Clayton Ranch (photo by Stephen Joseph)

Photo by Stephen Joseph - Mitchell Canyon

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Are you looking for a way to: 

 ü Meet new people?
ü Learn more about Mount Diablo and its natural resources and recreational opportunities?
ü Apply your skills and knowledge to a great cause?
ü Help save the natural beauty of a mountain?

Join SMD’s passionate, energetic and dedicated volunteers! There are plenty of opportunities to help us protect natural lands on and around Mount Diablo. Read below to find the volunteer opportunities that fit your time availability and skills best or come talk to us and we will find the best fit for you!

Help With Special Events
Join Our Outreach Program Volunteers and Become a Mount Diablo Advocate
Help Us Out at the Office
Be a Hike Leader

Please fill out our volunteer questionnaire and contact Julie Seelen, SMD's Development Manager if you are interested in volunteering.  e-mail jseelen@savemountdiablo.org or call 925-947-3535

 Help With Special Events!

 Save Mount Diablo holds several major fundraising events per year. SMD events are made possible through the efforts of many enthusiastic volunteers. From event planning committees to working at the event itself, we are looking for dedicated individuals who have time available to help our cause.

 Moonlight on the Mountain- September 13, 2008
Mount Diablo’s China Wall 

Save Mount Diablo’s largest fundraiser! Guests dine under the light of the moon  on Mount Diablo. The evening includes a reception, a silent auction, an elegant sit down dinner, the Blackhawk-Nunn Mountain Star Award Presentations, a live auction and live music. 

    * Join the event planning committee
    * Help us with invitations and program design
    * Solicit silent and live auction items
    * Design auction item displays, put gift baskets together
    * Help us at the event with set up, registration, parking, auctions, and clean-up. 

Mount Diablo Challenge - October 5, 2008
Athenian School and Summit of Mount Diablo 

1,000 cyclist ride from the Athenian School up Southgate Road to the Summit of Mount Diablo.  Expo at the Summit with food and music. 

    * Join the event planning committee
    * Help us connect with Event Sponsors or solicit raffle prizes
    * Help us find bands to perform along the route to cheer riders on
    * Help us at the ride! We need volunteers to help with: Set up, Parking, Registration, the Community Expo, T-shirt and Prize distribution, Jersey Sales 

Mount Diablo Trail Adventure - November 2, 2008
Castle Rock Recreation Area, Walnut Creek 

Half marathon, 10K run, 10K hike, 2 hour interpretive hike and new this year a Run to the Summit of Mount Diablo.  Lunch and live music at Castle Rock during the event. 

    * Join the event planning committee
    * Help us connect with Event Sponsors or solicit raffle prizes
    * Help us at the race! We need volunteers to help with: Set up, Parking, Registration, the Community Expo & Run/Hike Course Aid Stations, T-shirt and Prize Distribution and Lunch 

Join Our Outreach Program Volunteer Group and Become a Save Mount Diablo Advocate! 

Since the founding of Save Mount Diablo in 1971, public lands on and around the mountain have increased from 6,788 acres to more than 90,000.  But, this is only 50% of the mountain and its foothills!  There is still much work to be done.  We are looking for dedicated individuals to help preserve even more of the natural lands by representing Save Mount Diablo at community events or at Trailheads.  We will train you and give you materials and handouts. See full Volunteer Job Description.

Tabling at Community Events
Can you spare three hours on a Saturday or Sunday to help? 

Save Mount Diablo is present at many community events, like Earth Day at Mt. Diablo State Park and Heritage Days at Borges Ranch.  With your help, we could be represented at more events, sharing with more people what Save Mount Diablo does to protect the natural lands here in our backyard.   

Tabling at trailheads
Can you spare three hours on a great hiking day to help? 

We’ll be setting up information tables at selected trailheads. People who use these trails, whether hikers, bikers or equestrians, are already supporters of Mount Diablo, the Regional Parks, and Open Spaces surrounding the mountain. 

Help Us Out in the Office!

Our small staff can use your help with some of the basics like stuffing envelopes, filing, article & photo archiving, and copying. 

We love company…  Stuff an envelope. Save our mountain. 

Be a Hike Leader! 

Save Mount Diablo leads fun and informative hikes on the Mountain, at all levels of intensity, in the Spring and Fall. This is a great way to meet new people who share an interest in Mount Diablo. Many participants share their knowledge of the diverse wildflowers, birds, trees and geological features of the Mountain. At the same time, hike leaders educate hike participants about new and potential additions to the State and Regional Parks, as well as regional planning issues. If you are an experienced hiker and would like to learn how to lead hikes, we’ll provide training. Call SMD at (925) 947-3535 or check the hike schedule for the next Hike Leader Workshop. 

Become A Mount Diablo Advocate .... from the comfort of your home! 

You can be one of the most influential people in the county, state and country! Use this page as a resource on a regular basis to find out what new issues have developed and to get updates on ongoing activities. Be proactive – write a letter or make a few phone calls. Why? Your efforts make a major difference in obtaining funds that will be used to expand Mount Diablo and surrounding regional parks and also to ensure smart development in the Tri-Valley area. Letters and phone calls are counted and used by our elected and appointed officials to gauge support or opposition to issues. 

How to Do It 

 Current Issues

     1) Please contact the County Board of Supervisors, and ask them to hold the line on the Urban Limit Line: Please Write, Fax, Call or E-mail…

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
Susan Bonilla (Concord, Pl. Hill W. Creek) 925-646-5763, FAX925-646-5767; 2425 Bisso Lane, #110, Concord, CA 94520; Dist4@bos.co.contra-costa.ca.us
John Gioia (Richmond, El Cerrito) 510-374-3231, FAX510-374-3429; 11780 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530; Dist1@bos.co.contra-costa.ca.us
Federal Glover (Pittsburg, Antioch) 925-427-8138, FAX925 427-8142; 315 E.Leland Road #100, Pittsburg, CA 94565; Dist5@bos.co.contra-costa.ca.us
Mary N. Piepho (San Ramon Valley, W Creek, Brentwood) 925-820-8683, FAX925-820-6627; 309 Diablo Road, Danville, CA 94526; Dist3@bos.co.contra-costa.ca.us
Gayle Uilkema (Martinez, Lamorinda) 925-335-1046, FAX925-335-1076; County Administration Building 651 Pine Street, Room108A, Martinez, CA 94553 Dist2@bos.co.contra-costa.ca.us
 

    2) Don’t Let The State Forget Mt. Diablo or our parks. Please Write the Governor!

Nearly $4 billion in state bonds for park expansion have been approved in recent years—despite the budget deficit—yet only two parcels have been purchased for Mt. Diablo State Park since 1993—66-acre Turtle Rock Ranch and the Silva Ranch. Now it’s been revealed that the Governor is blocking any new state park additions because operating funds are scarce. Land can be held until the economy improves but if the state stops acquiring it, these properties may be lost forever. In addition we must compete for this funding statewide. Write Gov. Schwarznegger and ask for acquisition to be resumed, for land funding for Mt. Diablo State Park, & to increase funding for operations. Send copies of your letter to Acting State Parks Director Ruth Coleman and to our State legislators.

Governor Arnold Schwarznegger; Constituent Affairs, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814, FAX: (916) 445-4633; governor@governor.ca.gov or www.govmail.ca.gov

Ruth Coleman, Director, Department of Parks & Recreation, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001; FAX (916) 654-6374, info@parks.ca.gov

Senator Tom Torlakson, State Capitol, Room 5050, Sacramento, CA 95814, FAX 916 445-2527; http://dist07.casen.govoffice.com/

Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, 11th District State Capitol, Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 95814; FAX: (916) 319-2111; Assemblymember.deSaulnier@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblyman Guy Huston- State Capitol, Room 2130, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 95814, Fax: (916) 319-2115; Assemblymember.Houston@assembly.ca.gov

    3) Please Write Letters To The Editor about No on Measure N, or your concern for the environment and supporting expansion of our local open space. These letters help convince the newspapers to cover the environment and influence our decision makers. Letters to the Editor (200 words or less, signed, with your address and phone number) can be sent to:

Contra Costa Times, 2640 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, FAX: 925-943-8362, E-Mail: letters@cctimes.com

The S.F. Chronicle, 901 Mission Street, S.F., CA 94103, FAX: 415-543-7708 E-Mail: letters@sfchronicle.com

Ledger Dispatch, 1700 Cavallo Rd., Antioch, CA 94509, FAX: 925-706-2305

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