Peter Deneen's Journey from Coast Guard to Conservation

After chasing drug runners on the high seas as a Coast Guard officer and reporting on climate change for GlacierHub, Peter Deneen has found his true calling in the rugged landscapes of Ojai Valley. As the new Executive Director of Keep Sespe Wild, Deneen brings his distinct blend of military precision, journalistic insight, and environmental passion to one of Southern California's most precious wilderness areas. His path to conservation leadership reads like an adventure novel – surviving a mountain lion attack in Sisar Canyon, documenting the devastation of the Thomas Fire, and studying climate science at Columbia University. But it was a teenage bike crash that first connected him to the community he now serves, as a teenaged intern at the Ojai Valley News. Today, Deneen channels his diverse experience into protecting the Sespe's delicate ecosystem. From helping coordinate the Save White Sage campaign to tackle overharvesting, to addressing single-use plastic pollution, he's taking on the region's most pressing environmental challenges. As co-founder of the Sisar Canyon Run Club and board member for multiple local organizations including The CREW and Ojai Raptor Center, Deneen embodies the connection between community engagement and conservation. Join us as we explore how this Coast Guard veteran turned environmental leader is working to preserve Ojai's bioregion for future generations, one project at a time. We did not talk about Yankee clipper ships, the unexpected environmental challenges of transitioning to an all-electric future, or the evolution of baseball from the English schoolyard game of rounders. Learn more about Peter at PeteDeneen.world or SespeWild.org.