Staff and Volunteers

Steve Schubert has played a pivotal role in manifesting the Hi Mt. Lookout Project over the last 17 years. Steve worked with peregrine falcons at Huff’s Hole in the 1970’s and 1980’s and has maintained a vision of restoring the Lookout as a research station and interpretive center ever since. His tireless duties now range from fundraising, to giving presentations to rallying project support, to managing all Lookout related activities and events. Steve served several years on the board and is past-president of Morro Coast Audubon Society. He lives in Los Osos, CA, where he works as an environmental educator with Camp Keep. Contact: Steve Schubert, Morro Coast Audubon, (home) 805.528.6138

Kevin Cooper is a retired district biologist for the USFS Los Padres Ranger District. Like Steve, Kevin maintained almost a decade of hope that the Lookout could once again become useful, and has continued to push for the restoration project at Hi Mountain. Kevin is an excellent craftsman, as well as a biologist, and has contributed significantly to the refurbishment, maintenance, and upkeep of the Lookout. Kevin lives in San Luis Obispo and can be spotted riding his bike up to the Lookout when he’s not running marathons or triathalons.

Thomas Murphey is a biologist for the USFS Los Padres Ranger District and oversees the USFS involvement with the Lookout Project. Kevin is an excellent craftsman, as well as a biologist, and has contributed significantly to the refurbishment, maintenance, and upkeep of the Lookout. Kevin lives in San Luis Obispo and can be spotted riding his bike up to the Lookout when he’s not running marathons or triathalons.his bike up to the Lookout when he’s not running marathons or triathalons.

Known as “Dr. V” to his students, Dr. Francis Villablanca is one of the most sought-after and dynamic professors in the Cal Poly Department of Biological Sciences. His studies include genetics and molecular evolution/ ecology, systematics, and all aspects of field ecology from mammalogy to botany to ornithology. Dr V’s interest in condor biology dates back to the early 1980’s, when, as an undergrad under Dr. Eric Johnson, he monitored condors from “The Sign” near Mt. Abel CA. Dr. V now heads up all internships, senior projects, special projects, and graduate studies at Hi Mountain.

Marcelle Bakula has been a volunteer since 2004. She has lived in SLO County since 1970 and resides in Cambria. She has been a life-long nature lover & proud environmentalist. She’s worked in a variety of jobs, including camp counselor, camp director, Recreation Supervisor (City of Morro Bay), credentialed elementary & special education teacher. She’s the mother of two grown sons, a school/community fund-raiser, & since 1993 has been the owner of a “green” business. She also volunteers at the Pacific Wildlife Care Center. Marcelle helps keep the Lookout open to the public (spring & fall) in order to educate visitors & provide tracking data, as well as helping with the Annual Open House & it’s fund-raising efforts to support the Lookout Project.

Joel Weiss began volunteering at the Hi Mountain Lookout in 2004, and since then has assisted the Condor Recovery Program with condor telemetry (radio tracking), staffing the Lookout, and volunteer/intern training.  After graduating from Cal Poly with a Business degree, Joel spent 15 years working in the computer industry in Silicon Valley and the Seattle area.  An avid traveler, Joel took a 6 month break from work to ride his motorcycle around Baja California – which turned into traveling the world for 8 years including journeys to Tibet, Antarctica, Cuba, and a solo 7-month 4WD expedition around Australia.  Joel is currently co-owner of a solar energy company and lives in San Luis Obispo.

Meet the Hi Mountain Lookout Volunteers

Jim (Duffy) Duff and his famous pineapple upside-down cake

Nick Todd 1998-2002
Paul Andreano 2002-Present
Michaela Robbins 2002-Present
Mike Tyner 2002-2011
Kathleen Intorf 2002-2004
Jim Duff 2002-Present
Joan Carter 2003
Noll Roberts 2004
John FitzRandolph 2005-Present
Melissa Kelly 2007
Peter Dullea 2007-2012
Scott Stellar 2008-2010
Sara Silverberg, 2008-2012
Carolna Van Stone 2009-Present
Tiko Van Stone 2009-Present
Dave Berry 2009-2011
Susanne Stadler 2010-2012
Claudia Lenschen-Ramos 2010
Phyllis Hischier 2010-Present

Become a Volunteer!

If you would like to volunteer with the Hi Mountain Lookout Project, please fill out our Volunteer Request Form and a Lookout staff will contact you. Thanks!