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CAMILLUS, N.Y. -- The New York State Erie Canal is 187 years old and state officials are doing all they can to keep the canal system a vital part to the state's economy. Canal Corporation officials were at the canal in Camillus Friday to name the first canal ambassadors for a newly-launched program.

It's a statewide effort to recruit and recognize volunteers to help the canal with everything from welcoming tourists to maintaining parks and waterfronts.

"The ambassador program is going to be a work along the historic canal, along the working canal and is going to help fortify part of that $380 million in direct tourism spending that our canal brings to New York State every year," said Brian Stratton, Director of NYS Canal Corporation.

The Canal Corporation says it's going to continue reaching out to other canal communities to name ambassadors and to embrace volunteering.