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Commission proposes student ambassador pilot to bring youth perspective to urban forestry
Summary
Staff discussed establishing one‑ or two‑student ambassador positions drawn from local high‑school conservation/environment classes to participate in commission work and outreach; the law department recommended a non‑voting title that still provides resume experience.
Stow City staff proposed creating a student ambassador role so high‑school students can participate in the Urban Forestry Commission’s work and outreach activities.
Staff reported they had discussed the idea with the law department and the mayor’s office and were advised that the commission can give students an official title that does not require returning to full council for approval. The suggested model would allow juniors and seniors in local conservation or environmental programs to participate as non‑voting ambassadors who attend meetings, assist at pop‑ups and gain resume experience.
Commissioners favored a staggered approach: appointing a senior for a one‑year term and a junior for a two‑year staggered term so the commission always has a returning student and a newer student. Staff suggested working with the local high school teacher (identified in the meeting as Alex McMan) to solicit recommendations and to target sophomores through seniors for the pilot.
Staff emphasized that the role would be educational and advisory rather than a voting seat, and that the position could be used in outreach events such as EarthFest and pop‑ups in the park. The commission agreed to ask the school to recommend candidates and to draft a short posting and selection process for the next meeting.
