Chevron retiree Peter Schmidt describes his volunteer activities as “a quiet time in which to recharge my batteries.” This perspective has served him well, even when a multi-taloned, potentially dangerous raptor from the Lindsay Wildlife Experience is perched on his wrist. (Photo credit Paul Hara). The care of raptors has been Peter’s specialty ever since he began working as a volunteer at the center’s sanctuary for birds and animals in Walnut Creek, California, in 1997. Peter stresses that “these birds aren’t pets – and yet it’s possible to build a relationship with them.” His work with raptors includes cleaning up their area, feeding them and taking them for exercise. “They seem to recognize that I’m not someone who wants to clip their talons or other things they don’t like.” ​Peter originally joined the facility to replace his son, who had cared for raptors during his high school years and was leaving to attend college. Peter quickly found himself fitting into his role at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, which provides the community with a mechanism to connect with wildlife that have been injured or are otherwise unable to be released to the wild. Today, he no longer works exclusively with raptors. “The administration wanted volunteers to extend their efforts to a wider group of birds, which meant that I had to develop a greater spectrum of skill sets.” He became particularly attached to Shadow, a great gray owl who often startled easily but relaxed in Peter’s presence. ​At Lindsay, he has also become involved in special projects, such as building an enclosure for an aquarium tank to house hermit crabs. “It was a good project for me since I like making things,” Peter says. Over 70 years of existence, the Lindsay Wildlife Experience had various names and locations, but the same purpose. It is the country’s first wildlife hospital, a zoological organization, and an educational museum specializing in native California wildlife. Since 1993, it has occupied a 28,000-square-foot space in Walnut Creek’s Larkey Park. There, each year, its veterinarians, husbandry experts, biologists, and teachers treat more than 5,000 wild animals; care for the 70 animal ambassadors who call Lindsay home; and educate approximately 100,000 people. ​Peter’s fascination with building things was one of the reasons he became a volunteer at Burning Man roughly 10 years ago. Burning Man Project, headquartered in San Francisco, is a network of people inspired by the values which include radical self-reliance, communal effort, civic responsibility, and “leaving no trace.” Each summer, the organization creates a temporary city in Nevada’s Black Rock high desert, where scores of individuals create colorful, transient sculptures and other art. As volunteers, Peter and his wife devote roughly 10 days each summer to helping to build the city. “My biggest interest in Burning Man is the community of people,” says Peter. “And the process of building the city each year involves uplifting vibes and a camaraderie to get the job done.” Peter and his wife design large flags and portable 6 furniture that contribute both artistic and practical qualities to the 10-day event. “The flags are our most dramatic contribution,” says Peter. “They’re designed to fit in with the event’s annual theme and they fly over Burning Man’s Center Camp Café.” The practical contributions include plywood benches for the café, which interlock and can be taken down and stored flat to minimize storage requirements in trailers. Peter also made a “Price Is Right” wheel for the emcee to use on the café’s performing stage - It lights up and rotates, then can be broken down for storage each year. He has also contributed used paint from the county hazardous waste recycling center, which the artists can reuse. A picture of the large group of volunteers who build the temporary city each year shows Peter in the center, in red. ​Working at the Black Rock plateau site posed early problems for the Schmidts. “It took us the first year to get used to the quiet and the hot, dry, dusty climate. Whenever we returned to the ‘real world,’ we had to wipe ourselves down with a vinegar solution to remove the limestone dust from our skin. But we adapted.” ​He also expanded his responsibilities, feeding some of the visitors and becoming involved with the local Rangers to patrol the city and provide help where needed. Peter’s enduring impressions of Burning Man include an appreciation for its art, its spectacle, its thematic creativity (such as one year’s event devoted to DaVinci’s Workshop) and its communal spirit. ​Peter’s earliest volunteer activity occurred during the years when he was working for Chevron Research Company. At that time, he served with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts while his sons were involved with the organizations. He remembers the “high adventure” of taking the boys camping in the Florida Keys. And he praises Chevron Humankind for its financial contributions to organizations for which Peter has volunteered for more than 35 years.