Meet Chris
How long have you lived in the Bay Area?
I was born in San Francisco in 1970, and have mostly lived in the East Bay since 1975.
How did you learn about Save Mount Diablo?
We had a day of service where I work at De La Salle High School in April of this year. Of the several options to sign up for, volunteering for Save Mount Diablo caught my eye.
When did you start volunteering with us, and why did you get involved?
The April volunteer day with my colleagues was at Curry Canyon Ranch. At the end of the day it felt like we did something worthwhile, so I started signing up for DiRT days over the summer when I had some time off.
Which Save Mount Diablo programs are you involved in?
So far, I’ve been volunteering for DiRT (Diablo Restoration Team).
What do you enjoy about the volunteer work you do?
Seeing the oak seedlings that we watered at Irish Canyon grow over the summer was one of the highlights of my work so far.
Volunteering for Save Mount Diablo has also given me a sense of being able to give back after years of amazing experiences hiking, camping, and mountain biking with friends, and more recently being able show my daughter the wonders of nature on the mountain.
What is the most challenging project you’ve worked on as a Save Mount Diablo volunteer?
Hmm . . . nothing too challenging comes to mind. Everything is so well-organized. Maybe the tiny space around the lock on that first gate to Irish Canyon!
Is there a memorable experience you’ve had as a Save Mount Diablo volunteer?
One of the days we were watering and spreading mulch at Marsh Creek 7, there were a high school and early college age brother and sister on the crew. They were very respectful and wanted to make sure they did everything right.
Working alongside them, I just began to have a sense of satisfaction knowing that young people are taking an interest in conservation.
How do you spend your time beyond your volunteer work with us?
I’ve been teaching world history and psychology at De La Salle since 2001. I spend time in nature whenever I can and have been playing music since I was a teenager.
I like to develop products in my spare time, and most recently have been working on a binocular armrest that folds out of a binocular chest pack.
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, build and maintain trails, 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.
