Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Fujii

Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) is continuously grateful for all the dedicated volunteers who are essential to the organization’s success. Whether leading community activities or diligently tending to tasks at the Native Seed Farm, each volunteer’s contribution is valued for helping with IRC’s mission. IRC thanks volunteers for their unwavering dedication and support!

One of those dedicated volunteers that IRC’s Volunteer Management Team is highlighting is Trail Guide and Fire Watch Volunteer, Jim Fujii, who has been volunteering with IRC for over two years. Along with being a valued member of the volunteer community, Jim also takes amazing photos of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks while leading or participating in IRC’s activities and programs. 

How long have you been an IRC Volunteer?

I became a volunteer in October 2022 after hiking regularly as a participant for four years.  

Can you give us a short summary of your typical roles and responsibilities when volunteering?

As a relatively new Trail Guide, I try to show up early for gate sign-in duty. While on hikes, my attention is often at the front to see if there is a Trail Guide near the docent to take care of gates, remove on-trail branches and assist with other contingencies. But as the occasion requires, I move to different parts of the group for the chance to converse with different participants and volunteers alike. I make it a point to spend time with individuals or as the sweep to help ensure proper coverage, help with nature calls and, very significant for me, be ready for longer-view photo opportunities to capture the group in the wilderness. 

What is your background?

As a child of split citizenship, I was born and raised in Tokyo and then lived most of my adult life in the United States. I try to spend time regularly in both countries. I also had two distinct careers: I was a social worker for almost ten years, went back to school, and then taught literature for 35 years at UCSB and UCI. Both pursuits were rewarding in their own ways, but it was retirement that led me to the radically different pleasures of nature and hiking.   

What drew you to volunteering with IRC?

Upon retirement, I joined the UCI retirees’ hikes that were being led by Linda Bogue, who was also an IRC docent. Up until then, my wife and I were both quite averse to hiking (she still religiously avoids it). We took trips to Yosemite, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon, but we always took the shortest trail from the parking area. Linda Bogue’s hikes led me to hike on my own and try some meetup hikes. Those mixed experiences made me appreciate what well-designed trail hiking offered, and soon I was a regular participant on IRC hikes. The IRC volunteers I encountered impressed me, unfailingly well-trained, knowledgeable and so helpful, and I think that admiration actually kept me from joining sooner than I did. 

What has been your favorite aspect of volunteering?

Academic work demands reclusiveness—your research, the courses that you conceive and teach and writing, all are solitary endeavors, especially in the Humanities. When I retired and almost immediately started to hike regularly, first alone, then with friends and eventually with IRC, I realized that not only did I love being out there on the trails, but the excitement of seeing wildlife in their habitat and being in the wilderness was always better as shared experiences with others. I’ve come to appreciate a deeper sharing with fellow Trail Guides that comes from working together, observing and enjoying the hikes and protected lands that repeat themselves without ever being the same.     

Do you have a favorite Landmark or trail? Or is there an area that you’re excited to explore on the Landmarks?

My favorite landmarks keep changing. I feel a bit like a kid every time we take Markel Spur with the Santa Ana range soaring ahead, the panoramic view of the Sinks viewed from the old water tank near the Whiting Ranch border gives them a totally new look and the newly opened Orchard Hills trail is so much fun to hike, especially the climb to the summit, but the 14-mile outing to Mini Moab is probably my favorite hike and destination. Almost as rewarding is the elusive attempt to capture these extended moments in the wilderness. I belong to the “cell phone-enabled, effortless multiple photographing” school of photography, where I count on the law of averages to end up with a gem or two. 

What else do you like to do for fun?

In addition to hiking, being recalled to teach after retirement and finishing the odd unfinished writing project is what I do for fun. And (as I regularly did pre-covid) I will resume splitting time between OC and Tokyo, a city I love to explore. Meanwhile, when my wife is fast asleep and our pup is snoring away, I will sneak away to the family room and sing/record duets on a karaoke app that became something of an addiction during covid. I sing with abandon with other fellow shameless people around the globe, and who knew I was pretty good at figuring out harmonies? 

Anything else you would like to say about the land or volunteering?

I am still awed by and grateful to my fellow volunteers, as I felt those many years as a participant. And special thanks to IRC Volunteer Joan Steiner who has helped me in so many ways.

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IRC is incredibly grateful to have Jim as an integral part of our volunteer community and honored to have him working alongside our team. Thank you, Jim, for your invaluable contributions!