The Diablo Range Convening brought together people from agencies, nonprofits, tribes, academia, and local communities to talk about conservation challenges and opportunities across the range.
The response was very positive; participants gave the convening an average of 4.2/5 for overall satisfaction and 3.9/5 for relevance to their work.
Photo by Laura Kindsvater
Many attendees said the best part was simply being in the same room as other like-minded professionals. People greatly valued the chance to connect across counties and regions, and many people agreed that this type of gathering is long overdue.
The convening helped start conversations that don’t often happen about the Diablo Range, and participants left feeling like they were part of a strong regional network.
Photo by Laura Kindsvater
The presentations and discussions were also well received. People showed appreciation for the range of speakers, the abundance of information shared on current Diablo Range projects, and the sharing of ideas towards local work being done in the range.
Photo courtesy Protect San Benito
For some, this event was their first time discussing the range at all, and they found the convening both insightful and inspiring.
On a lighter note, the lunch and gift baskets were big hits. People greatly appreciated the hospitality of the convening.
We also heard some good suggestions for next time. Attendees want more opportunities for dialogue and networking, with breakout sessions and smaller group discussions.
They also encouraged us to bring in more voices, especially tribal nations, ranchers, and local community organizations. A few people recommended clearer agendas, more accessible venues, and scheduling that works better for those in the field.
Convening participants study Save Mount Diablo’s map of protected and public lands in the Diablo Range. Photo: Laura Kindsvater
The strongest message we heard is that people want this to continue. Many suggested holding convenings once or twice a year, along with smaller working groups on topics like landowner engagement, habitat connectivity, and policy coordination.
Overall, this first convening was a huge success. It was well received, highly praised, and a strong foundation to build on. With a few small adjustments, the next one will be even better.
Panoche Valley. Photo: Scott Hein
