Learn about our coasts and seas

Become a coastal ambassador

Coastal Ambassadors

Our Coastal Ambassadors Program provides an educational experience to about 50 Adelaidians every year, to encourage conservation and advocacy.

A Coastal Ambassador can be anyone who wants to learn as much as they can about our coast and marine environment, and are driven to spread the word about and help protect it.

The program offers 2 separate courses – one for youth and the other for adults – to community members who are passionate about protecting and conserving Adelaide’s stunning coastlines and marine life.

For adults

Our Coastal Ambassador program for adults offers training, mentoring and interactive field trips to educate and inspire individuals about our coast and marine environments, and what can be done to help conserve them.

The program is open to anyone living in metropolitan Adelaide who is aged 18 years or above, and is free for participants.

Applications for our 2026 Coastal Ambassadors program for adults are now closed. Stay tuned about future intakes by subscribing to the Green Adelaide newsletter, or following us on Facebook and Instagram.

For youth

The Youth Coastal Ambassador program is for young people to gain practical training, resources and guidance to learn about our local coast and marine environments.

The program is open to Year 8 or Year 9 students living in metropolitan Adelaide, and is free for participants.

Applications for our 2026 Youth Coastal Ambassadors program are now open. Find out more about the program below.

Applications now open – Youth Coastal Ambassadors program

Applications are now open for the 2026 Youth Coastal Ambassadors program, which will be held in the autumn school holidays.

This free 2-day program gives 30 young people the opportunity to be immersed in, and learn about, Adelaide’s local coastal environments and cultural landscapes.

Run by Green Adelaide and Burka-Senior Man Karl Winda Telfer, Youth Coastal Ambassadors will give participants the knowledge and skills to understand and care for our coast and marine environments.

(Image courtesy of Claire Lock)

They will learn about cultural sea knowledge, reefs, estuaries, local plants and marine animals, conservation action, and sustainability – all while exploring Adelaide’s spectacular coastline!

The program also includes field trips such as kayaking, learning about Sea Country and the living cultural landscape, innovative digital technologies, and environmental art workshops.

It is open to any Year 8 or Year 9 students who live in the Green Adelaide region (check the map to check eligibility). Best of all, you don’t need any prior knowledge to take part.

The program runs over 2 days – participants must be available to attend both days. Check out the session dates below.

Topics include:

  • marine and coastal ecology – local plants, animals, and habitats
  • Tirkandi – Country, Culture and Connection with Burka-Senior Man Karl Winda Telfer
  • local environments, such as the Port Noarlunga Reef and Onkaparinga Estuary
  • positive projects and getting involved in local marine conservation
  • creating and learning with environmental art.

Applications are now open and will close at 5 pm on Monday 23 February.

(Image courtesy of Claire Lock)

Session dates

The Youth Coastal Ambassadors Program runs for 2 days in the April school holidays.

Participants must be available to attend both days of the program, which are held at Port Noarlunga.

There are 2 options available for the 2026 program. You can select to participate in either:

  • Session 1: held on Tuesday 14 April and Wednesday 15 April (from 9 am to 4 pm at Port Noarlunga).

or

  • Session 2: held on Friday 17 April and Saturday 18 April (from 9 am to 4 pm at Port Noarlunga).

You will be able to nominate your preferred session when applying, but must be available for both days of your nominated session.

How to apply

If Youth Coastal Ambassadors sounds like the program for you, complete the application form below. (Make sure you have a parent or guardian's consent first though!)

Follow the details at the bottom of the form to submit your application. When you’ve submitted the form you will see a ‘success’ screen – this means we've received your application.

Application forms must be submitted by 5 pm on Monday 23 February. You will find out if you have made it into this year’s program by 5 pm on Thursday 5 March.

Reminder: This program is only open to Year 8 or Year 9 students who live in the Green Adelaide region (check the map to see if you’re eligible). If you don't meet this eligibility requirement, unfortunately your application won't be accepted. 

Apply now

Partners

The Youth Coastal Ambassador program is offered by Green Adelaide in partnership with Burka-Senior Man Karl Winda Telfer.

More information

For details about the Youth Coastal Ambassador Program, contact program coordinator Claire Lock.