VOLUNTEER Profile - Summer 2024: Jon Hill

Jon Hill started his journey with OVLC in 2021 and has quickly become an essential part of our volunteer community, contributing over 400 hours of service. He’s done 200 of those hours in the past year alone. Jon’s dedication to trail work, combined with his background in construction and aerospace, has made a significant impact, especially with projects like the rock check step on John’s Fox Canyon Trail. Jon’s love for the outdoors, active lifestyle, and ability to build cross-generational friendships have elevated the volunteer experience for all involved. In this interview, Preserve Manager Linda Wilkin sits down with Jon to discuss his motivations for volunteering, his favorite projects, and the sense of community he’s found through OVLC. Join us as we explore the stories and connections that make Jon’s contributions so valuable to our mission. 

Thank you for meeting with me today, Jon. You’ve been a vital part of our volunteer projects, providing invaluable support to our small stewardship team. Your experienced, kind, and calm spirit is a joy on the trail crews. To start, could you tell me a little about yourself?

I grew up in western Pennsylvania and went to school in Ohio, where I met my wife, Mindy, in college. We have two kids—a son who lives in Park City, Utah, and a daughter in Ojai—and four grandchildren. I started out in construction, working for a modular home builder in Columbus, Ohio. Later, I moved back to Ohio and became a foreman for an excavating company for about seven years. As the construction business started to decline, I switched careers and got a job with an aerospace company under Goodyear. I worked there for 33 years until I retired, even as the company went through two buyouts.

Our kids went to college in Ohio, and we gave them the “four-year plan,” where we’d pay for four years, and anything beyond that was on them. They appreciate it now! Eventually, both of our kids moved out west, and we started visiting more often. My wife, not being a fan of the cold, preferred Ojai over Park City, so we decided to make the move. We were actually stuck there during the start of the pandemic while skiing at June Mountain. When we returned to Ojai, we ended up staying longer than expected, which made us reconsider staying in Ohio. We found a rental with our daughter’s help, and eventually made the move permanent.

That’s nice—you were able to be with your family.

Yes, that was a big reason for our move. Plus, the weather here is much better than in Ohio, which is usually cloudy. I started volunteering with the Conservancy towards the end of COVID. My first project was with Brendan, working on social trail closures. I enjoyed it from the start, and it was also when I met Anthony, who I clicked with. We started going for beers at Topa Topa after some volunteer events.

What about your hobbies?

I run a lot and have been running since high school, where I competed in track events. I enjoy hiking, backpacking, skiing, and reading—mostly nonfiction, history, adventure, and detective genres. My kids were my hobbies for a long time; I supported my son through hockey and helped with my daughter’s softball and soccer.

What do your children do now?

My son is a GIS cartographer for the Department of Natural Resources in Salt Lake City, Utah. Both of my kids are very outdoorsy. My daughter is a designer for Patagonia. She started at Burton back east but was persistent about getting into Patagonia, which paid off. She called us one day, surprised, to say she got an interview and was flying out to California. My son was also torn between beach and mountains but found more job opportunities in Utah, where he now works in Salt Lake City.

That’s great that you were able to be there for your kids and see them succeed. It sounds like your family has a strong connection to the outdoors.

Definitely. We spent a lot of time outdoors, and it’s a big part of our lives.

For someone who’s never done trail work, can you describe it?

First off, be prepared for tough terrain and make sure you wear the right clothing. It’s important to plan ahead and prepare. It’s surprising how many people I see on trails without proper gear or sun protection. But also, have a good time and enjoy meeting new people.

Can you tell me what you enjoy most about doing trail work?

I enjoy being active, working with my hands, and meeting new people. The community of volunteers is really welcoming, and it’s great to see the diversity in age and backgrounds.

Do you have a favorite trail or trail project that you’ve worked on with OVLC, or a favorite tool? The epic rock check step that you, Drew Rhone, and I put in on John’s Fox Canyon Trail is my personal favorite feature on all of the preserves. 

I think that would probably be mine too! Some of the major rock moves that I’ve done, with Anthony, Ash, Tyler, and Emma were good too. I really don’t have a favorite trail. I like them all, because they all have their own caveats. There’s something different in each one. 

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with OVLC?

Being outside and meeting new people. It’s always interesting to hear their stories and backgrounds. I’ve met some great people through these projects, and it feels good to contribute to something bigger.

You’ve mentioned cross-generational friendships before. Can you talk a bit about that?

It’s one of the things I love most about volunteering here. I’ve built friendships with people of all ages, like Rob Young, and it adds a lot of value to the experience. You learn from each other, share stories, and have a good time while working towards a common goal. I even had that back when I was at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It was nice to learn from some of the younger rangers there.

Is there an accomplishment from the past year you’re most proud of?

Getting all the weed whipping done for trail clearance! It’s a relief when that’s finished, and we can move on to other projects.

That’s a huge task, especially with all the rain we’ve had this year. It’s so important but often thankless. I don’t think people realize how much work goes into maintaining these trails until it’s not done.

Exactly! It’s something you notice when it’s not done. But once it’s complete, you feel a sense of accomplishment.

We’ve worked on a lot of projects together, and it’s always rewarding to see the results. Is there anything you’d say to someone who’s thinking of volunteering but is unsure?

You just need to jump and do it. I guarantee you’ll like it! I think most of the people who volunteer enjoy using the trails and they want to give back. The big thing is just taking that first step and volunteering. It might be a little scary, and you might have some anxiety about it, but once you get there, you’ll be fine. 

Jon, it’s always a pleasure having you volunteer with us. Your positive impact is truly appreciated, and it’s clear you make a difference wherever you go. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. I’ll see you soon!