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October 2013 Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association Needs Your Help By Fran Miller
The wildfire that just one month ago ravaged the eastern side of Mount Diablo is a memory, but the devastation left in its wake is ever-present. While naturalists acknowledge that such a fire is merely part of the environmental cycle, and that it will take only three to five years for the area to regenerate, they also acknowledge that Mother Nature could use a hand in the healing process. Assisting in the rehabilitation of the charred picnic areas, mangled fencing, and damaged signage is the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA), a non-profit volunteer organization which assists the California Department of Parks and Recreation in maintaining and interpreting Mt. Diablo State Park for its 700,000 visitors each year.
Photo by Steve Hutchcraft
Started in 1974 as an informal interest group, MDIA later became formally recognized by the State Park system as the single cooperative association for Mt. Diablo State Park. MDIA’s responsibility has grown over the years to include the publication of guidebooks, maps, and newsletters and the overseeing of all merchandising. The association is proud to have played a major role in the construction and recent remodel of the museum atop Mt. Diablo’s summit, and it is responsible for the creation and staffing of the Visitor Center at Mitchell Canyon. MDIA publishes the popular Trail Map of Mount Diablo State Park, various natural history brochures, and Mountain News. MDIA was instrumental in the creation of an interpretive trail from Blackhawk to the summit, where hikers learn of 150 million years of geologic history, ancient landscapes, prehistoric animal life, evolving plant forms, and also about the massive tectonic forces that formed the mountain today. The association is operated by a number of committed volunteers who work hand-in-hand with park staff and carry out duties as requested. MDIA President Jim Mitchell, who retired this past April as Director of R&D for the Clorox Company and now spends much of his time on Mt. Diablo, says that MDIA often has more volunteers in the park than park staff. “It’s like running a small business,” says Mitchell. MDIA’s day-to-day focus is to enhance the public’s appreciation of the mountain through education programs, nature hikes and other sponsored activities, but the association and its volunteers are ready to jump-in during a
See MDIA continued on page 26
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Serving Alamo and Diablo Alamo Rotary Names Dick Olsen Citizen of the Year
Each year the Rotary Club of Alamo selects an Alamo Citizen of the Year. Nominations are solicited from a very wide cross section of the Alamo community. The nominee must be a person who has demonstrated a unique commitment to the Alamo community that places him/her in a special place Dick Olsen, left, is congratulated after being named deserving of this recogni- Alamo’s Citizen of the Year. tion. Alamo has hundreds of dedicated citizens who give countless hours of their time to our benefit and others without seeking any kind of recognition. They give of themselves to our community, and they represent the very best of citizenship, service, and integrity. Dick Olsen is one of those special people who gives so much to Alamo but very often keeps a low profile to the community. In other words, he isn’t interested in achieving recognition, which makes this award so much more meaningful. Dick conceived the Stone Valley/I680 interchange project, helped recruit volunteers, and worked closely with the landscape architect. He raised funds to pay for the plants and gardeners. Perhaps his most notable activities and results were the many meetings, emails, and telephone conversations to gain final project approval from Caltrans. Dick then ordered the trees and plants and turned the project into realty. Once the project was approved and funded, Dick spent hundreds of hours working and leading the effort to plant the trees and plants, install the irrigation system, spread the tanbark, kill the weeds, and fertilize the plantings. We all are indebted to Dick’s dedication, many skills, gentile guidance, and unselfish devotion to the improvement of the I680 interchange, the area will be enjoyed and will benefit all who live in Alamo long into the future. To this day he continually monitors and man-
See Olsen continued on page 22
Posted on a pole on the Iron Horse Trail at the Stone Valley Rd. intersection was a sign encouraging those passing by to “Take a smile.” It read, “C’mon! Take a smile! Love, Some AWESOME PEOPLE!” Little tear off strips were available for taking and remembering to smile!
Volume XIII - Number 10 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com Sharon Burke ~ Writer sburke@yourmonthlypaper.com
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