Two years ago, Alabama beaches celebrated a record number of tourists, but those beaches were also overrun with abandoned umbrellas, beach chairs, tents and water toys. Officials looked for how to improve what some guests called the “deplorable” conditions of the beach. In Orange Beach, the beach ambassador initiative was born.

Starting with a four-person staff, there are now nine beach ambassadors who walk the beach during daytime hours, seven days a week. Mike Kimmerling, who runs the beach ambassadors program for the city, says the city just took on the night removal of items left on the beach, and three more staff members will start in May.

Kimmerling has seen highs and lows. “The low point had to be to see the condition of the beach in 2015 and hear all the comments from visitors saying that they weren’t coming back again because of how bad the beaches here had become,” he said. “We spent a lot of that year asking these visitors to give us a chance to start the program.”

Beach ambassadors interact with beach visitors about beach rules, safety (such as beach warning flags/rip currents, dangers of holes, jellyfish, etc.) and general questions.

For many visitors, those ambassadors are the only city personnel they meet. Ambassadors provide visitors information about the beach, city and area to help make their stay more enjoyable.

Staff members also pick up trash, help fire and police personnel find lost people, and rescue injured wildlife (mostly birds). But the staff is not enforcement. “We inform individuals of the rules but do not have the authority to mandate compliance,” Kimmerling said. “If someone chooses not to comply, we inform our Orange Beach Police Department who handles the enforcement portion.”

The highlight for Kimmerling is seeing the “before and after pictures of the beach and the positive comments from families.”

Ambassadors need good communication skills, a positive attitude and a love for the community (especially the beach). Their day consists of traveling along local beaches and interacting with guests each day. Next time you come across one, say hello.