VOLUNTEER PROFILE: EMMA NATHAN - OVLC CREW LEAD

Emma Nathan started volunteering at the start of 2022. Over the past year and a half, she has logged more than 170 hours of volunteer work and recently became one of our first Volunteer Crew Leads. We are proud to highlight Emma’s contributions to the OVLC, in an interview she had with Land Steward, Linda Wilkin.

Hello, Emma! Thank you for meeting with me today. Can you tell me a little about yourself? What do you do for work and what are your hobbies? 

My day job is software engineering. I spend my days in front of a computer, but my personal interests are quite the opposite. I love going out and hiking, camping, and spending as much time outside as possible. Living in Ojai makes that really accessible. 

Tell me a little about your past volunteering experience and what inspired you to initially start volunteering with OVLC? 

My volunteer work started in college when I co-founded a community garden, which was a really fun way to bring the community together and to work on something that wasn’t the focus of my studies. I also spent a lot of time getting involved with mutual aid during the pandemic. My inspiration for volunteering with OVLC started with a New Year’s resolution to get more involved with the community. I literally just googled, “volunteer opportunities Ojai”, and OVLC came up right at the top. It was super easy to sign up. All I had to do was check off all of the boxes of things I would be interested in doing. Then I started getting the trail work emails. 

What was your first volunteer event and what motivated you to continue volunteering? 

My first event was sand bagging (installing a temporary turnpike trail structure) the Foothill Fox connector. It was such a muddy, physical day and it was so much fun! I was learning so much from people like Rob Young on that Saturday morning, and it was just amazing to see people come together and make decisions that would impact how people use the trails. I love the community. The kindness and camaraderie among everyone who participates in these events played a significant role in my decision to continue volunteering. It’s truly remarkable how we all share a common goal of making a positive impact and leaving this cherished place in a better state than we found it. This sense of shared purpose creates a special bond and motivates me to keep dedicating my time and efforts towards this meaningful cause. 

Tell me about becoming a Volunteer Crew Lead. Could you provide some insights into the process of getting started? 

I remember you approached me and asked if I would be interested in crew leading. It was an immediate yes! I was just really excited to facilitate the work I love to do so much. But I also didn’t have a ton of experience, so I was a little nervous. Everyone at OVLC was really supportive and there were a lot of resources available. I dedicated time to reading books that were kindly lent to me by OVLC. I learned a ton just through reading. The other volunteer crew leads were also new, so we would pair up and figure things out together. One aspect that surprised me when starting out as a crew lead is that it involves less physical labor compared to being a regular volunteer. Instead, a significant portion of my time is dedicated to ensuring the safety of the crew members and capturing those wonderful before-and-after shots, allowing everyone to see the progress we are making. It’s been a different perspective for me, but I love every second of it. 11 

What is one of your favorite memories while volunteering with OVLC?

I really love National Trails Day, because so many people come out and it’s really fun to see all of our volunteers together on the same day. Last year, I led a project on Luci’s Trail and it was a super fun experience to have both new and really experienced volunteers working together. Plus, the added bonus of having a big party afterwards was the icing on the cake! 

What are your thoughts about the recent storm events and the damage caused to the trail systems?

It is evident that the impacts of climate change are increasingly prevalent and that we can expect more frequent occurrences of such events in the future. As a result, our trail systems will undoubtedly be affected, necessitating increased maintenance efforts. To address these challenges, the ongoing support and dedication of volunteers (as we have seen since January) will be crucial. Acknowledging the inevitability of these changes, it becomes even more vital to ensure that our community continues to rally together, just as we have been, to safeguard and preserve our trail systems for the benefit of all. 

One of the most awe-inspiring aspects has been witnessing the participation of numerous volunteers, including many new volunteers, who recognized the closure of the trails and took action to restore them. It has been truly remarkable to observe individuals, who utilize these trails, stepping up to help reopen them. It’s been an incredible testament to the community’s growing involvement and commitment to protecting the land we all love.

Is there anything you are most proud of accomplishing post storm?

When we finished the river crossing off of Oso Trailhead, it meant that the trails were officially back in business. It felt really good to know that everyone had access to trails again! 

Do you have any message or words of encouragement for the community?

The introduction of volunteer opportunities on Sundays is an exciting development. If you share my preference for Sunday mornings as the ideal time for volunteer work, I invite you to join me out there! Let’s come together and make a positive impact on our trails. See you on Sundays!

Lastly, what would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering but is on the fence about it?

We don’t bite! Just give it a shot. It’s one morning of your life and you might really enjoy it!

Emma, thank you for your dedication to volunteering with OVLC. Your commitment and contributions have made a significant impact on our organization and the communities