On December 18, 2025, the Habitat Authority recognized three outstanding volunteers who have contributed in significant ways for the preservation of the Puente Hills Preserve. The Habitat Authority is very grateful for their service! See their photos and descriptions below:
Ric Opalka, Overall Volunteer of the Year
Ric Opalka is a Fullerton resident who finds the time to hike and trail watch in the Preserve. Ric started logging volunteer hours with the Habitat Authority in 2020, and has donated 530 hours of his time to date. This past fiscal year he put in the most volunteer hours overall by logging 178 hours, primarily as co-lead for the bi-weekly Powder Canyon 10,000 Steps Hike and tabling at community events. His dedication is tireless and his love for the outdoors is inspiring. We don’t know how he does it, but we very much appreciate it! (Ric is pictured third from the right in the photo to the right)
Bruce Everett, Docent of the Year
Bruce Everett, a Hacienda Heights resident and retired neurosurgeon, has been a volunteer with the Habitat Authority since 2010. He has said that he volunteers because he doesn’t want to sit around in his bathrobe during his retirement. That said, we can’t imagine Bruce sitting down at all! Bruce provides many photographs to staff of the Preserve, and each year generously donates calendars with Preserve photographs. Despite being an active world traveler, he still has time for the Habitat Authority, and has accumulated over 154 volunteer hours this year. He is active in trail watch, 10,000 Steps Hike, monthly hikes, and other special hikes. He is a wealth of knowledge, and fosters stewardship in his audience with each hike he leads. (Bruce is pictured third from the right in the photo to the right)
Lee Willard, Trail Watcher of the Year
Lee Willard lives in Whittier and first began volunteering for the Habitat Authority in 2011 as a docent. The following year he completed Trail Watch training and has since spent countless hours hiking the trails. Lee loves our hills and has long been active with Hills for Everyone, Friends of the Whittier Hills and Sierra Club. In 2012, 2018, & 2023 Lee was awarded our Trail Watch Volunteer of the Year. This past year he donated 133 precious hours helping the rangers keep the Preserve trails safe and clean. His tireless dedication is an undeniable asset to our Trail Watch program, and we greatly appreciate his service! (Lee is in the bright green shirt in the photo to the right. He was unable to attend the December awards event.)
