Volunteer of the Month | Pat Thomas

pat thomas

Meet Pat

How long have you lived in the Bay Area?

I moved to the Bay Area from the Sacramento area in 1994.

How did you learn about Save Mount Diablo?

I first heard about Save Mount Diablo from news articles in the Contra Costa Times.

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

I started volunteering about a year ago. My background is in environmental biology and environmental management. I believe in the concept of “think globally, act locally.”

Which Save Mount Diablo programs are you involved in?

I’m a docent at Mangini Ranch. I have also helped out at the Tarantula Trek and some information tables at Lindsay Wildlife Experience.

What do you enjoy about the volunteer work you do?

I enjoy interacting with people and sharing my love of nature.

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

The only challenging part is getting people to leave at the end of the events, because they are having such a good time!

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

I really enjoyed hosting the Latino Outdoors group at Mangini Ranch. They were mostly UC students, and many were first-time hikers. The trails were very muddy, but it did not dampen their enthusiasm.

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

I work as a safety coordinator for the Accelerator Technology & Applied Physics Division at Berkeley Lab.  I am also the Secretary for the San Francisco Bay Bandits walking club—we host community walking events throughout the Bay Area.

Join Our Volunteer Crew! We Depend on You

Given limited staff, resources, and time, Save Mount Diablo depends on volunteers to take organizational effectiveness from excellent to exceptional.

Save Mount Diablo seeks to connect a passionate community to our mission, cultivating a sense of ownership and proficiency in every volunteer position offered.

Whether you want to help with restoration and stewardship, help with events, assist in the office, lead hikes, or advocate for us, there’s a place for you. For more information, check out Save Mount Diablo’s volunteer opportunities.

Join us to save the remaining natural lands of Mount Diablo!

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