FoCM Volunteer Naturalist Program

Tom Graham (white cap) takes a group to Mud Lake

Mud Lake, dusk

Mud Lake, sunset

©LaurieWigham 2011

©LaurieWigham 2011

The FoCM Naturalist Program began with Mishwa Lee, Matt Gam and Matt Cory in 2007. Since then we have been lucky enough to add a few stellar naturalists to the program in addition to those trail-blazers.

​Honoring Our Partners

Camp Mather's success is made possible through the partnership between dedicated San Francisco Recreation & Parks staff, Friends of Camp Mather volunteers, and our generous supporters. We would like to recognize two individuals whose leadership and commitment have had a lasting impact on Camp Mather.
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Tom Graham
A member of the San Francisco Recreation & Parks team and CCSF Journalism Instructor (known as The Walking Man,) spends almost the entire summer at camp, and whose grandfather helped to build the dam at Hetch-Hetchy. Tom has been instrumental in helping identify, coordinate, and implement many of the improvements made throughout Camp Mather. His partnership with Friends of Camp Mather has helped ensure that donor-funded projects are successfully completed and continue to benefit campers year after year. 

Neil Fahy
A retired geologist, first worked as a Mather Naturalist in 1944 when a teenager and from 1947-1949 as a returning veteran.  He has taught geology and natural history at UC Extension and Adult Education for 20 years, including summer classes in Tuolumne Meadows.  His Mather knowledge is encyclopedic.  His objective is to instill in the children and adults a curiosity of the natural world and the excitement in sharing this wonder with others. Neil's dedication to Camp Mather extends far beyond his official responsibilities. In addition to supporting camp operations, his extensive guidebooks, documentation, and institutional knowledge have become invaluable resources that preserve Camp Mather's history and help future staff and volunteers continue its traditions.

The partnership between San Francisco Recreation & Parks and Friends of Camp Mather demonstrates what can be accomplished when dedicated public employees and passionate volunteers work together toward a common goal.

FoCM Volunteer Naturalists

• Matt Cory, a FoCM Director and National Park Service Ranger who works at the Marin Headlands. Matt brings yoga to the Birch Lake lawn during his  weeks.
• Mishwa Lee, educator and devout out-doors woman; she is especially loved for her All Species Parade and finding ways to include all age groups in her activities.
• Lisa DiGrolamo, CCSF educator in the biology department, and FoCM Director. Lisa is now the coordinator for the Naturalist Program.
• Steve Leonoudaikis, Director of the UCSF Outdoor Program, he is skilled and experienced in all facets of outdoors sports and appreciation.
• Martha Luna is a consultant at Lakeshore Elementary school with a garden science program.  She has developed a Naturalist program for Kindergarten, First grade and of Special Day classes.  The children learn to journal, study insects, ornithology, and garden.
• Jean Moshofsky Butler developed and teaches a science-based garden program to 2nd through 5th grade at Lakeshore Elementary School in San Francisco. She studied horticulture at CCSF and science illustration with John Muir Laws. She loves opening the minds of children to the magic of nature, and plays the accordion.

Walk back to Camp from Mud Lake

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