Jacob Doiron

Management Information Systems Lecturer
San Diego Canyonlands Volunteer

 Jacob Dorion (front) and fellow volunteers from San Diego Canyonlands

For the past seven years, Jacob Doiron (’15, management information systems) has worked with various not-for-profit organizations that clean, restore and maintain San Diego County’s natural habitats. 

Most recently, Doiron, who is a lecturer at the management information systems (MIS) department at the Fowler College of Business, has become involved with the group, San Diego Canyonlands, after he saw an Instagram post about their volunteer program.  “I work with them intermittently when my weekends will allow,” said Doiron.  “We remove invasive species and trash from canyons all over San Diego County. In addition to removing litter, we also remove things like acacia bush, giant reeds (arundo donax), Mexican fan palms, and pampas grass, just to name a few.” 

Doion found this freshwater prawn while working near a local stream

However, what Doiron has done with the group has evolved into more than picking up trash and removing invasive plant life — he is also getting an education in the region’s thriving ecosystem. “I’m seeing flora and fauna in the canyons that I’ve never seen or noticed before, and the organizers are always happy to share information about them,” he said. “Like the cochineal insect that the local indigenous peoples would harvest and use to create red dyes. Or learning about the medicinal and food uses of native plants that the Kumeyaay have been using for millennia. During the most recent cleanup, we were working along side a stream where we found freshwater prawns!” 

Doiron said that while the work can be hard (“especially during the summer months”), it also gives him a feeling of immense satisfaction. “It’s incredibly rewarding knowing that we’re helping to restore and preserve amazing — though often overlooked — habitats to help promote balanced and healthy ecosystems.”