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Canyoneer Nature Walks Canyoneer History
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Canyoneer History Canyoneers Help the Public Appreciate San Diego's Special Places
The Canyoneers, a naturalist-guide program led by Museum volunteers, have been leading hikes in San Diego County for 29 years. Canyoneers are trained to teach appreciation of the plants, animals, and habitats of San Diego County. Originally named the "Florida Canyoneers," the name comes from the first place that guided nature walks began--Florida Canyon in Balboa Park. During summer 1973, plans for the program were formulated under the guidance of Helen Witham Chamlee, with Nancy Inman serving as chair, Betty Robinson assuming responsibility for training, and Claire Brey interviewing prospective candidates. Training began in September and ran for seven consecutive Saturday mornings. Instruction was given in the classroom and on the trail regarding the plants, animals, geology, history, and Native American uses of the canyon. Over the previous two-year period, Lee Wolfram coordinated trail-building in the canyon by Boy Scout groups as a community service project. On November 17, 1973, the Florida Canyon Nature Trails formally opened to the public and 27 Florida Canyoneers graduated. School groups took tours during the week while Sundays were open to all without reservations. Nearly 3500 people took advantage of the Canyoneer program in the 1973-74 season, increasing to nearly 5000 the next year. Canyoneers contributed 690 volunteer hours in the first year, leading 3449 children on nature walks. 
In July 1974, Betty Robinson assumed chairmanship of the Florida Canyoneer Committee. The more intensive fall training program extended to ten consecutive Saturdays and graduated ten new guides. In February 1976, Dorcas Utter investigated nature walks for the blind and the deaf. The first month this program was offered, guides helped 14 visually handicapped guests explore Florida Canyon. During that same year, Sara "Topper" Thomas accepted responsibility for investigating the possibility of giving tours in school neighborhoods. Canyoneers also guided guests at "Day in the Wildwood," a fund-raising event sponsored by the Covey in May 1976. A committee co-chaired by Topper Thomas and Priscilla Dick met regularly during 1977 to develop an outreach classroom program about San Diego plants and animals, and an outdoor program which would utilize natural areas near schools. Mildred Garvin targeted senior citizen groups for tours of Florida Canyon. As the 70's ended, the Museum was at a pivotal point in its history. With increased public awareness of the beauty of the natural canyons of San Diego, the Canyoneers had increased the number of people the Museum served. Subsequent hiking seasons saw the addition of wetlands, desert and city park locations, and longer, more strenuous mountain hikes, so that over time each succeeding season has seen an increase in the number of sites and the number of hikes. With hikes no longer limited to the Florida Canyon, "Florida" was dropped from the group title, to become simply "Canyoneers." Museum staff and other local experts train today's Canyoneers on the San Diego area plant and animal life, geology, and Native Indian use and management of their environment. Canyoneers interpret the interactions between the natural elements which give each place its unique character. By leading public hikes at all points of the compass--San Diego's canyons, regional parks and preserves, lagoons, deserts, and mountains--Canyoneers help the public to appreciate San Diego's special places.
Weekend guides work with the public on Saturdays and Sundays from September through June. The extremely popular Friday Guides program leads small groups of school children on one-hour walks in local canyons and parks. The hikers include scouts, people with babies in backpacks, toddlers, seniors (who sometimes can outwalk the Canyoneer host), and more. An outreach developed by Enrique Medina attracts college students who often come on hikes for extra credit. Adeline Black, a Canyoneer since 1981 says, "We try to make our guests aware that natural places are important, so that when environmental issues come up they will understand the significance of keeping these natural areas for the animals and us." Lasting from 1.5 to 4 hours and sometimes longer, hikes are suggested by Canyoneers who have checked them out before recommending them. Periodically, walks are rotated out as new ones are added. Popular places include: Azalea Glen, Hellhole Canyon, Batiquitos and San Elijo Lagoons, William Heise Park, Iron and Volcan Mountains, Oakoasis, Lake Murray, Tecolote and San Clemente Canyons, Mission Trails, and Mt. Palm Springs. Each site offered in the program is hosted by a Canyoneer. A small group offers a more personal tour and allows for more interaction. Some sites offer a long or short hike, and efforts are made to accommodate families with small children or those who do not wish to participate in a full-length hike. Members of the Canyoneers are active, informed, and interested in preserving San Diego's unique habitats and helping the public to understand the value of our place in the sun. Canyoneers regularly participate in, other events informing the public of the role of the Museum in the community. Many of them are also active in other organizations devoted to natural history.
In closing, Adeline Black says, "Canyoneering is a way of restoring your soul. It's a lot better than vacuuming or doing the laundry." Article printed in Spring 2002, San Diego Natural History Museum Field Notes | |
When you hike with a Canyoneer you are encouraged to stop, look, listen, touch, smell, and examine--to understand that everything is linked together. 
These volunteers, 110 strong, are educators, high-tech employees, business owners, retirees, nurses, engineers, social workers, editors, attorneys, computer people, marketers, travel agents, students, and publishers. All share a love of the outdoors, the Museum's mission, and a desire to share. In 2000-2001 Canyoneer volunteer hours totaled 6968, including 76 public tours with 1487 participants and 19 special tours with 892 participants.
It
is a tribute to the organization that there are three remaining members of the
original 1973 class: Claire Brey, Priscilla Dick, and Wilhelmina "Willie" Reynolds.