River Ambassadors play an important role in connecting people with Montana’s rivers through education, outreach, and stewardship. This blog introduces the organizations and their volunteers serving as River Ambassadors, highlighting their backgrounds, interests, and the work they do to promote healthy rivers and responsible recreation in communities across the state. 

The Blackfoot Challenge launched its Recreation Ambassador Project in 2026 as the pilot season of its new Recreation Wrangler Program. Developed in response to community feedback gathered during recreation-focused meetings in 2024, the volunteer initiative supports the organization’s vision of balancing recreation with healthy natural resources, quality visitor experiences, and thriving rural communities throughout the Blackfoot watershed. Although called Recreation Ambassadors, volunteers are not limited to river stewardship. The long-term goal is to expand the program to include upland recreation, though ambassadors currently serve primarily at river access sites. During four-hour volunteer shifts, they share recreation ethics and stewardship information, collect visitor surveys, and gather data to better understand recreation use and its impacts. As of late June, they had completed 79 river user surveys and interacted with more than 200 recreationists during the program’s first four weekends. 

Similarly, Montana Freshwater Partners launched the Yellowstone River Ambassador Program in 2026 as a pilot initiative to promote responsible recreation, river etiquette, and conservation stewardship along the Upper Yellowstone River. From late June through mid August, ambassadors are stationed at several high-use fishing access sites in Paradise Valley and the Livingston area, where they provide educational resources, answer questions, and help recreationists navigate common river use issues. In addition to sharing information on topics such as Leave No Trace practices, conservation licenses, and river etiquette, ambassadors distribute maps, river clean-up bags, and other educational materials while collecting recreation use observations to help inform future river management. The program is a collaborative effort between Montana Freshwater Partners and several local, state, and nonprofit partners. 

Another project, the Clark Fork Coalition’s Volunteer River Ambassador Program, engages community members in supporting recreation and conservation along Missoula’s rivers. Volunteers help gather information about how local waterways are being used, providing data that supports future recreation and conservation planning while promoting responsible recreation through public outreach. No previous experience is required to participate. Volunteers receive training on interacting with river users, data collection protocols, and recreation education before serving in the field. Through the program, ambassadors spend time at local rivers connecting with recreationists and helping protect the waterways that are central to the Missoula Valley. 

Last but not least, the Flathead Rivers Alliance’s river Ambassador Program engages volunteers in promoting stewardship, education, and responsible recreation along the Three Forks of the Flathead River. Operating during the summer recreation season, ambassadors serve at popular river access sites where they connect with the public, share information about river safety, ethics, etiquette, and regulations, and help collect information about recreation use. Volunteers receive training in partnership with Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and local outfitters before serving in the field. As part of the program, ambassadors also provide float information, offer loaner life jackets through a partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and help encourage safe and enjoyable recreation on the river. 

While each program is unique, they share a common goal of supporting Montana’s rivers through education, stewardship, and community engagement. By connecting with recreationists at access sites across the state, River Ambassadors help encourage responsible recreation while contributing to the long-term health and enjoyment of Montana’s waterways.

Written by Harlie Jackson

Photo from Montana Freshwater Partners