AASHTO Journal - NMDOT Names 14 ‘Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors’

The New Mexico Department of Transportation, in partnership with the New Mexico Governor’s Office, recently named 14 high school students as its 2025–2026 “Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors” – a new statewide leadership program focused on preventing litter and graffiti while promoting community pride.

[Above photo by NMDOT]

The “Young Ambassadors” initiative – part of NMDOT’s “Que Linda” program and the Governor’s youth-focused “Keep Litter Out” campaign – aims to empower youth to lead local beautification efforts across New Mexico and more than 150 students applied.

“We have heard the concerns of young people in New Mexico about the impact litter has on our state,” said Ricky Serna, NMDOT secretary, in a statement. “We saw the opportunity to start this program to support their drive to get involved and make change.”

The agency said its “Young Ambassadors” were selected by a committee based on their demonstrated life skills and teamwork developed through participation in clubs or events, their strong interest in leadership and project management, their genuine passion for environmental issues, and their eagerness to take on leadership roles that contribute to enhancing the beauty of New Mexico.

NMDOT this marks the first year of the “Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors” program, which will continue through the 2025–2026 school year.

Each ambassador committed to a nine-month program and will organize a beautification event in their district and complete a capstone project designed to create sustainable solutions to litter and graffiti issues in their communities. Students will receive a $3,000 stipend upon completion of the fellowship and projects.

Other state departments of transportation operate similar programs.

For example, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful recently named its 2025-2026 cohort of Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania. Through May 2026, Pennsylvania’s “Young Ambassadors” – a program now in its fourth year – will develop civic leadership skills and gain hands-on experience as they champion and advocate for clean and beautiful communities across Pennsylvania.

Additionally, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will award two $1,000 scholarships – one to a current senior in the “Young Ambassadors” program and one to a program alumnus.

“Restoring and preventing environmental damage means making sure our future leaders have the ecological know-how to make sustainable change happen,” said Mike Carroll, PennDOT secretary, in a statement. “Youth across the state are more engaged in this fight than ever before. With the fourth year of the Young Ambassadors program underway, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and PennDOT are helping plant the seeds for a cleaner future.”