Black Diamond Mines
Address: Black Diamond Mines, 5175 Somersville Road, Antioch, CA 94509
Phone No.: (510) 544-2750
Email: bdvisit@ebparks.org
Bob Kanagaki, Naturalist
A lifelong resident of eastern Contra Costa County, Bob was introduced to Black Diamond as a college student through an archaeological excavation at Somersville in 1980. He began working at Black Diamond as an interpretive student aide in 1989 and became a naturalist in 1992. Bob has a Bachelor's degree in geography from the University of California at Berkeley and is pursuing a master's degree from California State University, Hayward. In his free time, he sharpens his skills in cartography and computer graphics.
Mike Moran, Naturalist
Mike began work with the Park District in 1989 as a park service attendant at Pt. Pinole. After leaving the District to acquire a Master of Science degree in Wildland Resource Science from UC Berkeley, he joined the Black Diamond staff as a temporary naturalist aide, becoming permanent in 1995. He has been interpreting in myriad settings, specializing in marine and aquatic science, and boning up on birds. In his "off time" (any such thing?) he likes leading whale-watch trips, skiing, golfing (hacking), quenching his curiosities, and exploring the Northwest.
Traci Parent, Supervising Naturalist
Traci began working for the Park District in 1977. She received her B.S. degree in Recreation and Park Administration from California State University at Sacramento where she focused her studies in Environmental Interpretation. Traci has worked for several park agencies. She enjoys spending much of her time working on her family history. One of her special interests is old cemeteries.
Eddie Willis, Naturalist/Docent Coordinator
Eddie, a.k.a. “Outdoor Ed”, began his career with East Bay Regional Park District in 2003 as an Interpretive Student Aide. This was the spring board for other jobs in the interpretive field, and he has since worked for California State Parks, UC Davis, and YMCA Camp Arroyo. Eddie earned his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Education from UC Davis in 2007 and was hired as a full-time Naturalist in 2008. He enjoys hiking, camping, road trips, hiking, playing guitar, gardening (weeding), and hiking. Eddie really “digs” his work at Black Diamond Mines, and can be found leading long hikes, interpreting cultural uses of plants, and researching the colorful history of Contra Costa County.
Kevin Damstra