The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is accepting applications from Kansas college students to be “Green Ambassadors.”

The ambassadors will promote environmental stewardship and education by giving public presentations. Program participants will also discuss proper waste management techniques, natural resource conservation and stewardship.

The new program is run through the department’s Bureau of Waste Management division.

Here is the department’s description of the program:

“Ambassadors will make presentations to any pre-approved or qualified group with an anticipated attendance of 20 or more people. Presentations must be made within geographically assigned territories. Program presentations may be made from January 1, 2009 through May 5, 2009. Students selected as Green Ambassadors will be paid $60 for each qualifying presentation made. Up to 25 presentations are eligible for payment. This amount covers the cost of making the presentation as well as transportation costs. The top five Ambassadors will be given preference in being hired as a KDHE summer 2009 paid intern, based on availability.

To be eligible for the program, Green Ambassadors must be enrolled full-time at any college or university in Kansas, including 2-year and 4-year degree programs. Ambassadors will be selected via application that includes at least one letter of reference (professional, scholastic or personal), a recent photo, a short essay on their personal environmental thoughts and beliefs and proof of enrollment as a full time in-state college student. A YouTube video segment featuring the applicant is encouraged as part of the application. Selection will be made based upon qualifications and geographic distribution. Applications for the Green Ambassadors program should be postmarked by October 17, 2008. “

For more information about applying as a Green Ambassador, contact Rodney Ferguson, KDHE Bureau of Waste Management, at rferguson@kdhe.state.ks.us.

Don’t look to the gossip columns. Look to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which released its 2005 Summary of Kansas Vital Statistics Tuesday. It’s the most up-to-date information on Kansas birth, deaths and marriages available from the state agency.

Among other interesting facts:

• Kansans are continuing to delay marriage.
• Slightly over half of the Kansans seeking abortions were 15 to 24.
• The black infant death rate continues to be over two times higher than the rate for whites.

For the inside scoop, see the PDF report here.