Living the Wildlife
Tom Fox labors to preserve Newport Bay area
Tom Fox had no intention to become a volunteer.
One day while driving along the interstate, looking for the peacefulness of the outdoors, Fox stopped to chat with volunteers who were working to preserve California’s Upper Newport Bay area for wildlife. He admired their grueling work, talked a bit about the wetlands and, before he knew it, had rolled up his sleeves and jumped right in to help.
“I told them anytime I could give them a hand, I’d be glad to,” said Fox. “That week, we planted over 300 trees.”
Ten years and more than 3,000 hours later, the UAW Local 509 member makes volunteering with the Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends as much a part of his routine as his work at the Fontana (Calif.) Parts Distribution Center. Fontana PDC distributes Mercedez-Benz parts in the western United States.
Soon after punching out, the 20-year maintenance worker, who puts in 45 to 55 hours a week at the Fontana PDC, resumes his labor of love at Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. He devotes most of his weekends to help in preserving more than 900 acres of estuary land.
“Some people do things because they know it looks good,” said Mike Emerson about his PDC co-worker and friend. “But when Tom does his work for the bay, he does it out of conviction. His satisfaction that he’s made a difference is worth more than any recognition.”
But dedication has its rewards. Last spring Fox’s environmental work earned him praise at the sixth annual Orange County Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, which acknowledged Fox as outstanding among 21,000 other volunteers.
“I work with such great people, it’s hard to be singled out,” Fox said with typical humility. “These people have the same interests and are just as dedicated as I am. I wish I could share the accolades — cut off a piece for everyone.”
Emerson, UAW Local 509 unit chair, says it is the balancing act of working and volunteering that astonishes him about Fox. “There is no one aspect about Tom that’s less than 100 percent,” he said.
Fox calls his Saturday at the bay a “recharging of his batteries” because he’s energized by the joy of what he does for the environment.
The Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve is home to more than 200 species of birds, various fish and other aquatic animals that use the wetlands as a migratory stopover. The bay is also the preservation ground for 70 percent of the nation’s population of the endangered light-footed clapper rail, a long-legged, hen-sized marsh bird.
Growing up near the Connecticut shoreline fostered Fox’s early fascination with fish and birds.
“It’s just seeing wildlife and being able to understand the whole ecosystem that makes it work,” he said. “That’s what I love.”
“I’m proud to represent workers like Tom,” said Jim Wells, director of UAW Region 5 that includes California, “someone who turns his conviction into action.”
Whether it is replacing non-native vegetation, organizing annual cleanup day or building fences and installing signs to protect native habitats, the work of the 55-year-old environmentalist is a step above admirable.
“Tom is the guy we always know we can rely on,” said Grace Yick, senior park ranger for the harbors, beaches and parks of Upper Newport Bay.
“Tom is not afraid to tackle the dirty work. Where many volunteers pick and choose the tasks they want to do, Tom never says no because he knows it needs to be done.”
Tanisha Davis
Tanisha Davis does public relations for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler
National Training Center.
