A lifelong love of the outdoors led John Hinds to a career with County Parks. Growing up in San Mateo County, John was inspired by regular family outings to local County parks where he would try to collect every badge while participating in Junior Ranger programs. “I took my trusty field manuals on every hike!” he remembers.

That early passion eventually inspired John to earn a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and conservation biology. John started his career with Parks as a seasonal park aide and has been working as park ranger for over four years. He currently serves as part of the ranger team covering San Bruno Mountainand Junipero Serraparks.

He says, “I love working at San Bruno Mountain because of the amazing ecological significance that it has. My favorite part is getting to see the endangered San Bruno Elfin butterfly larvae on the Pacific Stonecrop plants. They are so tiny but blend in so well!  Also, seeing all the other butterflies like the Callippe Silverspot and Mission Blue during spring is a truly awesome sight.” John also appreciates the strong sense of community at San Bruno Mountain, including the many volunteer groups and dedicated park regulars who help make the mountain feel like home.

One of John’s favorite places to explore is Pescadero Creek County Park, especially the Tarwater and Shingle Mill trails. These somewhat hidden and underrated trails wind through beautiful redwood forests and offer challenging hikes with plenty of elevation gain. Along the way, hikers can encounter remnants of the area’s history, including an old dairy farm site and naturally occurring crude oil deposits. According to John, the trail is a great example of the incredible diversity found throughout San Mateo County’s park system.

Outside of work, you can find John camping , improving his disc golf skills, or having fun with friends over a game of Magic: The Gathering. If you see him, be sure to say hello!