual)

Roles and Responsibilities:

• EcoAmbassadors will organize and participate in outreach activities with neighbors and the community to include:

  • Supporting Arlington County and City of Alexandria climate action initiatives
  • Tabling at community events, fairs, festivals, and farmers markets
  • Delivering presentations to local community organizations
  • Door-to-door canvassing and dissemination of information
  • Researching and developing presentation materials
  • Create-Your-Own Project: volunteers will also have the opportunity to create self-directed projects to focus on specific topics of interest and/or to engage a particular audience

  All EcoAmbassadors will be vetted through the application and interview process. The program fee is $110 ($90 if application is received before the early-bird deadline of August 17.) Applicants 18 and older will need to complete a criminal background check.

• After training, volunteers commit to a minimum number of service hours throughout the year:

• Adult volunteers who are not students commit to at least 20 hours of service for one year after finishing the training program.

• High school and college student volunteers will have tailored opportunities for volunteering including engaging school communities and student groups. After training, student volunteers commit to at least 10 hours of service throughout the year.

Volunteers Will Be Introduced To:

• Arlington County and Alexandria City’s climate action strategies.

• Sustainability systems including energy, waste, transportation/buildings, water, and natural resources.

• Electrification opportunities for homes and vehicles.

• Providing climate-related education programs to community groups, civic groups, HOAs, individual tenants, homeowners and schools.

• Tips for successful community engagement including strategies for behavior change.