Docents at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve are a tight-knit group of dedicated and passionate volunteers who provide countless hours of service leading public tours, providing school outreach, participating in events, hosting discovery tables, and assisting with trail maintenance and habitat restoration. The docent program began in 1994, a decade before the City of Poway took over managing the 700-acre reserve in 2004.
Annie Ransom, retired interpretive service coordinator for the City of Poway, said it’s inevitable that personal friendships grow through the experience of working together so closely. She herself started as a volunteer docent in 1998, and two years later was hired to oversee Blue Sky operations.
“Over my years at Blue Sky, we have sadly lost a total of nine docents,” Annie said. “For many years I felt we needed a way to acknowledge their service and honor them.”
After the passing of long-time docent Carol Crafts in 2022, a volunteer for 24 years, Annie said it became an even greater priority for her and the docents.
The city approved creating a memorial, which was recently installed at a trailhead just off the Blue Sky parking lot. Inside a display case is a carved oak sculpture mounted on a colorful rendering of Blue Sky painted by one of the rangers. The oak tree is not only an intrinsic part of Poway’s identity (as part of the city seal), but the most prolific tree in Blue Sky running the full length of the canyon.
“I liken it to oak trees being the backbone of Blue Sky, just as the docents are,” Annie said.
Acorns with the name of volunteers who have passed away are placed on the tree.
“Where would the mighty oak be without the acorn, and where would Blue Sky be without it’s volunteers?” she added.
A memorial dedication was held at Blue Sky on Friday, Dec. 1. Attendees were a mix of families of loved ones being recognized, current docents and city staff. After a short introduction, which included heartfelt memories about each docent, families were given a framed photo of their loved one, and the memorial kiosk was unveiled.
