Smoker recognized the need for a wider public appreciation of this great natural treasure that exists within an area of rapid urban expansion and concurrent loss of the original environment. The task was interpretive; the key was education. A meeting convened on the proverbial dark and stormy night of January 30, 1974 in Smoker's living room. Among those present were Mary Bowerman, founder of Save Mount Diablo and preeminent botanist; Frank Valle-Riestra, a scientist with an interest in natural history; Ron Edwards, a wildlife expert from the Lindsay Museum; Phil Gordon, biology teacher, and ornithologist associated with the Audubon Society; Beverly Clemson, Director of the Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum; Howard Knight, Professor of Biological Sciences at Diablo Valley College; Betty Zilen, retired Mount Diablo School District science supervisor; and Ed Earl, Superintendent of Mount Diablo State Park.

The Mount Diablo Interpretive Association is celebrating a huge milestone this year, our 50th Anniversary!

MDIA was the brainchild of Sam Smoker, Executive Director of the Lindsay Museum in Walnut Creek, who formulated a vision of an interpretive association that would supplement, in a significant way, the work of the small staff of rangers at the ever-expanding Mount Diablo State Park.

MDIA continues its long-standing mission of Preservation through Education and has remained an all-volunteer non-profit cooperating association benefiting Mount Diablo State Park.

Watch for upoming events celebrating our milestone: https://www.mdia.org/Events