Canyoneers are citizen scientists and volunteers who have had comprehensive training by the San Diego Natural History Museum scientists and local experts on the natural history of the region. When you hike with a Canyoneer you are encouraged to stop, look, listen, touch, smell, and examine—to understand that everything is linked together. Canyoneers provide a unique opportunity to explore the wild places of San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties, highlighting the rich biodiversity of the region. The Canyoneers were founded in 1973 by Helen Chamlee Witham, an associate botanist at the Museum, a teacher and an environmental activist. Today, 82 Canyoneers lead weekend hikes at 70 locations from September through late June, and the Friday Guides lead elementary school groups on shorter hikes in local canyons during the school year. By a conservative estimate, at least 500 citizen-naturalists have trained as Canyoneers since the inception of the program. They in turn have led over 2000 public hikes since they were organized. The Canyoneers remain one of the few trail-guide groups nationwide affiliated with a natural history museum rather than a park or reserve.