The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates have selected Denny Truger as their Docent of the Year. He will receive his diploma at the county-wide recognition ceremony at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center on September 14.

Truger became a docent at Placerita in 2012, shortly after his retirement. He had never been to the Nature Center before and went through the docent training after noticing an ad in the local newspaper. It was a perfect fit.

His smile, great sense of humor and the joy in every project he tackles have made him a fantastic asset to the Nature Center. Technically minded, he sees new ways to solve problems – bringing electricity to the amphitheater, repairing the public address system, and many other projects. His pride and joy was the complete rebuilding of the Tataviam exhibit at the Nature Center.

An artist, he brings his good design eye to all of the many projects he undertakes, whether building a fountain for the hummingbird garden or being part of the team that made a wooden cow for the Nature Center’s recent open house event.

Truger also volunteers his time and talents for the Friends of Hart Park and Museum, and helps to clean up the animals at Hart Park.

He is also an avid hiker who can often be seen with his Placerita friends hiking the Pacific Coast Trail or in the desert.

Truger with an alpaca at Hart Park, where he helps around the barnyard.

Truger was born in San Francisco and raised in Glendale. He attended Pierce College and followed his maternal grandfather, uncle, father and brother to become an electrician. He has been happy with the choice.

He developed his love of nature at an early age, during summer vacations to Idaho to visit his paternal grandparents. He said they were the best times of his life. His grandfather was a hard-rock gold and silver miner who was always certain that gold was just one more blast away. His grandmother was the best cook and loved all animals. Denny and his brother were always hiking, feeding the squirrels, chipmunks, birds, chickens and porcupines, along with playing with the mining equipment.

Most of all, Denny Truger is a wonderful person with a heart of gold and a quick and easy smile who makes everybody have a great time in his company. He is also a hard worker, and the Placerita Canyon Nature Center has benefited tremendously from all his of wonderful projects.

“Docent of the Year” is the highest distinction given by the Nature Center Associates. Congratulations and heartfelt thanks go out to Denny Truger for his hard work and devotion to Placerita.