Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort will open May 2026!
Free for Students Grades 9–12 in Miami-Dade & Broward
About Miami Waterkeeper’s Junior Ambassador Program
Miami Waterkeeper’s Junior Ambassador Program is a free, year-long leadership experience for high school students in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties who are ready to make a difference.
Each year, a select group of 50 students (grades 9–12) is chosen to become Junior Ambassadors—local leaders who care about clean water, healthy communities, and a more resilient future. Through this program, students gain real-world skills in science, communication, advocacy, and civic engagement while participating in hands-on service projects that directly impact South Florida’s environment.
The program is offered at no cost to participating students
20+ service hours earned qualify for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Whether you’re a student eager to take action or a parent or teacher looking to support youth development, this program offers a meaningful opportunity to grow, lead, and give back.
Why It Matters
South Florida’s environment is under pressure—from pollution to sea level rise. And while these issues are serious, young people like you are stepping up with creative, bold solutions.
The Junior Ambassador Program helps students turn passion into progress through a mix of science, civic action, and community service.
What You’ll Do
Attend 4 interactive trainings on science, policy, and advocacy
Volunteer at 4+ service events, including cleanups and restoration projects
Complete a capstone project to educate and inspire your community
Earn community service hours that count toward Bright Futures
Access exclusive events with local experts and environmental leaders
Build your resume and strengthen your college or job applications
Join a team of peers who care about the environment—just like you
Who Should Apply?
• High school students (grades 9–12) in Miami-Dade or Broward County
• Students who care about clean water, wildlife, climate, or justice
• No experience needed—just curiosity and commitment
Teachers and parents: This program builds leadership, communication, and
civic engagement skills that benefit your student for life.
Why Apply for the Junior Ambassador Program?
As a Miami Waterkeeper Junior Ambassador, students develop personal and professional skills that will help them throughout high school, college, their career, and beyond. The program is specially designed to teach leadership, communication, civic engagement, and advocacy skills that cannot be learned in a classroom.
As an Ambassador, you’ll:
Learn about local environmental issues
Build their resume
Improve your public speaking abilities
Develop leadership skills
Improve their public speaking abilities
Receive advocacy training
Earn community service hours
Develop their network through partnerships
Educate members of their community on important issues
Gain access to exclusive Miami Waterkeeper events and activities
Advocacy Trainings
Advocacy trainings are mandatory workshops where ambassadors receive training on scientific issues, governmental frameworks, policy objectives, and communication skills. The workshops are held throughout South Florida and facilitated by Miami Waterkeeper leadership and staff, covering the following topics:
Pollution Identification & Reporting
Government Agencies & Environmental Advocacy
Environmental Stakeholders & Citizen Science
Communicating Science & Public Speaking
Service Events
One of the founding pillars of Miami Waterkeeper is community engagement. As such, we expect our Junior Ambassadors to be engaged in the community.
Ambassadors will participate in meaningful, hands-on experiences like:
Beach and shoreline cleanups
Habitat restoration projects
Community events that connect science with action
PROGRAM TIMELINE & STRUCTURE
The program runs during the academic year and includes:
4 mandatory advocacy trainings on science, civic leadership, and communication
At least 4 hands-on service events, including cleanups and habitat restoration
1 capstone project, created and presented by the student
Optional Leadership Board opportunities for program alumni to mentor and stay involved
Students are expected to participate fully and will be supported every step of the way.
APPLY NOWfaqs
July 31st is the deadline to apply for the school year.
The Junior Ambassador program is a high school leadership program. You must be in high school in order to apply (apply when entering grades 9-12).
The program occurs throughout the course of a regular school year (ie: September to June). However, Ambassadors have the option to extend for an additional year by applying for the Leadership Board after completion of the program.
This is a free program offered by Miami Waterkeeper.
Event details are included in the Junior Ambassador schedule. Most Advocacy Trainings will take place at Miami Waterkeeper offices. However, service events will take place at various locations throughout Miami-Dade County.
Yes. Each event and training is worth 3 community service hours.
This competitive program expects ambassadors to attend all required events, meetings, and trainings. Recurring absences may lead to loss of ambassador status.
If you have an excused absence, you can attend one of the make-up events listed in the schedule.
One presentation.
Advocacy Trainings are mandatory meetings where Ambassadors will be trained in various skills. In particular, these trainings will educate Junior Ambassadors on scientific issues, governmental frameworks, policy objectives, and communication skills. Junior Ambassadors will learn how to give presentations about water resource issues in South Florida at Advocacy Trainings. Miami Waterkeeper is a non-partisan organization – all Junior Ambassador trainings will also be strictly non-partisan.
- Beach clean-ups
- Habitat restoration
- Outreach activities (e.g. farmers’ markets or attending eco-festivals for Miami Waterkeeper)
This is a competitive program and Miami Waterkeeper selects 35-40 students each year, depending on the number of applications received.
If you are under the age of 18, you need parental approval. Your parent or legal guardian must sign the Parent Permission Form on our website. Signed forms must be uploaded with you submit your application.
Email us at hello@miamiwaterkeeper.org or call/text 305-905-0856.
STILL GOT QUESTIONS?
If you have further questions, please email our Senior Education and Engagement Manager, Erin Cover, at erin@miamiwaterkeeper.org.
This program is made possible by the generous support from:
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