Trail Ambassadors are park docents who assist park visitors with anything from directions and first aid to teaching them about the park’s history, flora, fauna and geology. With only a few park rangers on duty in the Wissahickon, Trail Ambassadors serve a much needed role in the park, from patrolling the trails, leading hikes, and staffing information tables in the Wissahickon and the surrounding community.
By joining this team, you will become an expert on the Wissahickon and learn about the history and ecology of the park. You’ll interact with park users and become the eyes and ears of FOW. It’s an important job because it is through Trail Ambassadors that FOW is better able to serve the public and protect the park.
TRAINING
It is too late to join the training class for this year. If you’re interested in joining this special corps of volunteers in 2024, please fill out this form and we’ll let you know when the application opens.
If selected to join the team, you will take part in a thorough training which will cover the following areas:
- FOW History, Mission and Goals
- Human & Natural History of Wissahickon Valley
- Habitats & Wildlife of the Wissahickon
- Watersheds of the Wissahickon
- CPR & First Aid
- Public Engagement
- Leading Guided Hikes
- Running Outreach Sessions
At the end of training, you will be prepared to get on the trail and share your knowledge and love of the Wissahickon with the community. Along with becoming an expert on all things Wissahickon and making great new friends, one of the best parts of being a Trail Ambassador is knowing that you’re making a big difference by connecting with park users encouraging sustainable use of the park. The work you do directly helps our conservation mission, and earns a spot in the wild & wonderful history of Wissahickon Valley Park!
If you have any questions, email Volunteer Program Coordinator, Amelia Marren, at marren@fow.org.