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Meet Tren

How long have you lived in the Bay Area?

On and off for my entire life.

How did you learn about Save Mount Diablo?

Judy Adler connected me (and my previous colleague and friend Jane Kelson) with Save Mount Diablo. Jane and I taught AP environmental science together [at Campolindo High School] and Jane had been working with Judy for years through geology field trips on Mount Diablo.

I got to know Judy through attending Jane’s field trips and Judy put us in contact with Ted in 2017 to discuss a possible Diablo Conservation Experience (formerly Conservation Collaboration Agreement).

The first Save Mount Diablo and Campolindo Diablo Conservation Experience happened in 2018.

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

I started interacting with Save Mount Diablo in 2017 through some exploratory meetings to see if Campolindo might be a good fit for a Diablo Conservation Experience.

I initially got involved with Save Mount Diablo because I have always enjoyed giving my students opportunities to get out into nature. Judy Adler spoke highly of Save Mount Diablo and recommended we collaborate with one another.

From the first meeting with Ted, I knew my students could benefit greatly from getting outside with, and learning from, Save Mount Diablo staff.

Which Save Mount Diablo programs are you involved in?  

Diablo Conservation Experiences and Save Mount Diablo Education Committee.

What do you enjoy about the volunteer work you do?

I love watching my students have transformative experiences in nature. I have also had the privilege of watching some of my students share their nature journal entries with large groups of people at Save Mount Diablo fundraising events.

Watching my students speak and realize their words have immense power has been an incredible highlight.

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

All the projects have been enjoyable, and none have been particularly challenging. That being said, enticing today’s students to get outside has taken more effort over the past few years, but it is so worth it to see them interact positively with nature!

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

As I said above, watching my students share their journal entries from their Diablo Conservation Experience at a fundraising event and watching the crowd react so positively to their words was incredibly memorable.

Seeing the pride and confidence on the students’ faces when they realized their words had so much power was even more moving.

Lastly, I feel very fortunate to have been a part of the group that created the “SOS” picture on the hillside at Curry Canyon Ranch.

How do you spend your time beyond your volunteer work with us, or what did you do before you started volunteering with us?

I love spending time with my family and getting outdoors with my wife and young kids (two and a half and five years old). I also teach woodworking and enjoy making things out of wood and metal.