Friend of the Month | Justin Tungate

Meet Justin Tungate, a dedicated volunteer who has spent several years contributing at multiple restoration sites, including Dimond Canyon and Fern Ravine. Justin shows up with enthusiasm for taking on challenging tasks like clearing large patches of invasive blackberry, putting in long hours, and inspiring friends to join him in caring for the watershed. 

FOSC: What inspired you to get involved in creek restoration with FOSC?

Justin: Like so many people, the COVID 19 pandemic deepened feelings of isolation I had been experiencing for a long time. When I mentioned that to a friend, she suggested it would be really easy for me to find ways of giving back to the community even while social distancing. I took her advice seriously and started looking for organizations that would help connect me with my neighbors and keep me actively engaged in work that I believed in. Friends of Sausal Creek fit the bill perfectly, so I signed up for some of the many events around the watershed and I'm so glad I did. I knew from the first Himalayan blackberry I pulled that I was in the right place and I quickly fell in love with the work, the people, and the place. 

FOSC: What keeps you coming back as a volunteer?

Justin: One of the things I like most about volunteering for a hyper-local organization like Friends of Sausal Creek is how much my small contribution matters. Large systemic challenges can often feel insurmountable, and it's easy to feel like individual efforts are lost in a sea of noise. While I may not be able to solve the issues facing our planet, nation, or state,  I can make a difference in our community by beautifying our parks, increasing access to our green spaces, and making our habitats more resilient. Community action matters, and I'm proud to be a part of the solutions that make Oakland a better place to live, work, and play.

FOSC: How has volunteering shaped your relationship to the watershed or your understanding of stewardship?

Justin: I've had the pleasure of seeing the sites I've worked on throughout the watershed develop and change over time. Being a part of FOSC’s  restoration projects has deepened my sense of place and helped me feel ownership and responsibility for the incredible city we live in. Oakland used to be a place where I felt isolated and alone, but it has transformed into my home.

FOSC: How do you see your involvement with FOSC and stewardship of the watershed evolving in the future?

Justin: I’m excited to keep showing up for the tough work of removing invasive species, and planting natives — and I hope people come out to join me!