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Meet Steve

How long have you lived in the Bay Area?

About 50 years.

How did you learn about Save Mount Diablo?

Mainly through Bennett Burke, another volunteer.

When did you start volunteering with us and why did you get involved?

My first time was two years ago.

Which Save Mount Diablo programs are you involved in?

I have worked with Bennett on his newt hikes.

I’ve spent some time studying the rather complex geology of Mount Diablo. As I’ve previously led Bay Area geology tours, I might be able to help out on a Mount Diablo geology hike if the opportunity came up.

What do you enjoy about the volunteer work you do?

I enjoy interacting with people, sharing observations, answering a questions if I can, and just being out in the beautiful hills.

What is the most challenging project you’ve worked on as a Save Mount Diablo volunteer?

The newt hike that I helped with was on “spring forward” daylight savings time. We found out that newts “sleep in,” so we didn’t see any when we first reached the ponds.

Fortunately, on the way out, it was later in the morning, and the newts were finally up and about. Otherwise it would have been a disappointing hike!

Is there a memorable experience you’ve had as a Save Mount Diablo volunteer?

On the last hike this March, as we approached an odd tree we’d noticed before, we saw that there was a large hawk sitting on a low branch. It watched us as we watched it from below, unperturbed by our busy presence.

Some good photos were taken.

How do you spend your time beyond your volunteer work with us?

Before volunteering, and before retiring, I worked as an environmental geologist.

I enjoy spending time walking and observing the landscape, the vegetation and wildlife, and the rocks.