River Ambassador Program
During the summer, Missoula River Ambassadors can be spotted at busy river access sites and community events, on popular day-float stretches, and immersed in conservation and restoration projects dotting Missoula’s urban river corridor. This team of community ambassadors guides the ever-growing river-recreation culture toward stewardship. During peak river season from June to September, River Ambassadors:
- Communicate practical information that aids responsible river recreation.
- Engage river users in conservation and stewardship
- Add value and information to the collaborative management of our river
Ambassadors guide recreators towards sustainable practices by providing directions to the best put-ins, take-outs, day-use areas, and transportation practices. They share maps and information on local floats, teach recreators how to prevent negative impacts associated with heavy recreational use, and connect river users to avenues for stewardship and river advocacy. River Ambassadors also collect important trend data that informs resource management actions on the river.
Become a Volunteer Ambassador
Volunteer Ambassadors receive training in public interactions and communication, data collection, and stewardship efforts. Volunteers contribute about six hours per month as part of the River Ambassador team. Volunteer Ambassadors may complete their shifts from the water, at our access points, or at fun summertime events in our community. If you are interested in being a volunteer River Ambassador, we offer information sessions each spring and training sessions throughout the spring and summer.
You Count!
For future management of Missoula Valley rivers.
Are you looking to spend more days by the river this summer?
Do you care about clean water and healthy river systems?
Are you ready to give back to the incredible river community in the Missoula Valley?
If you answered yes — we need you!
The Clark Fork Coalition (CFC), and the Missoula River Ambassador Program are recruiting a large team of dedicated volunteers for a summer-long study of river recreation. This study will document how people are using the rivers near Missoula to float, fish, swim, and splash during the summer.
After a century of industrial use, the Clark Fork River is now a premier recreation amenity to our communities. As river lovers, we need your help to understand how people are using the river corridor. The data you collect will directly inform future river management and stewardship plans. Click the event below to learn more about our upcoming “You Count” training opportunities:
Meet the 2025 River Ambassadors
Tami McDaniel
River Ambassador Coordinator
Program Partners
The River Ambassador program is a collaboration between the Clark Fork Coalition (CFC), Missoula County, the City of Missoula, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Missoula Conservation District, and the Lolo National Forest.
Connect With Us!
Make sure to follow us on social for the latest float reports, river recreation tips, and events!
